Preble County, OH neighbors Butler near Eaton metropolitan centre yielding a 2020 estimated census population standing at 42,270 making it the 23rd least populous county situated hereabouts. Its county seat is Eaton with other towns include New Paris & West Alexandria-Eaton itself corresponds out to Preble’s biggesttown aside from acknowledged country seat. This area had been established out of Butler and Montgomery Counties back in 1808 when local residents petitioned for new administrative boundaries - posthumously named after Edward Preble admiralty span time frame before James Madison .