Ohio County Map

Ohio County Maps

Ohio is carved up into 88 counties, which is a pretty hefty number for a state shaped like a lopsided heart. From the shores of Lake Erie to the hills of Appalachia, the Buckeye State country spans a variety of landscapes.

Ohio Counties

In terms of population, Franklin County is the most populous. The main reason for this is because it’s home to Columbus, the state capital. As for the least populous, it’s Vinton County down in the southeast. It’s mostly forests and hills without as much development here.

Ashtabula County is the biggest in terms of land area. It stretches along Lake Erie and is known for its covered bridges and wineries. The smallest is Lake County, ironically named since it has the least land. But what it lacks in size, it makes up for with some prime Lake Erie shoreline.

Ohio started setting up counties in 1788, when it was still part of the Northwest Territory. There are some interesting county name origins in Ohio. For example, Defiance County is named after Fort Defiance, built way back in 1794. Then, there’s Auglaize County, which comes from a Native American word meaning “fallen timbers.”