Your Guide to Geauga County, Ohio
Looking for trusted businesses, services and local resources in Geauga County, Ohio? FindItOhio.com helps residents and visitors discover local companies, professionals and community information across Geauga County, including Chardon, the county seat.
Quick answer: Geauga County is one of Ohio’s 88 counties. Its county seat is Chardon, it was established in 1806, and it has an estimated 95,676 residents as of 2025.
At a Glance
- County seat: Chardon
- Established: Mar 1, 1806
- Formed from: Trumbull County
- Named for: A native american word meaning “raccoon”
- Estimated population (2025): 95,676
- Total area: 403.66 sq mi
- FIPS code: 39055
About Geauga County
Geauga County ( jee AW gÉ™) is a county located in the northeast portion of the U.S. state of Ohio. As of the 2020 census, the population was 95,397. The county seat and largest city is Chardon.
The county is named for an Onondaga or Seneca language word meaning “raccoon”, originally the name of the Grand River.
In 2008, Forbes magazine ranked Geauga County as the fourth best place in the United States to raise a family.
About 20% of the counties’ area (Geauga, Trumbull, Ashtabula and Portage) population was Amish, as of 2017.
History of Geauga County
Geauga County is named after the Onondaga word jyo’ä·gak or Seneca jo’ä·ka, both meaning ‘raccoon’ (originally the name of the Grand River).
After the discovery of the New World, the land that became Geauga County was originally part of the French colony of Canada (New France), which was ceded in 1763 to Great Britain and renamed Province of Quebec. In the late 18th century the land became part of the Connecticut Western Reserve in the Northwest Territory, and then was purchased by the Connecticut Land Company in 1795.
Geauga County was founded on March 1, 1806, as the second county in the Connecticut Western Reserve, originating from Trumbull County, Ohio. In 1808, the size of Geauga County was reduced by the creation of Ashtabula County, Cuyahoga County, and Lake County.
The present day boundaries were established in 1840 following the creation of Lake County. A disagreement about the location of the county seat began in 1808 when commissioners from Trumbull County began the process of identifying the seat of justice. Residents in the northern townships wanted the seat in Champion, renamed Painesville, Ohio in 1832. Residents in southern townships desired a centrally located county seat and took advantage of a tract of land donated by Peter Chardon Brooks called Chardon, Ohio. Despite Chardon being selected in 1809, the argument was never really settled. Over the next two decades, population growth in the seven northern townships exceeded the remaining sixteen southern townships, further fueling the disagreement. On January 21, 1840, a petition to create Lake County from seven townships in northern Geauga County and Willoughby Township from Cuyahoga County were presented to the Ohio House of Representatives. Seabury Ford presented petitions against its creation. Lake County was established in March 1840 by the Ohio Legislature. As the newly formed Lake County did not have sufficient territory to meet the requirements for a county, the northern border included submerged land beneath the waters of Lake Erie.
Cities and Villages in Geauga County
Cities
Chardon â€
Villages
Burton, Hunting Valley, Middlefield, South Russell
Find Local Businesses in Geauga County
Browse the FindItOhio.com business directory to find restaurants, contractors, professional services, shops and more serving Geauga County. Own a business here? Add your free business listing so local customers can find you.
Background Checks, Process Serving and Private Investigations
Residents and employers in Geauga County can get BCI and FBI LiveScan fingerprinting, FD-258 fingerprint cards, process serving and licensed private investigations from these Ohio providers:
- Ohio Security & Investigations, Youngstown: licensed private investigations and fingerprinting. Call (888) 341-6960 or visit ohioinvestigators.com.
- 10-8 Protective Services, Columbus: investigations, fingerprinting and process serving. Call (800) 949-8521 or visit 10-8protectiveservices.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the county seat of Geauga County, Ohio?
Chardon is the county seat of Geauga County, Ohio.
When was Geauga County established?
Geauga County was established on Mar 1, 1806. It was formed from Trumbull County.
Who or what is Geauga County named for?
Geauga County is named for A native american word meaning “raccoon”.
How many people live in Geauga County, Ohio?
Geauga County has an estimated population of 95,676 as of 2025.
What cities are in Geauga County, Ohio?
Cities in Geauga County include Chardon †.
Where can I find local businesses in Geauga County?
Search the FindItOhio.com business directory to find local businesses and services in Geauga County, Ohio.
How do I list my Geauga County business on FindItOhio.com?
Visit the free business listing page on FindItOhio.com and submit your business name, address, phone number and website.
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County background adapted from the Wikipedia article Geauga County, Ohio, available under the Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 4.0 license.