Darke County, Ohio

Darke County is a county in the U.S. state of Ohio. As of the 2020 census, the population was 51,881.[1] Its county seat and largest city is Greenville.[2] The county was created in 1809 and later organized in 1817.[3] It is named for William Darke, an officer in the American Revolutionary War.[4] Darke County comprises the Greenville, OH Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Dayton-Springfield-Sidney, OH Combined Statistical Area.

Darke County
County
Darke County Courthouse, Sheriff's House and Jail
Darke County Courthouse, Sheriff's House and Jail
Map of Ohio highlighting Darke County
Location within the U.S. state of Ohio
Map of the United States highlighting Ohio
Ohio's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 40°08′N 84°37′W
Country United States
State Ohio
FoundedMarch 1, 1817
Named forWilliam Darke
SeatGreenville
Largest cityGreenville
Area
 • Total600 sq mi (2,000 km2)
 • Land598 sq mi (1,550 km2)
 • Water1.7 sq mi (4 km2)  0.3%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total51,881 Decrease
 • Density86/sq mi (33/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district8th
Websitewww.mydarkecounty.com

Geography

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

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18203,622—
18306,20471.3%
184013,282114.1%
185020,27652.7%
186026,00928.3%
187032,27824.1%
188040,49625.5%
189042,9616.1%
190042,532−1.0%
191042,9330.9%
192042,911−0.1%
193038,009−11.4%
194038,8312.2%
195041,7997.6%
196045,6129.1%
197049,1417.7%
198055,09612.1%
199053,619−2.7%
200053,309−0.6%
201052,959−0.7%
202051,881−2.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8]
1990-2000[9] 2020 [1]

2000 census

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% Black or African 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 Hispanic or Latino 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

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

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

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

Public school districts
  • Ansonia Local Schools
    • Ansonia High School, Ansonia (the Tigers)
  • Arcanum-Butler Local School District
    • Arcanum High School, Arcanum (the Trojans)
  • Franklin Monroe Schools
  • Greenville City School District
  • Mississinawa Valley Local School District
    • Mississinawa Valley Junior/Senior High School, Union City (the Blackhawks)
  • Tri-Village Local School District
    • Tri-Village High School, New Madison (the Patriots)
  • Versailles Exempted Village Schools

Communities
Map of Darke County, Ohio with Municipal and Township Labels

City

Villages

Townships

[17]

Unincorporated communities

Historic places

Darke County has 25 places listed on the National Register of Historic Places, including the Darke County Courthouse, Sheriff's House, and Jail, and the Versailles Town Hall and Wayne Township House.

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

Notable residents

See also

Footnotes
  1. 2020 census
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. "Ohio: Individual County Chronologies". Ohio Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library. 2007. Archived from the original on April 6, 2016. Retrieved February 14, 2015.
  4. Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. p. 100.
  5. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on May 4, 2014. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  6. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  7. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  8. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  9. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  10. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  11. "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  12. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  13. "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  14. "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  15. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved May 1, 2018.
  16. "Elected Officials". Darke County Ohio Homepage. Archived from the original on February 19, 2015. Retrieved March 13, 2017.
  17. "TOWNSHIP WEBSITES | Ohio Township Association". Archived from the original on July 15, 2016.

Further reading

40.13°N 84.62°W / 40.13; -84.62

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