Wayne

Formed March 10, 1892 (26^th county)

Wayne County (2,778), Loa (572)

The white stucco and stone Modern building was constructed in 1939.  The courthouse is at the intersection of Main and Center streets.  Utah State Highway 24 is Main Street in the town.  Fred Markhum provided the building designs.  The county was formed on March 10, 1892 from Piute County as the 26^th county with Loa as the only county seat.  The county is reportedly named for American Revolutionary General Anthony Wayne.  Loa is a Hawaiian word meaning “long.” 

Wayne County government consists of a sheriff and 3 Commissioners.  Two District Court Judges and One Juvenile Court Judge serve Wayne, Garfield, Kane, Piute, Sanpete, and Sevier counties.  The county is in the southern part of the state.  Salt Lake City, Utah is north and Las Vegas, Nevada is southwest of the county.  The county center is 44.4 miles East of Loa nearer Caineville.  The county is surrounded clockwise by Emery, Grand, San Juan, Garfield, Piute, and Sevier counties. 

The area of the county is 2466 square miles.  It is 14 out of 29 in the state.  It ranks 26 out of 29 in population in the state.  It has a density of 1.13 persons per square mile making it 28 out of 29 in the state.  Wayne County has 56.1% of its population in its incorporated areas.  There are no Interstates or United States Highways in the county.  The county is a flat rectangle.  Loa is located in the western quarter of the county.  Loa is the county seat and the largest city.  It is 20.6% of the county population.  The county seat is pronounced LOE-A.