Total population (1996 census): 39,350
County seat: Defiance
Crop Statistics (1997 US Census of Agriculture)
| Cereals | Farms | Acres | Yield | |
| Maize=Corn | 397 | 37115 | 4603845 bu | |
| Wheat for Grain, Total | 444 | 23163 | 1182865 bu | |
| Oats | 28 | 667 | 50543 bu | |
| Popcorn | 3 | D | D | |
| Grain Legumes | Farms | Acres | Yield | |
| Soybean | 610 | 84876 | 3045008 bu | |
| Forages | Farms | Acres | Yield | |
| Field Seed and Grass Seed Crops | 12 | 423 | X | |
| Red Clover Seed | 12 | 423 | 82177 lbs | |
| Total Hay* | 177 | 5246 | 15338 tons, dry | |
| Alfalfa Hay | 113 | 2931 | 11242 tons, dry | |
| Small Grain Hay | 5 | 131 | 132 tons, dry | |
| Tame Hay | 70 | 1651 | 2970 tons, dry | |
| Wild Hay | 5 | 77 | 81 tons dry | |
| Grass Silage | 11 | 456 | 2740 tons, grn | |
| Corn for Silage | 32 | 1367 | 21344 tons, grn | |
| Sorghum for Silage | 3 | 33 | D | |
| Vegetables | Farms | Acres | Yield | |
| Pumpkins | 4 | 4 | ||
| Sweet Corn | 5 | 18 | ||
| Tomatoes | 3 | 1 | ||
| Fruits | Farms | Acres | Yield | |
| Apples | 9 | 64 | 4480 trees | |
| Nursery and Greenhouse Crops, Cut Christmas Trees Harvested, Mushrooms, and Sod Grown for Sale | Farms | Sq. ft. under glass or other protection | Acres in the open | Sales ($1,000) |
| Nursery and Greenhouse Crops | 14 | 73000 | 65 | 568 |
| Nursery, Floriculture, Vegetable and Flower Seed Crops | 3 | X | 2 | X |
| Florculture Crops | 3 | D | D | 205 |
| Bedding/Garden Plants | 3 | 42500 | D | 175 |
| Cut Christmas Trees Harvested | 7 | X | 19 | 48 |
| Nursery Crops | 5 | D | D | D |
| Other Nursery and Greenhouse Crops | 5 | D | 42 | D |
*Alfalfa, grass silage, green chops etc.
D=Withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual farms.
X=Not applicable.