Welcome to Fort Wayne. If you've just arrived – whether you're stepping off the plane, moving in next door or just stopping for gas – there are a few things you should know about us.

First of all, we say "hi" a lot. Don't be scared; we aren't trying to mug you. We're actually just that nice.

Secondly, we want you to know that we're proud of our famous chili dogs. (Expect to be force-fed; resistance is futile.)

Nearly all of us have a library card. Everyone thinks the weather changes (or seems to) every eight hours. And you've probably already noticed we drive cautiously … or terribly, depending on your point of view.

Most of us attend church. Most of us won't frown at you when they catch you eating something deep-fried. And, most importantly, we firmly believe that flowers – like DeBrand chocolate and TinCaps baseball games – just make everything better.

But that's not the whole picture. To present a true snapshot of the Summit City, you need to look at our numbers.

Population of Allen County: 355,329

Population of Fort Wayne: 253,691

Number of bratwurst eaten at Germanfest in 2010: 13,200

Average rainfall, 35.55 inches; average snowfall, 32.4 inches

Median household income: $47,901

Famous past residents: Stephen King (author), Jenna Fischer ("The Office"), Heather Headley (Tony Award winner), Neil LaBute (director, screenwriter, playwright), actress Carole Lombard, actress Shelley Long, actor Dick York ("Bewitched")

Number of languages spoken in Fort Wayne Community Schools: 79

Heads of lettuce eaten by Jelani the giraffe every day at the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo: 96

Invented in Fort Wayne: Washing machine, baking powder, calculator, jukebox, television, breathalyzer, refrigerator; Fort Wayne is also known for being the first city to create and manufacture stereo sound, the garbage disposal, magnetic wire, streetlights and the gasoline pump. (Source: U.S. Department of Justice)

Babies born in Allen County in 2010: 6,890

Coney dogs sold per day at Coney Island: 2,000

Fictional characters from Fort Wayne: Frank Burns, played by Larry Linville on "M*A*S*H"; Fawn Liebowitz (a girl mentioned in the movie "National Lampoon's Animal House"); Col. George Taylor, played by Charlton Heston in the movie "Planet of the Apes"

Namesake: "Mad" Anthony Wayne, a U.S. Army general who built a fort at the confluence of the three rivers in 1794. He was nicknamed for his fiery temper.

Famous Fort Wayne athletes: Eric Wedge, manager of the Seattle Mariners; Kyle Macy, played for the Phoenix Suns, Chicago Bulls and Indiana Pacers; Jason Baker, NFL player for San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, Kansas City Chiefs, Indianapolis Colts, Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers; Anthony Spencer, Dallas Cowboys; Rod Woodson, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Francisco 49ers, Baltimore Ravens, Oakland Raiders, Pro Football Hall of Famer; DaMarcus Beasley, World Cup soccer player; and LeShundra "DeDee" Nathan, 2000 Summer Olympics track and field

Diversity: In Allen County, one in three children is a minority

Adams County

Population: 34,387

Decatur population: 9,405

County fact: Married couple households top 59 percent – one of the highest in the region

DeKalb County

Population: 42,223

Auburn population: 12,731

County fact: 38 percent of residents work outside of county

Huntington County

Population: 37,124

Huntington population: 17,391

County fact: 26 percent of residents have a work commute of 30 minutes or more

Noble County

Population: 47,536

Kendallville population: 9,862

County fact: 28 percent of residents have a work commute of 30 minutes or more

Steuben County

Population: 34,185

Angola population: 8,612

County fact: 25 percent of homeowners live alone

Wells County

Population: 27,636

Bluffton population: 9,897

County fact: Vera Cruz, one of smallest towns in region, with population of 80

Whitley County

Population: 33,292

Columbia City population: 8,750

County fact: 85 percent of residents own their home – one of the highest in the region

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