Wayne County

In 1796, the government of the Northwest Territory authorized the creation of Wayne County. Residents named the county in honor General Anthony Wayne, the victor at the Battle of Fallen Timbers in 1794. Among the county's earliest residents were members of the Amish Christian religious group. Wayne County's Amish community is now one of the largest in the United States. Many other early settlers were of German origin. It is believed that Wayne County resident August Imgard put up the first Christmas tree in Ohio in 1847.

Wayne County is located in northeastern Ohio. It is predominantly rural, with less than two percent of the county's 555 square miles consisting of urban areas. The county seat is Wooster. With a population of 24,811 people, Wooster was the county's largest community in 2000. Wayne County experienced a ten per cent increase in population between 1990 and 2000. The total population of the county in 2000 was 111,564 people. The county averages 201 people per square mile.

Manufacturing businesses employ the largest number of workers in Wayne County, but farming is a close second. Within Ohio, Wayne County farmers rank first in oat and hay production. Wayne County is the home of the Ohio Research and Development Center for Agriculture. In 1999, the per capita income in the county was 23,776 dollars, with 8.8 percent of the people living in poverty.

Most voters in Wayne County claim to be independents.

Wayne County is home to the College of Wooster.