Darke County, Ohio: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 16:37, 7 May 2024

Darke County
County
Darke County Courthouse, Sheriff's House and Jail
Flag
Location within the U.S. state of Ohio
Ohio's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 40°08′N 84°37′W / 40.13°N 84.62°W / 40.13; -84.62
Country	United States
State	Ohio
Founded	March 1, 1817
Named for	William Darke
Seat	Greenville
Largest city	Greenville
Area
• Total	600 sq mi (2,000 km²)
• Land	598 sq mi (1,550 km²)
• Water	1.7 sq mi (4 km²) 0.3%
Population (2020)
• Total	51,881
• Density	86/sq mi (33/km²)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district	8th
Website	www.mydarkecounty.com

Geography[edit]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 600 square miles (1,600 km²), of which 598 square miles (1,550 km²) is land and 1.7 square miles (4.4 km²) (0.3%) is water.^[5]

Adjacent counties[edit]

Demographics[edit]

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1820	3,622	—
1830	6,204	71.3%
1840	13,282	114.1%
1850	20,276	52.7%
1860	26,009	28.3%
1870	32,278	24.1%
1880	40,496	25.5%
1890	42,961	6.1%
1900	42,532	−1.0%
1910	42,933	0.9%
1920	42,911	−0.1%
1930	38,009	−11.4%
1940	38,831	2.2%
1950	41,799	7.6%
1960	45,612	9.1%
1970	49,141	7.7%
1980	55,096	12.1%
1990	53,619	−2.7%
2000	53,309	−0.6%
2010	52,959	−0.7%
2020	51,881	−2.0%
U.S. Decennial Census^[6] 1790-1960^[7] 1900-1990^[8] 1990-2000^[9] 2020 ^[1]

2000 census[edit]

As of the census^[10] of 2000, there were 53,309 people, 20,419 households, and 14,905 families living in the county. The population density was 89 inhabitants per square mile (34/km²). There were 21,583 housing units at an average density of 36 units per square mile (14/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.09% White, 0.39% BlackorAfrican American, 0.17% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.34% from other races, and 0.74% from two or more races. 0.86% of the population were HispanicorLatino of any race. 43.1% were of German, 20.1% American, 8.1% English, 6.8% Irish and 5.8% French ancestry according to Census 2000.

There were 20,419 households, out of which 33.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.00% were married couples living together, 8.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.00% were non-families. 23.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56, and the average family size was 3.03.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.30% under the age of 18, 7.80% from 18 to 24, 27.50% from 25 to 44, 23.20% from 45 to 64, and 15.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $39,307, and the median income for a family was $45,735. Males had a median income of $32,933 versus $23,339 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,670. About 6.00% of families and 8.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.10% of those under age 18 and 9.20% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census[edit]

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 52,959 people, 20,929 households, and 14,673 families living in the county.^[11] The population density was 88.5 inhabitants per square mile (34.2/km²). There were 22,730 housing units at an average density of 38.0 units per square mile (14.7 units/km²).^[12] The racial makeup of the county was 97.8% white, 0.4% black or African American, 0.3% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.4% from other races, and 0.9% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.2% of the population.^[11] In terms of ancestry, 38.9% were German, 11.5% were American, 10.6% were Irish, and 9.0% were English.^[13]

Of the 20,929 households, 31.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.7% were married couples living together, 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 29.9% were non-families, and 25.9% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.50, and the average family size was 3.00. The median age was 40.8 years.^[11]

The median income for a household in the county was $44,280, and the median income for a family was $53,454. Males had a median income of $40,402 versus $28,310 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,483. About 7.5% of families and 10.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.5% of those under age 18 and 8.1% of those age 65 or over.^[14]

Politics[edit]

Originally settled by numerous migrants from the South, Darke County supported Democratic presidential candidates prior to 1912. It voted for Republicans only three times from 1856 to 1908. The county was a bellwether from 1912 to 1936.

Starting with the 1940 election, it has become a Republican stronghold in presidential elections. Lyndon B. Johnson was the only Democratic candidate supported by county voters since then.

United States presidential election results for Darke County, Ohio^[15]
Year	Republican	Democratic	Third party
No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2020	22,004	81.01%	4,731	17.42%	426	1.57%
2016	20,012	78.17%	4,470	17.46%	1,119	4.37%
2012	18,108	71.21%	6,826	26.84%	496	1.95%
2008	17,290	66.92%	7,964	30.82%	584	2.26%
2004	18,306	69.57%	7,846	29.82%	161	0.61%
2000	14,817	63.68%	7,741	33.27%	709	3.05%
1996	10,798	46.88%	8,871	38.52%	3,363	14.60%
1992	11,098	45.44%	7,016	28.72%	6,312	25.84%
1988	14,914	67.93%	6,851	31.21%	189	0.86%
1984	16,379	72.81%	5,904	26.25%	211	0.94%
1980	12,773	58.17%	7,635	34.77%	1,550	7.06%
1976	11,580	52.75%	9,901	45.10%	472	2.15%
1972	13,862	65.71%	6,534	30.97%	700	3.32%
1968	10,926	53.78%	7,371	36.28%	2,018	9.93%
1964	8,581	40.83%	12,433	59.17%	0	0.00%
1960	14,048	64.55%	7,715	35.45%	0	0.00%
1956	13,447	65.32%	7,138	34.68%	0	0.00%
1952	13,670	64.28%	7,597	35.72%	0	0.00%
1948	8,956	50.28%	8,770	49.23%	87	0.49%
1944	11,135	58.08%	8,036	41.92%	0	0.00%
1940	11,147	53.60%	9,651	46.40%	0	0.00%
1936	8,375	41.29%	11,114	54.79%	794	3.91%
1932	8,284	41.65%	11,122	55.92%	483	2.43%
1928	11,765	66.34%	5,822	32.83%	147	0.83%
1924	9,166	52.92%	7,316	42.24%	839	4.84%
1920	9,552	52.59%	8,459	46.58%	151	0.83%
1916	4,322	39.78%	6,186	56.94%	357	3.29%
1912	3,107	30.43%	5,027	49.24%	2,075	20.33%
1908	4,951	42.60%	6,391	54.99%	281	2.42%
1904	5,203	49.26%	5,030	47.62%	329	3.11%
1900	4,834	43.79%	6,003	54.38%	201	1.82%
1896	4,384	41.28%	6,151	57.92%	84	0.79%
1892	3,737	39.99%	4,916	52.61%	691	7.40%
1888	4,267	41.84%	5,495	53.88%	437	4.28%
1884	4,390	44.29%	5,442	54.91%	79	0.80%
1880	4,046	43.46%	5,167	55.51%	96	1.03%
1876	3,577	43.38%	4,667	56.60%	1	0.01%
1872	3,069	52.35%	2,760	47.07%	34	0.58%
1868	2,989	48.73%	3,145	51.27%	0	0.00%
1864	2,584	48.90%	2,700	51.10%	0	0.00%
1860	2,460	49.23%	2,479	49.61%	58	1.16%
1856	2,086	48.70%	1,988	46.42%	209	4.88%

Government[edit]

Darke County has a three-member Board of County Commissioners who oversee the various county departments, in similar fashion to all but two of the 88 Ohio counties. Darke County's elected commissioners are Mike Rhoades, Mike Stegall, and Matt Aultman.^[16]

Education[edit]

Public school districts[edit]

Communities[edit]

City[edit]

Villages[edit]

Townships[edit]

Unincorporated communities[edit]

Historic places[edit]

Darke County is home to the Eldora Speedway located near New Weston, which hosts many big events throughout the year.

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