Gambier (/ˈɡæm.bɪər/ GAM-beer[6]) is a village in Knox County, Ohio, United States. The population was 2,213 at the 2020 census.

Gambier, Ohio
Middle Path
Middle Path
Location of Gambier, Ohio
Location of Gambier, Ohio
Location of Gambier in Knox County
Location of Gambier in Knox County
Coordinates: 40°22′20″N 82°23′38″W / 40.37222°N 82.39389°W / 40.37222; -82.39389
CountryUnited States
StateOhio
CountyKnox
TownshipCollege
Government
 • MayorLeeman Kessler[1]
Area
 • Total0.94 sq mi (2.43 km2)
 • Land0.94 sq mi (2.43 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation1,056 ft (322 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total2,213
 • Estimate 
(2023)[4]
2,330
 • Density2,361.79/sq mi (911.88/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
43022
Area code740
FIPS code39-29246[5]
GNIS feature ID2398940[3]
Websitehttp://www.villageofgambier.org/

Gambier is the home of Kenyon College.

History

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James Gambier, a founding benefactor of Kenyon College

Gambier was laid out in 1824.[7] The village was named after one of Kenyon College's early benefactors, Lord Gambier.[8][9]

In the 1960s, Japanese writer Junzo Shono spent several years in Gambier, culminating in the writing of the book A Sojourn in Gambier, which would prove to be quite popular in Japan.[10]

In May 2020, the Village of Gambier became the first municipality in Knox County to establish anti-discrimination legislation for LGBTQ+ people.[11]

Geography

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Gambier is located along the Kokosing River.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 0.94 square miles (2.43 km2), all land.[12]

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1850280
1860575105.4%
18705811.0%
1880576−0.9%
189066014.6%
190075113.8%
1910537−28.5%
1920433−19.4%
193049815.0%
1940470−5.6%
19501,037120.6%
19601,14810.7%
19701,57136.8%
19802,05630.9%
19902,0730.8%
20001,871−9.7%
20102,39127.8%
20202,213−7.4%
2023 (est.)2,330[4]5.3%
U.S. Decennial Census[13]

2010 census

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At the 2010 census there were 2,391 people, 343 households, and 126 families living in the village. The population density was 2,543.6 inhabitants per square mile (982.1/km2). There were 375 housing units at an average density of 398.9 per square mile (154.0/km2). The racial makeup of the village was 90.5% White, 2.8% African American, 0.2% Native American, 2.0% Asian, 0.8% from other races, and 3.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.8%.[14]

Of the 343 households 15.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 30.6% were married couples living together, 4.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 1.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 63.3% were non-families. 33.5% of households were one person and 11.4% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.76.

The median age in the village was 21.2 years. 4% of residents were under the age of 18; 79.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 5.1% were from 25 to 44; 6.7% were from 45 to 64; and 4.5% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the village was 47.3% male and 52.7% female.

2000 census

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At the 2000 census there were 1,871 people, 278 households, and 142 families living in the village. The population density was 1,998.5 inhabitants per square mile (771.6/km2). There were 305 housing units at an average density of 325.8 per square mile (125.8/km2). The racial makeup of the village was 94.07% White, 2.51% African American, 1.28% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.43% from other races, and 1.66% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.66%.[5]

Of the 278 households 22.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.9% were married couples living together, 6.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 48.9% were non-families. 39.9% of households were one person and 12.2% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.03 and the average family size was 2.77.

The age distribution was 5.8% under the age of 18, 73.1% from 18 to 24, 7.3% from 25 to 44, 9.0% from 45 to 64, and 4.9% 65 or older. The median age was 21 years. For every 100 females there were 82.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.6 males.

The median household income was $51,964 and the median family income was $71,477. Males had a median income of $40,500 versus $29,327 for females. The per capita income for the village was $9,661. About 2.5% of families and 8.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.2% of those under age 18 and 2.6% of those age 65 or over.

 
The Kokosing River, a tributary of the Ohio River, flows past Gambier

Education

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Mount Vernon City Schools operates Wiggin Street Elementary in the village.[15]

Kenyon College, an Episcopal institution, has been in operation in Gambier since 1824.[16]

Gambier has a public library, a branch of The Public Library of Mount Vernon & Knox County.[17]

Notable people

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References

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  1. ^ "Village Council". Village of Gambier official website. Archived from the original on September 2, 2020. Retrieved September 2, 2020.
  2. ^ "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  3. ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Gambier, Ohio
  4. ^ a b "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places in Ohio: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  5. ^ a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  6. ^ "E.W. Scripps School of Journalism Ohio Pronunciation Guide | Ohio University". www.ohio.edu. Ohio University. 2016. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  7. ^ Overman, William Daniel (1958). Ohio Town Names. Akron, OH: Atlantic Press. p. 49.
  8. ^ Biography of Philander Chase at Kenyon College website. Retrieved on October 3, 2006.
  9. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 134.
  10. ^ "Treasures from Kenyon's Archives - Kenyon Alumni Magazine". bulletin.kenyon.edu. Retrieved March 7, 2020.
  11. ^ Grant Pepper. "Gambier makes history by passing LGBTQ-inclusive anti-discrimination legislation". KnoxPages.com. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
  12. ^ "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 2, 2012. Retrieved January 6, 2013.
  13. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  14. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 6, 2013.
  15. ^ "Wiggin Street Elementary". Mount Vernon City Schools. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
  16. ^ "Our History & Tradition". Kenyon College. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
  17. ^ "Branches". The Public Library of Mount Vernon & Knox County. Archived from the original on February 27, 2018. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
  18. ^ "In Response to Kenyon's President: What Trans Folks Need on TDOV and All Year Round". The Buckeye Flame. April 6, 2022. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
  19. ^ "Kenyon College Students Deliver a List of Demands to College President to Address Transphobia and Transmisogyny". The Buckeye Flame. March 8, 2022. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
  20. ^ "An Abundance of Awesome". Kenyon Alumni Magazine.
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