Defiance County, Ohio
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Defiance County is a county located in the U.S. state of Ohio. As of the 2020 census, the population was 38,286. Its county seat and largest city is Defiance. The county was named after an early Army fortification, Fort Defiance, which was so named by Mad Anthony Wayne to signify the settlers' "defiance" of the Indians. The Defiance, OH Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Defiance County.
Geography
According to the U.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.
Adjacent counties
- Williams County (north)
- Henry County (east)
- Putnam County (southeast)
- Paulding County (south)
- Allen County, Indiana (southwest)
- DeKalb County, Indiana (west)
Demographics
| 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 | 0.9% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2020 |
2020 census
As of the 2020 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.
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 and Pacific Islander, 3.5% from some other race, and 6.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 10.3% of the population.
46.4% of residents lived in urban areas, while 53.6% lived in rural areas.
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.
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%.
Racial and ethnic composition
| Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 1980 | Pop 1990 | Pop 2000 | Pop 2010 | Pop 2020 | % 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 or Alaska 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 or Pacific Islander alone (NH) | x | x | 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 | x | 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% |
2010 census
As of the 2010 United States census, there were 39,037 people, 15,268 households, and 10,792 families living in the county. 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). 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. In terms of ancestry, 42.3% were German, 12.5% were Irish, 9.6% were English, and 7.7% were American.
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.
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 the poverty line, including 18.0% of those under age 18 and 7.1% of those age 65 or over.
2000 census
As of the census 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 or African American, 0.26% Native American, 0.36% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 3.59% from other races, and 1.43% from two or more races. 7.23% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 45.6% were of German, 13.5% American, 6.8% Irish and 5.1% English ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 15,138 households, out of which 34.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.90% were married 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. The per capita income for the county was $19,667. About 4.50% of families and 5.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.40% of those under age 18 and 5.30% of those age 65 or over.
Politics
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 Democrat Lyndon Johnson in the 1964 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% |
Communities
City
- Defiance (county seat)
Villages
Townships
Census-designated place
Unincorporated communities
Education
School districts include:
- Ayersville Local School District
- Central Local School District
- Defiance City School District
- Edgerton Local School District
- Hicksville Exempted Village School District
- Northeastern Local School District
In popular culture
The closeness of elections in Defiance County has also been referenced in fiction; the ABC political drama Scandal in its second season had as the center of the ongoing plot of the first half of that season, a vote manipulation conspiracy which bent the presidential election towards Republican candidate Fitzgerald Grant based on tampering of the voting machines in Defiance County.
See also
External links
41°19′N 84°29′W/41.32°N 84.49°W/ 41.32; -84.49