Your Guide to Portage County, Ohio
Looking for trusted businesses, services and local resources in Portage County, Ohio? FindItOhio.com helps residents and visitors discover local companies, professionals and community information across Portage County, including Ravenna, the county seat.
Quick answer: Portage County is one of Ohio’s 88 counties. Its county seat is Ravenna, it was established in 1807, and it has an estimated 163,404 residents as of 2025.
At a Glance
- County seat: Ravenna
- Established: Jun 7, 1807
- Formed from: Trumbull County
- Named for: Derived from an Indian portage
- Estimated population (2025): 163,404
- Total area: 492.39 sq mi
- FIPS code: 39133
About Portage County
Portage County is a county in the U.S. state of Ohio. As of the 2020 census, the population was 161,791. Located in Northeast Ohio, Portage County is part of the Akron Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Cleveland, Akron, Canton Combined Statistical Area. Its county seat is Ravenna and its largest city is Kent. The county, named for the portage between the Cuyahoga and Tuscarawas rivers, was created in 1807 and formally organized in 1808. In addition to the cities of Kent and Ravenna, Portage County also includes the cities of Aurora and Streetsboro, along with five villages, 18 civil townships, and several unincorporated places within those townships. Additionally, the county includes parts of the city of Tallmadge, and part of the village of Mogadore, both of which are mostly in neighboring Summit County.
History of Portage County
The name “Portage” comes from an old Native American path called “Portage Path”, which ran between the Cuyahoga and Tuscarawas rivers, where travelers portaged their canoes. The location of the trail today is within the boundaries of neighboring Summit County.
As of 1600, the area was likely almost entirely home to the Whittlesey culture, a presumably Algonquian people who lived along the southern shore of Lake Erie, to the west of the Erie Nation. They were a mixed culture people that exhibited signs of picking up traits from both Fort Ancients and Iroquoians. The Erie may have also held a bit of the area, but this is unclear. During the Beaver Wars, approximately 1632 to 1701, the Whittlesey and Erie were already at war when the Erie decided to also declare war on the Iroquois for the atrocities being committed against allied tribes in Canada. The Erie lost around 1650 and the Whittlesey were likely similarly subjugated afterwards, as the Iroquois conquered all the way to the shores of Lake Michigan by the 1670s.
Cities and Villages in Portage County
Cities
Aurora, Kent, Ravenna †, Streetsboro, Tallmadge
Villages
Garrettsville, Hiram, Mantua, Mogadore, Sugar Bush Knolls, Windham
Find Local Businesses in Portage County
Browse the FindItOhio.com business directory to find restaurants, contractors, professional services, shops and more serving Portage 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 Portage 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 Portage County, Ohio?
Ravenna is the county seat of Portage County, Ohio.
When was Portage County established?
Portage County was established on Jun 7, 1807. It was formed from Trumbull County.
Who or what is Portage County named for?
Portage County is named for Derived from an Indian portage.
How many people live in Portage County, Ohio?
Portage County has an estimated population of 163,404 as of 2025.
What cities are in Portage County, Ohio?
Cities in Portage County include Aurora, Kent, Ravenna †, Streetsboro, Tallmadge.
Where can I find local businesses in Portage County?
Search the FindItOhio.com business directory to find local businesses and services in Portage County, Ohio.
How do I list my Portage 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 Portage County, Ohio, available under the Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 4.0 license.