Marion County is a county located in the U.S. state of Ohio. As of the 2020 census, the population was 65,359.[1] Its county seat is Marion.[2] The county was erected by the state of Ohio on February 20, 1820 and later reorganized in 1824.[3] It is named for General Francis "The Swamp Fox" Marion, a South Carolinian officer in the Revolutionary War.[4] Marion County comprises the Marion, OH Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Columbus-Marion-Zanesville, OH Combined Statistical Area.

Marion County
Marion County Courthouse
Flag of Marion County
Official seal of Marion County
Map of Ohio highlighting Marion 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°35′N 83°10′W / 40.59°N 83.16°W / 40.59; -83.16
Country United States
State Ohio
FoundedFebruary 20, 1820
Named forFrancis Marion
SeatMarion
Largest cityMarion
Area
 • Total
404 sq mi (1,050 km2)
 • Land404 sq mi (1,050 km2)
 • Water0.4 sq mi (1 km2)  0.1%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
65,359 Decrease
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district4th
Websitewww.co.marion.oh.us

Geography

edit

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 404 square miles (1,050 km2), of which 404 square miles (1,050 km2) is land and 0.4 square miles (1.0 km2) (0.1%) is water.[5] It is the fifth-smallest county in Ohio by total area.

Adjacent counties

edit

Major highways

edit

Demographics

edit
Historical population
CensusPop.Note
18306,551
184014,765125.4%
185012,618−14.5%
186015,49022.8%
187016,1844.5%
188020,56527.1%
189024,72720.2%
190028,67816.0%
191033,97118.5%
192042,00423.6%
193045,4208.1%
194044,898−1.1%
195049,95911.3%
196060,22120.5%
197064,7247.5%
198067,9745.0%
199064,274−5.4%
200066,2173.0%
201066,5010.4%
202065,359−1.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8]
1990-2000[9] 2020 [1]

2000 census

edit

As of the census[10] of 2000, there were 66,217 people, 24,578 households, and 17,253 families living in the county. The population density was 164 inhabitants per square mile (63/km2). There were 26,298 housing units at an average density of 65 units per square mile (25/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 92.10% White, 5.75% Black or African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.52% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.49% from other races, and 0.95% from two or more races. 1.09% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 24,578 households, out of which 32.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.50% were married couples living together, 11.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.80% were non-families. 25.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.50% under the age of 18, 8.30% from 18 to 24, 30.30% from 25 to 44, 23.50% from 45 to 64, and 13.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 106.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 107.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $38,709, and the median income for a family was $45,297. Males had a median income of $33,179 versus $23,586 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,255. About 7.40% of families and 9.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.60% of those under age 18 and 5.50% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

edit

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 66,501 people, 24,691 households, and 16,837 families living in the county.[11] The population density was 164.7 inhabitants per square mile (63.6/km2). There were 27,834 housing units at an average density of 68.9 units per square mile (26.6 units/km2).[12] The racial makeup of the county was 91.1% white, 5.7% black or African American, 0.5% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 0.8% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.3% of the population.[11] In terms of ancestry, 29.7% were German, 15.2% were Irish, 14.7% were American, and 10.2% were English.[13]

Of the 24,691 households, 31.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.4% were married couples living together, 13.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 31.8% were non-families, and 26.3% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 2.94. The median age was 39.9 years.[11]

The median income for a household in the county was $40,511 and the median income for a family was $50,900. Males had a median income of $39,741 versus $30,161 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,849. About 13.1% of families and 17.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.6% of those under age 18 and 9.4% of those age 65 or over.[14]

Politics

edit

Prior to 1940, Marion County supported Democrats in presidential elections, only voting for Republican candidates five times from 1856 to 1936. But starting with the 1940 election, the county has become a Republican stronghold in presidential elections with Lyndon B. Johnson being the only Democrat to win since, but Bill Clinton came within just 630 votes of winning it in 1996.

United States presidential election results for Marion County, Ohio[15]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 19,219 69.96% 7,902 28.77% 349 1.27%
2020 19,023 68.25% 8,269 29.67% 579 2.08%
2016 16,961 64.06% 7,928 29.94% 1,589 6.00%
2012 14,265 52.03% 12,504 45.61% 649 2.37%
2008 15,454 53.12% 12,870 44.24% 768 2.64%
2004 17,171 58.69% 11,930 40.78% 157 0.54%
2000 13,617 54.87% 10,370 41.79% 828 3.34%
1996 11,112 45.04% 10,482 42.48% 3,080 12.48%
1992 11,675 42.13% 9,444 34.08% 6,596 23.80%
1988 14,864 60.13% 9,596 38.82% 258 1.04%
1984 17,392 65.77% 8,827 33.38% 224 0.85%
1980 14,605 56.98% 9,419 36.75% 1,607 6.27%
1976 13,141 53.38% 10,962 44.52% 517 2.10%
1972 17,197 67.02% 7,970 31.06% 492 1.92%
1968 12,887 53.10% 8,611 35.48% 2,773 11.43%
1964 10,050 41.10% 14,400 58.90% 0 0.00%
1960 15,210 61.31% 9,598 38.69% 0 0.00%
1956 15,125 67.07% 7,425 32.93% 0 0.00%
1952 14,583 62.23% 8,851 37.77% 0 0.00%
1948 10,333 55.54% 8,223 44.20% 50 0.27%
1944 11,925 57.61% 8,775 42.39% 0 0.00%
1940 11,817 53.04% 10,462 46.96% 0 0.00%
1936 9,070 42.33% 11,881 55.45% 476 2.22%
1932 8,569 44.10% 10,354 53.29% 506 2.60%
1928 13,398 70.29% 5,468 28.69% 194 1.02%
1924 9,161 54.20% 5,234 30.97% 2,506 14.83%
1920 11,320 57.93% 8,065 41.27% 156 0.80%
1916 4,264 43.29% 5,273 53.53% 313 3.18%
1912 3,218 36.04% 4,024 45.07% 1,686 18.88%
1908 4,175 46.12% 4,657 51.44% 221 2.44%
1904 4,473 53.82% 3,581 43.09% 257 3.09%
1900 3,770 47.03% 4,141 51.66% 105 1.31%
1896 3,426 45.40% 4,016 53.21% 105 1.39%
1892 2,477 40.93% 3,282 54.23% 293 4.84%
1888 2,521 41.38% 3,297 54.12% 274 4.50%
1884 2,439 43.11% 3,118 55.12% 100 1.77%
1880 2,192 42.46% 2,932 56.79% 39 0.76%
1876 1,918 42.23% 2,603 57.31% 21 0.46%
1872 1,340 41.42% 1,842 56.94% 53 1.64%
1868 1,548 44.43% 1,936 55.57% 0 0.00%
1864 1,520 46.91% 1,720 53.09% 0 0.00%
1860 1,595 49.03% 1,640 50.42% 18 0.55%
1856 1,367 51.66% 1,275 48.19% 4 0.15%

Government

edit

Marion County is represented by two members of the Ohio House of Representatives, as it is split between the 86th and 87th Ohio House Districts. State Representative Tracy Richardson, elected in 2018, represents the 86th Ohio House district, and Riordan T. McClain, appointed in 2018, serves the 87th Ohio House District.

The entirety of Marion County lies within the 26th Ohio Senate District, currently represented by Bill Reineke, who defeated Democrat Craig Swartz in the 2020 Ohio Senate election.

Education

edit

Colleges and universities

edit

Public school districts

edit

Five school districts cover the majority of Marion County:

Additionally, Buckeye Valley Local School District, Cardington-Lincoln Local Schools, Northmor Local School District, and Upper Sandusky Exempted Village School District cover small areas on the edges of the county.[16]

Communities

edit
 
Map of Marion County, Ohio with municipal and township labels

City

edit

Villages

edit

Townships

edit

Unincorporated communities

edit

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ a b 2020 census
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "Ohio: Individual County Chronologies". Ohio Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library. 2007. Archived from the original on April 6, 2016. Retrieved February 14, 2015.
  4. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 200.
  5. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on May 4, 2014. Retrieved February 9, 2015.
  6. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 9, 2015.
  7. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved February 9, 2015.
  8. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 9, 2015.
  9. ^ "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 9, 2015.
  10. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  11. ^ 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.
  12. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  13. ^ "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.
  14. ^ "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.
  15. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved May 2, 2018.
  16. ^ "Marion County School Map". Elgin Local Schools. Retrieved July 19, 2018.
edit

40°35′N 83°10′W / 40.59°N 83.16°W / 40.59; -83.16