Established in 1887, Lake County was given its name for the more than 1,000 lakes and rivers contained in its 1,156 square mile area. Lake County is also known for its diverse landscape and terrain with rolling hills. The county’s elevation ranges from 0 to 315 feet above sea level. Lake County supports an active lifestyle with many parks and recreational facilities. It is also known for its antique shopping areas.

As of 2000, the U.S. Census Bureau recorded the total population as 210,528 with 102,830 housing units. The U.S. Census Bureau’s annual estimate of the population for 2008 is 307,243 with an estimated 143,580 housing units. This is showing an increase of over 30% in the population in 8 years.