Population5,400 (2020 Census)
Small Prairie Towns Carry a Lasting Heritage
Stark County, IllinoisToulon is the county seat and Wyoming the largest city. Bradford and other small communities sit within a compact agricultural county in the Peoria region. This guide brings together a starting point for county information, public services and local connections. Begin with Toulon, 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.
Stark County at a Glance
Population5,400 (2020 Census)
County SeatToulon
Largest MunicipalityWyoming
Established1839
ZIP Codes9 ZIP codes wholly or partly within the county (checked October 4, 2026)
Total Area288.4 sq mi (land and water; 2020 Census geography)
Major RoutesIllinois Route 17; Illinois Route 18; Illinois Route 40; Illinois Route 78; Illinois Route 91
Area Codes309 / 861 (common local area codes)
Meet Your County Advertisers
Local Connections for Everyday Needs
Explore Hutchinson Electric and Insulation for electrical and insulation work.
Discover Stark County
Stark County
The county was formed from Knox and Putnam counties in 1839. It was named for John Stark, a military leader in the American Revolutionary War. Today, Toulon remains the county seat, while Wyoming is its largest municipality. The 2020 Census counted 5,400 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 Stark County extends beyond a single town center. Small towns and agricultural landscapes 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 1839, Stark 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
Small towns and agricultural landscapes help distinguish Stark County. Its county seat, Toulon, 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 Stark County.
Explore the towns, follow the stories, make local connections.
A Look Around
Scenes from Stark County
Places and details that tell a local story.
Peoria Journal Star
Returning to Illinois, Theo Von works out at Stark County HS
Read the full story at Peoria Journal Star.
Read the Story Aug 12, 2026 • Local news
Around Stark County
Stories from every corner of Stark County.
Keep These Businesses in Mind
Start with a Direct Conversation
Contact Hutchinson Electric and Insulation 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) 286-7172
Schools
County & Local Resources
Hospitals and Health
County & Local Resources
Carle Health Methodist Hospital
Regional option in Peoria County
Address 221 N E GLEN OAK AVE, Peoria
Phone (309) 672-5522
Saint Francis Medical Center
Regional option in Peoria County
Address 530 NE GLEN OAK AVE, Peoria
Phone (309) 655-2000
St Mary Medical Center
Regional option in Knox County
Address 3333 NORTH SEMINARY, Galesburg
Phone (309) 344-3161
Hammond Henry Hospital
Regional option in Henry County
Address 600 N COLLEGE AVENUE, Geneseo
Phone (309) 944-6431
Osf Saint Luke Medical Center
Regional option in Henry County
Address 1051 WEST SOUTH STREET, Kewanee
Phone (309) 853-3361
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
Rock Island Trail State Park
Wyoming, Stark County. Check facilities and access notices.
Donnelley/Depue State Fish and Wildlife Area & Complex
De Pue — regional option in Bureau County. Check facilities and access notices.
Mautino State Fish and Wildlife Area
Sheffield — regional option in Bureau County. Check facilities and access notices.
Snakeden Hollow State Fish and Wildlife Area
Victoria — regional option in Knox County. Check facilities and access notices.
Marshall State Fish and Wildlife Area
Lacon — regional option in Marshall County. Check facilities and access notices.
Trails
County & Local Resources
Rock Island Trail State Park
Wyoming, Stark County. Check trail access and permitted uses.
Forest Park Nature Center
Peoria — regional option in Peoria County. Check trail access and permitted uses.
Grandview Drive – The "World's Most Beautiful Drive"
Peoria Heights — regional option in Peoria County. Check trail access and permitted uses.
Jubilee College State Park
Brimfield — regional option in Peoria County. Check trail access and permitted uses.
Bicycle Safety Town
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
Bradford Public Library District
Address 111 South Peoria Street Post Office Box 249 Bradford , IL 61421-0249
Phone 309-897-8400
Toulon Public Library District
Address 617 East Jefferson Street Toulon , IL 61483-8099
Phone 309-286-5791
Wyoming Public Library District
Address 119 North Seventh Street Wyoming , IL 61491-1307
Phone 309-695-2241
Henry Public Library
Regional library in Marshall County; check borrowing eligibility
Address 702 Front Street Post Office Box 183 Henry , IL 61537-0183
Phone 309-364-2516
Lacon Public Library District
Regional library in Marshall County; check borrowing eligibility
Address 205 Sixth Street Lacon , IL 61540-1244
Phone 309-246-2855
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 Stark County
Find background and service information below, then follow the provider links for current details.
Toulon is the county seat. Stark County Government provides county office information; check the office destination before traveling.
Wyoming is the largest municipality listed in the county reference. Countywide statistics include other communities and unincorporated areas as well.
The 2020 Census counted 5,400 residents. This is a decennial count, not a current-year population estimate.
Stark County was established in 1839. The county was formed from Knox and Putnam counties in 1839. It was named for John Stark, a military leader in the American Revolutionary War.
The county covers approximately 288.4 sq mi (land and water; 2020 Census geography). This total includes both land and water, rather than land area alone.
Toulon is the county seat and Wyoming the largest city. Bradford and other small communities sit within a compact agricultural county in the Peoria region.
Forest Park Nature Center is in Peoria, Peoria County. This is a regional option outside Stark 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.
Rock Island Trail State Park is in Wyoming, Stark County. Check the provider’s current opening times and visitor information before traveling.
Rock Island Trail State Park is in Wyoming, Stark 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 Hutchinson Electric and Insulation for electrical and insulation work.
My Local Guide
Find Something Fun
Explore Local PlacesPlan your next stop around current information from each place.
Kids’ Fun
- Forest Park Nature Center — Peoria — regional option in Peoria County
- Peoria Playhouse Children's Museum — Peoria — regional option in Peoria County
- Peoria Zoo — Peoria — regional option in Peoria County
Restaurants
- The Watering Hole at Oak Run — Dahinda — regional option in Knox County
- Hickory River Smokehouse — Peoria — regional option in Peoria County
- The Fox Pub & Cafe — Peoria — regional option in Peoria County
Shopping & Retail
- Dahinda General Store — Dahinda — regional option in Knox County
- Blue Boutique- Peoria — Peoria — regional option in Peoria County
- Shoppes at Grand Prairie — Peoria — regional option in Peoria County
Clothing & Boutiques
- Ada Laine Boutique — Princeville — regional option in Peoria County
- Stems by Allison — Chillicothe — regional option in Peoria County
- Blue Boutique- Peoria — Peoria — regional option in Peoria County
Outdoor Fun
- Rock Island Trail State Park — Wyoming, Stark County
- Snakeden Hollow State Fish and Wildlife Area — Victoria — regional option in Knox County
- Jubilee College State Park — Brimfield — regional option in Peoria County
Free Things To Do
- Rock Island Trail State Park — Wyoming, Stark County; basic grounds/trail visit. Rentals, camping, special activities or events may cost extra.
- Snakeden Hollow State Fish and Wildlife Area — Victoria — regional option in Knox County; basic grounds/trail visit. Rentals, camping, special activities or events may cost extra.
- Jubilee College State Park — Brimfield — regional option in Peoria County; basic grounds/trail visit. Rentals, camping, special activities or events may cost extra.
Make Time for Local DiscoveriesChoose Your Next Stop