Fulton County, Ohio
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Fulton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Ohio west of Toledo. As of the 2020 census, the population was 42,713. Its county seat and largest city is Wauseon. The county was created in 1850 with land from Henry, Lucas, and Williams counties and is named for Robert Fulton, inventor of the steamboat. Fulton County is a part of the Toledo metropolitan area.
History
The first seat of justice in Fulton County was Ottokee, located there because of its central location in the county. A wooden courthouse was built in 1851.
However, a railroad was built further south. Wauseon sprung up in 1854 when the railroad was extended to that point, and incorporated in 1859. With the commercial success that the railroad brought to Wauseon, the citizens of the county voted to move the county seat to Wauseon in 1871. The Fulton County Courthouse was built in 1872.
- 1851 Railroad map: Ottokee is the county seat of justice.
- 1890 Railroad map: Wauseon is now the county seat.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 407 square miles (1,050 km2), of which 405 square miles (1,050 km2) is land and 1.8 square miles (4.7 km2) (0.4%) is water.
Adjacent counties
- Lenawee County, Michigan (north)
- Lucas County (east)
- Henry County (south)
- Williams County (west)
- Hillsdale County, Michigan (northwest)
Protected areas
- Goll Woods State Nature Preserve
- Harrison Lake State Park
- Maumee State Forest
- Tiffin River Wildlife Area
- Wabash Cannonball Trail
Demographics
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1850 | 7,781 | — | |
| 1860 | 14,043 | 80.5% | |
| 1870 | 17,789 | 26.7% | |
| 1880 | 21,053 | 18.3% | |
| 1890 | 22,023 | 4.6% | |
| 1900 | 22,801 | 3.5% | |
| 1910 | 23,914 | 4.9% | |
| 1920 | 23,445 | −2.0% | |
| 1930 | 23,477 | 0.1% | |
| 1940 | 23,626 | 0.6% | |
| 1950 | 25,580 | 8.3% | |
| 1960 | 29,301 | 14.5% | |
| 1970 | 33,071 | 12.9% | |
| 1980 | 37,751 | 14.2% | |
| 1990 | 38,498 | 2.0% | |
| 2000 | 42,084 | 9.3% | |
| 2010 | 42,698 | 1.5% | |
| 2020 | 42,713 | 0.0% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 42,007 | −1.7% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2020 |
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 42,713. The median age was 41.8 years, with 23.5% of residents under the age of 18 and 19.5% aged 65 years or older. For every 100 females there were 99.4 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 96.6 males.
The racial makeup of the county was 89.2% White, 0.6% Black or African American, 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 3.2% from some other race, and 6.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 8.9% of the population.
17.8% of residents lived in urban areas, while 82.2% lived in rural areas.
There were 16,801 households in the county, of which 29.9% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 54.7% were married-couple households, 17.0% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 22.0% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 25.5% 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 17,689 housing units, of which 5.0% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 77.5% were owner-occupied and 22.5% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.0% and the rental vacancy rate was 4.3%.
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) | 35,854 | 36,367 | 39,011 | 38,569 | 36,968 | 94.97% | 94.46% | 92.70% | 90.33% | 86.55% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 36 | 85 | 93 | 138 | 225 | 0.10% | 0.22% | 0.22% | 0.32% | 0.53% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 22 | 57 | 82 | 84 | 60 | 0.06% | 0.15% | 0.19% | 0.20% | 0.14% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 82 | 134 | 172 | 176 | 152 | 0.22% | 0.35% | 0.41% | 0.41% | 0.36% |
| Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) | x | x | 12 | 4 | 6 | x | x | 0.03% | 0.01% | 0.01% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 25 | 13 | 28 | 23 | 120 | 0.07% | 0.03% | 0.07% | 0.05% | 0.28% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | x | x | 264 | 363 | 1,391 | x | x | 0.63% | 0.85% | 3.26% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1,732 | 1,842 | 2,422 | 3,341 | 3,791 | 4.59% | 4.78% | 5.76% | 7.82% | 8.88% |
| Total | 37,751 | 38,498 | 42,084 | 42,698 | 42,713 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
2010 census
As of the 2010 United States census, there were 42,698 people, 16,188 households, and 11,942 families living in the county. The population density was 105.3 inhabitants per square mile (40.7/km2). There were 17,407 housing units at an average density of 42.9 units per square mile (16.6 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 94.9% white, 0.4% black or African American, 0.4% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 2.4% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 7.8% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 45.5% were German, 11.9% were Irish, 10.7% were English, 6.9% were Polish, and 6.2% were American.
Of the 16,188 households, 34.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.8% were married couples living together, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 26.2% were non-families, and 22.3% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.05. The median age was 39.9 years.
The median income for a household in the county was $50,717 and the median income for a family was $59,090. Males had a median income of $42,561 versus $30,070 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,804. About 8.5% of families and 10.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.4% of those under age 18 and 5.4% of those age 65 or over.
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 42,084 people, 15,480 households, and 11,687 families living in the county. The population density was 104 inhabitants per square mile (40/km2). There were 16,232 housing units at an average density of 40 units per square mile (15/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 95.65% White, 0.24% Black or African American, 0.26% Native American, 0.42% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 2.31% from other races, and 1.08% from two or more races. 5.76% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 15,480 households, out of which 37.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.20% were married couples living together, 8.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.50% were non-families. 21.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.69 and the average family size was 3.13.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 28.30% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 28.70% from 25 to 44, 22.60% from 45 to 64, and 12.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 95.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.30 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $44,074, and the median income for a family was $50,952. Males had a median income of $36,180 versus $25,137 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,999. About 4.00% of families and 5.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.10% of those under age 18 and 4.60% of those age 65 or over.
Politics
Since 1936, Fulton County has largely voted for Republican candidates for president. The only Democrats to win Fulton were Franklin Pierce in 1852 and Franklin D. Roosevelt in his 1932 election.[citation needed], it also voted for Theodore Roosevelt (of the "Bull Moose" Progressive Party) in 1912.
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2024 | 15,893 | 70.44% | 6,374 | 28.25% | 297 | 1.32% |
| 2020 | 15,731 | 68.98% | 6,664 | 29.22% | 411 | 1.80% |
| 2016 | 13,709 | 64.20% | 6,069 | 28.42% | 1,575 | 7.38% |
| 2012 | 11,738 | 55.08% | 9,073 | 42.58% | 499 | 2.34% |
| 2008 | 11,689 | 53.10% | 9,900 | 44.97% | 424 | 1.93% |
| 2004 | 13,640 | 62.13% | 8,224 | 37.46% | 90 | 0.41% |
| 2000 | 11,546 | 61.10% | 6,805 | 36.01% | 545 | 2.88% |
| 1996 | 8,703 | 48.60% | 6,662 | 37.20% | 2,542 | 14.20% |
| 1992 | 8,358 | 44.45% | 5,576 | 29.65% | 4,870 | 25.90% |
| 1988 | 10,230 | 66.31% | 5,076 | 32.90% | 122 | 0.79% |
| 1984 | 11,412 | 72.55% | 4,217 | 26.81% | 101 | 0.64% |
| 1980 | 9,519 | 64.72% | 3,972 | 27.01% | 1,216 | 8.27% |
| 1976 | 7,891 | 60.94% | 4,850 | 37.45% | 208 | 1.61% |
| 1972 | 8,387 | 68.55% | 3,615 | 29.55% | 232 | 1.90% |
| 1968 | 7,817 | 64.14% | 3,338 | 27.39% | 1,033 | 8.48% |
| 1964 | 5,973 | 51.59% | 5,604 | 48.41% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 9,695 | 74.76% | 3,274 | 25.24% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1956 | 9,030 | 77.50% | 2,622 | 22.50% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1952 | 9,191 | 78.18% | 2,565 | 21.82% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1948 | 6,523 | 70.67% | 2,672 | 28.95% | 35 | 0.38% |
| 1944 | 8,258 | 79.37% | 2,147 | 20.63% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1940 | 8,653 | 77.38% | 2,530 | 22.62% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1936 | 6,152 | 60.17% | 3,582 | 35.04% | 490 | 4.79% |
| 1932 | 4,487 | 48.02% | 4,673 | 50.01% | 184 | 1.97% |
| 1928 | 6,416 | 77.74% | 1,788 | 21.66% | 49 | 0.59% |
| 1924 | 4,951 | 69.56% | 1,333 | 18.73% | 834 | 11.72% |
| 1920 | 6,111 | 73.88% | 2,049 | 24.77% | 111 | 1.34% |
| 1916 | 2,933 | 52.97% | 2,507 | 45.28% | 97 | 1.75% |
| 1912 | 929 | 17.64% | 1,805 | 34.28% | 2,531 | 48.07% |
| 1908 | 3,608 | 61.24% | 2,131 | 36.17% | 153 | 2.60% |
| 1904 | 3,593 | 69.12% | 1,448 | 27.86% | 157 | 3.02% |
| 1900 | 3,457 | 59.49% | 2,262 | 38.93% | 92 | 1.58% |
| 1896 | 3,227 | 55.99% | 2,464 | 42.75% | 73 | 1.27% |
| 1892 | 2,808 | 55.34% | 1,919 | 37.82% | 347 | 6.84% |
| 1888 | 2,901 | 55.72% | 1,997 | 38.36% | 308 | 5.92% |
| 1884 | 2,848 | 56.90% | 1,904 | 38.04% | 253 | 5.05% |
| 1880 | 2,912 | 60.65% | 1,787 | 37.22% | 102 | 2.12% |
| 1876 | 2,697 | 61.99% | 1,597 | 36.70% | 57 | 1.31% |
| 1872 | 2,210 | 71.57% | 826 | 26.75% | 52 | 1.68% |
| 1868 | 2,171 | 65.37% | 1,150 | 34.63% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1864 | 1,953 | 66.86% | 968 | 33.14% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1860 | 1,629 | 61.63% | 984 | 37.23% | 30 | 1.14% |
| 1856 | 1,098 | 56.77% | 772 | 39.92% | 64 | 3.31% |
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2024 | 14,450 | 65.44% | 6,764 | 30.63% | 868 | 3.93% |
Transportation
Airport
Fulton County Airport is a public use airport located four nautical miles (5 mi, 7 km) north of the central business district of Wauseon, Ohio. It is owned by the Fulton County Commissioners.
Highways
Communities
City
- Wauseon (county seat)
Villages
Census-designated places
Unincorporated communities
Government
Certain aspects of county government are managed through subdivisional townships.
Townships
See also
External links
41°36′N 84°07′W/41.60°N 84.12°W/ 41.60; -84.12