Hancock County
County
The Hancock County Courthouse in Findlay
The Hancock County Courthouse in Findlay
Flag of Hancock County
Flag
Official seal of Hancock County
Seal
Map of Ohio highlighting Hancock County
Location within the U.S. state of Ohio
Map of the United States highlighting Ohio
Ohio's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 41°00′N 83°40′W / 41°N 83.67°W / 41; -83.67
Country United States
State Ohio
FoundedMarch 1, 1828
Named forJohn Hancock
SeatFindlay
Largest cityFindlay
Area
 • Total534 sq mi (1,380 km2)
 • Land531 sq mi (1,380 km2)
 • Water2.3 sq mi (6 km2)  0.4%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total74,920
 • Density140/sq mi (54/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district5th
Websitewww.co.hancock.oh.us

Hancock County is a county located in the U.S. state of Ohio. As of the 2020 census, the population was 74,920.[1] Its county seat and largest city is Findlay.[2] The county was created in 1820 and later organized in 1828.[3] It was named for John Hancock, the first signer of the Declaration of Independence.[4]

Hancock County comprises the Findlay, Ohio Micropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Hancock County was established on January 21, 1828, by the Ohio General Assembly from the southern portions of Wood County. Originally containing only Findlay Township, the county would add Amanda and Welfare (now Delaware) townships later in April of that year. Additional townships were laid out as follows: Jackson in 1829; Liberty and Marion in December 1830; Big Lick, Blanchard, and Van Buren in 1831; Washington, Union, and Eagle in 1832; Cass and Portage in 1833; Pleasant in 1835; Orange in 1836; Madison in 1840, and finally Allen in 1850. Originally nearly 24 miles square, Hancock County would lose some of its southeast portion in 1845 to the new Wyandot County.[5]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 534 square miles (1,380 km2), of which 531 square miles (1,380 km2) is land and 2.3 square miles (6.0 km2) (0.4%) is water.[6]

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1830813—
18409,9861,128.3%
185016,75167.7%
186022,88636.6%
187023,8474.2%
188027,78416.5%
189042,56353.2%
190041,993−1.3%
191037,860−9.8%
192038,3941.4%
193040,4045.2%
194040,7931.0%
195044,2808.5%
196053,68621.2%
197061,21714.0%
198064,5815.5%
199065,5361.5%
200071,2958.8%
201074,7824.9%
202074,9200.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790–1960[8] 1900–1990[9]
1990–2000[10] 2020 [1]

2000 census

As of the census[11] of 2000, there were 71,295 people, 27,898 households, and 19,138 families living in the county. The population density was 134 inhabitants per square mile (52/km2). There were 29,785 housing units at an average density of 56 units per square mile (22/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 95.14% White, 1.11% Black or African American, 0.18% Native American, 1.22% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.22% from other races, and 1.12% from two or more races. 3.07% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 27,898 households, out of which 32.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.40% were married couples living together, 8.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.40% were non-families. 26.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.80% 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 3.01.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.70% under the age of 18, 9.70% from 18 to 24, 28.70% from 25 to 44, 22.60% from 45 to 64, and 13.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 94.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $43,856, and the median income for a family was $51,490. Males had a median income of $37,139 versus $24,374 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,991. About 5.20% of families and 7.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.80% of those under age 18 and 6.10% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 74,782 people, 30,197 households, and 19,884 families living in the county.[12] The population density was 140.7 inhabitants per square mile (54.3/km2). There were 33,174 housing units at an average density of 62.4 units per square mile (24.1 units/km2).[13] The racial makeup of the county was 93.4% white, 1.7% Asian, 1.5% black or African American, 0.2% American Indian, 1.4% from other races, and 1.8% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 4.5% of the population.[12] In terms of ancestry, 43.1% were German, 11.0% were Irish, 10.3% were English, and 6.6% were American.[14]

Of the 30,197 households, 30.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.3% were married couples living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 34.2% were non-families, and 27.9% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.94. The median age was 38.5 years.[12]

The median income for a household in the county was $49,070 and the median income for a family was $59,600. Males had a median income of $42,479 versus $31,631 for females. The per capita income for the county was $25,158. About 8.5% of families and 11.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.2% of those under age 18 and 5.7% of those age 65 or over.[15]

Communities

Map of Hancock County, Ohio with Municipal and Township Labels

Cities

Villages

Townships

Unincorporated communities

Ghost town

Moffit[16]

Government

See also: Ohio county government
Seal of the Auditor of Hancock County

Politics

Although in the period up to World War I Hancock County's German heritage caused it to lean Democratic,[17] since that war – when German Americans were driven from the Democratic Party by Woodrow Wilson’s postwar settlement policies[18] and James M. Cox’s refusal to accept German language instruction[19] – the county has been powerfully Republican. Since 1920 no Democratic presidential candidate has obtained an absolute majority of Hancock County's vote – although Franklin D. Roosevelt did win narrow pluralities in his 1932 and 1936 landslides – and it was one of just five Ohio counties that voted for Barry Goldwater over Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964. Although Goldwater won by just sixty-three votes, no Democratic presidential nominee since has cracked three-eighths (37.5%) of the county's vote.

United States presidential election results for Hancock County, Ohio[20]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 26,310 67.86% 11,757 30.32% 704 1.82%
2016 24,183 66.74% 9,609 26.52% 2,442 6.74%
2012 22,443 62.72% 12,564 35.11% 776 2.17%
2008 22,420 60.50% 13,870 37.43% 765 2.06%
2004 25,105 70.48% 10,352 29.06% 162 0.45%
2000 20,985 68.54% 8,798 28.74% 834 2.72%
1996 17,252 57.68% 9,334 31.21% 3,322 11.11%
1992 16,821 52.63% 7,944 24.85% 7,198 22.52%
1988 19,896 71.97% 7,435 26.90% 312 1.13%
1984 22,169 78.34% 5,758 20.35% 370 1.31%
1980 18,264 67.62% 6,843 25.34% 1,903 7.05%
1976 15,983 63.09% 8,548 33.74% 802 3.17%
1972 18,111 70.68% 6,084 23.74% 1,429 5.58%
1968 15,032 61.08% 6,918 28.11% 2,659 10.80%
1964 11,610 50.14% 11,547 49.86% 0 0.00%
1960 17,059 71.76% 6,712 28.24% 0 0.00%
1956 15,713 74.82% 5,289 25.18% 0 0.00%
1952 14,999 73.65% 5,366 26.35% 0 0.00%
1948 11,427 63.21% 6,598 36.50% 54 0.30%
1944 13,450 68.27% 6,252 31.73% 0 0.00%
1940 14,174 64.64% 7,755 35.36% 0 0.00%
1936 9,816 47.23% 9,929 47.77% 1,039 5.00%
1932 9,260 48.58% 9,370 49.16% 431 2.26%
1928 13,151 75.54% 4,158 23.88% 101 0.58%
1924 9,167 57.03% 5,111 31.80% 1,796 11.17%
1920 9,746 59.46% 6,386 38.96% 258 1.57%
1916 4,268 42.78% 5,416 54.29% 292 2.93%
1912 2,241 24.79% 4,309 47.66% 2,491 27.55%
1908 4,899 45.44% 5,420 50.27% 462 4.29%
1904 5,766 55.30% 4,148 39.79% 512 4.91%
1900 5,559 50.14% 5,322 48.01% 205 1.85%
1896 5,591 49.66% 5,546 49.26% 121 1.07%
1892 4,780 46.44% 4,931 47.91% 582 5.65%
1888 4,634 48.49% 4,539 47.49% 384 4.02%
1884 3,245 47.32% 3,497 50.99% 116 1.69%
1880 3,124 47.94% 3,350 51.41% 42 0.64%
1876 2,811 46.59% 3,215 53.28% 8 0.13%
1872 2,311 48.52% 2,449 51.42% 3 0.06%
1868 2,279 47.41% 2,528 52.59% 0 0.00%
1864 2,178 48.64% 2,300 51.36% 0 0.00%
1860 2,135 47.70% 2,301 51.41% 40 0.89%
1856 1,773 47.23% 1,944 51.78% 37 0.99%

See also

References

  1. ^ a b 2020 census
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "Ohio: Individual County Chronologies". Ohio Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library. 2007. Archived from the original on April 6, 2016. Retrieved February 14, 2015.
  4. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 148.
  5. ^ Brown 1886: Brown, R.C. (1886). History of Hancock County, Ohio. Vol. 3. Chicago: Warner. Beers & Co. Retrieved March 27, 2009.
  6. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on May 4, 2014. Retrieved February 8, 2015.
  7. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 8, 2015.
  8. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved February 8, 2015.
  9. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 8, 2015.
  10. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved February 8, 2015.
  11. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  12. ^ a b c "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  13. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  14. ^ "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  15. ^ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  16. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Moffitt (historical)
  17. ^ Phillips, Kevin P.; The Emerging Republican Majority, pp. 381-382 ISBN 9780691163246
  18. ^ Phillips; The Emerging Republican Majority, p. 40
  19. ^ Benseler, David P.; Nickisch, Craig W. and Nollendorfs, Cora Lee (editors); Teaching German in Twentieth-century America, p. 60 ISBN 9780299168308
  20. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved May 2, 2018.

External links

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Hancock County.

41°00′N 83°40′W / 41.00°N 83.67°W / 41.00; -83.67

Municipalities and communities of Hancock County, Ohio, United States
State of Ohio
Authority control databases
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