Population34,668 (2020 Census)
Roads and Rail Bring Communities Together
Effingham County, IllinoisThe city of Effingham sits at the meeting of Interstates 57 and 70. Altamont, Teutopolis and neighboring communities give the county a wider network of local centers. This guide brings together a starting point for county information, public services and local connections. Begin with Effingham, then use the resource links to plan the details of a visit or an everyday errand. Check directly with each provider for current hours, access and service availability before setting out.
Effingham County at a Glance
Population34,668 (2020 Census)
County SeatEffingham
Largest MunicipalityEffingham
Established1831
ZIP Codes12 ZIP codes wholly or partly within the county (checked October 4, 2026)
Total Area480.0 sq mi (land and water; 2020 Census geography)
Major RoutesInterstate 57; Interstate 70; U.S. Route 40; U.S. Route 45; Illinois Route 32
Area Codes217 / 447 / 618 / 730 (common local area codes)
Meet Your County Advertisers
Local Connections for Everyday Needs
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Discover Effingham County
Effingham County
The county was formed from Fayette and Crawford counties in 1831. Its development can be followed through its towns, courthouse buildings and transportation routes. Today, Effingham remains the county seat, while Effingham is its largest municipality. The 2020 Census counted 34,668 residents across the county. Its towns and surrounding countryside offer different ways to understand the same place: through public buildings, transportation routes and the communities that connect them. Local records and historical collections provide a starting point for exploring how those connections changed over time.
Life in Effingham County extends beyond a single town center. Interstate and rail connections are part of the local setting, alongside the routine needs of households, schools and businesses. Use county offices for the services they administer and contact municipal or township offices when a question concerns a specific address. Planning around the actual destination helps make visits, appointments and local errands more practical, especially when travel crosses town or county boundaries.
What Shapes Us
Local Heritage
Established in 1831, Effingham County has a history recorded in its communities and public institutions. Start with local collections to explore specific people, buildings and events.
Landscape and Connections
Interstate and rail connections help distinguish Effingham County. Its county seat, Effingham, provides a useful starting point for understanding how nearby communities connect across the area.
Everyday Community
County and local offices connect residents with practical services. Follow the linked providers for details specific to your destination, address and purpose in Effingham County.
Explore the towns, follow the stories, make local connections.
A Look Around
Scenes from Effingham County
Places and details that tell a local story.
Effingham Daily News
Meeting to be held on Effingham County hazards mitigation plan
Read the full story at Effingham Daily News.
Read the Story Oct 16, 2026 • Local news
Around Effingham County
Stories from every corner of Effingham County.
Meeting to be held on Effingham County hazards mitigation plan
Read the full story at Effingham Daily News.
Oct 16, 2026 • Local news
Protecting Public Health and Property in Effingham County
Read the full story at thexradio.com.
Oct 16, 2026 • Local news
Waffordhouse Studios Joins Effingham County Chamber
Read the full story at Effingham Radio.
Oct 16, 2026 • Local news
Effingham County FISH 22nd Annual Thanksgiving Day Dinner
Read the full story at Effingham Radio.
Oct 16, 2026 • Local news
Effingham County Chamber Announces 2026 Top Leaders: Under 40 & Future
Read the full story at Effingham Radio.
Oct 15, 2026 • Local news
Keep These Businesses in Mind
Start with a Direct Conversation
Contact Barlow Lock & Security directly to ask about current options, availability and the services you need.
County Resources
Find the Right Local Connection
Start with the responsible public agency or service provider. Statewide links are labeled so you can locate the office that serves your address.
Government
County & Local Resources
Supervisor of Assessments
Property assessments, exemptions and assessment office information.
Phone (217) 342-6711
Schools
County & Local Resources
Hospitals and Health
County & Local Resources
Clay County Hospital
Regional option in Clay County
Address 911 STACY BURK DR, Flora
Phone (618) 662-2131
Fayette County Hospital
Regional option in Fayette County
Address 650 W TAYLOR ST, Vandalia
Phone (618) 283-1231
Hshs Good Shepherd Hospital Inc
Regional option in Shelby County
Address 200 S CEDAR ST, Shelbyville
Phone (217) 774-3961
Salem Township Hospital
Regional option in Marion County
Address 1201 RICKER DRIVE, Salem
Phone (618) 548-3194
Public Safety
County & Local Resources
Illinois State Police
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Illinois State Police contacts
Find the appropriate State Police contact; call 911 for emergencies.
Emergency Services
County & Local Resources
Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
National Weather Service
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
State Parks
County & Local Resources
Wolf Creek State Park
Windsor — regional option in Shelby County. Check facilities and access notices.
Fox Ridge State Park
Charleston — regional option in Coles County. Check facilities and access notices.
Shelbyville State Fish and Wildlife Area
Bethany — regional option in Moultrie County. Check facilities and access notices.
Sam Dale Lake Conservation Area
Johnsonville — regional option in Wayne County. Check facilities and access notices.
Red Hills State Park
Sumner — regional option in Lawrence County. Check facilities and access notices.
Trails
County & Local Resources
Ballard Nature Center
Altamont, Effingham County. Check trail access and permitted uses.
Newton Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area
Newton — regional option in Jasper County. Check trail access and permitted uses.
Sam Parr State Fish & Wildlife Area
Newton — regional option in Jasper County. Check trail access and permitted uses.
General Dacey Trail
Shelbyville — regional option in Shelby County. Check trail access and permitted uses.
Wolf Creek State Park
Windsor — regional option in Shelby County. Check trail access and permitted uses.
Utilities
County & Local Resources
Illinois Commerce Commission
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Illinois 811 — JULIE
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Illinois energy assistance
Find utility-bill assistance and the local administering agency.
Libraries
County & Local Resources
Altamont Public Library
Address 121 West Washington Avenue Altamont , IL 62411-1451
Phone 618-483-5457
Suzette Brumleve Memorial
Address 200 North Third Street Effingham , IL 62401-3416
Phone 217-342-2464
Evans Public Library District
Regional library in Fayette County; check borrowing eligibility
Address 825 West Randolph Street Vandalia , IL 62471-2703
Phone 618-283-2824
Ramsey Public Library
Regional library in Fayette County; check borrowing eligibility
Address 401 South Superior Street Ramsey , IL 62080-0128
Phone 618-423-2019
Saint Elmo Public Library District
Regional library in Fayette County; check borrowing eligibility
Address 311 West Cumberland Road Saint Elmo , IL 62458-1430
Phone 618-829-5544
Courts
County & Local Resources
Illinois Courts
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Illinois Courts — Forms
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Illinois Court Help
Court-process information and help for people without an attorney.
DMV
County & Local Resources
Transportation
County & Local Resources
Illinois Department of Transportation
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Getting Around Illinois
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Illinois public transportation
Find public transportation information and regional agencies.
IDOT transit programs
Transit program information, including rural and intercity services.
Amtrak Illinois services
Find Illinois intercity rail routes and stations; some counties require travel to a regional station.
Postal Services
County & Local Resources
USPS Location Finder
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
USPS ZIP Code Lookup
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
USPS Informed Delivery
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Veterans
County & Local Resources
Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
VA Facility Locator
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Veterans Crisis Line
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Employment
County & Local Resources
IllinoisJobLink — official job-seeker help
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Illinois Department of Employment Security
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Illinois workNet
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Work for Illinois
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
A Useful Starting Point
County facts and practical links for everyday questions.
Questions and Answers
Get to Know Effingham County
Find background and service information below, then follow the provider links for current details.
Effingham is the county seat. Effingham County Government provides county office information; check the office destination before traveling.
Effingham is the largest municipality listed in the county reference. Countywide statistics include other communities and unincorporated areas as well.
The 2020 Census counted 34,668 residents. This is a decennial count, not a current-year population estimate.
Effingham County was established in 1831. The county was formed from Fayette and Crawford counties in 1831. Its development can be followed through its towns, courthouse buildings and transportation routes.
The county covers approximately 480.0 sq mi (land and water; 2020 Census geography). This total includes both land and water, rather than land area alone.
The city of Effingham sits at the meeting of Interstates 57 and 70. Altamont, Teutopolis and neighboring communities give the county a wider network of local centers.
Ballard Nature Center is in Altamont, Effingham County. Check the provider’s current opening times and visitor information before traveling.
Use USPS ZIP Code Lookup with the full street address. A county boundary does not define a single postal delivery area.
Ballard Nature Center is in Altamont, Effingham County. Check the provider’s current opening times and visitor information before traveling.
Wolf Creek State Park is in Windsor, Shelby County. This is a regional option outside Effingham County. Basic access is the free activity; extras may carry charges. Check the provider’s current opening times and visitor information before traveling.
Begin with the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs to locate the appropriate service office, or the VA facility locator for federal facilities.
Meet Your County Advertisers
Local Connections for Everyday Needs
Explore Barlow Lock & Security for lock and security services.
My Local Guide
Find Something Fun
Explore Local PlacesPlan your next stop around current information from each place.
Kids’ Fun
- Ballard Nature Center — Altamont, Effingham County
- Douglas-Hart Nature Center — Mattoon — regional option in Coles County
- Children's Museum of Illinois — Decatur — regional option in Macon County
Restaurants
- Niemerg's Steakhouse — Effingham, Effingham County
- Gabby Goat — Effingham, Effingham County
- Joe's Pizza And Pasta — Effingham, Effingham County
Shopping & Retail
- Bike and Hike — Effingham, Effingham County
- Olive Tree Marketplace — Effingham, Effingham County
- Boos Butcher Block Showroom & Outlet — Effingham, Effingham County
Clothing & Boutiques
- Olive Tree Marketplace — Effingham, Effingham County
- The Red Thread Boutique — Effingham, Effingham County
- Daisies and Denim — Effingham, Effingham County
Outdoor Fun
- Ballard Nature Center — Altamont, Effingham County
- Newton Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area — Newton — regional option in Jasper County
- Stephen A. Forbes State Park — Kinmundy — regional option in Marion County
Free Things To Do
- Wolf Creek State Park — Windsor — regional option in Shelby County; basic grounds/trail visit. Rentals, camping, special activities or events may cost extra.
- Douglas-Hart Nature Center — Mattoon — regional option in Coles County; basic grounds/trail visit. Rentals, camping, special activities or events may cost extra.
- Fox Ridge State Park — Charleston — regional option in Coles County; basic grounds/trail visit. Rentals, camping, special activities or events may cost extra.
Make Time for Local DiscoveriesChoose Your Next Stop