Population21,488 (2020 Census)
Old Statehouse Stories Meet Lake Country
Fayette County, IllinoisVandalia connects the county to Illinois statehouse history, while Ramsey Lake adds an outdoor setting in the northwest. Smaller towns lie along the county’s highway corridors. This guide brings together a starting point for county information, public services and local connections. Begin with Vandalia, 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.
Fayette County at a Glance
Population21,488 (2020 Census)
County SeatVandalia
Largest MunicipalityVandalia
Established1821
ZIP Codes12 ZIP codes wholly or partly within the county (checked October 4, 2026)
Total Area725.3 sq mi (land and water; 2020 Census geography)
Major RoutesInterstate 57; Interstate 70; U.S. Route 40; U.S. Route 51; Illinois Route 33
Area Codes618 / 730 (common local area codes)
Meet Your County Advertisers
Local Connections for Everyday Needs
Explore Barlow Lock & Security for lock and security services.
Discover Fayette County
Fayette County
The county was formed in 1821 and named in honor of the Marquis de Lafayette. Later divisions produced several neighboring counties and changed its early boundaries. Today, Vandalia remains the county seat, while Vandalia is its largest municipality. The 2020 Census counted 21,488 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 Fayette County extends beyond a single town center. Statehouse history and outdoor settings 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 1821, Fayette 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
Statehouse history and outdoor settings help distinguish Fayette County. Its county seat, Vandalia, 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 Fayette County.
Explore the towns, follow the stories, make local connections.
A Look Around
Scenes from Fayette County
Places and details that tell a local story.
Vandalia Radio
Fayette County Board Holds Short Meeting But Handles Several Items
Read the full story at Vandalia Radio.
Read the Story Oct 16, 2026 • Local news
Around Fayette County
Stories from every corner of Fayette County.
Fayette County Board Holds Short Meeting But Handles Several Items
Read the full story at Vandalia Radio.
Oct 16, 2026 • Local news
Ramsey Woman Charged In Fayette County Court In Connection With Cain’s Drug Store Break-In
Read the full story at Effingham Radio.
Sep 30, 2026 • Local news
Early Voting in Illinois Underway Today—Here’s the information for early voting in Fayette County
Read the full story at Vandalia Radio.
Sep 24, 2026 • Local news
Severe Thunderstorm Warning For Fayette County
Read the full story at Effingham Radio.
Sep 20, 2026 • Local news
Carnival and Racing tonight at Fayette County Fairgrounds
Read the full story at Vandalia Radio.
Aug 28, 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 (618) 283-5020
Schools
County & Local Resources
Hospitals and Health
County & Local Resources
Hshs Holy Family Hospital Inc
Regional option in Bond County
Address 200 HEALTH CARE DR, Greenville
Phone (618) 664-1230
St Anthonys Memorial Hospital
Regional option in Effingham County
Address 503 N MAPLE STREET, Effingham
Phone (217) 342-2121
Salem Township Hospital
Regional option in Marion County
Address 1201 RICKER DRIVE, Salem
Phone (618) 548-3194
Ssm Health St Mary'S Hospital -Centralia
Regional option in Marion County
Address 400 NORTH PLEASANT AVENUE, Centralia
Phone (618) 436-8000
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.
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
Report cyber-enabled crime through the federal complaint portal; emergencies require 911.
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.
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.
Beaver Dam State Park
Plainview — regional option in Macoupin County. Check facilities and access notices.
Fox Ridge State Park
Charleston — regional option in Coles County. Check facilities and access notices.
Trails
County & Local Resources
Ballard Nature Center
Altamont — regional option in Effingham County. Check trail access and permitted uses.
Stephen A. Forbes State Park
Kinmundy — regional option in Marion County. Check trail access and permitted uses.
Lake Lou Yaegar Park and Shoal Creek Conservation Area
Litchfield — regional option in Montgomery County. Check trail access and permitted uses.
Lake Lou Yaeger Recreation Area
Litchfield — regional option in Montgomery County. Check trail access and permitted uses.
Shoal Creek Conservation Area
Litchfield — regional option in Montgomery 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
Evans Public Library District
Address 825 West Randolph Street Vandalia , IL 62471-2703
Phone 618-283-2824
Saint Elmo Public Library District
Address 311 West Cumberland Road Saint Elmo , IL 62458-1430
Phone 618-829-5544
Altamont Public Library
Regional library in Effingham County; check borrowing eligibility
Address 121 West Washington Avenue Altamont , IL 62411-1451
Phone 618-483-5457
Suzette Brumleve Memorial
Regional library in Effingham County; check borrowing eligibility
Address 200 North Third Street Effingham , IL 62401-3416
Phone 217-342-2464
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 Fayette County
Find background and service information below, then follow the provider links for current details.
Vandalia is the county seat. Fayette County Government provides county office information; check the office destination before traveling.
Vandalia is the largest municipality listed in the county reference. Countywide statistics include other communities and unincorporated areas as well.
The 2020 Census counted 21,488 residents. This is a decennial count, not a current-year population estimate.
Fayette County was established in 1821. The county was formed in 1821 and named in honor of the Marquis de Lafayette. Later divisions produced several neighboring counties and changed its early boundaries.
The county covers approximately 725.3 sq mi (land and water; 2020 Census geography). This total includes both land and water, rather than land area alone.
Vandalia connects the county to Illinois statehouse history, while Ramsey Lake adds an outdoor setting in the northwest. Smaller towns lie along the county’s highway corridors.
Ballard Nature Center is in Altamont, Effingham County. This is a regional option outside Fayette 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. This is a regional option outside Fayette 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 Fayette 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 — regional option in Effingham County
- Douglas-Hart Nature Center — Mattoon — regional option in Coles County
- Rainbow Ranch Petting Zoo — Nashville — regional option in Washington County
Restaurants
- Firefly Grill — Effingham — regional option in Effingham County
- Niemerg's Steakhouse — Effingham — regional option in Effingham County
- Joe's Pizza And Pasta — Effingham — regional option in Effingham County
Shopping & Retail
- Driftstone Pueblo — St. Elmo, Fayette County
- Alwerdt's Garden — Altamont — regional option in Effingham County
- Boos Butcher Block Showroom & Outlet — Effingham — regional option in Effingham County
Clothing & Boutiques
- Driftstone Pueblo — St. Elmo, Fayette County
- Olive Tree Marketplace — Effingham — regional option in Effingham County
- Daisies and Denim — Effingham — regional option in Effingham County
Outdoor Fun
- Ballard Nature Center — Altamont — regional option in Effingham County
- Stephen A. Forbes State Park — Kinmundy — regional option in Marion County
- Boulder Recreation Area Camping — Carlyle — regional option in Clinton 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.
- Sam Dale Lake Conservation Area — Johnsonville — regional option in Wayne County; basic grounds/trail visit. Rentals, camping, special activities or events may cost extra.
- Shelbyville State Fish and Wildlife Area — Bethany — regional option in Moultrie County; basic grounds/trail visit. Rentals, camping, special activities or events may cost extra.
Make Time for Local DiscoveriesChoose Your Next Stop