Population33,609 (2020 Census)
Spoon River Stories Wind Through the Countryside
Fulton County, IllinoisLewistown is the county seat and Canton its largest city. Spoon River traditions and the Illinois River valley connect the county’s towns with a broader regional story. This guide brings together a starting point for county information, public services and local connections. Begin with Lewistown, 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.
Fulton County at a Glance
Population33,609 (2020 Census)
County SeatLewistown
Largest MunicipalityCanton
Established1823
ZIP Codes22 ZIP codes wholly or partly within the county (checked October 4, 2026)
Total Area882.6 sq mi (land and water; 2020 Census geography)
Major RoutesUS Route 24; US Route 136; Illinois Route 9; Illinois Route 41; Illinois Route 78
Area Codes309 / 861 (common local area codes)
Meet Your County Advertisers
Local Connections for Everyday Needs
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Discover Fulton County
Fulton County
The county was organized from Pike County in 1823 and named for Robert Fulton. Edgar Lee Masters later drew on the region in his writing. Today, Lewistown remains the county seat, while Canton is its largest municipality. The 2020 Census counted 33,609 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 Fulton County extends beyond a single town center. Spoon River and Illinois River heritage 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 1823, Fulton 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
Spoon River and Illinois River heritage help distinguish Fulton County. Its county seat, Lewistown, 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 Fulton County.
Explore the towns, follow the stories, make local connections.
A Look Around
Scenes from Fulton County
Places and details that tell a local story.
CIProud.com
Spoon River Drive enters final weekend of the year in Fulton County
Read the full story at CIProud.com.
Read the Story Oct 11, 2026 • Local news
Around Fulton County
Stories from every corner of Fulton County.
Spoon River Drive enters final weekend of the year in Fulton County
Read the full story at CIProud.com.
Oct 11, 2026 • Local news
Spoon River Scenic Drive returns to Fulton County for its first weekend
Read the full story at CIProud.com.
Oct 2, 2026 • Local news
Fulton County Coroner identifies 80-year-old victim in apartment fall
Read the full story at CIProud.com.
Oct 1, 2026 • Local news
Keep These Businesses in Mind
Start with a Direct Conversation
Contact Bushnell Truck Repair & Towing Inc, His Little Children Childcare Center, Jim Maloof Realtor 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 (309) 547-3041
Schools
County & Local Resources
Hospitals and Health
County & Local Resources
Mason District Hospital
Regional option in Mason County
Address 615 NORTH PROMENADE STREET,P O BOX 530, Havana
Phone (309) 543-4431
Mc Donough District Hospital
Regional option in McDonough County
Address 525 EAST GRANT STREET, Macomb
Phone (309) 833-4101
Sarah D Culbertson Memorial Hospital
Regional option in Schuyler County
Address 238 SOUTH CONGRESS STREET, Rushville
Phone (217) 322-4321
St Mary Medical Center
Regional option in Knox County
Address 3333 NORTH SEMINARY, Galesburg
Phone (309) 344-3161
Public Safety
County & Local Resources
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
Rice Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area
Canton, Fulton County. Check facilities and access notices.
Sand Ridge State Forest
Forest City — regional option in Mason County. Check facilities and access notices.
Spring Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area
Manito — regional option in Mason County. Check facilities and access notices.
Argyle Lake State Park
Colchester — regional option in McDonough County. Check facilities and access notices.
Jubilee College State Park
Brimfield — regional option in Peoria County. Check facilities and access notices.
Trails
County & Local Resources
Emiquon National Wildlife Refuge
Lewistown, Fulton County. Check trail access and permitted uses.
Argyle Lake State Park
Colchester — regional option in McDonough County. Check trail access and permitted uses.
Horn Field Campus
Macomb — regional option in McDonough County. Check trail access and permitted uses.
Spring Lake Park
Macomb — regional option in McDonough County. Check trail access and permitted uses.
Forest Park Nature Center
Peoria — regional option in Peoria 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
Astoria Public Library District
Address 220 West Broadway Avenue Astoria , IL 61501-9630
Phone 309-329-2423
Lewistown Carnegie Public Library District
Address 1126 North Main Street Lewistown , IL 61542-9669
Phone 309-547-2860
Parlin-Ingersoll Public Library
Address 205 West Chestnut Street Canton , IL 61520-2472
Phone 309-647-0328
Bushnell Public Library District
Regional library in McDonough County; check borrowing eligibility
Address 455 North Dean Street Bushnell , IL 61422-1228
Phone 309-772-2060
Courts
County & Local Resources
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 Fulton County
Find background and service information below, then follow the provider links for current details.
Lewistown is the county seat. Fulton County Government provides county office information; check the office destination before traveling.
Canton is the largest municipality listed in the county reference. Countywide statistics include other communities and unincorporated areas as well.
The 2020 Census counted 33,609 residents. This is a decennial count, not a current-year population estimate.
Fulton County was established in 1823. The county was organized from Pike County in 1823 and named for Robert Fulton. Edgar Lee Masters later drew on the region in his writing.
The county covers approximately 882.6 sq mi (land and water; 2020 Census geography). This total includes both land and water, rather than land area alone.
Lewistown is the county seat and Canton its largest city. Spoon River traditions and the Illinois River valley connect the county’s towns with a broader regional story.
Macombopoly is in Macomb, McDonough County. This is a regional option outside Fulton 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.
Emiquon National Wildlife Refuge is in Lewistown, Fulton County. Check the provider’s current opening times and visitor information before traveling.
Rice Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area is in Canton, Fulton 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 Bushnell Truck Repair & Towing Inc, His Little Children Childcare Center, Jim Maloof Realtor for truck repair and towing, childcare, real estate services.
My Local Guide
Find Something Fun
Explore Local PlacesPlan your next stop around current information from each place.
Kids’ Fun
- Macombopoly — Macomb — regional option in McDonough County
- Lakeview Nature Center — Macomb — regional option in McDonough County
- Ball Fore Family Entertainment Center — Macomb — regional option in McDonough County
Restaurants
- Larry A's Pizza — Macomb — regional option in McDonough County
- Old Dairy Cafe & Bakery — Macomb — regional option in McDonough County
- Vitale's Restaurant & Pizzeria — Macomb — regional option in McDonough County
Shopping & Retail
- Sword and Board Game Store — Havana — regional option in Mason County
- New Copperfield's Book Service — Macomb — regional option in McDonough County
- Sarah Beth’s Homemade Dips LLC — Hanna City — regional option in Peoria County
Clothing & Boutiques
- Mother Goosebumps — Galesburg — regional option in Knox County
- Blue Boutique- Peoria — Peoria — regional option in Peoria County
- Running Central — Peoria — regional option in Peoria County
Outdoor Fun
- Emiquon National Wildlife Refuge — Lewistown, Fulton County
- Rice Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area — Canton, Fulton County
- Sand Ridge State Forest — Forest City — regional option in Mason County
Free Things To Do
- Rice Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area — Canton, Fulton County; basic grounds/trail visit. Rentals, camping, special activities or events may cost extra.
- Sand Ridge State Forest — Forest City — regional option in Mason County; basic grounds/trail visit. Rentals, camping, special activities or events may cost extra.
- Spring Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area — Manito — regional option in Mason County; basic grounds/trail visit. Rentals, camping, special activities or events may cost extra.
Make Time for Local DiscoveriesChoose Your Next Stop