Most rural counties in Illinois

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July 25, 2022
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Most rural counties in Illinois

A surprising number of U.S. counties have 100% rural land-702, in fact. compiled a list of the most rural counties in Illinois using data from the . Counties are ranked by the percent of land area that is rural, as of the 2010 Census, with ties broken by residents per square mile, according to 2020 5-year population estimates.

According to the Census Bureau, rural land encompasses any land that isn't an urban area. To be considered an urban area, a place has to have a densely settled core of census tracts or blocks and count at least 2,500 people, at least 1,500 of whom must be residents of non-institutional buildings. Areas with 50,000 people or more are considered urbanized areas, while areas with between 2,500 and 50,000 people are considered urban clusters.

#50. Lee County

- Rural area: 98.6% (715 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.4% (10 square miles)
- Total land area: 725 square miles
--- #19 largest county in state, #1,225 nationwide

- Population density: 47.2 people / square mile (34,204 residents)
--- #54 lowest density county in state, #1,632 nationwide

#49. Bureau County

- Rural area: 98.8% (858 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.3% (11 square miles)
- Total land area: 869 square miles
--- #8 largest county in state, #941 nationwide

- Population density: 37.8 people / square mile (32,878 residents)
--- #40 lowest density county in state, #1,417 nationwide

#48. Macoupin County

- Rural area: 98.8% (852 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.2% (11 square miles)
- Total land area: 863 square miles
--- #11 largest county in state, #956 nationwide

- Population density: 52.4 people / square mile (45,243 residents)
--- #58 lowest density county in state, #1,731 nationwide

#47. Crawford County

- Rural area: 98.8% (438 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.2% (5 square miles)
- Total land area: 444 square miles
--- #62 largest county in state, #2,292 nationwide

- Population density: 42.5 people / square mile (18,833 residents)
--- #46 lowest density county in state, #1,525 nationwide

#46. De Witt County

- Rural area: 98.9% (393 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.1% (4 square miles)
- Total land area: 398 square miles
--- #73 largest county in state, #2,537 nationwide

- Population density: 39.7 people / square mile (15,764 residents)
--- #42 lowest density county in state, #1,464 nationwide

#45. Livingston County

- Rural area: 98.9% (1,033 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.1% (11 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,044 square miles
--- #4 largest county in state, #626 nationwide

- Population density: 34.2 people / square mile (35,757 residents)
--- #35 lowest density county in state, #1,324 nationwide

#44. Douglas County

- Rural area: 99.0% (412 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.0% (4 square miles)
- Total land area: 417 square miles
--- #70 largest county in state, #2,423 nationwide

- Population density: 46.9 people / square mile (19,551 residents)
--- #53 lowest density county in state, #1,626 nationwide

#43. Alexander County

- Rural area: 99.0% (233 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.0% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 236 square miles
--- #97 largest county in state, #2,936 nationwide

- Population density: 25.5 people / square mile (6,011 residents)
--- #19 lowest density county in state, #1,087 nationwide

#42. Union County

- Rural area: 99.0% (409 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.0% (4 square miles)
- Total land area: 413 square miles
--- #71 largest county in state, #2,446 nationwide

- Population density: 40.7 people / square mile (16,829 residents)
--- #45 lowest density county in state, #1,488 nationwide

#41. Moultrie County

- Rural area: 99.1% (333 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.0% (3 square miles)
- Total land area: 336 square miles
--- #86 largest county in state, #2,722 nationwide

- Population density: 43.3 people / square mile (14,557 residents)
--- #48 lowest density county in state, #1,545 nationwide

#40. Bond County

- Rural area: 99.1% (377 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.9% (3 square miles)
- Total land area: 380 square miles
--- #76 largest county in state, #2,602 nationwide

- Population density: 43.4 people / square mile (16,520 residents)
--- #49 lowest density county in state, #1,547 nationwide

#39. Jo Daviess County

- Rural area: 99.1% (596 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.9% (5 square miles)
- Total land area: 601 square miles
--- #35 largest county in state, #1,623 nationwide

- Population density: 35.7 people / square mile (21,429 residents)
--- #36 lowest density county in state, #1,355 nationwide

#38. Ford County

- Rural area: 99.2% (482 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.8% (4 square miles)
- Total land area: 486 square miles
--- #56 largest county in state, #2,137 nationwide

- Population density: 27.1 people / square mile (13,155 residents)
--- #20 lowest density county in state, #1,126 nationwide

#37. Clark County

- Rural area: 99.2% (497 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.8% (4 square miles)
- Total land area: 501 square miles
--- #53 largest county in state, #2,074 nationwide

- Population density: 31.1 people / square mile (15,602 residents)
--- #30 lowest density county in state, #1,242 nationwide

#36. Piatt County

- Rural area: 99.2% (436 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.8% (3 square miles)
- Total land area: 439 square miles
--- #64 largest county in state, #2,308 nationwide

- Population density: 37.4 people / square mile (16,412 residents)
--- #39 lowest density county in state, #1,406 nationwide

#35. Menard County

- Rural area: 99.2% (312 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.8% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 314 square miles
--- #90 largest county in state, #2,774 nationwide

- Population density: 39.0 people / square mile (12,261 residents)
--- #41 lowest density county in state, #1,454 nationwide

#34. Cass County

- Rural area: 99.2% (373 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.8% (3 square miles)
- Total land area: 376 square miles
--- #79 largest county in state, #2,617 nationwide

- Population density: 32.8 people / square mile (12,324 residents)
--- #34 lowest density county in state, #1,291 nationwide

#33. Edgar County

- Rural area: 99.2% (619 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.8% (5 square miles)
- Total land area: 623 square miles
--- #31 largest county in state, #1,547 nationwide

- Population density: 27.7 people / square mile (17,272 residents)
--- #23 lowest density county in state, #1,146 nationwide

#32. Fulton County

- Rural area: 99.3% (859 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.8% (6 square miles)
- Total land area: 866 square miles
--- #10 largest county in state, #952 nationwide

- Population density: 40.0 people / square mile (34,654 residents)
--- #43 lowest density county in state, #1,468 nationwide

#31. Warren County

- Rural area: 99.3% (539 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.7% (4 square miles)
- Total land area: 542 square miles
--- #47 largest county in state, #1,924 nationwide

- Population density: 31.3 people / square mile (16,981 residents)
--- #32 lowest density county in state, #1,251 nationwide

#30. Fayette County

- Rural area: 99.4% (712 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.6% (4 square miles)
- Total land area: 716 square miles
--- #20 largest county in state, #1,262 nationwide

- Population density: 29.9 people / square mile (21,418 residents)
--- #29 lowest density county in state, #1,211 nationwide

#29. Washington County

- Rural area: 99.4% (559 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.6% (3 square miles)
- Total land area: 563 square miles
--- #44 largest county in state, #1,839 nationwide

- Population density: 24.8 people / square mile (13,967 residents)
--- #17 lowest density county in state, #1,059 nationwide

#28. Iroquois County

- Rural area: 99.5% (1,111 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.5% (6 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,117 square miles
--- #3 largest county in state, #564 nationwide

- Population density: 24.6 people / square mile (27,437 residents)
--- #16 lowest density county in state, #1,054 nationwide

#27. White County

- Rural area: 99.5% (492 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.5% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 495 square miles
--- #54 largest county in state, #2,105 nationwide

- Population density: 27.7 people / square mile (13,712 residents)
--- #24 lowest density county in state, #1,147 nationwide

#26. Hancock County

- Rural area: 99.5% (790 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.5% (4 square miles)
- Total land area: 794 square miles
--- #16 largest county in state, #1,080 nationwide

- Population density: 22.5 people / square mile (17,820 residents)
--- #13 lowest density county in state, #976 nationwide

#25. Clay County

- Rural area: 99.5% (466 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.5% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 468 square miles
--- #59 largest county in state, #2,200 nationwide

- Population density: 28.2 people / square mile (13,217 residents)
--- #25 lowest density county in state, #1,161 nationwide

#24. Brown County

- Rural area: 99.5% (304 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.5% (1 square miles)
- Total land area: 306 square miles
--- #91 largest county in state, #2,797 nationwide

- Population density: 21.6 people / square mile (6,599 residents)
--- #11 lowest density county in state, #946 nationwide

#23. Jasper County

- Rural area: 99.5% (492 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.5% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 495 square miles
--- #55 largest county in state, #2,106 nationwide

- Population density: 19.3 people / square mile (9,547 residents)
--- #9 lowest density county in state, #863 nationwide

#22. Mason County

- Rural area: 99.6% (537 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.4% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 539 square miles
--- #48 largest county in state, #1,940 nationwide

- Population density: 25.0 people / square mile (13,486 residents)
--- #18 lowest density county in state, #1,067 nationwide

#21. Shelby County

- Rural area: 99.6% (756 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.4% (3 square miles)
- Total land area: 759 square miles
--- #18 largest county in state, #1,156 nationwide

- Population density: 28.5 people / square mile (21,623 residents)
--- #26 lowest density county in state, #1,171 nationwide

#20. Mercer County

- Rural area: 99.6% (559 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.4% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 561 square miles
--- #45 largest county in state, #1,846 nationwide

- Population density: 27.6 people / square mile (15,503 residents)
--- #22 lowest density county in state, #1,139 nationwide

#19. Greene County

- Rural area: 99.6% (541 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.4% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 543 square miles
--- #46 largest county in state, #1,920 nationwide

- Population density: 23.9 people / square mile (12,988 residents)
--- #15 lowest density county in state, #1,038 nationwide

#18. Wayne County

- Rural area: 99.6% (711 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.4% (3 square miles)
- Total land area: 714 square miles
--- #23 largest county in state, #1,279 nationwide

- Population density: 22.8 people / square mile (16,309 residents)
--- #14 lowest density county in state, #995 nationwide

#17. Carroll County

- Rural area: 99.7% (443 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.3% (1 square miles)
- Total land area: 445 square miles
--- #60 largest county in state, #2,288 nationwide

- Population density: 32.4 people / square mile (14,398 residents)
--- #33 lowest density county in state, #1,284 nationwide

#16. Hamilton County

- Rural area: 99.7% (433 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.3% (1 square miles)
- Total land area: 435 square miles
--- #66 largest county in state, #2,333 nationwide

- Population density: 18.8 people / square mile (8,151 residents)
--- #7 lowest density county in state, #850 nationwide

#15. Pike County

- Rural area: 99.7% (829 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.3% (3 square miles)
- Total land area: 831 square miles
--- #14 largest county in state, #1,011 nationwide

- Population density: 18.7 people / square mile (15,571 residents)
--- #6 lowest density county in state, #847 nationwide

#14. Schuyler County

- Rural area: 99.7% (436 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.3% (1 square miles)
- Total land area: 437 square miles
--- #65 largest county in state, #2,317 nationwide

- Population density: 15.8 people / square mile (6,897 residents)
--- #3 lowest density county in state, #761 nationwide

#13. Henderson County

- Rural area: 100.0% (379 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 379 square miles
--- #78 largest county in state, #2,607 nationwide

- Population density: 17.8 people / square mile (6,737 residents)
--- #4 lowest density county in state, #820 nationwide

#12. Johnson County

- Rural area: 100.0% (344 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 344 square miles
--- #85 largest county in state, #2,698 nationwide

- Population density: 36.0 people / square mile (12,391 residents)
--- #38 lowest density county in state, #1,370 nationwide

#11. Putnam County

- Rural area: 100.0% (160 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 160 square miles
--- #102 largest county in state, #3,052 nationwide

- Population density: 35.7 people / square mile (5,720 residents)
--- #37 lowest density county in state, #1,360 nationwide

#10. Cumberland County

- Rural area: 100.0% (346 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 346 square miles
--- #84 largest county in state, #2,689 nationwide

- Population density: 31.2 people / square mile (10,787 residents)
--- #31 lowest density county in state, #1,246 nationwide

#9. Marshall County

- Rural area: 100.0% (387 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 387 square miles
--- #74 largest county in state, #2,579 nationwide

- Population density: 29.9 people / square mile (11,562 residents)
--- #28 lowest density county in state, #1,210 nationwide

#8. Edwards County

- Rural area: 100.0% (222 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 222 square miles
--- #99 largest county in state, #2,964 nationwide

- Population density: 28.9 people / square mile (6,431 residents)
--- #27 lowest density county in state, #1,183 nationwide

#7. Pulaski County

- Rural area: 100.0% (199 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 199 square miles
--- #100 largest county in state, #2,997 nationwide

- Population density: 27.2 people / square mile (5,414 residents)
--- #21 lowest density county in state, #1,127 nationwide

#6. Hardin County

- Rural area: 100.0% (178 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 178 square miles
--- #101 largest county in state, #3,032 nationwide

- Population density: 21.9 people / square mile (3,890 residents)
--- #12 lowest density county in state, #959 nationwide

#5. Scott County

- Rural area: 100.0% (251 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 251 square miles
--- #95 largest county in state, #2,909 nationwide

- Population density: 19.9 people / square mile (4,982 residents)
--- #10 lowest density county in state, #890 nationwide

#4. Calhoun County

- Rural area: 100.0% (254 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 254 square miles
--- #94 largest county in state, #2,898 nationwide

- Population density: 18.8 people / square mile (4,782 residents)
--- #8 lowest density county in state, #854 nationwide

#3. Stark County

- Rural area: 100.0% (288 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 288 square miles
--- #92 largest county in state, #2,826 nationwide

- Population density: 18.7 people / square mile (5,393 residents)
--- #5 lowest density county in state, #846 nationwide

#2. Gallatin County

- Rural area: 100.0% (323 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 323 square miles
--- #88 largest county in state, #2,753 nationwide

- Population density: 15.4 people / square mile (4,983 residents)
--- #2 lowest density county in state, #751 nationwide

#1. Pope County

- Rural area: 100.0% (369 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 369 square miles
--- #82 largest county in state, #2,635 nationwide

- Population density: 11.3 people / square mile (4,177 residents)
--- #1 lowest density county in state, #615 nationwide

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