Population13,761 (2020 Census)
Southern Prairie Towns Follow Creeks and Country Roads
Washington County, IllinoisNashville is the county seat, with Okawville and other communities across the surrounding countryside. The Kaskaskia River forms part of the county’s northern setting. This guide brings together a starting point for county information, public services and local connections. Begin with Nashville, 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.
Washington County at a Glance
Population13,761 (2020 Census)
County SeatNashville
Largest MunicipalityNashville
Established1818
ZIP Codes14 ZIP codes wholly or partly within the county (checked October 4, 2026)
Total Area563.9 sq mi (land and water; 2020 Census geography)
Major RoutesI-64; US 51; IL 4; IL 13; IL 15
Area Codes618 / 730 (common local area codes)
Meet Your County Advertisers
Local Connections for Everyday Needs
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Discover Washington County
Washington County
The county was formed from St. Clair County in 1818 and named for George Washington. Its communities developed within southern Illinois before today's road network took shape. Today, Nashville remains the county seat, while Nashville is its largest municipality. The 2020 Census counted 13,761 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 Washington County extends beyond a single town center. Nashville and southern Illinois towns 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 1818, Washington 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
Nashville and southern Illinois towns help distinguish Washington County. Its county seat, Nashville, 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 Washington County.
Explore the towns, follow the stories, make local connections.
A Look Around
Scenes from Washington County
Places and details that tell a local story.
washingtonconews.com
Mewes Explains Assessment Changes For Washington County Pro...
Read the full story at washingtonconews.com.
Read the Story Oct 14, 2026 • Local news
Around Washington County
Stories from every corner of Washington County.
Mewes Explains Assessment Changes For Washington County Pro...
Read the full story at washingtonconews.com.
Oct 14, 2026 • Local news
Two Vehicle Accident In Washington County
Read the full story at washingtonconews.com.
Oct 13, 2026 • Local news
Washington County News welcomes new journalist: Willow Simmo...
Read the full story at washingtonconews.com.
Oct 11, 2026 • Local news
Free Washington County Sheriff’s Office App Provides County Resources and Jail Information
Read the full story at washingtonconews.com.
Oct 8, 2026 • Local news
Keep These Businesses in Mind
Start with a Direct Conversation
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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) 327-4800
Schools
County & Local Resources
Hospitals and Health
County & Local Resources
St Josephs Hospital
Regional option in Clinton County
Address 9515 HOLY CROSS LN, Breese
Phone (618) 526-4511
Marshall Browning Hospital
Regional option in Perry County
Address 900 NORTH WASHINGTON STREET, Du Quoin
Phone (618) 542-2146
Pinckneyville Community Hospital
Regional option in Perry County
Address 5383 STATE ROUTE 154, Pinckneyville
Phone (618) 357-2187
Deaconess Illinois Crossroads
Regional option in Jefferson County
Address 8 DOCTORS PARK RD, Mount Vernon
Phone (618) 244-5500
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
Washington County Emergency Management & Office of Homeland Security
Official Washington County office information.
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
Kaskaskia River State Fish and Wildlife Area
Baldwin — regional option in Randolph County. Check facilities and access notices.
Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park
Whittington — regional option in Franklin County. Check facilities and access notices.
Kinkaid Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area
Murphysboro — regional option in Jackson County. Check facilities and access notices.
Lake Murphysboro State Park
Murphysboro — regional option in Jackson County. Check facilities and access notices.
Hamilton County State Fish And Wildlife Area
McLeansboro — regional option in Hamilton County. Check facilities and access notices.
Trails
County & Local Resources
Washington County State Recreation Center
Nashville, Washington County. Check trail access and permitted uses.
Eldon Hazlet State Park
Carlyle — regional option in Clinton County. Check trail access and permitted uses.
Boulder Recreation Area Camping
Carlyle — regional option in Clinton County. Check trail access and permitted uses.
Stephen A. Forbes State Park
Kinmundy — regional option in Marion County. Check trail access and permitted uses.
Modoc Rock Shelter
Prairie du Rocher — regional option in Randolph 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
Ashley Public Library District
Address 70 North Second Street Ashley , IL 62808-0246
Phone 618-485-2295
C.E. Brehm Memorial Public Library District
Regional library in Jefferson County; check borrowing eligibility
Address 101 South Seventh Street Mount Vernon , IL 62864-4114
Phone 618-242-6322
Bethalto Public Library District
Regional library in Madison County; check borrowing eligibility
Address 321 South Prairie Street Bethalto , IL 62010-1525
Phone 618-377-8141
East Alton Public Library District
Regional library in Madison County; check borrowing eligibility
Address 250 Washington Avenue East Alton , IL 62024-1547
Phone 618-259-0787
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
Veterans Guide to Vocational and Apprenticeship Programs
Official Washington County office information.
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 Washington County
Find background and service information below, then follow the provider links for current details.
Nashville is the county seat. Washington County Government provides county office information; check the office destination before traveling.
Nashville is the largest municipality listed in the county reference. Countywide statistics include other communities and unincorporated areas as well.
The 2020 Census counted 13,761 residents. This is a decennial count, not a current-year population estimate.
Washington County was established in 1818. The county was formed from St. Clair County in 1818 and named for George Washington. Its communities developed within southern Illinois before today’s road network took shape.
The county covers approximately 563.9 sq mi (land and water; 2020 Census geography). This total includes both land and water, rather than land area alone.
Nashville is the county seat, with Okawville and other communities across the surrounding countryside. The Kaskaskia River forms part of the county’s northern setting.
Rainbow Ranch Petting Zoo is in Nashville, Washington 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.
Washington County State Recreation Center is in Nashville, Washington County. Check the provider’s current opening times and visitor information before traveling.
Kaskaskia River State Fish and Wildlife Area is in Baldwin, Randolph County. This is a regional option outside Washington 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
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My Local Guide
Find Something Fun
Explore Local PlacesPlan your next stop around current information from each place.
Kids’ Fun
- Rainbow Ranch Petting Zoo — Nashville, Washington County
- Breezy Hill Farm — Benton — regional option in Franklin County
- Little Grassy Fish Hatchery — Makanda — regional option in Williamson County
Restaurants
- Little Augie’s — Breese — regional option in Clinton County
- Joe's Pizza and Pasta — Pinckneyville — regional option in Perry County
- Popeye's Chop House — St. Rose — regional option in Clinton County
Shopping & Retail
- Voss Pecans — Carlyle — regional option in Clinton County
- The Crescent Moon — Carlyle — regional option in Clinton County
- Wayward Wovens — Du Quoin — regional option in Perry County
Clothing & Boutiques
- Laced 'N Grace — Mount Vernon — regional option in Jefferson County
- Little Britches Boutique — Mount Vernon — regional option in Jefferson County
- 5 T's Custom Creations — Herrin — regional option in Williamson County
Outdoor Fun
- Washington County State Recreation Center — Nashville, Washington County
- Eldon Hazlet State Park — Carlyle — regional option in Clinton County
- Coles Creek — Carlyle — regional option in Clinton County
Free Things To Do
- Kaskaskia River State Fish and Wildlife Area — Baldwin — regional option in Randolph County; basic grounds/trail visit. Rentals, camping, special activities or events may cost extra.
- Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park — Whittington — regional option in Franklin County; basic grounds/trail visit. Rentals, camping, special activities or events may cost extra.
- Kinkaid Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area — Murphysboro — regional option in Jackson County; basic grounds/trail visit. Rentals, camping, special activities or events may cost extra.
Make Time for Local DiscoveriesChoose Your Next Stop