 Ohio Coastal Counties According to the U.S. Census Bureau (2000), the combined population of Ohio's nine coastal counties (Lucas, Wood, Ottawa, Sandusky, Erie, Lorain, Cuyahoga, Lake and Ashtabula) was 2,767,195 people. This amounts to nearly one-quarter of the state's total population of 11,353,140 people. While not adjacent to Lake Erie, Wood County is considered a coastal county because a portion of it is contained in the designated Coastal Management Area. With 1,393,978 people, Cuyahoga County alone accounts for more than half of the coastal counties' combined population. The second largest population is Lucas County's total of 455,054 people. Feeling the effects of sprawl, Lorain and Lake counties, which flank Cuyahoga County to the west and east, have populations of 284,664 and 227,511, respectively. Wood County has 121,065 people. Ashtabula County, Ohio's largest in square mileage, has 102,728 people, followed by Erie, Sandusky and Ottawa counties with populations of 79,551; 61,792 and 40,985 people, respectively. While each county varies in size, population and location along Ohio's 312-mile coast, all have much to offer residents and visitors. In the chart you will find links to each county's official government website, the website of each county seat, and to each municipality and township that is full or partially located in the designated Coastal Management Area. There are also links to county profile information prepared by the Ohio Department of Development using 2000 Census information, and to each county's visitors' bureau. | | | County | Population* | Shore Miles (% total coast) | Public Access Miles (% of county's miles) | | Cuyahoga | 1,393,978 | 35.2 (11.3%) | 6.2 (17.6%) | | Lucas | 455,054 | 25.1 (8.0%) | 5.1 (20.3%) | | Lorain | 284,664 | 23.3 (7.5%) | 2.3 (9.87%) | | Lake | 227,511 | 32.4 (10.4%) | 5.8 (17.9%) | | Wood* | 121,065 | N/A | N/A | | Ashtabula | 102,728 | 30.0 (9.6%) | 4.9 (16.3%) | | Erie | 79,551 | 56.3 (18.0%) | 6.8 (12.1%) | | Sandusky | 61,792 | 14.3 (4.6%) | 2.8 (19.6%) | | Ottawa | 40,985 | 95.4 (30.6%) | 7.6 (7.97%) | | Total Coastal | 2,767,195 | 312 | 41.5 (13.3%) | | Total State | 11,353,140 | | | | | According to the 2000 Census | | Based on 2005 data | | ** A portion of Wood County is in the designated Ohio Coastal Managment Area, but the county is not adjacent to Lake Erie. | |