Stark County, Ohio | |
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 Flag  Seal | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofOhio | |
 Ohio's location within theU.S. | |
| Coordinates:40°49′N81°22′W / 40.81°N 81.37°W /40.81; -81.37 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Ohio |
| Founded | January 1, 1809 |
| Named after | John Stark |
| Seat | Canton |
| Largest city | Canton |
| Area | |
• Total | 581 sq mi (1,500 km2) |
| • Land | 575 sq mi (1,490 km2) |
| • Water | 5.3 sq mi (14 km2) 0.9% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 374,853 |
• Estimate (2021) | 373,834 |
| • Density | 652/sq mi (252/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional districts | 6th,13th |
| Website | www |
Stark County is acounty located in the northeastern part ofU.S. state ofOhio. As of the2020 census, the population was 374,853.[1] Itscounty seat isCanton.[2] The county was created in 1808 and organized the next year.[3] It isnamed forJohn Stark, an officer in theAmerican Revolutionary War.[4]
Stark County is included in theCanton-Massillon, OH Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in theCleveland-Akron-Canton, OH Combined Statistical Area.
Stark County was named in honor ofAmerican Revolutionary War GeneralJohn Stark. John Stark (August 28, 1728 – May 8, 1822) was a general who served in the American Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. He became widely known as the "Hero of Bennington" for his exemplary service at theBattle of Bennington in 1777.
In the 1760s and 1770sMoravian missionaries from Pennsylvania came to preach the gospel to the native people, and also to lead and resettle already converted native people migrating away from whites encroaching on their land in Pennsylvania. The earliest of these wereChristian Frederick Post andJohn Heckewelder. See also the history of neighboringTuscarawas County, Ohio
The first permanent settlements were established in 1805, beginning with Canton. Possibly 80% of the early settlers were German-speakers from Pennsylvania, although others came from Virginia, New York, and New England. Lumbering and sawmills were important early industries, to cater to the enormous demand for lumber from the incoming settlers. Stark County was originally part ofColumbiana County, but was split off in 1807.
At the start of theCivil War the men of Stark County were quick to volunteer to preserve the Union. As of 1862 over 1,100 had enlisted.[5]
During the early 20th century, Stark County was an important location in the early development ofprofessional football. The rivalry between theMassillon Tigers andCanton Bulldogs helped bring theOhio League to prominence in the mid-1900s (decade) and again in the late 1910s. The Bulldogs ended up a charter member of theNational Football League, where it played for several years. (The role Stark County had in developing the game is part of the reason thePro Football Hall of Fame is located in Canton.) Two relatively large football stadiums,Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton andPaul Brown Tiger Stadium in Massillon, are still in use (albeit now mostly forhigh school football), with Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium hosting the NFL's annualPro Football Hall of Fame Game each year.
In the later 20th century, Stark County's voting record swung from one party to another, closely tracking the winner of theU.S. Presidential election. Even within theswing state ofOhio, Stark County is regarded as a quintessentialbellwether, and thus presidential candidates have typically made multiple visits to the region.Major media outlets typically pay close attention to the election results in the county. TheNew York Times in particular has covered the county's citizens and their voting concerns in a series of features each election cycle for over a decade.
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 581 square miles (1,500 km2), of which 575 square miles (1,490 km2) is land and 5.3 square miles (14 km2) (0.9%) is water.[6]
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1810 | 2,734 | — | |
| 1820 | 12,406 | 353.8% | |
| 1830 | 26,588 | 114.3% | |
| 1840 | 34,603 | 30.1% | |
| 1850 | 39,878 | 15.2% | |
| 1860 | 42,978 | 7.8% | |
| 1870 | 52,508 | 22.2% | |
| 1880 | 64,031 | 21.9% | |
| 1890 | 84,170 | 31.5% | |
| 1900 | 94,747 | 12.6% | |
| 1910 | 122,987 | 29.8% | |
| 1920 | 177,218 | 44.1% | |
| 1930 | 221,784 | 25.1% | |
| 1940 | 234,887 | 5.9% | |
| 1950 | 283,194 | 20.6% | |
| 1960 | 340,345 | 20.2% | |
| 1970 | 372,210 | 9.4% | |
| 1980 | 378,823 | 1.8% | |
| 1990 | 367,585 | −3.0% | |
| 2000 | 378,098 | 2.9% | |
| 2010 | 375,586 | −0.7% | |
| 2020 | 374,853 | −0.2% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 374,091 | [7] | −0.2% |
| U.S. decennial census[8] 1790-1960[9] 1900-1990[10] 1990–2000[11] 2010-2020[1] | |||
| Race / Ethnicity(NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 1980[12] | Pop 1990[13] | Pop 2000[14] | Pop 2010[15] | Pop 2020[16] | % 1980 | % 1990 | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 349,383 | 337,210 | 339,010 | 329,497 | 310,535 | 92.23% | 91.74% | 89.66% | 87.73% | 82.84% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 23,838 | 24,895 | 27,039 | 28,272 | 28,723 | 6.29% | 6.77% | 7.15% | 7.53% | 7.66% |
| Native American orAlaska Native alone (NH) | 531 | 920 | 873 | 808 | 721 | 0.14% | 0.25% | 0.23% | 0.22% | 0.19% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 1,049 | 1,507 | 2,040 | 2,736 | 3,175 | 0.28% | 0.41% | 0.54% | 0.73% | 0.85% |
| Native Hawaiian orPacific Islander alone (NH) | x[17] | x[18] | 48 | 63 | 97 | x | x | 0.01% | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 643 | 298 | 514 | 558 | 1,651 | 0.17% | 0.08% | 0.14% | 0.15% | 0.44% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | x[19] | x[20] | 5,082 | 7,687 | 19,435 | x | x | 1.34% | 2.05% | 5.18% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3,379 | 2,755 | 3,492 | 5,965 | 10,516 | 0.89% | 0.75% | 0.92% | 1.59% | 2.81% |
| Total | 378,823 | 367,585 | 378,098 | 375,586 | 374,853 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
As of the2010 census, there were 375,586 people, 151,089 households, and 100,417 families living in the county.[21] The population density was 652.9 inhabitants per square mile (252.1/km2). There were 165,215 housing units at an average density of 287.2 units per square mile (110.9 units/km2).[22] The racial makeup of the county was 88.7% white, 7.6% black or African American, 0.7% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 0.5% from other races, and 2.2% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.6% of the population.[21] In terms of ancestry, 33.6% wereGerman, 15.5% wereIrish, 10.1% wereEnglish, 10.1% wereItalian, and 7.7% wereAmerican.[23]
Of the 151,089 households, 30.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.2% were married couples living together, 12.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 33.5% were non-families, and 28.1% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.96. The median age was 41.1 years.[21]
The median income for a household in the county was $44,941 and the median income for a family was $55,976. Males had a median income of $44,238 versus $31,896 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,015. About 9.5% of families and 12.7% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 19.5% of those under age 18 and 6.7% of those age 65 or over.[24]
As of thecensus[25] of 2000, there were 378,098 people, 148,316 households, and 102,782 families living in the county. The population density was 656 inhabitants per square mile (253/km2). There were 157,024 housing units at an average density of 272 units per square mile (105 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 90.28%white, 7.20%black orAfrican American, 0.24%Native American, 0.54%Asian, 0.02%Pacific Islander, 0.29% fromother races, and 1.43% from two or more races. 0.92% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race.
There were 148,316 households, out of which 31.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.20% weremarried couples living together, 11.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.70% were non-families. 26.10% 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 2.49 and the average family size was 3.00.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.80% under the age of 18, 8.30% from 18 to 24, 27.80% from 25 to 44, 24.00% from 45 to 64, and 15.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 92.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.40 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $39,824, and the median income for a family was $47,747. Males had a median income of $37,065 versus $23,875 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $20,417. About 6.80% of families and 9.20% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 12.90% of those under age 18 and 6.60% of those age 65 or over.
Stark County has often been described as "the swing county, in the swing state" when it comes to presidential elections. Locally, it has generally been a strong Republican area, but that changed in the 1990s and into the 2000s, where it remained highly competitive for both parties. In 1992, it became a swing county that tilted Democratic, and over the next 15–20 years more local office holders were Democrats. That has changed, however, in the last 10 years or so, beginning in 2010. Republicans now hold most of the local elected positions. Starting in 2016, the county began shifting more and more Republican, with Trump comfortably winning the county in all three of his presidential bids, each by a bigger margin than the last.
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2024 | 111,478 | 60.52% | 71,090 | 38.60% | 1,625 | 0.88% |
| 2020 | 111,097 | 58.44% | 75,904 | 39.93% | 3,092 | 1.63% |
| 2016 | 98,388 | 55.85% | 68,146 | 38.68% | 9,631 | 5.47% |
| 2012 | 88,581 | 48.74% | 89,432 | 49.21% | 3,733 | 2.05% |
| 2008 | 86,743 | 46.14% | 96,990 | 51.59% | 4,277 | 2.27% |
| 2004 | 92,215 | 48.93% | 95,337 | 50.59% | 907 | 0.48% |
| 2000 | 78,153 | 48.89% | 75,308 | 47.11% | 6,383 | 3.99% |
| 1996 | 60,212 | 38.03% | 73,437 | 46.38% | 24,697 | 15.60% |
| 1992 | 61,863 | 35.33% | 70,064 | 40.02% | 43,165 | 24.65% |
| 1988 | 87,087 | 55.08% | 69,639 | 44.05% | 1,370 | 0.87% |
| 1984 | 98,434 | 59.69% | 65,157 | 39.51% | 1,325 | 0.80% |
| 1980 | 87,769 | 55.87% | 59,005 | 37.56% | 10,332 | 6.58% |
| 1976 | 72,607 | 49.83% | 70,012 | 48.05% | 3,090 | 2.12% |
| 1972 | 92,110 | 62.74% | 51,565 | 35.12% | 3,135 | 2.14% |
| 1968 | 68,414 | 47.88% | 57,675 | 40.36% | 16,799 | 11.76% |
| 1964 | 53,632 | 37.68% | 88,704 | 62.32% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 82,881 | 55.22% | 67,205 | 44.78% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1956 | 83,667 | 62.85% | 49,445 | 37.15% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1952 | 74,929 | 57.66% | 55,031 | 42.34% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1948 | 51,482 | 51.40% | 47,533 | 47.46% | 1,135 | 1.13% |
| 1944 | 51,506 | 47.30% | 57,393 | 52.70% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1940 | 46,384 | 43.81% | 59,496 | 56.19% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1936 | 34,693 | 35.91% | 57,931 | 59.96% | 3,988 | 4.13% |
| 1932 | 40,672 | 51.06% | 35,757 | 44.89% | 3,225 | 4.05% |
| 1928 | 59,564 | 70.85% | 23,840 | 28.36% | 671 | 0.80% |
| 1924 | 40,858 | 64.28% | 12,544 | 19.74% | 10,160 | 15.98% |
| 1920 | 37,483 | 62.88% | 18,437 | 30.93% | 3,688 | 6.19% |
| 1916 | 14,159 | 45.23% | 15,316 | 48.93% | 1,828 | 5.84% |
| 1912 | 6,033 | 22.57% | 9,908 | 37.07% | 10,788 | 40.36% |
| 1908 | 14,112 | 50.48% | 12,286 | 43.95% | 1,559 | 5.58% |
| 1904 | 15,695 | 65.46% | 6,919 | 28.86% | 1,361 | 5.68% |
| 1900 | 13,165 | 54.12% | 10,651 | 43.79% | 509 | 2.09% |
| 1896 | 12,111 | 51.13% | 11,339 | 47.87% | 235 | 0.99% |
| 1892 | 9,231 | 44.79% | 10,227 | 49.63% | 1,150 | 5.58% |
| 1888 | 8,763 | 47.29% | 9,094 | 49.07% | 674 | 3.64% |
| 1884 | 8,315 | 49.62% | 7,955 | 47.47% | 487 | 2.91% |
| 1880 | 7,264 | 50.21% | 6,965 | 48.14% | 238 | 1.65% |
| 1876 | 6,410 | 48.16% | 6,772 | 50.88% | 128 | 0.96% |
| 1872 | 5,817 | 52.30% | 5,250 | 47.20% | 55 | 0.49% |
| 1868 | 5,601 | 53.10% | 4,948 | 46.90% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1864 | 4,797 | 52.84% | 4,282 | 47.16% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1860 | 4,064 | 52.98% | 2,820 | 36.76% | 787 | 10.26% |
| 1856 | 3,770 | 50.73% | 3,633 | 48.88% | 29 | 0.39% |
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2024 | 99,365 | 54.67% | 75,434 | 41.51% | 6,941 | 3.82% |
Source:[28]
Prior to 1815, Stark County consisted of only eight large townships.[29] After a number of partitions and a few transfers between counties, the townships are:
Places adjacent to Stark County, Ohio | |
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Municipalities and communities ofStark County, Ohio,United States | ||
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| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
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| National | |
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