Total population (1996 census): 40,113
County seat: Eaton
Crop Statistics (1997 US Census of Agriculture)
| Cereals | Farms | Acres | Yield | |
| Maize=Corn | 561 | 74758 | 9270798 bu | |
| Wheat for Grain, Total | 263 | 10625 | 582073 bu | |
| Barley | 6 | 332 | 24600 bu | |
| Oats | 19 | 172 | 11067 bu | |
| Grain Legumes | Farms | Acres | Yield | |
| Soybean | 540 | 69223 | 3173201 bu | |
| Forages | Farms | Acres | Yield | |
| Total Hay* | 366 | 8661 | 22016 tons, dry | |
| Alfalfa Hay | 277 | 5557 | 14986 tons, dry | |
| Small Grain Hay | 22 | 358 | 709 tons, dry | |
| Tame Hay | 104 | 1844 | 4168 tons, dry | |
| Wild Hay | 15 | 229 | 394 tons dry | |
| Grass Silage | 22 | 673 | 5274 tons, grn | |
| Corn for Silage | 50 | 1533 | 24134 tons, grn | |
| Vegetables | Farms | Acres | Yield | |
| Snap Bean | 5 | 2 | ||
| Pumpkins | 7 | 29 | ||
| Sweet Corn | 13 | 99 | ||
| Tomatoes | 6 | 4 | ||
| Fruits | Farms | Acres | Yield | |
| Apples | 3 | D | D | |
| Blackberries | 3 | 3 | 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 | 11 | 45152 | D | 1194 |
| Florculture Crops | 5 | 34680 | D | 172 |
| Bedding/Garden Plants | 5 | 29840 | D | 142 |
*Alfalfa, grass silage, green chops etc.
D=Withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual farms.