Population20,990 (2020 Census)
Lake Country Connects Towns and Rural Traditions
Shelby County, IllinoisShelbyville is the county seat and a gateway to the Lake Shelbyville area. Communities across the surrounding countryside connect through highways and local roads. This guide brings together a starting point for county information, public services and local connections. Begin with Shelbyville, 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.
Shelby County at a Glance
Population20,990 (2020 Census)
County SeatShelbyville
Largest MunicipalityShelbyville
Established1827
ZIP Codes19 ZIP codes wholly or partly within the county (checked October 4, 2026)
Total Area768.1 sq mi (land and water; 2020 Census geography)
Major RoutesInterstate 57; U.S. Highway 45; U.S. Highway 51; Illinois Route 16; Illinois Route 32
Area Codes217 / 447 / 618 / 730 (common local area codes)
Meet Your County Advertisers
Local Connections for Everyday Needs
Explore Neoga Package Liquor Store for beer, wine and spirits.
Discover Shelby County
Shelby County
The county was established from Fayette County in 1827 and named for Isaac Shelby. Several subsequent divisions changed the extent of its original territory. Today, Shelbyville remains the county seat, while Shelbyville is its largest municipality. The 2020 Census counted 20,990 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 Shelby County extends beyond a single town center. Shelbyville and lake country 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 1827, Shelby 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
Shelbyville and lake country help distinguish Shelby County. Its county seat, Shelbyville, 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 Shelby County.
Explore the towns, follow the stories, make local connections.
A Look Around
Scenes from Shelby County
Places and details that tell a local story.
Effingham Radio
Elderly Man Dies After Contracting West Nile In Shelby County
Read the full story at Effingham Radio.
Read the Story Oct 3, 2026 • Local news
Around Shelby County
Stories from every corner of Shelby County.
Keep These Businesses in Mind
Start with a Direct Conversation
Contact Neoga Package Liquor Store 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) 774-5579
Schools
County & Local Resources
Hospitals and Health
County & Local Resources
St Anthonys Memorial Hospital
Regional option in Effingham County
Address 503 N MAPLE STREET, Effingham
Phone (217) 342-2121
Pana Community Hospital
Regional option in Christian County
Address 101 E NINTH STREET, Pana
Phone (217) 562-2131
Taylorville Memorial Hospital
Regional option in Christian County
Address 201 EAST PLEASANT STREET, Taylorville
Phone (217) 824-3331
Fayette County Hospital
Regional option in Fayette County
Address 650 W TAYLOR ST, Vandalia
Phone (618) 283-1231
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
Shelbyville State Fish and Wildlife Area
Bethany — regional option in Moultrie County. Check facilities and access notices.
Spitler Woods State Natural Area
Mount Zion — regional option in Macon County. Check facilities and access notices.
Fox Ridge State Park
Charleston — regional option in Coles County. Check facilities and access notices.
Clinton Lake State Recreation Area
Dewitt — regional option in DeWitt County. Check facilities and access notices.
Trails
County & Local Resources
General Dacey Trail
Shelbyville, Shelby County. Check trail access and permitted uses.
Lincoln Prairie Trail
Pana — regional option in Christian County. Check trail access and permitted uses.
Ballard Nature Center
Altamont — regional option in Effingham County. Check trail access and permitted uses.
Rock Springs Nature Center
Decatur — regional option in Macon 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
Herrick Township Public Library
Address 303 North Broadway Street Herrick , IL 62431-1001
Phone 618-428-5223
Moweaqua Public Library District
Address 600 North Putnam Street Moweaqua , IL 62550-9418
Phone 217-768-4700
Windsor Storm Memorial Public Library District
Address 102 South Maple Street Windsor , IL 61957-1443
Phone 217-459-2498
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 Shelby County
Find background and service information below, then follow the provider links for current details.
Shelbyville is the county seat. Shelby County Government provides county office information; check the office destination before traveling.
Shelbyville is the largest municipality listed in the county reference. Countywide statistics include other communities and unincorporated areas as well.
The 2020 Census counted 20,990 residents. This is a decennial count, not a current-year population estimate.
Shelby County was established in 1827. The county was established from Fayette County in 1827 and named for Isaac Shelby. Several subsequent divisions changed the extent of its original territory.
The county covers approximately 768.1 sq mi (land and water; 2020 Census geography). This total includes both land and water, rather than land area alone.
Shelbyville is the county seat and a gateway to the Lake Shelbyville area. Communities across the surrounding countryside connect through highways and local roads.
Ballard Nature Center is in Altamont, Effingham County. This is a regional option outside Shelby 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.
General Dacey Trail is in Shelbyville, Shelby County. Check the provider’s current opening times and visitor information before traveling.
Wolf Creek State Park is in Windsor, Shelby 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 Neoga Package Liquor Store for beer, wine and spirits.
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
- Children's Museum of Illinois — Decatur — regional option in Macon 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
- Boos Butcher Block Showroom & Outlet — Effingham — regional option in Effingham County
- Legacy Harley Davidson — Effingham — regional option in Effingham County
- Bike and Hike — Effingham — regional option in Effingham County
Clothing & Boutiques
- Legacy Harley Davidson — Effingham — regional option in Effingham County
- Daisies and Denim — Effingham — regional option in Effingham County
- Olive Tree Marketplace — Effingham — regional option in Effingham County
Outdoor Fun
- General Dacey Trail — Shelbyville, Shelby County
- Memorial Sunken Gardens — Shelbyville, Shelby County
- Wolf Creek State Park — Windsor, Shelby County
Free Things To Do
- Wolf Creek State Park — Windsor, Shelby 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.
- Douglas-Hart Nature Center — Mattoon — 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