Your Guide to Lorain County, Ohio
Looking for trusted businesses, services and local resources in Lorain County, Ohio? FindItOhio.com helps residents and visitors discover local companies, professionals and community information across Lorain County, including Elyria, the county seat.
Quick answer: Lorain County is one of Ohio’s 88 counties. Its county seat is Elyria, it was established in 1822, and it has an estimated 323,219 residents as of 2025.
At a Glance
- County seat: Elyria
- Established: Dec 26, 1822
- Formed from: Huron, Cuyahoga, and Medina Counties
- Named for: Province of Lorraine, France
- Estimated population (2025): 323,219
- Total area: 492.50 sq mi
- FIPS code: 39093
About Lorain County
Lorain County is a county in the northeastern part of the U.S. state of Ohio As of the 2020 census, the population was 312,964. Its county seat is Elyria, and its largest city is Lorain. The county was physically established in 1822, becoming judicially independent in 1824. Lorain County is part of the Cleveland, OH Metropolitan Statistical Area. The county is home to Oberlin College.
History of Lorain County
Lorain County was established in 1822 from portions of several of its adjacent counties. This county became judicially independent in 1824. The original proposed name for the county was “Colerain,” after Coleraine, Northern Ireland. The final name “Lorain” was chosen by Heman Ely, who had founded and named the city of Elyria. The county’s name is based on the former German and now French province of Lorraine.
Cities and Villages in Lorain County
Cities
Amherst, Avon, Avon Lake, Elyria †, Lorain, North Ridgeville, Oberlin, Sheffield Lake, Vermilion
Villages
Grafton, Kipton, LaGrange, Rochester, Sheffield, South Amherst, Wellington
Find Local Businesses in Lorain County
Browse the FindItOhio.com business directory to find restaurants, contractors, professional services, shops and more serving Lorain 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 Lorain 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 Lorain County, Ohio?
Elyria is the county seat of Lorain County, Ohio.
When was Lorain County established?
Lorain County was established on Dec 26, 1822. It was formed from Huron, Cuyahoga, and Medina Counties.
Who or what is Lorain County named for?
Lorain County is named for Province of Lorraine, France.
How many people live in Lorain County, Ohio?
Lorain County has an estimated population of 323,219 as of 2025.
What cities are in Lorain County, Ohio?
Cities in Lorain County include Amherst, Avon, Avon Lake, Elyria †, Lorain, North Ridgeville, Oberlin, Sheffield Lake and others.
Where can I find local businesses in Lorain County?
Search the FindItOhio.com business directory to find local businesses and services in Lorain County, Ohio.
How do I list my Lorain 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 Lorain County, Ohio, available under the Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 4.0 license.