Lucas County

On June 20, 1835, the Ohio government established Lucas County. Residents chose the name Lucas in honor of Robert Lucas, the governor of Ohio. Lucas County was part of the territory that came under dispute between Ohio and Michigan during the "Toledo War." The Ohio government tried to solidify its claim over the disputed land by creating Lucas County. Previous to the Toledo War, Lucas County was the sight of the Battle of Fallen Timbers. In 1794, General Anthony Wayne defeated an alliance of Ohio's Indian tribes, solidifying white control over the majority of Ohio.

Lucas County is located in the northwestern portion of Ohio. The county's northern border helps form Ohio's boundary with Michigan. The county seat is Toledo, which is the county's largest population center, with 313,619 residents in 2000. The county's next largest community is Sylvania Township, with a population of approximately 25,600 people in 2000. The county experienced a slight decrease in population between 1990 and 2000, reducing the total population to 455,054 residents. This decrease was primarily due to people leaving the busyness of Toledo behind to move to quieter neighboring counties. An average of 1,338 people live in each of Lucas County's 340 square miles.

Urban areas comprise eighteen percent of Lucas County's land mass. Most residents find employment in service-oriented and sales positions, with manufacturing jobs ranking a distant third. During the late nineteenth century, Toledo was known as the "City of Glass" for its numerous glass-producing facilities. The city was also the home of the Willys-Overland Company, the largest manufacturer of jeeps during World War II in the United States. The county's average income was 27,361 dollars per person in 1999, with 13.6 percent of the population living in poverty.

Most voters in Lucas County claim to be independents, yet in recent years, they have overwhelmingly supported Democratic candidates at the national level.

Among the county's more prominent residents was actor Jamie Farr, one of the stars of the sitcom M.A.S.H. Ohio Governor Michael DiSalle and Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court Morrison R. Waite also were Lucas County residents.