Randolph County, Illinois

Randolph County
Randolph County Courthouse in Chester
Motto: 
Where Illinois Began
Map of Illinois highlighting Randolph County
Location within the U.S. state of Illinois
Map of the United States highlighting Illinois
Illinois's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 38°03′N 89°49′W / 38.05°N 89.82°W / 38.05; -89.82
Country United States
State Illinois
Founded1795
Named forEdmund Randolph
SeatChester
Largest cityChester
Area
 • Total
597 sq mi (1,550 km2)
 • Land576 sq mi (1,490 km2)
 • Water22 sq mi (60 km2)  3.6%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
30,163
 • Density51/sq mi (20/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district12th
Websiteam.randolphco.org

Randolph County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2020 census, it had a population of 30,163.[1] Its county seat is Chester.[2]

Owing to its role in the state's history, the county motto is "Where Illinois Began." It contains the historically important village of Kaskaskia, Illinois's first capital.

The county is part of Southern Illinois in the southern portion of the state known locally as "Little Egypt", and includes fertile river flats, part of the American Bottom; it is near the Greater St. Louis area.

  1. ^ "Explore Census Data".
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.