Ashland County, Ohio | |
|---|---|
 Ashland County Courthouse | |
 Flag  Seal | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofOhio | |
 Ohio's location within theU.S. | |
| Coordinates:40°50′N82°16′W / 40.84°N 82.27°W /40.84; -82.27 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Ohio |
| Founded | February 24, 1846[1] |
| Named after | "Ashland",Henry Clay's home |
| Seat | Ashland |
| Largest city | Ashland |
| Area | |
• Total | 427 sq mi (1,110 km2) |
| • Land | 423 sq mi (1,100 km2) |
| • Water | 3.8 sq mi (9.8 km2) 0.9% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 52,447 |
• Estimate (2024)[2] | 52,420 |
| • Density | 124/sq mi (48/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional district | 4th |
| Website | www |
Ashland County is acounty located in the northeastern portion of theU.S. state ofOhio. As of the2020 census, the population was 52,447.[3] Itscounty seat and largest city isAshland.[4] The county isnamed for "Ashland", the home of SenatorHenry Clay nearLexington, Kentucky.[5] It was formed in 1846 from parts ofHuron,Lorain,Richland andWayne Counties.
Ashland County comprises the Ashland, OHMicropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in theMansfield-Ashland-Bucyrus, OHCombined Statistical Area.
Ashland County was formed on February 24, 1846, from portions ofHuron,Lorain,Richland, andWayne counties. Like the county seat, it was named after Ashland, theLexington, Kentucky-area home ofHenry Clay, a Kentucky senator.[6] Henry Clay was very popular in the area of north-central Ohio due to the role he played indefusing the secession crisis of 1820 and the Nullification crisis of 1833. The region was settled overwhelmingly by migrants fromNew England and was culturally continuous with earlyNew 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 fromWindham County, Connecticut. Subsequent migration from 1800 to the mid-1820s came almost exclusively from the regions of ruralMassachusetts,New Hampshire andMaine.[7]
According to theU.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.[8]
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1850 | 23,813 | — | |
| 1860 | 22,951 | −3.6% | |
| 1870 | 21,933 | −4.4% | |
| 1880 | 23,883 | 8.9% | |
| 1890 | 22,223 | −7.0% | |
| 1900 | 21,184 | −4.7% | |
| 1910 | 22,975 | 8.5% | |
| 1920 | 24,627 | 7.2% | |
| 1930 | 26,867 | 9.1% | |
| 1940 | 29,785 | 10.9% | |
| 1950 | 33,040 | 10.9% | |
| 1960 | 38,771 | 17.3% | |
| 1970 | 43,303 | 11.7% | |
| 1980 | 46,178 | 6.6% | |
| 1990 | 47,507 | 2.9% | |
| 2000 | 52,523 | 10.6% | |
| 2010 | 53,139 | 1.2% | |
| 2020 | 52,447 | −1.3% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 52,420 | −0.1% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[9] 1790–1960[10] 1900–1990[11] 1990–2000[12] 2020[3][13] 2024[14] | |||
| Race / Ethnicity(NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 1980[15] | Pop 1990[16] | Pop 2000[17] | Pop 2010[18] | Pop 2020[19] | % 1980 | % 1990 | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 45,422 | 46,535 | 51,021 | 51,352 | 48,948 | 98.36% | 97.95% | 97.14% | 96.64% | 93.33% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 311 | 456 | 419 | 395 | 383 | 0.67% | 0.96% | 0.80% | 0.74% | 0.73% |
| Native American orAlaska Native alone (NH) | 40 | 48 | 51 | 77 | 82 | 0.09% | 0.10% | 0.10% | 0.14% | 0.16% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 131 | 270 | 286 | 275 | 322 | 0.28% | 0.57% | 0.54% | 0.52% | 0.61% |
| Native Hawaiian orPacific Islander alone (NH) | x[20] | x[21] | 15 | 39 | 33 | x | x | 0.03% | 0.07% | 0.06% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 85 | 7 | 30 | 23 | 103 | 0.18% | 0.01% | 0.06% | 0.04% | 0.20% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | x[22] | x[23] | 362 | 477 | 1,714 | x | x | 0.69% | 0.90% | 3.27% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 189 | 191 | 339 | 501 | 862 | 0.41% | 0.40% | 0.65% | 0.94% | 1.64% |
| Total | 46,178 | 47,507 | 52,523 | 53,139 | 52,447 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
As of the2010 United States census, there were 53,139 people, 20,196 households, and 14,017 families living in the county.[24] 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).[25] 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.[24] In terms of ancestry, 32.7% wereGerman, 26.2% wereEnglish, 11.2% wereIrish, and 5.2% wereItalian.[26]
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.[24]
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 thepoverty line, including 26.6% of those under age 18 and 7.9% of those age 65 or over.[27]
As of thecensus[28] 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).[29] 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 orAfrican American, 0.11%Native American, 0.55%Asian, 0.03%Pacific Islander, 0.21% fromother races, and 0.76% from two or more races. 0.65% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race. 36.8% were ofGerman, 27.4%English and 8.8%Irish ancestry according toCensus 2000. 96.1% spokeEnglish, 1.2%German and 1.0%Spanish as their first language.[29]
There were 19,524 households, out of which 32.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.50% weremarried 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. Theper capita income for the county was $17,308. About 7.10% of families and 9.50% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 13.10% of those under age 18 and 7.50% of those age 65 or over.
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.
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| 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% |
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2024 | 17,894 | 68.32% | 7,280 | 27.79% | 1,019 | 3.89% |
TheAshland County Airport is located three nautical miles (3.5 mi; 5.6 km) northeast of thecentral business district of theCity of Ashland.[32]
The Ashland County Park District was founded in 2002. Eric Schneider 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.[33]
Places adjacent to Ashland County, Ohio | |
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Municipalities and communities ofAshland County, Ohio,United States | ||
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| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
40°50′N82°16′W / 40.84°N 82.27°W /40.84; -82.27
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