Champaign County is proud to join America 250–Ohio in celebrating 250 years of the United States by sharing the stories of our own pioneers, places, and progress. As Ohio’s 18th county, established in 1805 and anchored by the historic city of Urbana, Champaign County has been part of the American story almost from the very beginning. Our name comes from the French word champaign, meaning “open, level country” or “open, flat land” – a fitting tribute to the rich farmland and wide-open views that have shaped our community for generations.

Today, nearly 39,000 people call Champaign County home, spread across about 430 square miles of rural countryside, small towns, and a vibrant county seat. Stroll down Urbana’s Scioto Street and you’ll pass more than two dozen homes that have stood 

since the 1800s, and throughout the county you’ll find over 30 historical markers telling stories of early settlement, transportation, industry, and everyday life. From early soldiers who served in the War of 1812 to the arrival of the railroad in the mid-1800s, Champaign County has long been connected to the nation’s growth and change.

As America 250–Ohio invites all 88 counties to commemorate the nation’s semiquincentennial “Ohio style,” Champaign County will highlight the people, places, and events that link our local history to the larger American experience.  Through special projects, commemorations, and community events, we’ll honor our past while looking ahead to the next 250 years of innovation, agriculture, small-town charm, and big-hearted hospitality. We invite you to explore, learn, and celebrate with us here in Champaign County, Ohio.