Lucas County, Ohio | |
|---|---|
 TheLucas County Courthouse in Toledo | |
 Flag  Seal | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofOhio | |
 Ohio's location within theU.S. | |
| Coordinates:41°41′N83°30′W / 41.68°N 83.5°W /41.68; -83.5 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Ohio |
| Founded | June 20, 1835[1] |
| Named after | Robert Lucas |
| Seat | Toledo |
| Largest city | Toledo |
| Area | |
• Total | 596 sq mi (1,540 km2) |
| • Land | 341 sq mi (880 km2) |
| • Water | 255 sq mi (660 km2) 43% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 431,279 |
• Estimate (2021) | 429,191 |
| • Density | 1,260/sq mi (488/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional district | 9th |
| Website | www |
Lucas County is acounty located in thenorthwestern part of theU.S. state ofOhio. It is bordered to the east byLake Erie, and to the southeast by theMaumee River, which runs to the lake. As of the2020 census, the population was 431,279.[2] Itscounty seat and largest city isToledo, located at the mouth of theMaumee River on the lake.[3] The county wasnamed forRobert Lucas, 12thgovernor of Ohio, in 1835 during his second term.[4] Its establishment provoked theToledo War conflict with theMichigan Territory, which claimed some of its area. Lucas County is the central county of theToledo Metropolitan Statistical Area.
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On August 20, 1794, near the site of the present-day town ofMaumee, American forces led byGeneral Anthony Wayne won a decisive victory over allied Indian forces at theBattle of Fallen Timbers after years of conflict in what was known as theNorthwest Indian War. The defeat of the Native forces resulted in the opening of the entireNorthwest Territory for white settlement. Northwest Ohio was occupied chiefly by villages and bands of theOdawa people, who had trading relations with the French atFort Detroit since 1701. Other Odawa were located in southeast Michigan and further north on the peninsula. They ceded much of that territory in theTreaty of Greenville but retained control of lands along theMaumee River until after theWar of 1812. The last Odawa band, that of Ottokee, grandson of ChiefPontiac, left the Maumee River area for Kansas in 1839.[5][6]
Lucas County was established in 1835. At that time, both Ohio andMichigan Territory claimedsovereignty over a 468-square-mile (1,210 km2) region along their border (seeToledo War). When Michigan petitionedCongress forstatehood in 1835, it sought to include the disputed territory within its bounds. In response, theOhio General Assembly formally organized part of the area as Lucas County, naming it after the incumbentgovernor of Ohio,Robert Lucas.
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 596 square miles (1,540 km2), of which 341 square miles (880 km2) is land and 255 square miles (660 km2) (43%) is water.[7] It is the fourth-smallest county in Ohio by land area. Much of the county lies within what was at the time of its establishment, a vast network of forests, wetlands, and grasslands known as theGreat Black Swamp.
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1840 | 9,382 | — | |
| 1850 | 12,363 | 31.8% | |
| 1860 | 25,831 | 108.9% | |
| 1870 | 46,722 | 80.9% | |
| 1880 | 67,377 | 44.2% | |
| 1890 | 102,296 | 51.8% | |
| 1900 | 153,559 | 50.1% | |
| 1910 | 192,728 | 25.5% | |
| 1920 | 275,721 | 43.1% | |
| 1930 | 347,709 | 26.1% | |
| 1940 | 344,333 | −1.0% | |
| 1950 | 395,551 | 14.9% | |
| 1960 | 456,931 | 15.5% | |
| 1970 | 484,370 | 6.0% | |
| 1980 | 471,741 | −2.6% | |
| 1990 | 462,361 | −2.0% | |
| 2000 | 455,054 | −1.6% | |
| 2010 | 441,815 | −2.9% | |
| 2020 | 431,279 | −2.4% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 426,291 | [8] | −1.2% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[9] 1790–1960[10] 1900–1990[11] 1990–2000[12] 2010–2020[2] | |||
| Race / Ethnicity(NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 1980[13] | Pop 1990[14] | Pop 2000[15] | Pop 2010[16] | Pop 2020[17] | % 1980 | % 1990 | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 390,937 | 372,497 | 343,146 | 313,596 | 284,663 | 82.87% | 80.56% | 75.41% | 70.98% | 66.00% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 63,494 | 67,856 | 76,495 | 82,541 | 83,398 | 13.46% | 14.68% | 16.81% | 18.68% | 19.34% |
| Native American orAlaska Native alone (NH) | 791 | 1,037 | 942 | 955 | 817 | 0.17% | 0.22% | 0.21% | 0.22% | 0.19% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 2,467 | 4,870 | 5,470 | 6,676 | 7,089 | 0.52% | 1.05% | 1.20% | 1.51% | 1.64% |
| Native Hawaiian orPacific Islander alone (NH) | x[18] | x[19] | 76 | 91 | 115 | x | x | 0.02% | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 1,569 | 443 | 699 | 678 | 1,926 | 0.33% | 0.10% | 0.15% | 0.15% | 0.45% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | x[20] | x[21] | 7,556 | 10,304 | 21,104 | x | x | 1.66% | 2.33% | 4.89% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 12,483 | 15,658 | 20,670 | 26,974 | 32,167 | 2.65% | 3.39% | 4.54% | 6.11% | 7.46% |
| Total | 471,741 | 462,361 | 455,054 | 441,815 | 431,279 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
As of the2010 census, there were 441,815 people, 180,267 households, and 111,016 families living in the county.[22] The population density was 1,296.2 inhabitants per square mile (500.5/km2). There were 202,630 housing units at an average density of 594.5 units per square mile (229.5 units/km2).[23] The racial makeup of the county was 74.0% white, 19.0% black or African American, 1.5% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 2.0% from other races, and 3.1% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 6.1% of the population.[22] In terms of ancestry, 29.8% wereGerman, 13.2% wereIrish, 9.7% werePolish, 8.0% wereEnglish, and 3.8% wereAmerican.[24]
Of the 180,267 households, 31.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.0% were married couples living together, 16.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 38.4% were non-families, and 31.4% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 3.01. The median age was 37.0 years.[22]
The median income for a household in the county was $42,072 and the median income for a family was $54,855. Males had a median income of $46,806 versus $33,394 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,981. About 14.0% of families and 18.0% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 25.4% of those under age 18 and 8.7% of those age 65 or over.[25]
As of thecensus of 2000, there were 455,054 people, 182,847 households, and 116,290 families living in the county. The population density was 1,337 inhabitants per square mile (516/km2). There were 196,259 housing units at an average density of 576 units per square mile (222 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 77.50%White, 16.98%Black orAfrican American, 0.26%Native American, 1.21%Asian, 0.02%Pacific Islander, 1.86% fromother races, and 2.16% from two or more races. 4.54% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race.
There were 182,847 households, out of which 31.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.70% weremarried couples living together, 14.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.40% were non-families. 30.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 3.06.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.30% under the age of 18, 9.80% from 18 to 24, 29.10% from 25 to 44, 21.70% from 45 to 64, and 13.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 92.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.60 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $38,004, and the median income for a family was $48,190. Males had a median income of $39,415 versus $26,447 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $20,518. About 10.70% of families and 13.90% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 19.70% of those under age 18 and 8.70% of those age 65 or over.
According to the county's 2019 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,[26] the top ten employers in the county are:
| # | Employer | # of employees |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Promedica Health Services | 11,517 |
| 2 | University of Toledo | 8,502 |
| 3 | FiatChrysler - Toledo North Plant; Toledo South Plant | 6,759 |
| 4 | Mercy Health Partners | 5,880 |
| 5 | Toledo Public Schools | 3,193 |
| 6 | Lucas County | 2,821 |
| 7 | City of Toledo | 2,748 |
| 8 | Kroger | 2,300 |
| 9 | Walmart | 1,954 |
| 10 | General Motors - Powertrain | 1,778 |
Like most populous urban counties, Lucas County is a Democratic stronghold. The only Republicans to win a majority or plurality in the county since 1932 have been Thomas E. Dewey in 1944, Dwight D. Eisenhower in both1952 and1956, and Ronald Reagan in1980 (plurality) and1984.[27] AlthoughRonald Reagan carried the county twice, no other Republican has won the county in the last 50 years.[28] In 1972, for instance, it was one of only two counties in the entire state that supportedGeorge McGovern.
In the last five presidential elections, the Democratic candidate's margin of victory has ranged from 12.4% in 2024, the narrowest margin in the county since 1988, to 30.5% in the case ofBarack Obama.[29] The entirety of Lucas County, including Toledo, lies inOhio's 9th congressional district, and it is represented byMarcy Kaptur, who is a member of theCongressional Progressive Caucus.
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2024 | 82,398 | 42.81% | 106,320 | 55.23% | 3,771 | 1.96% |
| 2020 | 81,763 | 40.66% | 115,411 | 57.39% | 3,933 | 1.96% |
| 2016 | 75,698 | 38.07% | 110,833 | 55.74% | 12,299 | 6.19% |
| 2012 | 69,940 | 33.21% | 136,616 | 64.86% | 4,065 | 1.93% |
| 2008 | 73,706 | 33.43% | 142,852 | 64.80% | 3,899 | 1.77% |
| 2004 | 87,160 | 39.54% | 132,715 | 60.21% | 555 | 0.25% |
| 2000 | 73,342 | 39.15% | 108,344 | 57.83% | 5,664 | 3.02% |
| 1996 | 58,120 | 31.98% | 104,911 | 57.72% | 18,716 | 10.30% |
| 1992 | 63,297 | 31.18% | 99,989 | 49.25% | 39,733 | 19.57% |
| 1988 | 83,788 | 45.27% | 99,755 | 53.89% | 1,552 | 0.84% |
| 1984 | 100,285 | 50.25% | 97,293 | 48.76% | 1,976 | 0.99% |
| 1980 | 86,653 | 45.30% | 85,341 | 44.61% | 19,304 | 10.09% |
| 1976 | 76,069 | 41.36% | 103,658 | 56.36% | 4,180 | 2.27% |
| 1972 | 88,401 | 48.38% | 90,142 | 49.34% | 4,166 | 2.28% |
| 1968 | 69,403 | 38.98% | 91,346 | 51.31% | 17,288 | 9.71% |
| 1964 | 57,782 | 31.08% | 128,110 | 68.92% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 94,679 | 47.94% | 102,825 | 52.06% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1956 | 100,501 | 53.15% | 88,598 | 46.85% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1952 | 97,490 | 51.71% | 91,043 | 48.29% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1948 | 66,798 | 46.76% | 74,064 | 51.85% | 1,991 | 1.39% |
| 1944 | 77,247 | 50.37% | 76,109 | 49.63% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1940 | 76,405 | 49.50% | 77,948 | 50.50% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1936 | 45,853 | 34.48% | 74,155 | 55.76% | 12,971 | 9.75% |
| 1932 | 47,796 | 40.83% | 64,902 | 55.44% | 4,362 | 3.73% |
| 1928 | 78,435 | 63.21% | 44,977 | 36.25% | 669 | 0.54% |
| 1924 | 53,670 | 55.39% | 11,948 | 12.33% | 31,284 | 32.28% |
| 1920 | 52,449 | 59.08% | 30,452 | 34.30% | 5,868 | 6.61% |
| 1916 | 16,711 | 33.01% | 30,779 | 60.80% | 3,136 | 6.19% |
| 1912 | 5,622 | 14.95% | 13,999 | 37.22% | 17,989 | 47.83% |
| 1908 | 18,715 | 48.46% | 16,208 | 41.97% | 3,697 | 9.57% |
| 1904 | 22,924 | 67.33% | 8,259 | 24.26% | 2,862 | 8.41% |
| 1900 | 17,128 | 51.20% | 15,390 | 46.01% | 932 | 2.79% |
| 1896 | 16,758 | 54.45% | 13,759 | 44.71% | 259 | 0.84% |
| 1892 | 11,211 | 52.02% | 9,860 | 45.75% | 481 | 2.23% |
| 1888 | 9,443 | 51.29% | 8,638 | 46.92% | 331 | 1.80% |
| 1884 | 8,341 | 51.86% | 7,384 | 45.91% | 360 | 2.24% |
| 1880 | 7,157 | 52.67% | 5,985 | 44.04% | 447 | 3.29% |
| 1876 | 6,524 | 54.55% | 5,155 | 43.10% | 281 | 2.35% |
| 1872 | 5,253 | 62.66% | 3,083 | 36.77% | 48 | 0.57% |
| 1868 | 4,873 | 61.22% | 3,087 | 38.78% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1864 | 3,790 | 64.40% | 2,095 | 35.60% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1860 | 2,889 | 58.85% | 1,820 | 37.07% | 200 | 4.07% |
| 1856 | 1,639 | 41.07% | 1,866 | 46.76% | 486 | 12.18% |
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2024 | 72,544 | 38.38% | 107,783 | 57.02% | 8,703 | 4.60% |
| Office | Name | Party |
|---|---|---|
| Commissioner | Lisa Sobecki | Democratic |
| Commissioner | Peter L. Gerken | Democratic |
| Commissioner | Anita L. Lopez | Democratic |
| Prosecutor | Julia R. Bates | Democratic |
| Sheriff | Mike Navarre | Democratic |
| Clerk of Courts | J. Bernie Quilter | Democratic |
| Recorder | Michael Ashford | Democratic |
| Treasurer | Lindsay Webb | Democratic |
| Engineer | Mike Pniewski | Democratic |
| Coroner | Tom Blomquist | Democratic |
| Auditor | Katie Moline | Democratic |
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Places adjacent to Lucas County, Ohio | |
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Municipalities and communities ofLucas County, Ohio,United States | ||
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| Cities |  | |
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| Townships | ||
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| Other communities | ||
| Ghost towns | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
| International | |
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| National | |
| Other | |
