Allen County is located in the northwestern part of Ohio, and is bordered by Putnam and Van Wert Counties to the east, Auglaize and Mercer Counties to the south, Hardin County to the west, and Hancock County to the north. The county seat is Lima. The county has a total area of 433 square miles and a population of 106,331.
The terrain in Allen County is mostly flat with some rolling hills. Much of the county is covered by agricultural fields and woodlands. The Blanchard River runs through the county from southwest to northeast, cutting through two state parks: Indian Lake State Park in Russells Point and Auglaize State Fish Hatchery in St. Marys. There are also several lakes throughout Allen County, including Indian Lake, Grand Lake St Marys, Lake Loramie and Wabash Lake. The largest city in Allen County is Lima with a population of 38,771 people as of 2019 estimates. Other cities include Delphos (8,118), Shawnee (3,974), Spencerville (2,637) and Elida (2,542).
Country seat and other main cities of Allen County, Ohio
The county seat of Allen County is Lima, Ohio. With a population of 38,771 people as of 2019 estimates, it is the largest city in the county. Lima was founded in 1831 and was once an important stop on the Miami and Erie Canal. It has since grown to become a hub for manufacturing and transportation and is home to many businesses and industries.
According to Countryaah, Delphos is the second largest city in Allen County with a population of 8,118 people as of 2019 estimates. It is located near the intersection of U.S Route 30 and State Route 309 in central Allen County. Delphos was founded in 1848 and has since become a popular tourist destination due to its historic downtown area which features many 19th-century buildings, including The Grand Theatre which opened in 1901.
Shawnee is the third largest city in Allen County with a population of 3,974 people as of 2019 estimates. It is located along Interstate 75 just north of Lima and is home to several local businesses as well as Shawnee High School which serves grades 9-12 throughout Shawnee Township.
Spencerville is located along U.S Route 33 just east of Delphos with a population of 2,637 people as of 2019 estimates. The town was founded in 1837 by William Spence who served as its first postmaster, hence its name “Spencerville”. Spencerville has several parks including Riverside Park along the Auglaize River which features walking trails, picnic areas, playgrounds and more for visitors to enjoy year round.
Elida is located between Lima and Delphos with a population of 2,542 people as of 2019 estimates. Elida was founded in 1840 by Samuel Silliman who named it after his daughter Elida Silliman who had died at an early age from Typhoid fever while traveling abroad with her father earlier that same year. Elida features several public parks such as Woodland Trails Park which offers hiking trails through woodlands that are open all year round for visitors to explore nature’s beauty up close and personal!
History of Allen County, Ohio
Allen County, Ohio is located in the northwestern part of the state and is bordered by Putnam, Auglaize, Van Wert, and Hardin counties. The county was first established in 1820 when it was divided from part of Hardin County. It was named after Colonel John Allen who served as a general during the War of 1812.
The area that would become Allen County was originally inhabited by Native American tribes such as the Shawnee and Ottawa. The first white settlers arrived in the area around 1804, but it wasn’t until 1820 that Allen County officially became its own county with Lima being chosen as its county seat.
In the 19th century, Allen County became an important transportation hub due to its location along both the Miami and Erie Canal and later on the National Road (now U.S Route 30). This made it easier for goods to be shipped to other parts of Ohio and even other states. This also helped spur development in several towns such as Delphos, Spencerville, Elida, Bluffton, Harrod, Beaverdam and Lima which all saw growth throughout this period.
Throughout much of the 20th century, Allen County remained an agricultural county with most people working on farms or related industries like food processing or farming equipment manufacturing. However in recent years there has been a shift away from this industry towards more service-based jobs such as healthcare and retail which have seen growth due to population increases since 2000.
Today Allen County is home to over 110 thousand people across its seven cities (Lima/Beaverdam/Shawnee/Elida/Harrod/Spencerville/Delphos) and eight townships (American/Hancock/Jackson/Marion/Richland/Perry /Union /Washington). It is still an important transportation hub due to its location along both I-75 and U.S Route 30 making it easy for goods to be shipped across Ohio or even into other states like Michigan or Indiana.
Economy of Allen County, Ohio
Allen County, Ohio is home to a diverse and vibrant economy. The area was once heavily reliant on agricultural production, but in recent years there has been a shift towards more service-based jobs such as healthcare and retail as the population has grown since 2000. The county is also home to several manufacturing and industrial facilities, including several automotive parts suppliers.
The area’s largest employer is Lima Memorial Health System which employs over 3,500 people. Other major employers include Honda of America (1,700 employees), Cargill Corn Milling (1,000 employees), Faurot Construction Company (650 employees), and Westmark Industries (600 employees).
The county also has a thriving small business sector with over 1,000 businesses located in the area. These businesses range from retail stores to professional services and provide employment for many local residents. Additionally, Allen County is home to several major shopping centers including Lima Mall and Eastgate Shopping Center which attract shoppers from all over the region.
Tourism also plays an important role in Allen County’s economy with several popular attractions such as the Allen County Fairgrounds and the Allen County Museum of History drawing visitors from across the state. The county’s location along both I-75 and U.S Route 30 make it easy for visitors to access all that Allen County has to offer.
Overall, Allen County has a strong and diverse economy that provides jobs for many local residents while also attracting visitors from across Ohio and beyond. The area’s strategic location along both I-75 and U.S Route 30 makes it easy for goods to be shipped across Ohio or even into other states like Michigan or Indiana making it an important transportation hub in the region.
