Your Guide to Lake County, Ohio
Looking for trusted businesses, services and local resources in Lake County, Ohio? FindItOhio.com helps residents and visitors discover local companies, professionals and community information across Lake County, including Painesville, the county seat.
Quick answer: Lake County is one of Ohio’s 88 counties. Its county seat is Painesville, it was established in 1840, and it has an estimated 232,217 residents as of 2025.
At a Glance
- County seat: Painesville
- Established: Mar 6, 1840
- Formed from: Geauga and Cuyahoga Counties
- Named for: Its location on Lake Erie
- Estimated population (2025): 232,217
- Total area: 228.21 sq mi
- FIPS code: 39085
About Lake County
Lake County is a county in the U.S. state of Ohio. As of the 2020 census, the population was 232,603. Its county seat is Painesville, and its largest city is Mentor.
The county was established on March 6, 1840, from land given by Cuyahoga and Geauga counties. Its name is derived from its location on the southern shore of Lake Erie and the fact that the majority of the county’s land lies beneath Lake Erie. Lake County is part of the Cleveland, OH Metropolitan Statistical Area.
History of Lake County
The land that became Lake County was home to the indigenous Erie people prior to the arrival of the French in the region during the early 1600s and was considered by the French to be part of their Colony of New France. After France’s defeat in the Seven Years’ War in 1763, France ceded the area to Great Britain, and the area became part of the Province of Quebec through the Quebec Act of 1774. Following the American Revolutionary War, it became part of the Connecticut Western Reserve in the Northwest Territory, then was purchased by the Connecticut Land Company in 1795. It was separated out of Geauga County in March 1840.
Although today the county is mostly suburban, Lake County was once known as a rural country retreat for wealthy Cleveland residents. During the early 1900s, many wealthy families in Cleveland maintained large estates in the county for use as their summer homes.
Cities and Villages in Lake County
Cities
Eastlake, Kirtland, Mentor, Mentor on the Lake, Painesville †, Wickliffe, Willoughby, Willoughby Hills, Willowick
Villages
Fairport Harbor, Grand River, Kirtland Hills, Lakeline, Madison, North Perry, Perry, Timberlake, Waite Hill
Find Local Businesses in Lake County
Browse the FindItOhio.com business directory to find restaurants, contractors, professional services, shops and more serving Lake 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 Lake 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 Lake County, Ohio?
Painesville is the county seat of Lake County, Ohio.
When was Lake County established?
Lake County was established on Mar 6, 1840. It was formed from Geauga and Cuyahoga Counties.
Who or what is Lake County named for?
Lake County is named for Its location on Lake Erie.
How many people live in Lake County, Ohio?
Lake County has an estimated population of 232,217 as of 2025.
What cities are in Lake County, Ohio?
Cities in Lake County include Eastlake, Kirtland, Mentor, Mentor on the Lake, Painesville †, Wickliffe, Willoughby, Willoughby Hills and others.
Where can I find local businesses in Lake County?
Search the FindItOhio.com business directory to find local businesses and services in Lake County, Ohio.
How do I list my Lake County business on FindItOhio.com?
Visit the free business listing page on FindItOhio.com and submit your business name, address, phone number and website.
Looking for another county? Explore all 88 Ohio counties on FindItOhio.com.
County background adapted from the Wikipedia article Lake County, Ohio, available under the Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 4.0 license.