Saline County is located in southeastern Illinois, in the Ohio River–influenced region of Southern Illinois, and forms part of the area commonly known as “Little Egypt.” Established in 1847 from Gallatin and Williamson counties, it developed with a mix of agriculture and mineral extraction typical of the region. The county is small in population, with about 23,000 residents, and is characterized primarily by rural communities and small towns. Harrisburg, the county seat, serves as the main population and service center and lies along Interstate 57, which provides a key transportation corridor. Saline County’s landscape includes rolling uplands, forested areas, and watersheds associated with the Saline River system. Economic activity has historically included coal mining alongside farming and local manufacturing and services. Cultural and community life reflects broader Southern Illinois patterns, with civic institutions centered on county government, schools, and local organizations.

Saline County Local Demographic Profile

Saline County is located in southeastern Illinois in the state’s “Little Egypt” region, with its county seat in Harrisburg. The county is part of the greater lower-Ohio River Valley area of Southern Illinois.

Population Size

According to the U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts for Saline County, Illinois, the county had:

  • Population (2020 Census): 23,768
  • Population estimate (July 1, 2023): 23,401

Age & Gender

According to U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts (latest available county profile values):

  • Age distribution
    • Under 18 years: 20.2%
    • 65 years and over: 22.0%
  • Gender ratio
    • Female persons: 51.5%
    • Male persons: 48.5% (derived as the remainder)

Racial & Ethnic Composition

According to U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts:

  • White alone: 91.7%
  • Black or African American alone: 1.9%
  • American Indian and Alaska Native alone: 0.2%
  • Asian alone: 0.6%
  • Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone: 0.0%
  • Two or more races: 5.6%
  • Hispanic or Latino (of any race): 2.0%

Household & Housing Data

According to U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts:

  • Households (2019–2023): 10,118
  • Persons per household (2019–2023): 2.24
  • Owner-occupied housing unit rate (2019–2023): 72.1%
  • Median value of owner-occupied housing units (2019–2023, in 2023 dollars): $113,700
  • Median selected monthly owner costs (with a mortgage, 2019–2023, in 2023 dollars): $1,030
  • Median gross rent (2019–2023, in 2023 dollars): $716

For local government and planning resources, visit the Saline County, Illinois official website.

Email Usage

Saline County in southern Illinois is largely rural outside Harrisburg, and lower population density can reduce the economic incentives for extensive last‑mile broadband buildout, shaping how residents access email and other digital communications. Direct county-level email usage statistics are generally not published; email access is inferred from digital access proxies such as broadband subscriptions, device availability, and age structure.

Digital access indicators are available via the U.S. Census Bureau (data.census.gov) and its American Community Survey tables on broadband subscriptions and computer/Internet access at home, which are commonly used to approximate the likelihood of routine email use. Age distribution also matters because older populations tend to have lower rates of adoption for new online services; Saline County’s age profile can be reviewed in ACS demographic tables from the same source.

Gender distribution is typically near parity and is not a primary driver in email access compared with household connectivity and age, though sex-by-age tables are available in ACS.

Connectivity limitations are characterized through broadband availability and provider coverage documented in the FCC National Broadband Map, which highlights location-level service gaps that can constrain reliable email access.

Mobile Phone Usage

Saline County is in southeastern Illinois, anchored by Harrisburg (the county seat) and surrounded by largely rural territory. The county’s landscape includes low hills and forested areas associated with the Shawnee region, along with agricultural land. Its settlement pattern is small-city/rural with relatively low population density compared with metropolitan Illinois. These characteristics influence mobile connectivity by increasing the share of long road corridors and sparsely populated areas where network buildout can be less uniform than in urban counties, and by creating more variability in signal strength indoors and in rugged/wooded terrain.

Data scope and limitations (county vs. broader geographies)

County-specific statistics for “mobile phone penetration” (ownership) and device types are limited. The most consistently available public datasets separate (1) network availability/coverage from (2) subscription or adoption, and often publish adoption more reliably at the state or survey region level rather than for every county. Where county-level adoption metrics are not directly available from a cited source, the limitation is stated explicitly.

Network availability (coverage) in Saline County

What this measures: where mobile broadband service is reported/available (supply), not whether households subscribe or devices are used (demand).

  • FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC) provides the primary official, map-based reporting of mobile broadband availability by provider and technology generation (e.g., LTE, 5G variants). The BDC is the most direct source for county-specific coverage footprints, but it reports availability as submitted by providers and shown on maps rather than a simple “county penetration” figure. Relevant resources:

  • 4G LTE availability: LTE is generally the baseline mobile broadband technology across Illinois and is typically the most geographically extensive layer in rural counties. County-specific LTE footprint should be interpreted from the FCC map rather than inferred from statewide patterns.

  • 5G availability: 5G in rural areas often appears in a patchwork pattern, with stronger presence near population centers and major transportation routes. The FCC map distinguishes among 5G technology types as reported by carriers. County-level characterization should be taken from the mapped availability rather than generalized.

  • Signal quality vs. reported availability: FCC availability is not a direct measure of consistent indoor coverage, performance, or congestion. Terrain, vegetation, and building materials can affect real-world performance even where service is reported available.

Household adoption and mobile access indicators (demand)

What this measures: whether residents/households actually have subscriptions and devices, which can differ substantially from availability.

  • County-level “mobile-only” or smartphone adoption: Publicly accessible, county-specific measures of smartphone ownership, mobile-only households, or mobile subscription rates are not consistently published for every county in the same way that availability is mapped.

  • ACS indicators related to connectivity: The U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey includes county-level estimates for some technology and connectivity indicators, particularly around computing devices and internet subscriptions. Depending on the table and year, these often emphasize household internet subscription types and device categories more than a direct “smartphone penetration” metric at county level.

  • State-level and program administrative indicators: Illinois publishes broadband and digital equity planning materials that can contextualize adoption barriers (affordability, skills, device access), but these typically do not provide a single definitive county adoption rate for smartphones/mobile subscriptions.

Clear distinction:

  • Availability: best sourced from the FCC National Broadband Map for Saline County.
  • Adoption: best sourced from ACS household technology/internet subscription tables and state planning documents; direct county smartphone penetration is often not available as a standardized public metric.

Mobile internet usage patterns (LTE/4G vs. 5G)

  • Observed pattern in rural counties (evidence constraints at county level): Public datasets typically describe availability (LTE/5G) more readily than usage behavior (how much traffic on LTE vs 5G) at the county level. Carrier-specific performance and usage shares are not usually released in a county-resolved, comparable public format.

  • Practical implication for Saline County documentation:

    • 4G LTE serves as the most widely available mobile broadband layer and is usually the default fall-back where 5G is not present.
    • 5G availability can be verified by provider on the FCC map; however, public sources do not provide a definitive county-level breakdown of “percent of residents using 5G devices” or “share of traffic on 5G” in a standardized way.

  • Supplemental performance context: The FCC map is not a performance test tool; third-party crowd-sourced speed-test aggregators exist but are not official and can be biased by where tests occur and by device mix.

Common device types (smartphones vs. other devices)

  • County-specific device-type breakdowns: Consistent, county-level public statistics that separate smartphones from feature phones or quantify mobile hotspot devices are limited.

  • Household device indicators from ACS: The ACS includes categories related to computing devices (e.g., desktop/laptop/tablet) and broadband subscription types. These indicators can be used to describe the broader device environment in Saline County households, but they are not a direct enumeration of smartphone ownership for the county in the same way that consumer surveys might provide.

  • General device environment in rural areas (without asserting county-specific shares): Smartphones are the dominant personal mobile endpoint nationally, while other mobile-connected devices (tablets, hotspots, fixed wireless receivers relying on cellular backhaul) tend to be secondary. County-specific quantification requires a survey dataset that releases county estimates, which is not consistently available publicly.

Demographic and geographic factors influencing mobile usage and connectivity

Geography and settlement

  • Low density and dispersed settlement increase the cost per served location for network buildout, which can produce more variable coverage between incorporated places and unincorporated areas.
  • Forested and uneven terrain can reduce propagation and indoor penetration relative to flatter, more open areas, especially where tower spacing is wider.

Socioeconomic factors (measured via ACS, not inherently mobile-specific)

  • Income, age structure, and educational attainment are associated in many studies with differences in internet adoption and device access, but county-specific conclusions about mobile usage require county estimates for relevant indicators. The ACS provides county-level demographics that can be used to describe the context for adoption barriers without claiming a specific smartphone penetration rate.

Transportation corridors and local concentration

  • Coverage and capacity are commonly stronger near Harrisburg and along major roadways where demand is concentrated. This is a general network-planning pattern; precise Saline County availability must be taken from FCC provider layers rather than inferred.

Practical summary (what is known reliably from public sources)

  • Network availability (supply): County-specific mobile broadband availability is best documented through the FCC National Broadband Map, which shows LTE and 5G availability by provider and area.
  • Adoption (demand): Public, standardized county-level smartphone penetration measures are limited; the most consistent county-level public indicators are ACS household technology/internet subscription tables available via Census.gov.
  • Usage patterns and device mix: County-level public breakdowns of 4G vs 5G usage and smartphone vs feature phone shares are generally not available in official, comparable datasets; availability can be mapped, but actual usage and device-type prevalence at county scale are not reliably published.

Social Media Trends

Saline County is in southeastern Illinois, anchored by Harrisburg and located near the Shawnee National Forest region. The county’s mix of small-city and rural communities, along with commuting ties to nearby regional job centers and a strong local-news-and-community-events culture, tends to align social media use with broader U.S. rural/small-metro patterns (heavy use of Facebook, growing use of YouTube, and relatively lower use of some newer platforms compared with large metros).

User statistics (penetration / active use)

  • Local (county-level) social platform penetration: No reputable, regularly updated dataset provides platform-by-platform “active user” penetration specifically for Saline County. Publicly available sources generally report at the national or state level, and county estimates are often proprietary or model-based.
  • Closest reliable benchmark (U.S. adults): About 69% of U.S. adults report using at least one social media site (2023). Source: Pew Research Center: Social Media Use in 2023.
  • Context for rural places (relevant to Saline County’s settlement pattern): Social media use is widespread in both urban and rural populations, with platform mix and intensity varying more by age than by geography in national surveys. Source: Pew Research Center national breakdowns.

Age group trends

National patterns, which are typically used as the most defensible proxy in the absence of county-level measurement:

  • Highest overall usage: Ages 18–29 report the highest usage across most platforms.
  • Broad, multi-platform usage: Ages 30–49 show high adoption and frequent use, especially on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.
  • Strong presence but narrower platform mix: Ages 50–64 remain heavily represented on Facebook and YouTube, with lower usage of platforms such as Snapchat.
  • Lowest overall usage: Ages 65+ show the lowest overall social media adoption but maintain meaningful usage of Facebook and YouTube. Source for age-platform patterns: Pew Research Center: Social Media Use in 2023.

Gender breakdown

National gender skews (directionally informative for local communities, though not county-specific):

Most-used platforms (with percentages)

Reliable platform shares are available at the U.S. adult level (not Saline County-specific). Reported usage among U.S. adults (2023):

Behavioral trends (engagement patterns and preferences)

  • Community information and local news: In small-city and rural counties, Facebook groups and pages commonly function as civic information hubs (events, school activities, weather impacts, local business updates). This aligns with Facebook’s comparatively high reach among older and middle-aged adults. Source: Pew Research Center: Social Media and News Fact Sheet.
  • Video-first consumption: YouTube’s very high penetration indicates video as a dominant format for entertainment, learning, and how-to content across age groups. Source: Pew Research Center platform usage.
  • Age-driven platform separation: Younger adults concentrate more time in TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat ecosystems, while older adults concentrate on Facebook; this pattern tends to shape local outreach strategies (e.g., event promotion and announcements performing better on Facebook; short-form video discovery skewing younger). Source: Pew Research Center age-by-platform use.
  • News engagement and discussion dynamics: Social media remains a significant pathway to news exposure for many adults, but engagement often clusters around major events and local issues, with commenting and sharing behavior more pronounced on Facebook compared with some newer platforms. Source: Pew Research Center: Social Media and News.

Family & Associates Records

Saline County family-related public records include vital records (birth and death certificates) and court records that may document adoptions, guardianships, divorces, and name changes. In Illinois, certified birth and death records are generally maintained at the county level by the county clerk and at the state level by the Illinois Department of Public Health.

Public database availability varies by record type. The Saline County government website provides office contact information and services; recorded land records and related indexes are typically accessed through the Saline County Clerk & Recorder. Court case information and some document access are handled through the Saline County Circuit Clerk, with additional statewide access points referenced via the Illinois Courts.

Residents access records in person at the appropriate office (County Clerk/Recorder for vital and recording functions; Circuit Clerk for court files). Some indexes, forms, fees, and office hours may be posted online; certified copies generally require an application and identity/eligibility documentation.

Privacy restrictions commonly apply. Illinois vital records are not fully open public records; access to certified copies is limited by statute. Adoption case files and many juvenile/guardianship materials are typically sealed or restricted, while nonconfidential court dockets and recorded instruments are more broadly accessible.

Marriage & Divorce Records

Types of records available

  • Marriage records

    • Marriage license and marriage certificate/return: Created when a couple applies for and is issued a marriage license; the completed license is typically returned by the officiant after the ceremony and recorded by the county.
    • Marriage record indexes: Some counties maintain indexes by name and date to support searching.

  • Divorce records

    • Divorce case file (court record): Includes pleadings and orders filed in the divorce proceeding.
    • Final judgment/decree of dissolution of marriage: The court’s final order ending the marriage, often part of the case file.

  • Annulment records

    • Judgment of invalidity (annulment) case file and final judgment: Annulments are handled as court actions and maintained similarly to divorce case records.

Where records are filed and how they can be accessed

  • Marriage records (Saline County Clerk)

    • Filing/recording office: Saline County Clerk (marriage license issuance and recording).
    • Access: Copies are requested from the County Clerk’s office. Requests typically use names, date of marriage, and place (Saline County). Identification and fees are commonly required for certified copies.

  • Divorce and annulment records (Saline County Circuit Clerk / Illinois courts)

    • Filing/recording office: Saline County Circuit Clerk (civil case filings and judgments) within the Illinois judicial system.
    • Access: Case information and documents are accessed through the Circuit Clerk’s office. Public access commonly includes docket information and non-restricted filings; certified copies of final judgments are obtained from the Circuit Clerk. Some access may also be available through statewide court-record systems depending on local participation and the age/status of the case.

  • State-level vital records (Illinois Department of Public Health)

    • Marriage verification: Illinois maintains marriage verification information at the state level for certain periods; this is generally a verification and not a full certified county record.
    • Divorce verification: Illinois maintains divorce verification information for specified years; this is generally verification information and not the complete court file or decree.
    • Reference: Illinois Department of Public Health – Vital Records

Typical information included in these records

  • Marriage license/record

    • Full names of the parties (including maiden name where applicable)
    • Date and place of marriage (or license issuance date and recording date)
    • Ages or dates of birth (varies by form and era)
    • Residences and/or places of birth (varies)
    • Names of officiant and sometimes witnesses
    • License number, recording information, and registrar/issuer details

  • Divorce decree (judgment of dissolution)

    • Names of the parties and case number
    • Date the judgment is entered and the court/judge
    • Findings and orders terminating the marriage
    • Provisions commonly addressing property division, allocation of parental responsibilities, parenting time, child support, spousal maintenance, and restoration of a former name (as applicable)

  • Annulment judgment (judgment of invalidity)

    • Names of the parties and case number
    • Date and court/judge
    • Legal basis for invalidity and resulting orders
    • Related orders addressing support, allocation of parental responsibilities, and property issues may appear where applicable

Privacy or legal restrictions

  • Marriage records

    • Marriage records are generally treated as public records, but access to certified copies may be limited by office policy and Illinois law regarding identity verification and record certification practices. Some offices restrict certified copies to eligible requestors or require specific identification.

  • Divorce and annulment court files

    • Illinois court records are generally presumed open to the public, but specific documents or information can be restricted by statute or court order.
    • Common restrictions include sealed cases, confidential identifiers, and protected information involving minors, domestic violence, financial account numbers, and other sensitive data. Courts may require redaction or limit access to particular filings.
    • Certified copies of judgments are available through the Circuit Clerk, subject to applicable access limits for sealed or impounded records.

  • State-level verifications

    • IDPH marriage/divorce verifications provide limited information and are subject to state eligibility rules and statutory limits; they do not replace certified county marriage records or complete court case files.

Education, Employment and Housing

Saline County is in southeastern Illinois, centered on Harrisburg and adjacent to the Shawnee National Forest region. It is a largely small-town and rural county with a population a little under 25,000 in recent U.S. Census estimates, characterized by modest population density, an aging age profile relative to statewide averages, and a local economy tied to public services, health care, retail, and legacy extractive/industrial activity typical of southern Illinois.

Education Indicators

Public schools (count and names)

Saline County’s K–12 public education is primarily provided through multiple local districts serving Harrisburg and surrounding communities. A consolidated countywide “number of public schools” varies by year and school configuration (openings/closures and grade reassignments), so the most stable way to reference current school lists is by district rosters. The main district and commonly listed schools include:

  • Harrisburg Community Unit School District 3
    • Harrisburg High School
    • Harrisburg Middle School
    • East Side Primary School
    • West Side Primary School
      (School rosters and any recent changes are reflected in the district and Illinois report-card listings.)
  • Carrier Mills–Stonefort Community Unit School District 2
    • Carrier Mills–Stonefort schools (elementary/junior high) and Carterville/other cooperative high-school arrangements have occurred historically in the region; current grade configurations should be verified on the Illinois report card and district sources.

For the most current official school-by-school directory and enrollment counts, use the Illinois School Report Card search for Saline County districts and schools: Illinois School Report Card.

Student–teacher ratios and graduation rates

  • Student–teacher ratios: School- and district-level ratios vary across the county and are reported annually in the Illinois School Report Card. Countywide ratios are not typically published as a single official metric; district figures are the appropriate proxy.
  • Graduation rates: Four-year high school graduation rates are published at the high-school and district levels in the Illinois School Report Card. Rates vary by cohort year and student subgroup; district-level reporting is the standard reference.

Adult education levels

Adult attainment in Saline County is commonly summarized using U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) estimates:

  • High school diploma (or equivalent), age 25+: A clear majority of adults hold at least a high school credential; southern Illinois counties including Saline tend to be near or somewhat below the Illinois statewide share.
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher, age 25+: Typically lower than the Illinois statewide average, reflecting the region’s occupational mix and rural composition.

For the most recent ACS “Educational Attainment” profile for Saline County, use the Census Bureau county profile tools (tables commonly used include DP02/DP03 and S1501 where available): U.S. Census Bureau data.census.gov.

Notable programs (STEM, vocational training, AP)

  • Career and Technical Education (CTE)/vocational: Southern Illinois districts commonly offer CTE coursework and regional vocational opportunities through partnerships and area career centers; program availability is district-specific and reflected in course catalogs and state report-card indicators.
  • Advanced Placement (AP) / dual credit: AP and/or dual-credit participation (often with nearby community colleges in the region) is typical for area high schools, but the exact menu of courses is school-specific and changes over time. Illinois report cards and school course guides provide the most current listing.

School safety measures and counseling resources

Districts in Illinois generally report standardized safety and support practices including controlled building access, visitor procedures, drills aligned with state requirements, and student support services such as school counselors and social-emotional supports. Specific staffing levels (counselors, social workers) and safety reporting are documented in district handbooks and, in part, through state accountability and student support disclosures. The most consistent public reference point remains the district publications and state reporting via: Illinois School Report Card.

Employment and Economic Conditions

Unemployment rate (most recent)

The most recent official unemployment rate for Saline County is published monthly and annually by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (LAUS series) via Illinois labor-market reporting. For the latest annual average and recent monthly values, use: Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) Labor Market Information.

Major industries and employment sectors

Based on ACS industry composition patterns typical for Saline County and surrounding southern Illinois counties, major employment sectors include:

  • Educational services, and health care and social assistance
  • Retail trade
  • Manufacturing (smaller share than in many metro counties, but still material in the region)
  • Public administration
  • Construction
  • Transportation and warehousing (often tied to regional logistics corridors and commuting)

The most current sector shares can be pulled from ACS “Industry” tables for Saline County at: data.census.gov.

Common occupations and workforce breakdown

ACS occupation groupings for rural southern Illinois counties commonly show higher shares in:

  • Service occupations (health care support, protective service, food service)
  • Office and administrative support
  • Production, transportation, and material moving
  • Sales
  • Construction and extraction (reflecting regional building trades and legacy extraction-related skills)

Exact percentages by major occupation group are available in ACS occupation tables through: data.census.gov.

Commuting patterns and mean commute time

  • Typical commuting pattern: Many residents commute to jobs within the county seat area (Harrisburg) and also to larger regional employment centers in adjacent counties (notably Williamson County/Marion area) and other southern Illinois hubs.
  • Mean travel time to work: County mean commute time is published in the ACS. Rural counties in southern Illinois typically fall in the low-to-mid 20-minute range, varying by year.

Commute time, mode of transportation, and “place of work” flows are available via ACS commuting tables and OnTheMap/LEHD tools: Census OnTheMap (LEHD) and data.census.gov.

Local employment vs out-of-county work

  • Out-commuting is significant in many non-metro counties in southern Illinois, with a notable portion of residents working in nearby counties where larger hospitals, schools, retail centers, and industrial employers are concentrated.
  • The most defensible measurement uses LEHD Origin-Destination Employment Statistics (LODES), accessible through: Census OnTheMap (resident workers by workplace geography).

Housing and Real Estate

Homeownership rate and rental share

Saline County’s tenure mix is tracked in the ACS:

  • Homeownership is typically higher than the Illinois statewide average in many rural counties, with a majority of occupied units owner-occupied.
  • Renting represents a smaller but meaningful share, concentrated in Harrisburg and other population centers.

The most recent owner/renter percentages are reported in ACS “Tenure” tables at: data.census.gov.

Median property values and recent trends

  • Median home value (owner-occupied) in Saline County is generally well below the Illinois statewide median, reflecting rural land availability and a smaller share of high-cost new construction.
  • Recent trend: Like much of the U.S., southern Illinois experienced price increases from 2020–2022, followed by slower growth as mortgage rates rose; county-specific trajectories vary by neighborhood and housing quality.

For the most recent median value estimates and year-over-year comparisons, use ACS “Value” tables and local assessor sales ratio publications where available: ACS home value tables.

Typical rent prices

  • Gross rent medians in Saline County are typically below statewide levels. Rents vary considerably by unit size, age, and proximity to Harrisburg services. ACS median gross rent and rent distribution are available at: ACS rent tables.

Types of housing

Housing stock is dominated by:

  • Single-family detached homes (including older housing stock in-town and on rural lots)
  • Manufactured homes/mobile homes in rural and semi-rural settings
  • Small multifamily buildings and apartments concentrated in Harrisburg and other developed areas
  • Rural acreage/lots with greater reliance on wells/septic systems in some areas (site-specific)

ACS “Units in structure” tables provide the most recent breakdown.

Neighborhood characteristics (proximity to schools/amenities)

  • Harrisburg-area neighborhoods tend to offer the greatest proximity to schools, medical services, retail, and civic amenities, with more rental options and smaller-lot housing.
  • Outlying communities and rural areas provide larger lots and lower density but generally require longer travel times to schools, groceries, and health services.

This characterization reflects typical land-use patterns; no single countywide “neighborhood index” is published as an official measure.

Property tax overview (rate and typical homeowner cost)

  • Illinois property taxes are administered locally and expressed through effective tax rates (tax paid relative to market value) that are often high compared with many U.S. states, while tax bills in lower-value counties can remain moderate in dollars.
  • In Saline County, typical homeowner tax burden depends on assessed value, local levy rates, and exemptions. County-specific tax rates and equalized assessed value (EAV) details are maintained through county assessment and state compilation.

For official county property tax and assessment information, use: Illinois Department of Revenue property tax resources and Saline County assessment/treasurer postings (county office sites publish levy and billing information, but formats vary by year).

Data availability note: The most defensible “most recent” values for unemployment, graduation rates, student–teacher ratios, educational attainment, commute time, tenure, home value, and rent are published through IDES/BLS (labor), Illinois School Report Card (K–12), and the U.S. Census Bureau ACS/LEHD (demographics, housing, commuting). Countywide single-number summaries are not always issued for school indicators, so district/school-level reporting is the standard proxy for Saline County.

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