Brown County

Brown County stretches along the Ohio River with Georgetown serving as its county seat and encompassing ten separate municipalities. The landscape consists mainly of rolling farmland and lies just inland from the Cincinnati area.

The county was established on December 27, 1817, from portions of Adams and Clermont counties, named after Jacob Brown, a military leader during the War of 1812. The region developed as an agricultural hub with growing importance tied to river commerce.

The Rankin House in Ripley operated as a critical stop on the Underground Railroad, helping people escape slavery by crossing into Kentucky across the river. Visitors today can explore the home and learn how local families risked their safety to assist those fleeing bondage.

The Brown County Common Pleas Court is located in Georgetown and handles court matters for the area. Most locations in the county are accessible by car, with roads connecting the different towns throughout the region.

The county produces a wide range of specialized industrial goods, from surgical instruments to plastic machinery parts and cement blocks. This diverse manufacturing base exists alongside the region's long agricultural tradition.

Location: Ohio

Inception: March 1, 1818

Capital city: Georgetown

Reference: BRO

Part of: Cincinnati metropolitan area

Shares border with: Clermont County, Clinton County, Highland County, Adams County, Mason County, Bracken County

Website: http://browncountyohio.gov

GPS coordinates: 38.93000,-83.87000

Latest update: December 23, 2025 15:22