Medina County () is a county located in the northeastern region in the U.S. state of Ohio. As of the 2020 census, the population was 182,470. Its county seat is Medina, and its largest city is Brunswick.
The county was created in 1812 and later organized in 1818. It is named for Medina, Saudi Arabia. Medina County is part of the Cleveland, OH Metropolitan Statistical Area, although some southeastern parts of the county are included in the urban area of Akron.
History
Before European colonization, several Native American tribes inhabited northeastern Ohio.
After Europeans first crossed into the Americas, the land that became Medina County was colonized by the French, becoming part of the colony of Canada (New France). It was ceded in 1763 to Great Britain and renamed Province of Quebec. In the late 18th century the land became part of the Connecticut Western Reserve in the Northwest Territory, then was purchased by the Connecticut Land Company in 1795. Parts of Medina County and neighbouring Lorain became home to the Black River Colony founded in 1852, a religious community centered on the pious lifestyle of the German Baptist Brethren.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (0.4%) is water.
The Medina County Park District, established in 1965, manages , including 18 parks and trails.
Adjacent counties
- Cuyahoga County (northeast)
- Summit County (east)
- Wayne County (south)
- Ashland County (southwest)
- Lorain County (northwest)