Erie County, Ohio

Erie County is a county located in the northern portion of the U.S. state of Ohio. As of the 2020 census, the population was 75,622.[2] Its county seat and largest city is Sandusky.[3] The county is named for the Erie tribe, whose name was their word for "wildcat".[4] It was formed in 1838 from the northern third of Huron County and a portion of Sandusky County.

Erie County
County
Erie County Courthouse
Erie County Courthouse
Official seal of Erie County
Seal
Map of Ohio highlighting Erie County
Location within the U.S. state of Ohio
Map of the United States highlighting Ohio
Ohio's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 41°31′N 82°37′W
Country United States
State Ohio
FoundedMarch 16, 1838[1]
Named forErie tribe
SeatSandusky
Largest citySandusky
Area
 • Total626 sq mi (1,620 km2)
 • Land252 sq mi (650 km2)
 • Water374 sq mi (970 km2)  60%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total75,622 Decrease
 • Density120/sq mi (50/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district9th
Websitewww.eriecounty.oh.gov

Erie County is included in the Sandusky, OH Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Cleveland-Akron-Canton, OH Combined Statistical Area.[5]

History

Erie County was created in 1838 from a portion of Huron County. A few subsequent changes to Erie County's boundaries occurred shortly after its initial formation.[6]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 626 square miles (1,620 km2), of which 252 square miles (650 km2) is land and 374 square miles (970 km2) (60%) is water.[7] It is the second-smallest county in Ohio by land area after Lake County. The county is bordered on the north by Lake Erie; the opposite shore is made up of two counties in Ontario, Canada.

It is drained by the Huron and Vermilion rivers. Near the Huron River are several ancient earthwork mounds and enclosures constructed by early indigenous peoples. Sandusky has extensive quarries of valuable limestone. The surface is generally level, and the soil alluvial and exceedingly fertile.[8]

Adjacent counties and municipalities

Major highways

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
184012,599—
185018,56847.4%
186024,47431.8%
187028,18815.2%
188032,64015.8%
189035,4628.6%
190037,6506.2%
191038,3271.8%
192039,7893.8%
193042,1335.9%
194043,2012.5%
195052,56521.7%
196068,00029.4%
197075,90911.6%
198079,6554.9%
199076,779−3.6%
200079,5513.6%
201077,079−3.1%
202075,622−1.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]
1790-1960[10] 1900-1990[11]
1990-2000[12] 2020 [2]

2000 census

As of the census[13] of 2000, there were 79,551 people, 31,727 households, and 21,764 families residing in the county. The population density was 312 inhabitants per square mile (120/km2). There were 35,909 housing units at an average density of 141 units per square mile (54/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 88.64% White, 8.64% Black or African American, 0.21% Native American, 0.37% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.53% from other races, and 1.60% from two or more races. 2.09% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 35.7% were of German, 9.2% Irish, 8.2% English, 8.1% Italian, and 7.8% American ancestry according to Census 2000.

There were 31,727 households, out of which 30.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.70% were married couples living together, 11.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.40% were non-families. 27.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.97.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.70% under the age of 18, 7.20% from 18 to 24, 27.00% from 25 to 44, 25.50% from 45 to 64, and 15.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 95.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $42,746, and the median income for a family was $51,756. Males had a median income of $39,249 versus $23,697 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,530. About 6.00% of families and 8.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.60% of those under age 18 and 6.80% of those age 65 or over.

In 2008, the Census Bureau announced that the county's population had declined to an estimated 77,323 by July 1, 2007.[14]

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 77,079 people, 31,860 households, and 21,011 families residing in the county.[15] The population density was 306.4 inhabitants per square mile (118.3/km2). There were 37,845 housing units at an average density of 150.4 units per square mile (58.1 units/km2).[16] The racial makeup of the county was 87.0% white, 8.6% black or African American, 0.6% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 0.7% from other races, and 2.8% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 3.4% of the population.[15] In terms of ancestry, 38.8% were German, 15.2% were Irish, 11.7% were English, 8.5% were Italian, and 4.6% were American.[17]

Of the 31,860 households, 29.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.5% were married couples living together, 12.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 34.1% were non-families, and 28.6% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.89. The median age was 43.4 years.[15]

The median income for a household in the county was $46,593 and the median income for a family was $61,247. Males had a median income of $46,211 versus $32,621 for females. The per capita income for the county was $25,290. About 8.5% of families and 12.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.1% of those under age 18 and 8.5% of those age 65 or over.[18]

Government and politics
See also: Ohio county government
Erie County Office Building

Patrick Shenigo is the Chairman of the Erie County Commission, the highest elected position in the county.

From 1992 to 2012, Erie County had been reliably Democratic. In 2016, however, it swung from a 12.3% margin for Barack Obama to a 9.5% margin for Donald Trump, tracking with Trump's unexpectedly strong showing in the Rust Belt.

United States presidential election results for Erie County, Ohio[19]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 22,160 54.83% 17,493 43.28% 763 1.89%
2016 19,648 51.89% 16,057 42.41% 2,157 5.70%
2012 16,952 42.92% 21,793 55.17% 755 1.91%
2008 17,432 42.13% 23,148 55.95% 795 1.92%
2004 18,597 46.39% 21,421 53.44% 67 0.17%
2000 16,105 45.99% 17,732 50.64% 1,178 3.36%
1996 12,204 36.49% 16,730 50.02% 4,515 13.50%
1992 12,459 34.77% 14,531 40.56% 8,838 24.67%
1988 16,670 51.77% 15,097 46.89% 431 1.34%
1984 19,174 57.83% 13,508 40.74% 472 1.42%
1980 15,628 51.29% 12,343 40.51% 2,499 8.20%
1976 14,742 50.01% 13,843 46.96% 893 3.03%
1972 16,714 58.46% 10,889 38.09% 988 3.46%
1968 13,023 48.50% 11,388 42.41% 2,438 9.08%
1964 9,981 38.46% 15,968 61.54% 0 0.00%
1960 15,092 57.94% 10,954 42.06% 0 0.00%
1956 14,771 70.18% 6,276 29.82% 0 0.00%
1952 14,245 65.36% 7,549 34.64% 0 0.00%
1948 9,568 52.28% 8,644 47.23% 90 0.49%
1944 10,663 57.90% 7,753 42.10% 0 0.00%
1940 11,267 54.90% 9,254 45.10% 0 0.00%
1936 6,869 36.69% 10,376 55.43% 1,475 7.88%
1932 7,666 40.68% 10,765 57.13% 412 2.19%
1928 10,380 57.68% 7,570 42.06% 46 0.26%
1924 7,689 54.34% 2,968 20.97% 3,494 24.69%
1920 8,755 62.36% 4,831 34.41% 453 3.23%
1916 4,170 43.12% 5,152 53.27% 349 3.61%
1912 2,695 30.22% 3,504 39.29% 2,720 30.50%
1908 5,366 50.14% 4,983 46.56% 353 3.30%
1904 5,764 58.67% 3,648 37.13% 413 4.20%
1900 5,353 51.95% 4,837 46.94% 115 1.12%
1896 5,442 53.18% 4,641 45.35% 150 1.47%
1892 3,979 47.28% 4,195 49.85% 242 2.88%
1888 3,721 45.49% 4,322 52.84% 136 1.66%
1884 3,507 45.51% 4,044 52.48% 155 2.01%
1880 3,661 51.51% 3,305 46.50% 141 1.98%
1876 3,158 49.40% 3,112 48.68% 123 1.92%
1872 2,905 55.75% 2,287 43.89% 19 0.36%
1868 3,130 62.43% 1,884 37.57% 0 0.00%
1864 3,033 62.41% 1,827 37.59% 0 0.00%
1860 2,886 63.57% 1,538 33.88% 116 2.56%
1856 2,258 60.86% 1,377 37.12% 75 2.02%

County officials
Office Name Party
Commissioner Steve Shoffner Republican
Commissioner Matt Old Republican
Commissioner Patrick J. Shenigo Republican
Prosecutor Kevin J. Baxter Democrat
Sheriff Paul A. Sigsworth Democrat
Clerk of Courts Luvada S. Wilson Democrat
Recorder Ellen Olsen Democrat
Treasurer Caleb A. Stidham Republican
Engineer John "Jack" D. Farschman Democrat
Coroner Brian A. Baxter Republican
Auditor Richard H. Jeffrey Republican
Common Pleas Court Judge Tygh M. Tone Democrat
Common Pleas Court Judge Roger E. Binette Republican
Common Pleas Court Judge Beverly K. McGookey Democrat
Juvenile Court Judge Robert C. DeLamatre Republican

[20][21][22]

Courthouse
Main article: Erie County Courthouse (Ohio)

Erie County's courthouse at 323 Columbus Avenue in Sandusky was built in 1872 by Cleveland architects Myer and Holmes in a richly ornamented Second Empire style. Most of the façade was remodeled beginning in 1936 in Art Deco in a WPA project led locally by architect Henry Millott. Some of the original façade remains visible around the bottom row of windows.[23]

Education

All or part of eleven school districts serve Erie County and its residents:

Communities
Map of Erie County, Ohio With Municipal and Township Labels

Cities

Villages

Townships

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Places of interest

See also

References
  1. "Ohio County Profiles: Erie County" (PDF). Ohio Department of Development. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 21, 2007. Retrieved April 28, 2007.
  2. 2020 census
  3. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. "Erie County data". Ohio State University Extension Data Center. Retrieved April 28, 2007.
  5. "OMB Bulletin No. 23-01: Revised Delineations of Metropolitan Statistical Areas, Micropolitan Statistical Areas, and Combined Statistical Areas, and Guidance on Uses of the Delineations of These Areas" (PDF). United States Office of Management and Budget. July 21, 2023.
  6. Standard History of Erie County, Ohio; Peeke, 1916
  7. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on May 4, 2014. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  8. "Erie. III. A N. county of Ohio" . Encyclopedia Americana. 1920.
  9. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  10. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  11. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  12. "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.
  13. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  14. "Annual Estimates of the Population of Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas: April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2007 (CBSA-EST2007-01)". 2007 Population Estimates. United States Census Bureau, Population Division. March 27, 2008. Archived from the original (CSV) on September 5, 2008. Retrieved February 7, 2009.
  15. "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.
  16. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  17. "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.
  18. "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.
  19. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved May 1, 2018.
  20. Erie County Departments & Agencies
  21. "Erie County Democratic Party elected officials". Archived from the original on September 19, 2015. Retrieved August 23, 2015.
  22. "Erie County Republican Party elected officials". Archived from the original on January 17, 2016. Retrieved August 23, 2015.
  23. Erie County Courthouse, Built in the 1870s

Further reading

41.51°N 82.61°W / 41.51; -82.61

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