Total population (1996 census): 103,461
County seat: Lancaster
Crop Statistics (1997 US Census of Agriculture)
| Cereals | Farms | Acres | Yield | |
| Maize=Corn | 475 | 63679 | 8832412 bu | |
| Wheat for Grain, Total | 247 | 13683 | 697549 bu | |
| Barley | 8 | 160 | 10025 bu | |
| Oats | 52 | 821 | 56324 bu | |
| Popcorn | 4 | 398 | 1225000 lbs, shelled | |
| Grain Legumes | Farms | Acres | Yield | |
| Soybean | 390 | 46441 | 2152179 bu | |
| Forages | Farms | Acres | Yield | |
| Total Hay* | 501 | 15082 | 36880 tons, dry | |
| Alfalfa Hay | 279 | 7223 | 20494 tons, dry | |
| Small Grain Hay | 36 | 397 | 827 tons, dry | |
| Tame Hay | 256 | 5843 | 13192 tons, dry | |
| Wild Hay | 28 | 518 | 530 tons dry | |
| Grass Silage | 29 | 1101 | 5513 tons, grn | |
| Corn for Silage | 45 | 1174 | 2741 tons, grn | |
| Vegetables | Farms | Acres | Yield | |
| Snap Bean | 3 | D | ||
| Cantaloupes | 4 | 16 | ||
| Sweet Peppers | 3 | 1 | ||
| Pumpkins | 7 | 10 | ||
| Sweet Corn | 13 | 40 | ||
| Tomatoes | 5 | 2 | ||
| Fruits | Farms | Acres | Yield | |
| Apples | 15 | 267 | 35361 trees | |
| Grapes | 3 | D | D | |
| Peaches | 8 | 24 | 1950 trees | |
| Pears | 3 | D | D | |
| Strawberries | 3 | 7 | D | |
| 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 | 38 | 117080 | 375 | 966 |
| Florculture Crops | 16 | D | D | 460 |
| Bedding/Garden Plants | 15 | 67960 | 5 | 286 |
| Potted Flowering Plants | 3 | D | D | D |
| Cut Christmas Trees Harvested | 13 | X | 22 | 114 |
| Nursery Crops | 9 | D | 135 | 192 |
| Other Nursery and Greenhouse Crops | 11 | D | 119 | 58 |
*Alfalfa, grass silage, green chops etc.
D=Withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual farms.
X=Not applicable.