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Fairfield County, Ohio

Coordinates: 39°45′N 82°38′W / 39.75°N 82.63°W / 39.75; -82.63
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Not to be confused with Fairfield, Ohio.

Fairfield County
County
Fairfield County Courthouse
Fairfield County Courthouse
Official seal of Fairfield County
Seal
Map of Ohio highlighting Fairfield County
Location within the U.S. state of Ohio
Map of the United States highlighting Ohio
Ohio's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 39°45′N 82°38′W / 39.75°N 82.63°W / 39.75; -82.63
Country United States
State Ohio
FoundedDecember 9, 1800[1]
Named forthe Fairfield area of Lancaster, Lancashire, UK
SeatLancaster
Largest cityLancaster
Area
 • Total
509 sq mi (1,320 km2)
 • Land504 sq mi (1,310 km2)
 • Water4.2 sq mi (11 km2)  0.8%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
158,921 Increase
 • Density310/sq mi (120/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district12th
Websitewww.co.fairfield.oh.us

Fairfield County is a county located in the U.S. state of Ohio. As of the 2020 census, the population was 158,921.[2] Its county seat and largest city is Lancaster.[3] Its name is a reference to the Fairfield area of the original Lancaster. Fairfield County is part of the Columbus, OH Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

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Fairfield County originally encompassed all or parts of present day Knox, Hocking, Licking, Perry, and Pickaway Counties.[4] Fairfield is a descriptive name referring to the beauty of their fields.[5]

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 509 square miles (1,320 km2), of which 504 square miles (1,310 km2) is land and 4.2 square miles (11 km2) (0.8%) is water.[6]

Fairfield County sits just on the edge of Ohio's Appalachian region. While the once-glaciated northern portion of the county is fairly flat, as one travels south along U.S. 33 one can easily recognize the foothills of a mountainous region beginning around the village of Carroll. Although not officially part of the state or federal definition of Appalachia, certain areas of Fairfield County—particularly those south of U.S. 22—bear a distinctly Appalachian feel in both physical geography and demographics.

The scenic Hocking Hills region lies immediately to the south, mostly in neighboring Hocking County. A large portion of Buckeye Lake is located in northeastern Fairfield County.

Mudhouse Mansion, an allegedly haunted house, was located in the county.

Adjacent counties

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
181011,361—
182016,63346.4%
183024,78649.0%
184031,92428.8%
185030,264−5.2%
186030,5380.9%
187031,1382.0%
188034,28410.1%
189033,939−1.0%
190034,2590.9%
191039,20114.4%
192040,4843.3%
193044,0108.7%
194048,49010.2%
195052,1307.5%
196063,91222.6%
197073,30114.7%
198093,67827.8%
1990103,46110.4%
2000122,75918.7%
2010146,15619.1%
2020158,9218.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9]
1990-2000[10] 2020 [2]

2000 census

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As of the census[11] of 2010, there were 146,156 people, 54,310 households, and 39,846 families living in the county. The population density was 289 inhabitants per square mile (112/km2). There were 58,678 housing units at an average density of 116 units per square mile (45/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 90.02% White, 6.00% Black or African American, 0.20% Native American, 1.10% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.23% from other races, and 1.90% from two or more races. 1.70% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 54,310 households, out of which 34.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.30% were married couples living together, 11.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.60% were non-families. 21.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.07.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.30% under the age of 18, 8.00% from 18 to 24, 30.20% from 25 to 44, 23.90% from 45 to 64, and 12.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38.2 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $47,962, and the median income for a family was $55,539. Males had a median income of $39,566 versus $27,353 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,671. About 4.50% of families and 5.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.40% of those under age 18 and 6.20% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

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As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 146,156 people, 54,310 households, and 39,846 families living in the county.[12] The population density was 289.8 inhabitants per square mile (111.9/km2). There were 58,687 housing units at an average density of 116.3 units per square mile (44.9 units/km2).[13] The racial makeup of the county was 90.2% white, 6.0% black or African American, 1.1% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.6% from other races, and 1.9% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.7% of the population.[12] In terms of ancestry, 31.2% were German, 16.2% were Irish, 11.7% were English, 8.6% were American, and 5.2% were Italian.[14]

Of the 54,310 households, 37.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.3% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 26.6% were non-families, and 21.9% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.07. The median age was 38.2 years.[12]

The median income for a household in the county was $56,796 and the median income for a family was $65,835. Males had a median income of $49,314 versus $37,209 for females. The per capita income for the county was $26,130. About 7.5% of families and 10.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.7% of those under age 18 and 6.7% of those age 65 or over.[15]

Politics

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United States presidential election results for Fairfield County, Ohio[16]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 50,878 61.54% 31,053 37.56% 746 0.90%
2020 50,797 60.97% 31,224 37.48% 1,290 1.55%
2016 44,314 60.25% 24,881 33.83% 4,359 5.93%
2012 41,034 56.82% 29,890 41.39% 1,296 1.79%
2008 41,580 57.63% 29,250 40.54% 1,317 1.83%
2004 42,715 62.93% 24,783 36.51% 384 0.57%
2000 33,523 61.97% 19,065 35.24% 1,506 2.78%
1996 26,850 52.98% 18,821 37.13% 5,013 9.89%
1992 24,125 47.50% 14,249 28.06% 12,415 24.44%
1988 29,208 69.46% 12,504 29.74% 339 0.81%
1984 30,843 75.17% 9,817 23.92% 373 0.91%
1980 24,096 60.98% 13,144 33.26% 2,275 5.76%
1976 19,098 57.73% 13,361 40.39% 620 1.87%
1972 21,909 71.67% 7,746 25.34% 913 2.99%
1968 14,810 52.03% 9,533 33.49% 4,124 14.49%
1964 11,480 42.38% 15,611 57.62% 0 0.00%
1960 17,743 66.03% 9,128 33.97% 0 0.00%
1956 15,647 65.24% 8,337 34.76% 0 0.00%
1952 15,027 62.18% 9,140 37.82% 0 0.00%
1948 9,471 50.09% 9,375 49.58% 61 0.32%
1944 11,135 56.89% 8,439 43.11% 0 0.00%
1940 10,813 48.90% 11,298 51.10% 0 0.00%
1936 8,062 38.70% 12,322 59.16% 446 2.14%
1932 8,050 43.04% 10,410 55.66% 244 1.30%
1928 12,072 67.87% 5,619 31.59% 97 0.55%
1924 8,281 53.80% 5,890 38.26% 1,222 7.94%
1920 7,572 46.46% 8,610 52.83% 116 0.71%
1916 3,380 34.69% 6,172 63.34% 192 1.97%
1912 1,672 18.83% 5,101 57.45% 2,106 23.72%
1908 4,023 40.24% 5,821 58.22% 154 1.54%
1904 4,084 45.26% 4,632 51.33% 308 3.41%
1900 3,738 40.14% 5,431 58.32% 144 1.55%
1896 3,432 39.20% 5,250 59.96% 74 0.85%
1892 3,004 37.83% 4,650 58.56% 287 3.61%
1888 3,058 37.64% 4,846 59.65% 220 2.71%
1884 3,210 38.94% 4,922 59.70% 112 1.36%
1880 3,103 38.91% 4,842 60.72% 29 0.36%
1876 2,770 37.57% 4,597 62.36% 5 0.07%
1872 2,540 39.40% 3,888 60.31% 19 0.29%
1868 2,439 37.44% 4,076 62.56% 0 0.00%
1864 2,427 40.87% 3,512 59.13% 0 0.00%
1860 2,178 37.66% 3,249 56.18% 356 6.16%
1856 1,700 30.12% 3,233 57.28% 711 12.60%

Prior to 1944, Fairfield County was Democratic in presidential elections, only voting for Republicans twice from 1856 to 1940. Starting with the 1944 election, the county has become a Republican stronghold in presidential elections, with Lyndon B. Johnson being the only Democrat to win since then, but Harry S. Truman came within 96 votes of winning it in 1948.

Government

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Seal of the Fairfield County Auditor
See also: Ohio county government

Roster of County Officials (as of Feb. 2019):

  • Commissioners: David L. Levacy (R), Steve Davis (R), Jeffrey Fix (R)
  • Prosecutor: Kyle Witt (R)
  • Sheriff: Alex Lape (R)
  • Auditor: Carri Brown, PhD (R)
  • Treasurer: James Bahnsen, CPA (R)
  • Recorder: Lisa R. McKenzie (R)
  • Clerk of Courts: Branden Meyer (R)
  • Engineer: Jeremiah Upp (R)
  • Coroner: Dr. L. Brian Varney, M.D. (R)
  • Judge, Common Pleas Court: David A. Trimmer (R)
  • Judge, Common Pleas Court: Richard Berens (R)
  • Judge, Common Pleas Court (General/Domestic Relations): Laura B. Smith (R)
  • Judge, Common Pleas Court (Juvenile/Probate): Terre L. Vandervoort (R)

Education

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School districts and state schools

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School districts include:[17]

  • Amanda-Clearcreek Local School District
  • Berne Union Local School District
  • Bloom-Carroll Local School District
  • Canal Winchester Local School District (Franklin & Fairfield)
  • Fairfield Union Local School District
  • Lancaster City School District
  • Liberty Union-Thurston Local School District
  • Northern Local School District
  • Pickerington Local School District
  • Reynoldsburg City School District
  • Southwest Licking Local School District
  • Teays Valley Local School District (Almost entirely Pickaway)
  • Walnut Township Local School District

Elementary schools

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  • St. Mary's School
  • St. Bernadette School
  • Mount Pleasant Elementary
  • Medill Elementary (housed at former East Elementary location during reconstruction)
  • Sanderson Elementary (to be closed upon completion of Medill Elementary reconstruction)
  • Tallmadge Elementary (housed at former West Elementary location during reconstruction)
  • Tarhe Trails Elementary
  • Gorsuch West Elementary
  • Pleasantville Elementary
  • Bremen Elementary

High schools

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Communities

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Map of Fairfield County, Ohio with Municipal and Township Labels

Cities

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Villages

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Townships

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Census-designated places

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Unincorporated communities

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  • Cedar Hill
  • Clearport
  • Colfax
  • Delmont
  • Drinkle
  • Dumontsville
  • Geneva
  • Greencastle
  • Hamburg
  • Havensport
  • Hooker
  • Horns Mill
  • Jefferson
  • Lockville
  • Marcy
  • New Salem
  • North Berne
  • Oakland
  • Oakthorpe
  • Revenge
  • Royalton
  • Waterloo

Source:[18]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Ohio County Profiles: Fairfield County" (PDF). Ohio Department of Development. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-03-26. Retrieved 2007-04-28.
  2. ^ a b "2020 Population and Housing State Data". US Census Bureau.
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on 2011-05-31. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  4. ^ Miller, Charles Christian (1912). History of Fairfield County, Ohio, and representative citizens. Chicago: Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company. p. 82.
  5. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 123.
  6. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on 2014-05-04. Retrieved 2015-02-07.
  7. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2015-02-07.
  8. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved 2015-02-07.
  9. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2015-02-07.
  10. ^ "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 2010-03-27. Retrieved 2015-02-07.
  11. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  12. ^ a b c "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2020-02-13. Retrieved 2015-12-27.
  13. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2020-02-13. Retrieved 2015-12-27.
  14. ^ "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 2020-02-13. Retrieved 2015-12-27.
  15. ^ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2020-02-13. Retrieved 2015-12-27.
  16. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved 2018-05-01.
  17. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Fairfield County, OH" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 2022-07-23. - Text list
  18. ^ "Fairfield County, Ohio (map)" (PDF). Fairfield County Ohio Visitors and Convention Bureau. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-01-13. Retrieved 2011-10-27.
[edit]

39°45′N 82°38′W / 39.75°N 82.63°W / 39.75; -82.63

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