Iroquois County

Iroquois County is an administrative division in northeastern Illinois covering about 1,120 square miles (2,900 km²). The territory borders Indiana and includes several towns, with Watseka serving as the county seat.

The county was established in 1833 as Illinois expanded northward. Its seat shifted from Iroquois to Middleport before settling in Watseka in 1865.

Agriculture shapes daily life here, with farming families working the land across seasons. You notice the rural character in how the county is organized around harvest times and local markets.

A car is essential for traveling through the county, as towns and attractions are spread out across the landscape. Watseka serves as the main hub for information and orientation.

Three nature preserves protect rare grassland ecosystems that once covered the region before agriculture transformed the landscape. These protected areas let visitors see remnants of the original Illinois prairie.

Location: Illinois

Inception: 1833

Capital city: Watseka

Shares border with: Kankakee County, Newton County, Benton County, Vermillion County, Ford County

Website: http://co.iroquois.il.us

GPS coordinates: 40.74000,-87.82000

Latest update: December 7, 2025 19:22