Darke County, Ohio
Encyclopedia
As of the census
of 2000, there were 53,309 people, 20,419 households, and 14,905 families residing in the county. The population density
was 89 people per square mile (34/km²). There were 21,583 housing units at an average density of 36 per square mile (14/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.09% White
, 0.39% Black
or African American
, 0.17% Native American
, 0.25% Asian
, 0.02% Pacific Islander
, 0.34% from other races
, and 0.74% from two or more races. 0.86% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race. 43.1% were of German
, 20.1% American
, 8.1% English
, 6.8% Irish
and 5.8% French
ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 20,419 households out of which 33.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.00% were married couples
living together, 8.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.00% were non-families. 23.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.03.
In the county the population was spread out with 26.30% under the age of 18, 7.80% from 18 to 24, 27.50% from 25 to 44, 23.20% from 45 to 64, and 15.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 96.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.30 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $39,307, and the median income for a family was $45,735. Males had a median income of $32,933 versus $23,339 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $18,670. About 6.00% of families and 8.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.10% of those under age 18 and 9.20% of those age 65 or over.
and the Versailles Town Hall and Wayne Township House
.
Census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 53,309 people, 20,419 households, and 14,905 families residing in the county. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 89 people per square mile (34/km²). There were 21,583 housing units at an average density of 36 per square mile (14/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.09% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.39% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.17% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.25% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.02% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.34% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.74% from two or more races. 0.86% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race. 43.1% were of German
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
, 20.1% American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, 8.1% English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
, 6.8% Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
and 5.8% French
French people
The French are a nation that share a common French culture and speak the French language as a mother tongue. Historically, the French population are descended from peoples of Celtic, Latin and Germanic origin, and are today a mixture of several ethnic groups...
ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 20,419 households out of which 33.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.00% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 8.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.00% were non-families. 23.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.03.
In the county the population was spread out with 26.30% under the age of 18, 7.80% from 18 to 24, 27.50% from 25 to 44, 23.20% from 45 to 64, and 15.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 96.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.30 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $39,307, and the median income for a family was $45,735. Males had a median income of $32,933 versus $23,339 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the county was $18,670. About 6.00% of families and 8.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.10% of those under age 18 and 9.20% of those age 65 or over.
Government
Communities
Villages
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Gettysburg, Ohio Gettysburg is a village in Darke County, Ohio, United States. The population was 558 at the 2000 census.-History:Gettysburg was founded by natives of Adams County, Pennsylvania in the late 1820s. When the settlement was platted in 1842, the community was named for Gettysburg, the county seat of... Gordon, Ohio Gordon is a village in Darke County, Ohio, United States. The population was 190 at the 2000 census.-History:Gordon was platted in 1849 and named for one of its first settlers... Hollansburg, Ohio Hollansburg is a village in Darke County, Ohio, United States. The population was 214 at the 2000 census.-History:On March 28, 1838, local landowner James Stewart platted a community in northwestern Harrison Township and named it "Union." When William Hollaman, another landowner, attempted to... Ithaca, Ohio Ithaca is a village in Darke County, Ohio, United States. The population was 102 at the 2000 census.-History:John Colville platted Ithaca in 1832 and gave it the name of "Twinsborough." Its location on an established highway and along the Ohio Electric Railway caused the community to grow... New Madison, Ohio New Madison is a village in Darke County, Ohio, United States. As of the 2000 census, the village population was 817.-History:New Madison was platted by Zadock Smith in 1817 for purposes of land speculation, but his efforts failed; he was unable to sell any of the lots... |
New Weston, Ohio New Weston is a village in Darke County, Ohio, United States. The population was 135 at the 2000 census.-History:New Weston was founded in the 1880s during the construction of a railroad line through Allen Township by a predecessor of the Cincinnati, Jackson and Mackinaw Railroad... North Star, Ohio North Star is a village in Darke County, Ohio, United States. The population was 209 at the 2000 census.-History:North Star was platted in 1852 along the road between Greenville and Celina, approximately midway between the two cities... Osgood, Ohio Osgood is a village in Darke County, Ohio, United States. The population was 255 at the 2000 census.-History:Osgood was founded in the 1880s. While its earliest settlers were primarily Protestants, a Roman Catholic parish was erected in the village in 1906. Today, St... Palestine, Ohio Palestine is a village in Darke County, Ohio, United States. The population was 170 at the 2000 census.-History:Palestine was platted by Samuel Loring in 1833... Pitsburg, Ohio Pitsburg is a village in Darke County, Ohio, United States. The population was 392 at the 2000 census.-History:Pitsburg was founded under the name of "Arnettsville" in the 19th century, but it languished: an author writing in 1880 described it as "liv[ing] only in name in story." The community... |
Rossburg, Ohio Rossburg is a village in Darke County, Ohio, United States. The population was 224 at the 2000 census.Rossburg is home to the Eldora Speedway, a half-mile clay oval race track.-History:Rossburg was platted by John G. Ross in 1868... Union City, Ohio Union City is a village in Darke County, Ohio, United States. The population was 1,767 at the 2000 census.-History:Union City was platted in 1838 and incorporated on December 6, 1853... Versailles, Ohio Versailles is a village in Darke County, Ohio, United States. It is the only village in Wayne Township. The population was 2,589 at the 2000 census. The proper local pronunciation of the name is "Ver Sales", with the accent on the second syllable.-History:... Wayne Lakes, Ohio Wayne Lakes is a village in Darke County, Ohio, United States. The population was 684 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Wayne Lakes is located at .... Yorkshire, Ohio Yorkshire is a village in Darke County, Ohio, United States. The population was 110 at the 2000 census.The mayor of Yorkshire is Wayne Bower.-History:Yorkshire was incorporated in 1901... |
Townships
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Greenville Township, Darke County, Ohio Greenville Township is one of the twenty townships of Darke County, Ohio, United States. The 2000 census found 18,125 people in the township, 4,831 of whom lived in the unincorporated portions of the township.-Geography:... Harrison Township, Darke County, Ohio Harrison Township is one of the twenty townships of Darke County, Ohio, United States. The 2000 census found 2,145 people in the township, 1,300 of whom lived in the unincorporated portions of the township.-Geography:... Jackson Township, Darke County, Ohio Jackson Township is one of the twenty townships of Darke County, Ohio, United States. The 2000 census found 3,057 people in the township, 1,290 of whom lived in the unincorporated portions of the township.-Geography:... Liberty Township, Darke County, Ohio Liberty Township is one of the twenty townships of Darke County, Ohio, United States. The 2000 census found 1,132 people in the township, 962 of whom lived in the unincorporated portions of the township.-Geography:... Mississinawa Township, Darke County, Ohio Mississinawa Township is one of the twenty townships of Darke County, Ohio, United States. The 2000 census found 779 people in the township.-Geography:Located in the northwestern corner of the county, it borders the following townships:... |
Monroe Township, Darke County, Ohio Monroe Township is one of the twenty townships of Darke County, Ohio, United States. The 2000 census found 1,674 people in the township, 1,282 of whom lived in the unincorporated portions of the township.-Geography:... Neave Township, Darke County, Ohio Neave Township is one of the twenty townships of Darke County, Ohio, United States. The 2000 census found 1,986 people in the township, 1,302 of whom lived in the unincorporated portions of the township.-Geography:... Patterson Township, Darke County, Ohio Patterson Township is one of the twenty townships of Darke County, Ohio, United States. The 2000 census found 1,308 people in the township, 943 of whom lived in the unincorporated portions of the township.-Geography:... Richland Township, Darke County, Ohio Richland Township is one of the twenty townships of Darke County, Ohio, United States. The 2000 census found 862 people in the township.-Geography:Located in the central part of the county, it borders the following townships:*York Township - north... Twin Township, Darke County, Ohio Twin Township is one of the twenty townships of Darke County, Ohio, United States. The 2000 census found 3,946 people in the township, 1,578 of whom lived in the unincorporated portions of the township.-Geography:... |
Van Buren Township, Darke County, Ohio Van Buren Township is one of the twenty townships of Darke County, Ohio, United States. The 2000 census found 1,573 people in the township.-Geography:Located in the southern part of the county, it borders the following townships:*Adams Township - north... Wabash Township, Darke County, Ohio Wabash Township is one of the twenty townships of Darke County, Ohio, United States. The 2000 census found 934 people in the township, 725 of whom lived in the unincorporated portions of the township.-Geography:... Washington Township, Darke County, Ohio Washington Township is one of the twenty townships of Darke County, Ohio, United States. The 2000 census found 1,382 people in the township.-Geography:Located in the western part of the county, it borders the following townships:*Jackson Township - north... Wayne Township, Darke County, Ohio Wayne Township is one of the twenty townships of Darke County, Ohio, United States. The 2000 census found 4,349 people in the township, 1,760 of whom lived in the unincorporated portions of the township.-Geography:... York Township, Darke County, Ohio York Township is one of the twenty townships of Darke County, Ohio, United States. The 2000 census found 523 people in the township.-Geography:Located in the northern part of the county, it borders the following townships:*Wabash Township - north... |
Other communities
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Dawn, Ohio Dawn is an unincorporated community in northern Richland Township, Darke County, Ohio, United States. It lies at the intersection of U.S. Route 127 with Burch Road. It is located between the villages of Ansonia and Versailles, approximately 8 miles north of Greenville, the county seat of Darke... Frenchtown, Ohio Frenchtown is an unincorporated community in Wayne Township, Darke County, Ohio, United States. The community lies at the intersection of State Route 185 with Burns and Mangen Roads, approximately northwest of the village of Versailles... |
Jaysville, Ohio Jaysville is a small unincorporated community about 1 mile southeast of Greenville in Darke County, Ohio, United States. It lies along State Route 49 one mile southeast of the county seat of Greenville and 4 miles north of Arcanum. The community is on the south side of State Route 49 and the... Otterbein, Ohio Otterbein is an unincorporated community in southwestern Butler Township, Darke County, Ohio, United States. It lies at the intersection of Otterbin Ithaca and Preble County Butler Township Roads southwest of the city of Greenville, the county seat of Darke County. Its elevation is 1,109 feet... |
Stelvideo, Ohio Stelvideo is an unincorporated community on the southern boundary of Richland Township, Darke County, Ohio, United States, at the intersection of Horatio-Harris Creek Road and Arcanum-Bears Mills Road.... |
Public School Districts
- Ansonia Local Schools
- Ansonia High School, Ansonia (the Tigers)
- Arcanum-Butler Local School District
- Arcanum High School, Arcanum (the Trojans)
- Franklin Monroe Schools
- Franklin Monroe Middle School/High School, Pitsburg (the Jets)
- Greenville City School District
- Greenville Senior High School, Greenville (the Green Wave)
- Mississinawa Valley Local School District
- Mississinawa Valley Junior/Senior High School, Union City (the Blackhawks)
- Tri-Village Local School District
- Tri-Village High School, New Madison (the Patriots)
- Versailles Exempted Village Schools
- Versailles High School, Versailles (the Tigers)
Historic places
Darke County has 25 places listed on the National Register of Historic Places, including the Darke County Courthouse, Sheriff's House and JailDarke County Courthouse, Sheriff's House and Jail
The Darke County Courthouse, Sheriff's House and Jail are three historic buildings located at 504 South Broadway just south of West 4th Street in Greenville, Ohio...
and the Versailles Town Hall and Wayne Township House
Versailles Town Hall and Wayne Township House
The Versailles Town Hall and Wayne Township House, located at 4 West Main Street in Versailles, Ohio, in the United States, is an historic brick town hall building built between 1875 and 1876 by joint resolution of the Versailles Village Council and the Wayne Township Trustees. It is also known as...
.
Notable residents
- Annie OakleyAnnie OakleyAnnie Oakley , born Phoebe Ann Mosey, was an American sharpshooter and exhibition shooter. Oakley's amazing talent and timely rise to fame led to a starring role in Buffalo Bill's Wild West show, which propelled her to become the first American female superstar.Oakley's most famous trick is perhaps...
- sharpshooter and exhibition shooter, born less than two miles northwest of Woodland,(now Willowdell) - Lowell ThomasLowell ThomasLowell Jackson Thomas was an American writer, broadcaster, and traveler, best known as the man who made Lawrence of Arabia famous...
- writer, broadcaster, and traveler, born at Woodington - Matt LightMatt LightMatthew Charles Light is an American football offensive tackle for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Patriots in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He played college football at Purdue.-Early years:Light was born in Greenville, Ohio...
- New England Patriots lineman, 3 time Super Bowl champion, born in Greenville