Elkhart county is located 150 miles directly north of Indianapolis along the Michigan border. The county was named after the Shawnee Indian chief Elkhart, cousin of the famous Chief Tecumseh, and father of princess Mishawaka (for whom neighboring Mishawaka is named). The county seat is Goshen and the largest city is Elkhart. Eighteen fire departments and one EMS service protect the 206,341 residents (2019) and 469 square miles of Elkhart County.