Total Population:

331,849

Total Households:

128,745

Government Structure:

3 County Commissioners

7 County Council Members

Major Employers:

General Motors


Allen County Government 

Brief Early History:

The area of Allen County, which was named after Colonel John Allen, was created December 17, 1823 out of the counties of Randolf and Delaware.  Fort Wayne was selected as the County Seat on March 22, 1824 and the first county board meeting was held in May 1824.  Allen County was included in the Federal Census in 1830 with a population of approximately 1,000.  With the help of development of the Wabash and Erie Canal, Allen County's population grew to almost 17,000 by the year 1850.  During its early history, records show that 92 village settlements were formed in Allen County.  Settlements in proximity to one another competed for population and businesses.  Some of the settlements were eventually incorporated into the cities and towns you see today.  Other settlements like Arcola, Harlan, Hoagland, Poe, and Yoder were not officially incorporated but still exist under the jurisdiction of Allen County.  Others simply ceased to exist or were taken over by other towns. 

 

Source for Demographics:     U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2000

 

Sources for History:

B.J. Griswold and Mrs. Samuel R. Taylor, History of Fort Wayne and Allen County. Vol. 1. Robert O. Law Company, Chicago: 1917

 

Glass, Wendell C., The towns of Allen County 1967

 



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