Overview
Wayne County is a largely rural county in northeastern Pennsylvania. It was created on March 21, 1798, from part of Northampton County and later named in honor of Revolutionary War General Anthony Wayne. The county is classified under Pennsylvania law as a sixth-class county and maintains a mix of small boroughs, townships and open countryside. The county seat is the borough of Honesdale.
Geography and communities
The landscape of Wayne County features forested hills, valleys and numerous small lakes and streams. Development is concentrated in modest borough centers and along regional road corridors; much of the county remains sparsely populated and used for forestry, agriculture and outdoor recreation. Local communities include Honesdale as the administrative center and a number of smaller towns and townships that support local services and tourism.
History
Wayne County was formed from part of Northampton County on March 21, 1798. It takes its name from General Anthony Wayne, a prominent figure in the American Revolutionary War. Early economic activity grew from timber, small-scale manufacturing and transportation improvements in the 19th century. Honesdale, the county seat, is often noted for its early railroad connection and is sometimes called the birthplace of the American railroad because of the 1829 demonstration of the Stourbridge Lion locomotive.
Demographics and government
At the time of the 2010 census the county's population was reported as 52,822. County government and services are administered from Honesdale; readers can find local administrative information through the county's official resources and the borough offices in the county seat. For information about the county's origin and its relation to neighboring jurisdictions, see records concerning its formation from Northampton County.
Economy, recreation and culture
Wayne County's economy today blends small-scale agriculture, local retail and service businesses with a steady contribution from tourism and outdoor recreation. The forests, trails and water bodies attract hikers, anglers and seasonal visitors. Cultural life centers on historic downtowns, community festivals and preservation of 19th-century sites tied to the county's transportation and industrial past.
Notable facts and resources
Honesdale serves as the county seat and a focal point for heritage tourism; for details about local governance and visitor information consult the borough and county pages. Additional public records, demographic profiles and historical summaries are available through county planning offices and regional historical organizations. For general reference on the county and its civic status see county classification, local administrative pages such as county seat resources and borough information at Honesdale.