Wayne County, Michigan is located in southeastern Michigan, encompassing approximately 614 square miles. It is comprised of 33 cities, which includes the city of Detroit, the county seat and the five Grosse Pointes, 10 townships and one village. Its population of approximately 2.1 million makes it the most populous county in the State of Michigan, and the eleventh most populous county in the Nation. 

The history of Wayne County, MI is strongly tied to that of Detroit. In 1760 the British ruled the Northwest Territory, which included Detroit. After the Revolutionary War Detroit became an American Post. Around this time General Anthony “Mad Anthony” Wayne, a famous Indian fighter, came to Detroit and permitted his name to be given to the new county which was organized in 1796. It originally encompassed the entire area of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan, as well as small sections that are now part of northern Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. These boundaries would be adjusted as Indiana and Illinois became states and as other counties were formed within Michigan Territory.  In 1850 the city of Detroit had a population of 21,000, with shipping as its most important industry. When the railroads arrived they brought many immigrants as well as lumber, iron, copper, and farm products. In 1899 the first commercial automobile factory in the world was opened in Detroit. Thus began Detroit and Wayne County's eventual claim to international fame as the world's automobile manufacturing center.

Wayne County, Michigan’s population according to the U.S. Census Bureau was 2,061,162 in 2000 with an estimated decrease of -3.1% for 2005. Median household income in 2003 was $37,742 about 27% lower than the statewide average for the same time period. Median housing cost for 2000 was $99,400 slightly below the nationwide and Michigan statewide averages of $115,000 and $119,000.  

Wayne County, MI eastern (and sometimes southern) boundary is a water boundary in the Detroit River and Lake St. Clair with Essex County, Ontario, Canada. Automotive traffic crosses this boundary at the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel and the Ambassador Bridge. Due to the change in direction of the river, this portion of Ontario actually lies south of Wayne County. Due to the direction ambiguity, the southern communities of the county are usually referred to as "Downriver". 

Wayne County is Michigan's only "charter county", with a home rule charter setting up its structures within limits set in state law and constitution. All other Michigan county governments are structured according to state law, without a locally adopted charter. The Wayne County, MI government operates the jail, maintains rural roads, keeps files of deeds and mortgages, maintains vital records for all areas except Detroit, administers public health regulations, and participates with the state in the provision of welfare and other social services. Most other local government functions – police and fire, building and zoning, tax assessment, street maintenance, etc. – are the responsibility of individual cities and townships.

The mission of the Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority (DWCPA)is to plan, develop, and promote Detroit as a freight transportation and distribution hub for U.S. Midwest and southwestern Ontario businesses and their customers and vendors, for the purpose of fostering economic growth in the City of Detroit, Wayne County, and the State of Michigan.         

Wayne County is the home of the Henry Ford Museum & Greenfield Village, the nation's largest indoor/outdoor museum complex, was founded in Dearborn, Michigan by Henry Ford in 1929 and has more than 1 million visitors a year.

Wayne County (and the city of Detroit) has many distinctions the most world-renowned being the birthplace of the Motown sound, founded by Berry Gordy. It is also the only geographical place where Canada is south of the U.S.; Home to the first traffic light in the country; Home to the largest boat marina in the country [Bell Isle's Detroit Yacht Club]; Is the potato chip capital of the world based on consumption and a myriad of other firsts and second nationwide and internationally.

Metro Airport has three passenger terminals - an International Terminal and two domestic terminals. A multistory parking deck, which can accommodate 6,700 vehicles, was opened in 1994. The new deck, plus the surface lots can accommodate almost 13,000 vehicles. Detroit Metro Airport serves as Northwest Airlines' major hub which handles over 74% of the passenger traffic at DTW. Detroit Metro is also the world aviation headquarters for Ford Motor Company and General Motors Corporation.

Willow Run Airport is ready to serve the needs of aviation into the next century, as our nation's airports become increasingly congested, and land for new airport construction becomes scarce. With significant room for expansion, planned improvements include: new concrete taxiways and airfield aprons, improved access to highways, infrastructure enhancements and facility upgrades. Managed by the Wayne County Airport Authority, Willow Run Airport is located seven miles west of Detroit Metro Airport; Willow Run Airport is a convenient option. Occupying 2,600 acres, Willow Run serves cargo, corporate and general aviation clients. The airport offers five runways 24-hour FAA Tower and U.S. Customs operations, to provide ease of access for its users.

There are 41 School Districts in Wayne County, MI plus some 20 institutions of higher learning. Wayne State University and the University of Michigan-Dearborn are nationally renowned public universities; in addition, the public community colleges offer vital educational opportunities at an affordable cost to the residents of the County. The independent colleges and universities, in turn, offer a broad variety of curriculums from business, design, and social sciences, to law.

 Wayne County, Michigan is home to the Chandler Park Family Aquatic Center and is filled with attractions, like a giant water slide, usually found only in large amusement parks. Sledding Hills and Toboggan runs are also provided by Wayne County for winter season fun.

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