Greene County, Illinois, a lovely pastoral network of communities, took its name in honor of General Nathanael Greene, a Revolutionary War hero in 1821.  The original boundaries of Greene County included what are currently the counties of Jersey, Macoupin, Morgan and Scott.  Greene County was initially included within the borders of Madison County.  

Greene County, Population 14,761 per Census 2000, boasts several small cities and towns in its 543 square mile region.  The smallest communities, with populations below 1,000 include Hillview, Kane, Rockbridge and Wilmington.  Greenfield has a population of 1,179, while the cities of Carrollton, Roodhouse and Whitehall are each home to more than 2,000 residents.

Carrollton, the county seat, has a population of 2,605 ( 2000 Census).  Founded soon after the naming of Greene County in January of 1820, Thomas Carlin settled this unassuming community.  Denied his request to name the region “Carroll County”, Carlin named the county seat in honor of Charles Carroll of Carrollton from Maryland.    In 1832, Carrollton was the proud home of the first courthouse in IL.  Carrollton’s Courthouse Square Historic District holds a listing on the National Register of Historic Places.  Angeline Varble Underwood, one of Carrollton’s many notable residents, invented the innerspring mattress here in the 1870’s.  Ms. Underwood then parlayed her invention into the Underwood Spring Bed Factory.

Roodhouse, officially settled in 1866, took its name in honor of John Roodhouse.  This bustling community, population 2,214, became a significant railroad junction in 1871, when Louisiana’s branch of the Chicago and Alton Railroad arrived.  Whitehall, population 2,629, served as a regional center for pottery until very recently.  Although officially founded by David Barrow in 1932, local records indicated that settlers inhabited the area as early as 1820.   

Greene County’s tight-knit communities enjoy a wealth of recreational activities throughout the year.  Favorite pastimes include golfing and hunting, while paint ball fields afford plenty of fun for people of all ages.  Rives Lake, Roodhouse Reservoir and White Hall Reservoir provide the perfect location for camping and fishing.  The Kampsville Ferry and the scenic drives along the Illinois River Road remain among the areas most popular attractions.  Visitors also enjoy the Gregory House Museum, various historic monuments, Mary Michelle Winery and historic barn tours during Greene County Days each year. 

Excellent health care facilities are within a reasonable driving distance, while quiet neighborhoods and several career options round out the lifestyles afforded in Greene County.  According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis in 2005, retail trade was the leading sector in Green County 

Several fine educational facilities at the primary and secondary levels exist in Greene County.  Those seeking higher learning find numerous colleges and universities within an hour’s drive.  Options located just over the Missouri border include Lindenwood University in St. Charles and the University of Missouri-St. Louis.