Noble County, Ohio | |
|---|---|
County | |
 TheNoble County Courthouse in Caldwell in 2007 | |
 Flag  Seal | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofOhio | |
| Coordinates:39°46′N81°27′W / 39.77°N 81.45°W /39.77; -81.45 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Ohio |
| Founded | April 1, 1851[1] |
| Named after | eitherJames Noble orWarren P. Noble |
| Seat | Caldwell |
| Largest village | Caldwell |
| Area | |
• Total | 405 sq mi (1,050 km2) |
| • Land | 398 sq mi (1,030 km2) |
| • Water | 6.6 sq mi (17 km2) 1.6% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 14,115 |
• Estimate (2024)[2] | 14,269 |
| • Density | 35.8/sq mi (13.8/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional district | 6th |
| Website | noblecountyohio |
Noble County is acounty located in the southeastern part of theU.S. state ofOhio. As of the2020 census, the population was 14,115,[3] making it the fourth-least populous county in Ohio. Itscounty seat isCaldwell.[4] The county isnamed for Rep.Warren P. Noble of the Ohio House of Representatives, who was an early settler there.[5]
Noble County was formed on March 11, 1851, from portions of Guernsey, Morgan, Monroe and Washington counties.[6] It was the last county to be formed in the state.[7][8] It was named for either James Noble orWarren P. Noble, each of whom was an early settler in this region.[9]
Noble County was home to the firstNorth Americanoil well, theThorla-McKee Well, which struck oil in 1814.[10] For a time this was a center of oil production in the state.
In 1925, aUnited States Navydirigible,USSShenandoah (ZR-1), was caught in a storm over Noble County. It broke into several pieces, resulting in the deaths of 14 persons on board; 29 survived.
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 405 square miles (1,050 km2), of which 398 square miles (1,030 km2) is land and 6.6 square miles (17 km2) (1.6%) is water.[11]
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1860 | 20,751 | — | |
| 1870 | 19,949 | −3.9% | |
| 1880 | 21,138 | 6.0% | |
| 1890 | 20,753 | −1.8% | |
| 1900 | 19,466 | −6.2% | |
| 1910 | 18,601 | −4.4% | |
| 1920 | 17,849 | −4.0% | |
| 1930 | 14,961 | −16.2% | |
| 1940 | 14,587 | −2.5% | |
| 1950 | 11,750 | −19.4% | |
| 1960 | 10,982 | −6.5% | |
| 1970 | 10,428 | −5.0% | |
| 1980 | 11,310 | 8.5% | |
| 1990 | 11,336 | 0.2% | |
| 2000 | 14,058 | 24.0% | |
| 2010 | 14,645 | 4.2% | |
| 2020 | 14,115 | −3.6% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 14,269 | 1.1% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[12] 1790-1960[13] 1900-1990[14] 1990-2000[15] 2010-2020[3] 2024[2] | |||
As of the2020 census, the county had a population of 14,115 and a median age of 40.4 years. 19.0% of residents were under the age of 18 and 17.1% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 144.6 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 154.7 males.[16]
The racial makeup of the county was 91.3%White, 5.4%Black or African American, 0.2%American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Asian, <0.1%Native Hawaiian andPacific Islander, 0.6% from some other race, and 2.4% fromtwo or more races, withHispanic or Latino residents of any race comprising 1.2% of the population.[17]
<0.1% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.[18]
There were 4,725 households in the county, of which 28.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them. Of all households, 51.6% were married-couple households, 19.3% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 21.7% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 28.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. There were 5,751 housing units, of which 17.8% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 78.1% were owner-occupied and 21.9% were renter-occupied; the homeowner vacancy rate was 1.4% and the rental vacancy rate was 5.7%.[16]
| Race / Ethnicity(NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 1980[19] | Pop 1990[20] | Pop 2000[21] | Pop 2010[22] | Pop 2020[23] | % 1980 | % 1990 | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 11,242 | 11,282 | 12,959 | 14,036 | 12,840 | 99.40% | 99.52% | 92.18% | 95.84% | 90.97% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 3 | 7 | 938 | 368 | 752 | 0.03% | 0.06% | 6.67% | 2.51% | 5.33% |
| Native American orAlaska Native alone (NH) | 14 | 15 | 37 | 42 | 31 | 0.12% | 0.13% | 0.26% | 0.29% | 0.22% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 9 | 9 | 13 | 20 | 22 | 0.08% | 0.08% | 0.09% | 0.14% | 0.16% |
| Native Hawaiian orPacific Islander alone (NH) | x[24] | x[25] | 0 | 3 | 0 | x | x | 0.00% | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 7 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 11 | 0.06% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.10% | 0.08% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | x[26] | x[27] | 51 | 110 | 286 | x | x | 0.36% | 0.75% | 2.03% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 35 | 23 | 60 | 52 | 173 | 0.31% | 0.20% | 0.43% | 0.36% | 1.23% |
| Total | 11,310 | 11,336 | 14,058 | 14,645 | 14,115 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
As of the2010 United States census, there were 14,645 people, 4,852 households, and 3,394 families living in the county.[28] The population density was 36.8 inhabitants per square mile (14.2/km2). There were 6,053 housing units at an average density of 15.2 units per square mile (5.9 units/km2).[29] The racial makeup of the county was 96.1% white, 2.5% black or African American, 0.3% American Indian, 0.1% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 0.8% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.4% of the population.[28] In terms of ancestry, 25.9% wereGerman, 13.1% wereIrish, 9.1% wereAmerican, and 9.0% wereEnglish.[30]
Of the 4,852 households, 30.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.8% were married couples living together, 8.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 30.0% were non-families, and 25.7% 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 48.6 years.[28]
The median income for a household in the county was $39,500 and the median income for a family was $44,773. Males had a median income of $42,456 versus $29,551 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,029. About 11.6% of families and 14.9% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 22.9% of those under age 18 and 13.8% of those age 65 or over.[31]
As of thecensus of 2000, there were 14,058 people, 4,546 households, and 3,318 families living in the county. Thepopulation density was 35 people per square mile (14 people/km2). There were 5,480 housing units at an average density of 14 units per square mile (5.4/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 92.55%White, 6.69%Black orAfrican American, 0.26%Native American, 0.09%Asian, 0.03% fromother races, and 0.38% from two or more races. 0.43% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race.
There were 4,546 households, out of which 33.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.50% weremarried couples living together, 7.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.00% were non-families. 24.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.10.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 22.60% under the age of 18, 11.70% from 18 to 24, 31.80% from 25 to 44, 20.80% from 45 to 64, and 13.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 130.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 140.50 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $32,940, and the median income for a family was $38,939. Males had a median income of $30,911 versus $20,222 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $14,100. About 8.30% of families and 11.40% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 13.90% of those under age 18 and 11.90% of those age 65 or over.
Noble County is a Republican stronghold in presidential elections, althoughBill Clinton narrowly won it in 1996.
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2024 | 5,050 | 81.66% | 1,069 | 17.29% | 65 | 1.05% |
| 2020 | 5,135 | 80.89% | 1,170 | 18.43% | 43 | 0.68% |
| 2016 | 4,549 | 75.33% | 1,221 | 20.22% | 269 | 4.45% |
| 2012 | 3,563 | 60.48% | 2,131 | 36.17% | 197 | 3.34% |
| 2008 | 3,450 | 55.75% | 2,474 | 39.98% | 264 | 4.27% |
| 2004 | 3,841 | 58.73% | 2,654 | 40.58% | 45 | 0.69% |
| 2000 | 3,435 | 57.36% | 2,296 | 38.34% | 257 | 4.29% |
| 1996 | 2,183 | 39.59% | 2,366 | 42.91% | 965 | 17.50% |
| 1992 | 2,223 | 37.79% | 2,201 | 37.41% | 1,459 | 24.80% |
| 1988 | 3,155 | 59.44% | 2,079 | 39.17% | 74 | 1.39% |
| 1984 | 3,853 | 67.70% | 1,777 | 31.22% | 61 | 1.07% |
| 1980 | 3,025 | 57.38% | 1,944 | 36.87% | 303 | 5.75% |
| 1976 | 3,007 | 52.48% | 2,612 | 45.58% | 111 | 1.94% |
| 1972 | 3,274 | 68.22% | 1,449 | 30.19% | 76 | 1.58% |
| 1968 | 2,615 | 53.06% | 1,726 | 35.02% | 587 | 11.91% |
| 1964 | 2,250 | 43.48% | 2,925 | 56.52% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 3,951 | 65.99% | 2,036 | 34.01% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1956 | 3,861 | 66.52% | 1,943 | 33.48% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1952 | 4,046 | 66.33% | 2,054 | 33.67% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1948 | 3,494 | 58.79% | 2,425 | 40.80% | 24 | 0.40% |
| 1944 | 4,130 | 64.89% | 2,235 | 35.11% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1940 | 4,922 | 61.84% | 3,037 | 38.16% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1936 | 4,384 | 52.70% | 3,865 | 46.46% | 70 | 0.84% |
| 1932 | 3,950 | 49.25% | 3,966 | 49.45% | 104 | 1.30% |
| 1928 | 4,462 | 66.45% | 2,190 | 32.61% | 63 | 0.94% |
| 1924 | 4,284 | 60.78% | 2,485 | 35.26% | 279 | 3.96% |
| 1920 | 4,197 | 59.06% | 2,909 | 40.94% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1916 | 2,290 | 50.33% | 2,175 | 47.80% | 85 | 1.87% |
| 1912 | 1,804 | 40.05% | 1,842 | 40.90% | 858 | 19.05% |
| 1908 | 2,707 | 54.27% | 2,154 | 43.18% | 127 | 2.55% |
| 1904 | 2,700 | 58.90% | 1,671 | 36.45% | 213 | 4.65% |
| 1900 | 2,704 | 54.55% | 2,173 | 43.84% | 80 | 1.61% |
| 1896 | 2,559 | 51.86% | 2,318 | 46.98% | 57 | 1.16% |
| 1892 | 2,307 | 50.69% | 2,026 | 44.52% | 218 | 4.79% |
| 1888 | 2,515 | 53.18% | 2,087 | 44.13% | 127 | 2.69% |
| 1884 | 2,385 | 52.27% | 2,061 | 45.17% | 117 | 2.56% |
| 1880 | 2,316 | 50.55% | 2,044 | 44.61% | 222 | 4.85% |
| 1876 | 2,225 | 50.86% | 2,096 | 47.91% | 54 | 1.23% |
| 1872 | 2,016 | 54.78% | 1,627 | 44.21% | 37 | 1.01% |
| 1868 | 2,204 | 56.24% | 1,715 | 43.76% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1864 | 2,211 | 56.23% | 1,721 | 43.77% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1860 | 1,944 | 52.02% | 1,647 | 44.07% | 146 | 3.91% |
| 1856 | 1,603 | 51.81% | 1,337 | 43.21% | 154 | 4.98% |
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2024 | 4,555 | 75.00% | 1,316 | 21.67% | 202 | 3.33% |
Noble County has a three-memberBoard of County Commissioners that oversee and administer the various County departments, similar to all but two of the 88 Ohio counties. Noble County's elected commissioners are:
Noble County is served by the Caldwell Exempted Village School District and Noble Local School District.
Places adjacent to Noble County, Ohio | |
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Municipalities and communities ofNoble County, Ohio,United States | ||
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| Villages |  | |
| Townships | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
39°46′N81°27′W / 39.77°N 81.45°W /39.77; -81.45
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| National | |
| Other | |
