Knox County is a county located in the U.S. state of Ohio. As of the 2020 census, the population was 62,721.[2] Its county seat is Mount Vernon.[3] The county is named for Henry Knox, an officer in the American Revolutionary War who was later the first Secretary of War.[4] Knox County comprises the Mount Vernon, OH Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Columbus-Marion-Zanesville, OH Combined Statistical Area.
Knox County | |
|---|---|
.jpg) The Knox County Courthouse in 2013 | |
 Flag  Seal | |
 Location within the U.S. state of Ohio | |
 Ohio's location within the U.S. | |
| Coordinates: 40°23′N 82°28′W / 40.38°N 82.47°W | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Ohio |
| Founded | March 1, 1808[1] |
| Named for | Henry Knox |
| Seat | Mount Vernon |
| Largest city | Mount Vernon |
| Area | |
| • Total | 530 sq mi (1,400 km2) |
| • Land | 525 sq mi (1,360 km2) |
| • Water | 4.1 sq mi (11 km2) 0.8% |
| Population (2020) | |
| • Total | 62,721 |
| • Estimate (2023) | 63,320  |
| • Density | 120/sq mi (46/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional district | 12th |
| Website | www |
History
editThis section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (January 2015) |
Knox County was formed from Fairfield County[5] in 1808.
Geography
editAccording to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 530 square miles (1,400 km2), of which 525 square miles (1,360 km2) is land and 4.1 square miles (11 km2) (0.8%) is water.[6] Approximately 58% of the county is farmland and 28% is forested.[7] Most of the county lies in the Glaciated Allegheny Plateau with rolling hills and valleys. Although the relief is not sharp, some elevations in the county reach over 1400 feet above sea level.
Adjacent counties
edit- Richland County (north)
- Ashland County (far northeast)
- Holmes County (northeast)
- Coshocton County (east)
- Licking County (south)
- Delaware County (southwest)
- Morrow County (northwest)
Demographics
edit| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1810 | 2,149 | — | |
| 1820 | 8,326 | 287.4% | |
| 1830 | 17,085 | 105.2% | |
| 1840 | 29,579 | 73.1% | |
| 1850 | 28,872 | −2.4% | |
| 1860 | 27,735 | −3.9% | |
| 1870 | 26,333 | −5.1% | |
| 1880 | 27,431 | 4.2% | |
| 1890 | 27,600 | 0.6% | |
| 1900 | 27,768 | 0.6% | |
| 1910 | 30,181 | 8.7% | |
| 1920 | 29,580 | −2.0% | |
| 1930 | 29,338 | −0.8% | |
| 1940 | 31,024 | 5.7% | |
| 1950 | 35,287 | 13.7% | |
| 1960 | 38,808 | 10.0% | |
| 1970 | 41,795 | 7.7% | |
| 1980 | 46,304 | 10.8% | |
| 1990 | 47,473 | 2.5% | |
| 2000 | 54,500 | 14.8% | |
| 2010 | 60,921 | 11.8% | |
| 2020 | 62,721 | 3.0% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 63,320 | [8] | 1.0% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[9] 1790–1960[10] 1900–1990[11] 1990–2000[12] 2020 [2] | |||
2000 census
editAs of the census[13] of 2010,[14] there were 60,921 people, 22,607 households, and 15,693 families living in the county. There were 24,997 housing units. The racial makeup of the county was 96.7% White, 0.8% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.4% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. 1.2% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 22,607 households, out of which 29.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.2% were married couples living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.6% were non-families. 25.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 27.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.04.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 28.0% under the age of 20, 7.9% from 20 to 24, 22.5% from 25 to 44, 27.0% from 45 to 64, and 14.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38.3 years. For every 100 females there were 99.4 males.[15]
The median income for a household in the county was $48,734, and the median income for a family was $50,034. The per capita income for the county was $22,628. About 9.4% of families and 13.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.2% of those under age 18 and 8.3% of those age 65 or over.
In Knox county, the 2000 census reported that the number of same-sex couples was 91 and the percent of same-sex couples out of all households was 0.46%.[16]
2010 census
editAs of the 2010 United States Census, there were 60,921 people, 22,607 households, and 15,693 families living in the county.[17] The population density was 115.9 inhabitants per square mile (44.7/km2). There were 25,118 housing units at an average density of 47.8 per square mile (18.5/km2).[18] The racial makeup of the county was 96.7% white, 0.8% black or African American, 0.6% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.4% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.2% of the population.[17] In terms of ancestry, 30.5% were German, 14.4% were Irish, 13.9% were English, and 9.2% were American.[19]
Of the 22,607 households, 32.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.2% were married couples living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 30.6% were non-families, and 25.7% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.04. The median age was 38.3 years.[17]
The median income for a household in the county was $45,655 and the median income for a family was $55,881. Males had a median income of $41,762 versus $30,836 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,204. About 9.1% of families and 13.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.8% of those under age 18 and 9.5% of those age 65 or over.[20]
Politics
editKnox County is a Republican stronghold county in presidential elections. The last time it supported Democrats was for Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964.
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2020 | 22,340 | 71.01% | 8,589 | 27.30% | 530 | 1.68% |
| 2016 | 19,131 | 66.14% | 8,171 | 28.25% | 1,625 | 5.62% |
| 2012 | 17,266 | 60.66% | 10,470 | 36.78% | 727 | 2.55% |
| 2008 | 16,640 | 58.83% | 11,014 | 38.94% | 631 | 2.23% |
| 2004 | 17,068 | 63.11% | 9,820 | 36.31% | 157 | 0.58% |
| 2000 | 13,393 | 63.00% | 7,133 | 33.55% | 734 | 3.45% |
| 1996 | 10,159 | 50.62% | 7,562 | 37.68% | 2,347 | 11.70% |
| 1992 | 9,044 | 41.59% | 7,259 | 33.38% | 5,442 | 25.03% |
| 1988 | 12,180 | 63.44% | 6,882 | 35.84% | 138 | 0.72% |
| 1984 | 14,062 | 70.66% | 5,730 | 28.79% | 109 | 0.55% |
| 1980 | 10,384 | 57.07% | 6,586 | 36.20% | 1,225 | 6.73% |
| 1976 | 9,290 | 54.39% | 7,361 | 43.09% | 430 | 2.52% |
| 1972 | 10,705 | 63.95% | 5,370 | 32.08% | 664 | 3.97% |
| 1968 | 9,072 | 55.01% | 5,725 | 34.71% | 1,695 | 10.28% |
| 1964 | 7,258 | 39.27% | 11,222 | 60.73% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 12,711 | 65.94% | 6,565 | 34.06% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1956 | 12,347 | 71.35% | 4,958 | 28.65% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1952 | 12,705 | 69.05% | 5,694 | 30.95% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1948 | 8,607 | 58.33% | 6,120 | 41.48% | 28 | 0.19% |
| 1944 | 9,963 | 64.13% | 5,573 | 35.87% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1940 | 10,303 | 59.27% | 7,081 | 40.73% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1936 | 7,956 | 47.81% | 8,315 | 49.97% | 370 | 2.22% |
| 1932 | 8,272 | 53.42% | 7,008 | 45.25% | 206 | 1.33% |
| 1928 | 10,028 | 73.07% | 3,601 | 26.24% | 95 | 0.69% |
| 1924 | 7,519 | 57.43% | 4,721 | 36.06% | 853 | 6.51% |
| 1920 | 8,178 | 55.98% | 6,361 | 43.54% | 71 | 0.49% |
| 1916 | 3,646 | 43.49% | 4,578 | 54.61% | 159 | 1.90% |
| 1912 | 2,530 | 32.05% | 3,632 | 46.01% | 1,732 | 21.94% |
| 1908 | 4,318 | 49.09% | 4,233 | 48.12% | 245 | 2.79% |
| 1904 | 4,235 | 56.17% | 3,036 | 40.27% | 269 | 3.57% |
| 1900 | 4,011 | 50.56% | 3,797 | 47.86% | 125 | 1.58% |
| 1896 | 3,762 | 47.72% | 4,062 | 51.52% | 60 | 0.76% |
| 1892 | 3,347 | 45.98% | 3,489 | 47.93% | 444 | 6.10% |
| 1888 | 3,588 | 48.68% | 3,528 | 47.86% | 255 | 3.46% |
| 1884 | 3,573 | 49.03% | 3,530 | 48.44% | 185 | 2.54% |
| 1880 | 3,432 | 48.82% | 3,475 | 49.43% | 123 | 1.75% |
| 1876 | 3,151 | 48.15% | 3,301 | 50.44% | 92 | 1.41% |
| 1872 | 2,773 | 49.44% | 2,730 | 48.67% | 106 | 1.89% |
| 1868 | 2,908 | 51.25% | 2,766 | 48.75% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1864 | 2,899 | 53.25% | 2,545 | 46.75% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1860 | 2,860 | 51.48% | 2,060 | 37.08% | 636 | 11.45% |
| 1856 | 2,735 | 51.64% | 2,437 | 46.02% | 124 | 2.34% |
Government
editPeople, who represent the county in various elected positions, at different levels of the government include:
County Commissioners
edit- Theresa Bemiller, Republican
- Bill Pursel, Republican
- Thom Collier, Republican
State Senate
edit- Andrew Brenner, Republican, Ohio's 19th Senatorial District
State representative
edit- Rick Carfagna, Republican, Ohio's 68th Representative District
United States House of Representatives
edit- Troy Balderson, Republican, Ohio's 12th congressional district
United States Senators
edit- Sherrod Brown, Democrat, Ohio
- J. D. Vance, Republican, Ohio
Economy
editA large portion of Knox County's economy is based on agriculture, with gross cash receipts for crops and livestock at $110 million for 2011. Corn is the primary crop, followed by soybeans and livestock.[7] Mount Vernon, the county seat, is home to major employers in the county, Siemens Energy Inc. (formerly Rolls-Royce Energy Systems, Inc. and Cooper Industries before that) and Ariel Corporation, both of which are manufacturers of components used in the natural gas industry. Major employers in the county also include Kenyon College located in Gambier, Mount Vernon Nazarene University in Mount Vernon, and the Kokosing Construction Company near Fredericktown.
Education
editCommunities
edit
City
edit- Mount Vernon (county seat)
Villages
editTownships
editCensus-designated places
editUnincorporated communities
editNotable people
editNotable people, who lived or worked in Knox County, include the following:
- Thomas Peter Akers, United States Congressman[22]
- Sean M. Decatur, chemist and former president of Kenyon College[23][24]
- Dan Emmett, songwriter of "Dixie"
- George Hunt, Illinois Attorney General
- Paul Lynde, actor (Bewitched, Hollywood Squares)
- Paul Newman, actor
- Luke Perry, actor
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Ohio County Profiles: Knox County" (PDF). Ohio Department of Development. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 21, 2007. Retrieved April 28, 2007.
- ^ a b 2020 census
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Government Printing Office. pp. 177.
- ^ Miller, Charles Christian (1912). History of Fairfield County, Ohio, and representative citizens. Chicago: Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company. p. 82.
- ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on May 4, 2014. Retrieved February 8, 2015.
- ^ a b Reed, Alan. March 17, 2012. "County crop, livestock receipts at $110M." Archived May 15, 2012, at the Wayback Machine Mount Vernon News. Accessed: March 17, 2012.
- ^ QuickFacts. Knox County, Ohio
- ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 8, 2015.
- ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved February 8, 2015.
- ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 8, 2015.
- ^ "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 8, 2015.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ "2010 Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 22, 2013.
- ^ "U.S. Census Bureau".
- ^ Romero, Adam P.; Rosky, Clifford J.; Badgett, M. V. Lee; Gates, Gary J. (2008). "Census Snapshot: Ohio".
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help) - ^ 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 February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
- ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved May 2, 2018.
- ^ Who Was Who in America, Historical Volume, 1607–1896. Marquis Who's Who. 1967.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.