Jackson

Formed January 10, 1816 (10^th county)

Jackson County (52,984), Murphysboro (7,094), Carbondale (21,869)                

The Greek Revival style masonry structure was built in 1928 on a square at Walnut, 9^th, Chestnut, and 10^th streets.  Illinois State Highway 149 is Walnut Street is the town.  N. S. Spencer & Son are the architects.  The building features faux columns and the grounds have veteran memorials.  Jackson County was established on January 10, 1816 out of Randolph County as the 10^th county.  Brownsville was the original county seat until 1843.  There was an 1846 courthouse also located in Murphysboro.  The county is named for General Andrew Jackson who later became President.  One of the three commissioners chosen to establish the new county seat was William C. Murphy and his name was selected to go to the new location. 

Jackson County government consists of a sheriff and 14 Commissioners.  Twenty-one Circuit Court Judges serve Jackson, Alexander, Johnson, Massac, Pope, Pulaski, Saline, Union, and Williamson counties.  The county is in southwest Illinois on the border with Missouri.  Saint Louis, Missouri is to the northwest and Evansville, Indiana is to the east of the county.  The county center is 3.4 miles Northwest of Murphysboro.  The county is surrounded clockwise by Perry, Franklin, Williamson, and Union counties and Missouri and Randolph County. 

The area of the county is 584 square miles.  It is 37 out of 102 in the state.  It ranks 26 out of 102 in population in the state.  It has a density of 90.7 persons per square mile making it 27 out of 102 in the state.  Jackson County has 63.9% of its population in its incorporated areas.  United States Highway 51 crosses the eastern part of the county north to south from Perry County to Union County.  The county’s shape could be described as an open hook.  The Mississippi River forms its southwest border with Missouri.  Murphysboro is located slightly south and east of center in the county.  Carbondale is in the southeast quarter of the county and extends into Williamson County.  Murphysboro is the county seat and Carbondale is the largest city.  Murphysboro is 13.4% of the county population while Carbondale is 41.3% of the county population.  This county is in the Carbondale Micropolitan Statistical Area.