
Allen County, Indiana
Allen County, Indiana is located in the northeastern corner of the state and is bordered by DeKalb County to the north, Wells County to the east, Adams County to the south, and Whitley and Huntington Counties to the west. See Countryaah – Counties in Indiana. The county seat is Fort Wayne which is also Indiana’s second largest city.
The county covers an area of approximately 645 square miles with a population of approximately 366,000 people. It is home to several cities and towns including Fort Wayne, New Haven, Leo-Cedarville, Huntertown, Harlan, Hoagland, Grabill, Monroeville and Woodburn.
Allen County is home to several attractions including Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo which was voted America’s #1 zoo in 2008; Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory; Science Central; Embassy Theatre; Allen County Courthouse; DeBrand Fine Chocolates; Allen County War Memorial Coliseum; and Johnny Appleseed Park & Museum.
The county also has a rich history dating back to 1801 when it was first established as one of two original counties in Indiana Territory. It was named for Colonel John Allen who fought in the Revolutionary War. Over time it has been home to a variety of industries such as steel production and automotive manufacturing as well as agriculture.
Allen County has something for everyone from its vibrant downtown area with plenty of shopping opportunities to its expansive parks perfect for outdoor activities like fishing or hiking. With so much to offer its no wonder that Allen County continues to be a popular destination for visitors from all over the country.
Demographics of Allen County, Indiana
Allen County, Indiana is home to approximately 366,000 people. It is the second most populous county in the state of Indiana and the 18th most populous county in the United States. The median age of residents is 36.7 years old with a gender ratio of 49% male and 51% female.
In terms of race and ethnicity, 81.6% of Allen County residents are White, 13.2% are Black or African American, 2.1% are Asian, 0.6% are Native American/Alaskan Native, and 2.5% are two or more races. In terms of Hispanic/Latino origin, 4.9% of Allen County residents identify as Hispanic or Latino while 95.1% do not identify as such.
The median household income for Allen County is $55,844 which is slightly higher than the national median household income of $55,322. The county also has a poverty rate of 12%, slightly lower than the national poverty rate which stands at 14%.
Education in Allen County is provided by several school districts including East Allen County Schools (EACS), Fort Wayne Community Schools (FWCS), Northwest Allen County Schools (NACS), Southwest Allen County Schools (SACS), and West Noble School Corporation (WNC). The county also offers several private schools including Canterbury School and Bishop Dwenger High School as well as higher education institutions such as Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW) and Ivy Tech Community College-Northeast Campus (IVYT).
Allen County offers many opportunities for its residents in terms of education, employment, recreation and more making it an attractive destination for those who want to live in a vibrant community with plenty to offer its citizens.
Places of Interest in Allen County, Indiana
Allen County, Indiana is home to many wonderful places of interest for visitors and locals alike. The Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo is the largest zoo in Indiana and features a wide variety of animals including lions, tigers, giraffes, and more. It also boasts an interactive petting zoo and a variety of educational programs. Other attractions include the Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory which offers a beautiful garden with seasonal displays as well as educational programs, the Fort Wayne Museum of Art which houses a broad collection of artwork from all over the world, and Science Central, an interactive science museum that offers hands-on exhibits and activities.
For those looking for outdoor activities, Allen County has plenty to offer. Headwaters Park is located along the banks of the St. Joseph River and features walking trails, playgrounds, a fishing pond, picnic areas and more. Other great parks in Allen County include Franke Park which offers miles of trails perfect for biking or hiking as well as picnic areas and playgrounds; Shoaff Park which features an aquatic center with waterslides; Fox Island County Park with its scenic views; Swinney Park with its disc golf course; and Kreager Park which offers camping spots among many other recreational activities.
Those interested in history can explore several attractions such as the Historic Old Fort where visitors can learn about life during the early 1800s or take part in living history events throughout the year. The Lincoln Museum houses artifacts from President Abraham Lincoln’s life while The History Center showcases local artifacts from Allen County’s past. Finally, don’t miss out on visiting The Embassy Theatre – a historic theater built in 1928 that has hosted acts from all over the world.
Allen County has something for everyone – whether you’re looking for outdoor adventures or cultural experiences – making it an ideal destination for your next holiday.
Notable People of Allen County, Indiana
Allen County, Indiana is home to many notable people, both past and present. In the fields of politics and government, William Hayden English served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1883 to 1895. The first African American mayor of Fort Wayne was Henry C. Smith, who served from 1972 to 1976. More recently, Republican Jim Banks has been a member of the United States House of Representatives since 2017.
The sports world is also well represented in Allen County with several professional athletes hailing from the area. Baseball player Dave Dravecky was born in Fort Wayne and played for the San Francisco Giants before his career was cut short due to cancer. Basketball player George McGinnis attended high school in Fort Wayne and went on to have an illustrious career playing for both the NBA and ABA teams. Football players Bob Griese and Jack Trudeau both attended Purdue University before embarking on their professional careers with various NFL teams.
The entertainment industry has also seen its share of talent come out of Allen County over the years. Actor Gary Burghoff was born in Bristol, Indiana and gained fame for his portrayal of Radar O’Reilly on television’s M*A*S*H*. Singer-songwriter John Mellencamp is a native son who has released numerous albums throughout his career including Scarecrow which won three Grammy Awards in 1986. And finally, actor Wilford Brimley was born in Fort Wayne and is best known for his roles in Cocoon (1985) and The Thing (1982).
Allen County’s wealth of notable people make it an interesting place to visit for anyone curious about local history or culture.