Fayette County is a county in Ohio, United States, in the south-central part of the state along Interstate 71. It had a population of 28,951 at the 2020 census and covers 407 square miles (1,050 km2) — 406 square miles land, 0.7 square miles water — centred near 39°34′N 83°27′W.
Washington Court House is the county seat and largest city, and its postal code is 43160. The county has 1 city, 5 villages, 2 census-designated places and about three dozen unincorporated communities, organized into 10 townships. Fayette County sits in the Eastern Time Zone.
Towns & Villages in Fayette County
Washington Court House anchors the county as its only city; the five villages and two census-designated places are small rural centers, and the rest of the county is unincorporated crossroads and hamlets. Type key: City · seat, Village, CDP, Unincorp.
| Place | Type | Pop. | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington Court House | City · seat | — | 43160 |
| Bloomingburg | Village | — | 43106 |
| Jeffersonville | Village | — | 43128 |
| Milledgeville | Village | — | 43142 |
| New Holland | Village | 804 | 43145 |
| Octa | Village | — | — |
| Good Hope | CDP | — | — |
| Pancoastburg | CDP | — | — |
| Blessing | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Bookwalter | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Boyds | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Buena Vista | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Cook | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Cunningham | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Eber | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Edgefield | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Fairview | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Georgetown | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Ghormley | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Glendon | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Hagler | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Jasper Mills | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Johnson | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Luray | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Luttrell | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Madison Mills | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Manara | Unincorp. | — | — |
| McLean | Unincorp. | — | — |
| New Martinsburg | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Parrott | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Plano | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Pleasant View | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Rock Mills | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Shady Grove | Unincorp. | — | — |
| South Plymouth | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Staunton | Unincorp. | — | — |
| West Lancaster | Unincorp. | — | — |
| White Oak | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Yankeetown | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Yatesville | Unincorp. | — | — |
Townships
Fayette County is divided into 10 civil townships: Concord, Green, Jasper, Jefferson, Madison, Marion, Paint, Perry, Union and Wayne. Township-level 2020 census figures and each township’s principal settlement were not confirmed for this update and are omitted rather than estimated.
ZIP Codes
- 43160 — Washington Court House
- 43128 — Jeffersonville
- 43106 — Bloomingburg
- 43142 — Milledgeville (PO Box only)
- 43145 — New Holland
Washington Court House’s 43160 ZIP covers the large majority of the county’s population; smaller villages and unincorporated communities without a confirmed ZIP of their own are typically served by the nearest post office town above.
Geography
Fayette County lies in the till plains of south-central Ohio, a mostly flat to gently rolling agricultural landscape drained by Paint Creek and its tributaries. The county covers 407 square miles, nearly all of it land. It borders Madison County to the north, Pickaway County to the northeast, Ross County to the southeast, Highland County to the south, Clinton County to the southwest, and Greene County to the northwest.
Demographics
Fayette County had 28,951 residents at the 2020 census. Washington Court House is by far the largest community, with the villages of Jeffersonville and Bloomingburg next in size. Fayette County’s median household income runs below the Ohio median of $67,769, consistent with its largely rural, agricultural economy. Population density is roughly 71 people per square mile.
Economy & Local Life
Agriculture — corn, soybeans and livestock — remains central to the county’s economy, alongside manufacturing and distribution firms drawn to the Interstate 71 corridor near Washington Court House. Fayette County Airport, 2.3 miles northeast of downtown Washington Court House, serves general aviation traffic. The Fayette County Fair, held each July, is the county’s best-known annual event.
History
Fayette County was organized on March 1, 1810, from parts of Highland and Ross counties. It was named for Marie-Joseph Motier, the Marquis de Lafayette, the French officer who served in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War.
Getting There
Interstate 71 crosses the county, with U.S. Routes 22, 35 and 62 and Ohio Routes 3, 38, 41, 435, 729, 734 and 753 providing local access.
- Columbus — 45 miles northeast
- Chillicothe — 30 miles southeast
- Wilmington — 25 miles southwest
- Xenia — 30 miles west
Fayette County Airport handles general aviation; the nearest commercial airport is John Glenn Columbus International Airport, about 50 miles northeast.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Fayette County, Ohio?
It is in south-central Ohio along Interstate 71, bordering Madison, Pickaway, Ross, Highland, Clinton and Greene counties.
What is the population of Fayette County?
28,951 people at the 2020 census.
How big is Fayette County?
407 square miles (1,050 km2), of which 406 square miles is land.
What is the county seat of Fayette County?
Washington Court House is the county seat and largest city.
How many towns and villages are in Fayette County?
One city, five villages (Bloomingburg, Jeffersonville, Milledgeville, New Holland and Octa), two census-designated places and roughly three dozen unincorporated communities.
What ZIP codes are in Fayette County?
43160 (Washington Court House), 43128 (Jeffersonville), 43106 (Bloomingburg), 43142 (Milledgeville) and 43145 (New Holland).
Where does Fayette County’s name come from?
It honors the Marquis de Lafayette, the French officer who fought for American independence.
More counties in this state: Towns and villages in Ohio.