Fayette County is a county located in the U.S. state of Ohio. As of the 2020 census, the population was 28,951. Its county seat and largest city is Washington Court House. The county was named for the Marquis de Lafayette, a Frenchman who was an officer in the American Army in the Revolution, when established on March 1, 1810. Fayette County comprises the Washington Court House, OH Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Columbus-Marion-Zanesville, OH Combined Statistical Area.

Fayette County was formed on March 1, 1810, from portions of Highland and Ross Counties. It was named after Marie-Joseph Motier, Marquis de La Fayette, a French general and politician who took the side of the Colonials during the American Revolutionary War and who played an important role in the French Revolution.

Tri-County Triangle Trail - This trail goes between Washington Court House and Chillicothe. [1]

Clinton-Fayette Friendship Trail - This trail goes between Melvin to Borum RD and starts backup at Bush RD to Jamison RD.

The trail was extended from Greene County Line to OctaOcta, Ohio. The Connection into Fayette County was opened in 2022, allowing travel all the way to Octa, OH from Xenia, OH. There are 18.5 miles of this trail to enjoy in rural Greene and Fayette Counties. [2]

Rechord Herald Newspaper link talking about the opening [3]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 407 square miles (1,050 km), of which 406 square miles (1,050 km) is land and 0.7 square miles (1.8 km) (0.2%) is water.

• Madison County (north)
• Pickaway County (northeast)
• Ross County (southeast)
• Highland County (south)
• Clinton County (southwest)
• Greene County (northwest)

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1810	1,854		—
1820	6,316		240.7%
1830	8,182		29.5%
1840	10,984		34.2%
1850	12,726		15.9%
1860	15,935		25.2%
1870	17,170		7.8%
1880	20,364		18.6%
1890	22,309		9.6%
1900	21,725		−2.6%
1910	21,744		0.1%
1920	21,518		−1.0%
1930	20,755		−3.5%
1940	21,385		3.0%
1950	22,554		5.5%
1960	24,775		9.8%
1970	25,461		2.8%
1980	27,467		7.9%
1990	27,466		0.0%
2000	28,433		3.5%
2010	29,030		2.1%
2020	28,951		−0.3%
U.S. Decennial Census 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2020

As of the census of 2010, there were 29,030 people, 11,436 households, and 7,834 families living in the county. The population density was 71.4 inhabitants per square mile (27.6/km). There were 12,693 housing units at an average density of 31.2 units per square mile (12.0 units/km). The racial makeup of the county was 94.63% White, 2.02% Black or African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.54% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.80% from other races, and 1.74% from two or more races. 1.79% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 11,436 households, out of which 32.53% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.05% were married couples living together, 13.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.50% were non-families. 25.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.34% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.67% under the age of 18, 7.88% from 18 to 24, 24.89% from 25 to 44, 27.59% from 45 to 64, and 14.97% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.4 years. For every 100 females there were 96.69 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.56 males.

As of 2013, the median income for a household in the county was $37,619, and the median income for a family was $45,108. Males had a median income of $30,516 versus $20,223 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,603. About 16.1% of families and 20.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.4% of those under age 18 and 9.1% of those age 65 or over.

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 29,030 people, 11,436 households, and 7,834 families living in the county. The population density was 71.4 inhabitants per square mile (27.6/km). There were 12,693 housing units at an average density of 31.2 units per square mile (12.0 units/km). The racial makeup of the county was 94.6% white, 2.0% black or African American, 0.5% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.8% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.8% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 21.9% were German, 15.4% were American, 10.6% were Irish, and 9.7% were English.

Of the 11,436 households, 33.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.0% were married couples living together, 13.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 31.5% were non-families, and 25.8% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.95. The median age was 39.4 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $39,599 and the median income for a family was $48,424. Males had a median income of $39,078 versus $31,434 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,525. About 12.9% of families and 17.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.6% of those under age 18 and 9.6% of those age 65 or over.

Fayette County is a stronghold of the Republican party in presidential elections; it has voted Democratic only four times since 1856.

United States presidential election results for Fayette County, Ohio

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party(ies)
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2020	9,473	75.03%	2,975	23.56%	178	1.41%
2016	7,995	71.18%	2,739	24.39%	498	4.43%
2012	6,620	59.97%	4,249	38.49%	169	1.53%
2008	7,102	60.61%	4,401	37.56%	215	1.83%
2004	7,376	62.74%	4,334	36.86%	47	0.40%
2000	5,685	61.27%	3,363	36.25%	230	2.48%
1996	4,831	50.29%	3,665	38.15%	1,111	11.56%
1992	4,916	48.74%	2,976	29.51%	2,194	21.75%
1988	6,186	69.72%	2,623	29.56%	64	0.72%
1984	6,838	75.80%	2,126	23.57%	57	0.63%
1980	5,827	64.26%	2,810	30.99%	431	4.75%
1976	5,719	55.18%	4,477	43.20%	168	1.62%
1972	6,970	73.25%	2,344	24.63%	201	2.11%
1968	5,339	51.99%	2,966	28.88%	1,964	19.13%
1964	4,567	42.70%	6,128	57.30%	0	0.00%
1960	7,085	64.11%	3,966	35.89%	0	0.00%
1956	6,696	66.00%	3,449	34.00%	0	0.00%
1952	6,800	63.66%	3,882	36.34%	0	0.00%
1948	4,865	57.95%	3,513	41.85%	17	0.20%
1944	5,933	60.06%	3,945	39.94%	0	0.00%
1940	5,984	53.27%	5,249	46.73%	0	0.00%
1936	4,841	45.29%	5,807	54.33%	41	0.38%
1932	4,254	44.74%	5,157	54.24%	97	1.02%
1928	5,251	65.23%	2,752	34.19%	47	0.58%
1924	4,542	60.27%	2,696	35.77%	298	3.95%
1920	5,446	58.55%	3,812	40.98%	43	0.46%
1916	2,772	50.53%	2,616	47.69%	98	1.79%
1912	2,186	39.72%	2,261	41.08%	1,057	19.20%
1908	3,343	56.84%	2,451	41.68%	87	1.48%
1904	3,331	62.47%	1,880	35.26%	121	2.27%
1900	3,380	57.25%	2,438	41.29%	86	1.46%
1896	3,357	54.54%	2,748	44.65%	50	0.81%
1892	2,838	55.26%	1,989	38.73%	309	6.02%
1888	3,316	58.44%	2,192	38.63%	166	2.93%
1884	3,171	58.87%	2,160	40.10%	55	1.02%
1880	2,830	56.99%	2,111	42.51%	25	0.50%
1876	2,436	55.59%	1,874	42.77%	72	1.64%
1872	2,140	57.88%	1,545	41.79%	12	0.32%
1868	1,970	58.88%	1,376	41.12%	0	0.00%
1864	1,848	59.83%	1,241	40.17%	0	0.00%
1860	1,458	50.59%	1,121	38.90%	303	10.51%
1856	1,209	49.11%	880	35.74%	373	15.15%

Fayette County has a 3-member Board of County Commissioners that oversee the various County departments, similar to all but 2 of the 88 Ohio counties. As of 2021, Fayette County's elected commissioners are Tony Anderson, Dan Dean, and Jim Garland.

Fayette County Airport is a general aviation facility owned by the county and located northeast of the city of Washington Court House.

• Washington Court House (county seat)

• Bloomingburg
• Greenfield (partly in Highland and Ross Counties)
• Jeffersonville
• Milledgeville
• New Holland (partly in Pickaway County)
• Octa

• Good Hope
• Pancoastburg

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Fayette County, Ohio

39°34′N 83°27′W / 39.56°N 83.45°W / 39.56; -83.45