Welcome to Wayne County
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Wayne County, rich in agricultural history and terrain, is bordered by the Finger Lakes region, the Genesee region, and Lake Ontario.
Settled in the 1790's, the county began its growth with agriculture. Easy access to market was provided by the Erie Canal and railroads. Prosperous times of post-WWII brought retail businesses, manufacturing employers and cultural/recreational facilities.
Today, the rural beauty remains and is highlighted by drumlins, fruit orchards and historic buildings. The entire width of the county, the Erie Canal is dotted with parks and hiking trails. The northern towns line the shore of beautiful Lake Ontario.
The 2000 census list the county population at 93,765. In 1998, there were 1062 residential home
sales; median price $80,000.
Economy
There are over 1600 business establishments in Wayne County. Nationally-recognized companies make their home in Wayne County, including Baldwin-Richardson Foods, Mott's, Parker-Hannifin, Seneca Foods, Tyco Plastics, UltraLife Technologies, ExxonMobil Chemical Company, Garlock Sealing Technologies, and IEC Electronics.
Several large national retailers have establishments in
Wayne County. There are also many large regional companies. In 1997, Wayne County's retail
sales were $576 million.
For further information contact the Wayne Economic Development Corporation and the Industrial Development Agency by writing Administrator Peg Churchill, 16 William St., Lyons, NY 14489. Or phone (315) 946-5917.
Town Supervisors are elected in each of the County's 15 Towns. These Supervisors, with the help of Town Councils, govern their respective towns. Each supervisor represents his/her town on the Wayne County Board of Supervisors, which governs the county. Each supervisor carries a weighted vote that represents his/her town's population. The Board is assisted by a County Administrator.
The fifteen towns are: Arcadia, Butler, Galen, Huron, Lyons, Macedon, Marion, Ontario, Palmyra, Rose, Savannah, Sodus, Walworth, Williamson and Wolcott.
Most county government offices are located in the county seat of Lyons. Recent construction and/or renovation has included a new Public Health facility. Built close to the Wayne County Nursing Home, the facility houses services for public health, mental health, the Area Agency on Aging, counseling and outreach services. The renovation/expansion of the Wayne County Jail included a central dispatch area for emergencies. An Enhanced 911 telephone emergency system is in place. A new Hall of Justice was constructed and opened for use as the county's court facilities. The historic 1854 courthouse adjacent to the new building continues to be used.
County government also supports a successful recycling program that consists of curbside collection and a Materials Recovery Facility. For information, contact the Western Finger Lakes Solid Waste Management Authority, 9 Pearl St., PO Box 36, Lyons, NY. Call Marjorie Torelli at (315) 946-7650 or FAX (315) 946-7657.
To reach the Wayne County Office of Tourism, write Dept.CE96, 9 Pearl St., PO Box 131, Lyons, NY 14489, or call 1-800-527-6510.
