Defiance County, Ohio | |
|---|---|
 | |
 Flag  Seal | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofOhio | |
| Coordinates:41°19′N84°29′W / 41.32°N 84.49°W /41.32; -84.49 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Ohio |
| Founded | April 7, 1845[1] |
| Named after | Fort Defiance |
| Seat | Defiance |
| Largest city | Defiance |
| Area | |
• Total | 414 sq mi (1,070 km2) |
| • Land | 411 sq mi (1,060 km2) |
| • Water | 2.7 sq mi (7.0 km2) 0.7% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 38,286 |
| • Density | 92/sq mi (36/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional district | 9th |
| Website | www |
Defiance County is acounty located in theU.S. state ofOhio. As of the2020 census, the population was 38,286.[2] Itscounty seat and largest city isDefiance.[3] The county wasnamed after an earlyArmyfortification,Fort Defiance, which was so named byMad Anthony Wayne to signify the settlers' "defiance" of the Indians.[4][5] The Defiance, OHMicropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Defiance County.
According to theU.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 414 square miles (1,070 km2), of which 411 square miles (1,060 km2) is land and 2.7 square miles (7.0 km2) (0.7%) is water.[6]
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1850 | 6,966 | — | |
| 1860 | 11,886 | 70.6% | |
| 1870 | 15,719 | 32.2% | |
| 1880 | 22,515 | 43.2% | |
| 1890 | 25,769 | 14.5% | |
| 1900 | 26,387 | 2.4% | |
| 1910 | 24,498 | −7.2% | |
| 1920 | 24,549 | 0.2% | |
| 1930 | 22,714 | −7.5% | |
| 1940 | 24,367 | 7.3% | |
| 1950 | 25,925 | 6.4% | |
| 1960 | 31,508 | 21.5% | |
| 1970 | 36,949 | 17.3% | |
| 1980 | 39,987 | 8.2% | |
| 1990 | 39,350 | −1.6% | |
| 2000 | 39,500 | 0.4% | |
| 2010 | 39,037 | −1.2% | |
| 2020 | 38,286 | −1.9% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 38,644 | [7] | 0.9% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[8] 1790-1960[9] 1900-1990[10] 1990-2000[11] 2020[2] | |||
As of the2020 census, the county had a population of 38,286. The median age was 41.4 years. 23.2% of residents were under the age of 18 and 20.0% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 98.2 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 96.0 males age 18 and over.[12][13]
The racial makeup of the county was 87.9%White, 1.7%Black or African American, 0.4%American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Asian, <0.1%Native Hawaiian andPacific Islander, 3.5% from some other race, and 6.0% fromtwo or more races.Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 10.3% of the population.[13]
46.4% of residents lived in urban areas, while 53.6% lived in rural areas.[14]
There were 15,482 households in the county, of which 29.3% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 50.5% were married-couple households, 18.5% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 23.9% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 27.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[12]
There were 16,539 housing units, of which 6.4% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 76.1% were owner-occupied and 23.9% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.2% and the rental vacancy rate was 6.7%.[12]
| 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) | 37,178 | 35,999 | 35,471 | 34,345 | 32,276 | 92.98% | 91.48% | 89.80% | 87.98% | 84.30% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 207 | 472 | 657 | 666 | 598 | 0.52% | 1.20% | 1.66% | 1.71% | 1.56% |
| Native American orAlaska Native alone (NH) | 47 | 63 | 76 | 65 | 79 | 0.12% | 0.16% | 0.19% | 0.17% | 0.21% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 101 | 118 | 138 | 117 | 133 | 0.25% | 0.30% | 0.35% | 0.30% | 0.35% |
| Native Hawaiian orPacific Islander alone (NH) | x[20] | x[21] | 3 | 11 | 15 | x | x | 0.01% | 0.03% | 0.04% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 53 | 25 | 18 | 18 | 88 | 0.13% | 0.06% | 0.05% | 0.05% | 0.23% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | x[22] | x[23] | 280 | 406 | 1,147 | x | x | 0.71% | 1.04% | 3.00% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2,401 | 2,673 | 2,857 | 3,409 | 3,950 | 6.00% | 6.79% | 7.23% | 8.73% | 10.32% |
| Total | 39,987 | 39,350 | 39,500 | 39,037 | 38,286 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
As of the2010 United States census, there were 39,037 people, 15,268 households, and 10,792 families living in the county.[24] The population density was 94.9 inhabitants per square mile (36.6/km2). There were 16,729 housing units at an average density of 40.7 units per square mile (15.7 units/km2).[25] The racial makeup of the county was 92.8% white, 1.9% black or African American, 0.3% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 2.8% from other races, and 2.0% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 8.7% of the population.[24] In terms of ancestry, 42.3% wereGerman, 12.5% wereIrish, 9.6% wereEnglish, and 7.7% wereAmerican.[26]
Of the 15,268 households, 32.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.1% were married couples living together, 10.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 29.3% were non-families, and 24.6% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 2.97. The median age was 39.4 years.[24]
The median income for a household in the county was $44,480 and the median income for a family was $54,472. Males had a median income of $44,354 versus $30,610 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,139. About 11.2% of families and 12.7% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 18.0% of those under age 18 and 7.1% of those age 65 or over.[27]
As of thecensus[28] of 2000, there were 39,500 people, 15,138 households, and 11,020 families living in the county. The population density was 96 inhabitants per square mile (37/km2). There were 16,040 housing units at an average density of 39 units per square mile (15/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 92.59%White, 1.75%Black orAfrican American, 0.26%Native American, 0.36%Asian, 0.02%Pacific Islander, 3.59% fromother races, and 1.43% from two or more races. 7.23% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race. 45.6% were ofGerman, 13.5%American, 6.8%Irish and 5.1%English ancestry according toCensus 2000.
There were 15,138 households, out of which 34.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.90% weremarried couples living together, 9.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.20% were non-families. 23.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.02.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.50% under the age of 18, 9.20% from 18 to 24, 27.40% from 25 to 44, 23.90% from 45 to 64, and 12.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 97.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $44,938, and the median income for a family was $50,876. Males had a median income of $37,936 versus $23,530 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $19,667. About 4.50% of families and 5.60% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 6.40% of those under age 18 and 5.30% of those age 65 or over.
Prior to 1940, Defiance County was a Democratic stronghold, voting Republicans only three times since 1856. Starting with the 1940 election, it has been a Republican stronghold, with the exception of DemocratLyndon Johnson in the1964 presidential election.
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2024 | 13,302 | 69.07% | 5,667 | 29.42% | 291 | 1.51% |
| 2020 | 13,038 | 67.27% | 5,981 | 30.86% | 362 | 1.87% |
| 2016 | 11,688 | 63.70% | 5,368 | 29.26% | 1,293 | 7.05% |
| 2012 | 10,176 | 55.49% | 7,732 | 42.16% | 431 | 2.35% |
| 2008 | 10,407 | 54.11% | 8,399 | 43.67% | 426 | 2.22% |
| 2004 | 11,397 | 61.55% | 6,975 | 37.67% | 144 | 0.78% |
| 2000 | 9,540 | 58.74% | 6,175 | 38.02% | 527 | 3.24% |
| 1996 | 7,469 | 47.00% | 6,343 | 39.91% | 2,081 | 13.09% |
| 1992 | 7,195 | 41.80% | 5,735 | 33.32% | 4,281 | 24.87% |
| 1988 | 9,566 | 63.13% | 5,448 | 35.95% | 139 | 0.92% |
| 1984 | 10,951 | 67.89% | 5,004 | 31.02% | 175 | 1.08% |
| 1980 | 9,358 | 59.84% | 5,096 | 32.59% | 1,185 | 7.58% |
| 1976 | 7,526 | 55.02% | 5,850 | 42.77% | 303 | 2.22% |
| 1972 | 8,914 | 65.40% | 4,377 | 32.11% | 339 | 2.49% |
| 1968 | 7,348 | 52.64% | 5,686 | 40.73% | 925 | 6.63% |
| 1964 | 5,048 | 36.70% | 8,707 | 63.30% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 8,912 | 63.12% | 5,207 | 36.88% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1956 | 8,786 | 69.03% | 3,941 | 30.97% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1952 | 8,834 | 67.98% | 4,161 | 32.02% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1948 | 5,927 | 56.94% | 4,454 | 42.79% | 28 | 0.27% |
| 1944 | 7,450 | 67.21% | 3,634 | 32.79% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1940 | 8,010 | 65.00% | 4,313 | 35.00% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1936 | 5,000 | 42.84% | 5,608 | 48.05% | 1,062 | 9.10% |
| 1932 | 3,871 | 36.54% | 6,532 | 61.65% | 192 | 1.81% |
| 1928 | 6,289 | 64.33% | 3,487 | 35.67% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1924 | 4,841 | 52.55% | 3,227 | 35.03% | 1,145 | 12.43% |
| 1920 | 5,987 | 60.54% | 3,723 | 37.64% | 180 | 1.82% |
| 1916 | 2,565 | 42.36% | 3,359 | 55.47% | 131 | 2.16% |
| 1912 | 872 | 15.84% | 2,784 | 50.58% | 1,848 | 33.58% |
| 1908 | 2,531 | 39.05% | 3,754 | 57.91% | 197 | 3.04% |
| 1904 | 3,032 | 47.43% | 3,216 | 50.31% | 144 | 2.25% |
| 1900 | 2,684 | 40.80% | 3,766 | 57.25% | 128 | 1.95% |
| 1896 | 2,414 | 36.01% | 4,239 | 63.24% | 50 | 0.75% |
| 1892 | 2,062 | 35.09% | 3,311 | 56.35% | 503 | 8.56% |
| 1888 | 2,245 | 37.23% | 3,567 | 59.15% | 218 | 3.62% |
| 1884 | 2,184 | 39.57% | 3,288 | 59.58% | 47 | 0.85% |
| 1880 | 1,977 | 38.41% | 3,140 | 61.01% | 30 | 0.58% |
| 1876 | 1,520 | 34.43% | 2,888 | 65.41% | 7 | 0.16% |
| 1872 | 1,093 | 38.31% | 1,720 | 60.29% | 40 | 1.40% |
| 1868 | 1,108 | 36.85% | 1,899 | 63.15% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1864 | 1,146 | 42.15% | 1,573 | 57.85% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1860 | 1,038 | 43.87% | 1,304 | 55.11% | 24 | 1.01% |
| 1856 | 821 | 46.81% | 895 | 51.03% | 38 | 2.17% |
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2024 | 12,028 | 64.22% | 5,880 | 31.39% | 822 | 4.39% |
School districts include:[31]
 | This sectionneeds additional citations forverification. Please helpimprove this article byadding citations to reliable sources in this section. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.(June 2023) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
The closeness of elections in Defiance County has also been referenced in fiction; theABCpolitical dramaScandal in its second season had as the center of the ongoing plot of the first half of that season, avote manipulation conspiracy which bent the presidential election towards Republican candidate Fitzgerald Grant based on tampering of the voting machines in Defiance County.
Places adjacent to Defiance County, Ohio | |
|---|---|
Municipalities and communities ofDefiance County, Ohio,United States | ||
|---|---|---|
| City |  | |
| Villages | ||
| Townships | ||
| CDP | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Ghost towns | ||
41°19′N84°29′W / 41.32°N 84.49°W /41.32; -84.49
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
