[2] The county was founded in 1842 and named for General "Mad" Anthony Wayne.

Due to the constant threat of Indian attack, there were no European settlers in the area that became Wayne County until after 1794.

The area was made safe for European settlers in 1794 through the defeat of the Shawnee at the Battle of Fallen Timbers by General "Mad" Anthony Wayne.

They raised their own food, sheep for wool clothing, and made their buildings, furnishings and tools out of the surrounding forest.

A few trading posts provided the manufactured goods the pioneers could not make for themselves.

Later, grist mills at Wayne, Dickson, south of East Lynn and at Lavalette ground their corn into meal and their wheat into flour.

Later that year, the counties were divided into civil townships, with the intention of encouraging local government.

This proved impractical in the heavily rural state, and in 1872 the townships were converted into magisterial districts.

[4] Wayne County was divided into five districts: Butler, Ceredo, Grant, Lincoln, and Union.

24.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 42,481 people, 17,347 households, and 12,128 families living in the county.