New Census estimates reveal that Ohio's largest county, Franklin County, gained nearly 9,000 residents last year, widening its lead to 1,361,536, or 2,599 people per square mile. This increase is due to the county's population being spread over 532 square miles, compared to 457 square miles for Cuyahoga County. The seven fastest growing counties in Ohio were located in Central or Southwest Ohio. The fastest growing county in Northeast Ohio was Lorain County, which gained an estimated 2,060 residents.