Franklin County Map, Illinois

Written and Fact-checked by | Updated On: April 26, 2026 | 14:30 ET

Map of Franklin County - Franklin County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. Franklin County Map showing cities, highways, important places and water bodies. Get Where is Franklin County located in the map, major cities in Franklin county, population, areas, and places of interest.

Franklin County Map, Illinois

Franklin County Map, Illinois

About Franklin County Map, Illinois: The map showing the county boundary, county seat, major cities, highways, water bodies and neighbouring counties.

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Franklin County, Illinois

Franklin County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. It's county seat is Benton. As per 2020 census, the population of Franklin County is 37442 people and population density is square miles. According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 408 sq mi (1,057 km2). Franklin County was established on 1818.

Facts about Franklin County, Illinois

CountryUnited States
StateIllinois
RegionSouthern Illinois
County SeatBenton
Named AfterBenjamin Franklin
Established1818
Organized1818
Coordinates37.99° N, 88.93° W
Total Area~431 sq mi
Land Area~409 sq mi
Water Area~22 sq mi
Population (2020)~38,804
Population RankMid-sized county in Illinois
Largest CityBenton
Main IndustriesEnergy, Manufacturing, Healthcare, Retail
Major HighwayInterstate 57
Time ZoneCentral Time (UTC−06:00)
Known ForCoal mining heritage, Rend Lake nearby, southern Illinois communities
Websitehttps://www.franklincountyil.gov

Ctities in Franklin county

City NameTypePopulation (2020)Pop. DensityArea
BentonCity6,7091,224.3/sq mi (472.7/km2)5.48 sq mi (14.19 km2)
BucknerVillage409469.0/sq mi (181.1/km2)0.872 sq mi (2.26 km2)
ChristopherCity2,6971,662.8/sq mi (642.0/km2)1.622 sq mi (4.2 km2)
EwingVillage300297.3/sq mi (114.8/km2)1.009 sq mi (2.61 km2)
HanafordVillage320317.5/sq mi (122.6/km2)1.008 sq mi (2.61 km2)
North CityVillage509234.5/sq mi (90.5/km2)2.171 sq mi (5.62 km2)
OrientCity327438.9/sq mi (169.5/km2)0.745 sq mi (1.93 km2)
RoyaltonVillage1,068957.8/sq mi (369.8/km2)1.115 sq mi (2.89 km2)
SesserCity1,8881,833.0/sq mi (707.7/km2)1.03 sq mi (2.67 km2)
ThompsonvilleVillage486239.3/sq mi (92.4/km2)2.031 sq mi (5.26 km2)
ValierVillage554492.9/sq mi (190.3/km2)1.124 sq mi (2.91 km2)
West CityVillage656408.0/sq mi (157.5/km2)1.608 sq mi (4.16 km2)
West FrankfortCity7,2751,460.8/sq mi (564.0/km2)4.98 sq mi (12.9 km2)
ZeiglerCity1,4841,092.0/sq mi (421.6/km2)1.359 sq mi (3.52 km2)
MacedoniaVillage30112.8/sq mi (43.5/km2)0.266 sq mi (0.69 km2)
Freeman SpurVillage268671.7/sq mi (259.3/km2)0.399 sq mi (1.03 km2)

Roads and Highways in Franklin County, Illinois

Franklin County is well-connected by major highways that provide access to southern Illinois and nearby regional cities.

  • Interstate 57 – runs north-south through the county, connecting Benton to Mount Vernon and Marion
  • Illinois Route 14 – runs east-west, linking Benton to McLeansboro and Du Quoin
  • Illinois Route 37 – runs north-south, connecting Benton to Mount Vernon and Marion
  • Illinois Route 34 – crosses the southern part of the county, connecting Benton to West Frankfort and Thompsonville

Neighboring Counties of Franklin County

  • Jefferson County (north)
  • Hamilton County (east)
  • Saline County (southeast)
  • Williamson County (southwest)
  • Perry County (west)

Top Attractions in Franklin County, Illinois

Franklin County offers a mix of outdoor recreation, local history, and small-town charm across its communities.

  • Rend Lake – A large reservoir popular for boating, fishing, camping, and hiking.
  • Rend Lake Recreation Area – Offers trails, picnic areas, and scenic lake views.
  • Benton Public Square – A historic downtown area with shops and local dining.
  • Franklin County Courthouse – A historic landmark located in Benton.
  • Wayne Fitzgerrell State Recreation Area (nearby) – A popular destination for outdoor activities around Rend Lake.
  • West Frankfort Park District – Provides parks, sports facilities, and community events.
  • Franklin County Garage Museum – Showcases vintage cars and local history.

Distance from Franklin County to Nearby Cities

  • Benton to Mount Vernon – 15 mi (24 km)
  • Benton to Marion – 25 mi (40 km)
  • Benton to Carbondale – 40 mi (64 km)
  • Benton to Evansville – 110 mi (177 km)
  • Benton to St. Louis – 100 mi (161 km)

FAQs about Franklin County

Where is Franklin County located?

Franklin County is located in southern Illinois, centered around the city of Benton.

What is Franklin County known for?

The county is known for Rend Lake, outdoor recreation, and its small-town communities.

What is the county seat of Franklin County?

Benton is the county seat and the largest city in Franklin County.

Are there outdoor activities in Franklin County?

Yes, visitors can enjoy boating, fishing, hiking, and camping, especially around Rend Lake.

How can I reach Franklin County?

Franklin County is accessible via Interstate 57 and several Illinois state highways.