Saline County, Illinois

Saline County
Former Saline County Courthouse in Harrisburg
Location within the U.S. state of Illinois
Illinois's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 37°45′N 88°32′W / 37.75°N 88.54°W / 37.75; -88.54
Country United States
State Illinois
Founded1847
Named afterSaline River
SeatHarrisburg
Largest cityHarrisburg
Area
  Total
387 sq mi (1,000 km2)
  Land380 sq mi (1,000 km2)
  Water7.0 sq mi (18 km2)  1.8%
Population
 (2020)
  Total
23,768
  Density61/sq mi (24/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
  Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district12th
Websitewww.salinecounty.illinois.gov

Saline County is a county in Southern Illinois. At the 2020 census, it had a population of 23,768. The largest city and county seat is Harrisburg. This area of Southern Illinois is known locally as "Little Egypt".

Three major towns in Saline County are connected by U.S. Route 45, and formerly by the now-abandoned Cairo and Vincennes/Big Four/New York Central Line, from north to south: Eldorado, Harrisburg, and Carrier Mills.