Ashland County is a county located in the northeastern portion of the U.S. state of Ohio. As of the 2020 census, the population was 52,447.[2] Its county seat and largest city is Ashland.[3] The county is named for "Ashland", the home of Senator Henry Clay near Lexington, Kentucky.[4] It was formed in 1846 from parts of Huron, Lorain, Richland and Wayne Counties.

Ashland County
Ashland County Courthouse
Ashland County Courthouse
Flag of Ashland County
Official seal of Ashland County
Map of Ohio highlighting Ashland 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°50′N 82°16′W / 40.84°N 82.27°W / 40.84; -82.27
Country United States
State Ohio
FoundedFebruary 24, 1846[1]
Named for"Ashland", Henry Clay's home
SeatAshland
Largest cityAshland
Area
 • Total
427 sq mi (1,110 km2)
 • Land423 sq mi (1,100 km2)
 • Water3.8 sq mi (10 km2)  0.9%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
52,447 Decrease
 • Density120/sq mi (50/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district4th
Websitewww.ashlandcounty.org

Ashland County comprises the Ashland, OH Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Mansfield-Ashland-Bucyrus, OH Combined Statistical Area.

History

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Ashland County was formed on February 24, 1846, from portions of Huron, Lorain, Richland, and Wayne counties. Like the county seat, it was named after Ashland, the Lexington, Kentucky-area home of Henry Clay, a Kentucky senator.[5] Henry Clay was very popular in the area of north-central Ohio due to the role he played in defusing the secession crisis of 1820 and the Nullification crisis of 1833. The region was settled overwhelmingly by migrants from New England and was culturally continuous with early New England. Part of this meant political support for Henry Clay, opposition to slavery and opposition to secession during the aforementioned crises. Similarly, this meant the Whig Party was very popular in the region during that era. The first non-Native American settlers in the area that became Ashland County were a group of families from Windham County, Connecticut. Subsequent migration from 1800 to the mid-1820s came almost exclusively from the regions of rural Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine.[6]

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 427 square miles (1,110 km2), of which 423 square miles (1,100 km2) is land and 3.8 square miles (9.8 km2) (0.9%) is water.[7]

Adjacent counties

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note
185023,813
186022,951−3.6%
187021,933−4.4%
188023,8838.9%
189022,223−7.0%
190021,184−4.7%
191022,9758.5%
192024,6277.2%
193026,8679.1%
194029,78510.9%
195033,04010.9%
196038,77117.3%
197043,30311.7%
198046,1786.6%
199047,5072.9%
200052,52310.6%
201053,1391.2%
202052,447−1.3%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]
1790–1960[9] 1900–1990[10]
1990–2000[11] 2020 [2]

2000 census

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As of the census[14] of 2000, there were 52,523 people, 19,524 households, and 14,018 families living in the county. The population density was 124 inhabitants per square mile (48/km2).[15] There were 20,832 housing units at an average density of 49 units per square mile (19/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.54% White, 0.81% Black or African American, 0.11% Native American, 0.55% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.21% from other races, and 0.76% from two or more races. 0.65% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 36.8% were of German, 27.4% English and 8.8% Irish ancestry according to Census 2000. 96.1% spoke English, 1.2% German and 1.0% Spanish as their first language.[16]

There were 19,524 households, out of which 32.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.50% were married couples living together, 8.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.20% were non-families. 24.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.06.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.70% under the age of 18, 10.80% from 18 to 24, 26.50% from 25 to 44, 23.00% from 45 to 64, and 13.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 96.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $39,179, and the median income for a family was $46,306. Males had a median income of $32,585 versus $22,334 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,308. About 7.10% of families and 9.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.10% of those under age 18 and 7.50% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

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As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 53,139 people, 20,196 households, and 14,017 families living in the county.[17] The population density was 125.6 inhabitants per square mile (48.5/km2). There were 22,141 housing units at an average density of 52.3 units per square mile (20.2 units/km2).[18] The racial makeup of the county was 97.3% white, 0.7% black or African American, 0.5% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 0.2% from other races, and 1.0% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.9% of the population.[17] In terms of ancestry, 32.7% were German, 26.2% were English, 11.2% were Irish, and 5.2% were Italian.[19]

Of the 20,196 households, 30.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.6% were married couples living together, 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 30.6% were non-families, and 25.3% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.02. The median age was 39.3 years.[17]

The median income for a household in the county was $44,542 and the median income for a family was $54,177. Males had a median income of $39,663 versus $31,012 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,558. About 10.2% of families and 15.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.6% of those under age 18 and 7.9% of those age 65 or over.[20]

Politics

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Prior to 1912, Ashland County was a Democratic Party stronghold in presidential elections voting Republicans only once since 1856. The county was a national bellwether from 1912 to 1936, but starting with the 1940 election, the county has become a Republican Party stronghold. Lyndon B. Johnson's win in 1964 is the lone time since then that a Democrat has won the county.

 
Seal of the Clerk of Common Pleas Court of Ashland County
United States presidential election results for Ashland County, Ohio[21]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 19,863 74.31% 6,544 24.48% 323 1.21%
2020 19,407 73.50% 6,541 24.77% 457 1.73%
2016 17,493 70.72% 5,740 23.20% 1,504 6.08%
2012 15,519 63.76% 8,281 34.02% 540 2.22%
2008 15,158 60.19% 9,300 36.93% 727 2.89%
2004 16,209 64.89% 8,576 34.33% 194 0.78%
2000 13,533 63.66% 6,685 31.45% 1,040 4.89%
1996 10,402 52.61% 6,573 33.24% 2,798 14.15%
1992 9,864 47.30% 5,985 28.70% 5,006 24.00%
1988 12,726 67.19% 6,072 32.06% 141 0.74%
1984 14,339 74.40% 4,786 24.83% 147 0.76%
1980 11,691 62.56% 5,142 27.51% 1,856 9.93%
1976 9,761 56.25% 7,205 41.52% 388 2.24%
1972 12,470 73.04% 4,302 25.20% 302 1.77%
1968 9,745 62.49% 4,526 29.02% 1,323 8.48%
1964 7,308 46.25% 8,493 53.75% 0 0.00%
1960 13,112 69.70% 5,700 30.30% 0 0.00%
1956 12,792 73.41% 4,634 26.59% 0 0.00%
1952 12,459 70.38% 5,244 29.62% 0 0.00%
1948 8,027 56.56% 6,095 42.95% 69 0.49%
1944 8,994 59.47% 6,130 40.53% 0 0.00%
1940 8,624 52.40% 7,835 47.60% 0 0.00%
1936 6,154 40.09% 8,818 57.44% 380 2.48%
1932 6,549 46.49% 7,302 51.84% 235 1.67%
1928 8,745 72.29% 3,256 26.92% 96 0.79%
1924 5,777 52.68% 4,377 39.91% 812 7.40%
1920 5,951 50.62% 5,705 48.52% 101 0.86%
1916 2,534 37.94% 4,000 59.89% 145 2.17%
1912 1,017 16.16% 3,364 53.45% 1,913 30.39%
1908 2,804 42.66% 3,627 55.18% 142 2.16%
1904 2,747 44.94% 2,996 49.01% 370 6.05%
1900 2,641 43.15% 3,399 55.53% 81 1.32%
1896 2,608 42.89% 3,422 56.28% 50 0.82%
1892 2,256 40.63% 3,042 54.79% 254 4.57%
1888 2,445 42.32% 3,152 54.56% 180 3.12%
1884 2,616 43.21% 3,325 54.92% 113 1.87%
1880 2,752 46.07% 3,217 53.86% 4 0.07%
1876 2,387 44.09% 3,021 55.80% 6 0.11%
1872 2,183 47.60% 2,368 51.64% 35 0.76%
1868 2,205 46.83% 2,504 53.17% 0 0.00%
1864 2,144 48.46% 2,280 51.54% 0 0.00%
1860 2,166 49.05% 1,720 38.95% 530 12.00%
1856 1,912 47.33% 2,089 51.71% 39 0.97%

Transportation

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The Ashland County Airport is located three nautical miles (3.5 mi; 5.6 km) northeast of the central business district of the City of Ashland.[22]

Park District

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The Ashland County Park District was founded in 2002. Stephanie Featheringill is the current director. The park district currently consists of 18 parks throughout the county. Monthly bird walks are held at Byers Woods Park (located on 675 County Road 1754, Ashland, OH 44805) on the fourth Saturday of the month. A full list of seasonal events can be found through the park district webpage.[23]

Communities

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Map of Ashland County, Ohio, with municipal and township labels

City

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Villages

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Townships

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Census-designated place

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Unincorporated communities

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Ohio County Profiles: Ashland County" (PDF). Ohio Department of Development. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 8, 2007. Retrieved April 28, 2007.
  2. ^ a b 2020 census
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ^ Taylor, William Alexander (1899). Ohio Statesmen and Annals of Progress. Press of the Westbote Company. pp. 243.
  5. ^ "Ashland County". Ohio History Central. Retrieved March 12, 2014.
  6. ^ New England Origins of Western Reserve Place Names by David Lindsey - American Speech, Vol. 30, No. 4 (Dec. 1955), pp. 243-255
  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. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  9. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  10. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  11. ^ "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.
  12. ^ "QuickFacts - Ashland County, Ohio". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 8, 2020.
  13. ^ "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  14. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  15. ^ "Population of Ashland County, OH - Census 2010 and 2000 Interactive Map, Demographics, Statistics, Quick Facts - CensusViewer".
  16. ^ "Population of Ashland County, OH - Census 2010 and 2000 Interactive Map, Demographics, Statistics, Quick Facts - CensusViewer".
  17. ^ 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.
  18. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  19. ^ "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.
  20. ^ "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.
  21. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved May 1, 2018.
  22. ^ FAA Airport Form 5010 for 3G4 PDF. Federal Aviation Administration. effective June 30, 2011.
  23. ^ "Ashland County Park District". Ashlandcountyparks.com. 2021. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
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40°50′N 82°16′W / 40.84°N 82.27°W / 40.84; -82.27