Which is the Largest County in the U.S.? Check Population, Diversity, Map and History

San Bernardino County, located in Southern California, is the largest county in the United States by area. It encompasses over 20,000 square miles, larger than New Jersey, Connecticut, and Delaware combined! Known for its range of vast and varied landscapes, the county stretches from the eastern suburban areas of Los Angeles through remote deserts to our neighbors on the west and south in Nevada and Arizona. The county includes parts of the Mojave Desert, the San Bernardino Mountains, and even some of Joshua Tree National Park. While San Bernardino County is vast, the majority of it is rural and uninhabited, with most of its population in the southwestern part of the county. San Bernardino County is a stunning example of geographic extremes and natural diversity in the United States.

Check Out: Which is the Smallest County in the U.S.? Check the Location, Population, Government structure and More

San Bernardino County 

San Bernardino County in California is the largest county in the United States by area (approximately 20,105 square miles). It is larger than nine U.S. states combined. It stretches from the edge of Los Angeles County to the borders of Nevada and Arizona with a variety of terrains and climates, including desert, mountains, forest, and valley. It includes parts of the Mojave Desert, Joshua Tree National Park, and the San Bernardino Mountains. 

The vast majority of the land is rural or uninhabited, but roughly a third of the population lives in cities in the southwest region, which include San Bernardino, Fontana, and Ontario. The footprints and size of San Bernardino County highlight its uniqueness among the counties of California and its importance to the geography and economy of California.

Population of San Bernardino County

Home to roughly 2.2 million residents, San Bernardino County is one of the ten most populous counties in California and the U.S. Even with the largest land area, most of the population resides in the county's southwestern region, which encompasses urban cities of San Bernardino, Fontana, Ontario, and Rancho Cucamonga; the other part of the county consists of such land features as deserts, mountains, and very few people living in rural areas. 

Diversity of San Bernardino County

Also, we can note that residents of San Bernardino County are diverse demographically. The majority of the population is Hispanic or Latino, followed by White, Black, Asian, and other ethnic populations.

The population diversity in the county is evident through the various cultures and communities present throughout the county. Throughout most of the region, the overall population is growing slowly, but several urban areas can accommodate many new people because of affordable housing and job opportunities.

History of San Bernardino County

The San Bernardino County area has a long and diverse heritage that stretches back many thousands of years. It was first inhabited by Native American tribes such as the Serrano, Cahuilla, and Mojave, who hunted and gathered supplies from the local resources.

In the 18th century, Spanish missionaries and settlers arrived, mapping out land and establishing missions and trade routes. The area later became part of Mexico due to the 1848 Mexican-American War, part of the United States. San Bernardino County was created and officially established in 1853.

It had an explosive growth cycle with the arrival of railroads and became a development zone for agriculture, mining, and transportation. Today's heritage can be seen in the county's cultural diversity, historic treasures, and transitional gateway between Southern California and the Southwest United States.