Franklin County, Illinois

Franklin County
Location within the U.S. state of Illinois
Illinois's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 37°59′N 88°55′W / 37.99°N 88.92°W / 37.99; -88.92
Country United States
State Illinois
FoundedJanuary 2, 1818
Named afterBenjamin Franklin
SeatBenton
Largest cityWest Frankfort
Area
  Total
432 sq mi (1,120 km2)
  Land409 sq mi (1,060 km2)
  Water23 sq mi (60 km2)  5.2%
Population
 (2020)
  Total
37,804
  Estimate 
(2023)
37,138
  Density88/sq mi (34/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
  Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district12th
Websitewww.franklincountyil.gov

Franklin County is a county in Southern Illinois. At the 2020 census, it had a population of 37,804. The largest city is West Frankfort and the county seat is Benton. This area of Southern Illinois is known locally as "Little Egypt".