| Description: | Saline County, located in southern Illinois, covers an area of 383 square miles and had a 2003 population of 26,158, according to estimates by the U.S. Department of Commerce's Bureau of the Census. Using these figures, Saline County was the 26th smallest county in Illinois geographically, but 52nd largest in terms of population. Combining these two measures, Saline County had the 39th highest population density per square mile among Illinois 102 counties. | |