| Description: | Coles County, located in east central Illinois, covers an area of 508 square miles and had a 2003 population of 51,880, according to estimates by the U.S. Department of Commerce's Bureau of the Census. Using these figures, Coles County was the 52nd largest county in Illinois geographically, but 28th largest in terms of population. Combining these two measures, Coles County had the 22rd highest population density per square mile among Illinois 102 counties. | |