Wikipedia

Ottawa County, Ohio

Not to be confused with Ottawa, Ohio.

Ottawa County is a county located in the northwestern part of the U.S. state of Ohio. As of the 2020 census, the population was 40,364.[2] Its county seat is Port Clinton.[3] The county is named either for the Ottawa (Odawa) Indigenous peoples who lived there, or for an Indigenous word meaning "trader".[4]

Ottawa County
County
Ottawa County Courthouse
Ottawa County Courthouse
Flag of Ottawa County
Flag
Official seal of Ottawa County
Seal
Map of Ohio highlighting Ottawa 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°35′N 83°04′W / 41.59°N 83.06°W / 41.59; -83.06
Country United States
State Ohio
FoundedMarch 6, 1840[1]
Named forthe Ottawa tribe or a word meaning "trader"
SeatPort Clinton
Largest cityPort Clinton
Area
 • Total
585 sq mi (1,520 km2)
 • Land255 sq mi (660 km2)
 • Water330 sq mi (900 km2)  56%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
40,364 Decrease
 • Density158/sq mi (61/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district9th
Websitewww.co.ottawa.oh.us

Ottawa County comprises the Port Clinton, OH Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Toledo-Port Clinton, OH Combined Statistical Area.

History

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On September 10, 1813, during the War of 1812, nine vessels of the United States Navy under Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, decisively defeated six vessels of Great Britain’s Royal Navy in the Battle of Lake Erie near Put-in-Bay. This action was one of the major battles of the war.

Ottawa County was formed on March 6, 1840, from portions of Erie, Lucas and Sandusky counties. It was named after the North American Indigenous tribe of the Ottawa (Odawa).[5]

In 1974, the County Courthouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[6]

The county is notable in presidential politics for being a recent bellwether, having continuously voted for the winning candidate for thirteen elections from 1964 to 2016.[7]

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 585 square miles (1,520 km2), of which 255 square miles (660 km2) is land and 330 square miles (850 km2) (56%) is water.[8] It is the third-smallest county in Ohio by land area. It borders Ontario across Lake Erie.

Adjacent counties

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National protected areas

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18402,248—
18503,30847.2%
18607,016112.1%
187013,36490.5%
188019,76247.9%
189021,97411.2%
190022,2131.1%
191022,3600.7%
192022,193−0.7%
193024,1098.6%
194024,3601.0%
195029,46921.0%
196035,32319.9%
197037,0995.0%
198040,0768.0%
199040,029−0.1%
200040,9852.4%
201041,4281.1%
202040,364−2.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]
1790-1960[10] 1900-1990[11]
1990-2000[12] 2020 [2]

2000 census

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As of the census[13] of 2000, there were 40,985 people, 16,474 households, and 11,729 families living in the county. The population density was 161 inhabitants per square mile (62/km2). There were 25,532 housing units at an average density of 100 units per square mile (39/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.56% White, 0.65% Black or African American, 0.21% Native American, 0.23% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 1.44% from other races, and 0.87% from two or more races. 3.75% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 16,474 households, out of which 29.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.90% were married couples living together, 8.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.80% were non-families. 25.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.92.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.30% under the age of 18, 6.70% from 18 to 24, 26.80% from 25 to 44, 26.80% from 45 to 64, and 16.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 97.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $44,224, and the median income for a family was $51,919. Males had a median income of $39,823 versus $24,727 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,973. About 4.20% of families and 5.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.40% of those under age 18 and 5.40% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

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As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 41,428 people, 17,503 households, and 11,884 families living in the county.[14] The population density was 162.5 inhabitants per square mile (62.7/km2). There were 27,909 housing units at an average density of 109.5 per square mile (42.3/km2).[15] The racial makeup of the county was 96.5% white, 0.8% black or African American, 0.3% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.9% from other races, and 1.3% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 4.2% of the population.[14] In terms of ancestry, 44.6% were German, 11.9% were Irish, 9.8% were English, 6.3% were American, and 6.1% were Polish.[16]

Of the 17,503 households, 26.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.7% were married couples living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 32.1% were non-families, and 27.4% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.82. The median age was 46.3 years.[14]

The median income for a household in the county was $53,463 and the median income for a family was $64,258. Males had a median income of $52,736 versus $33,557 for females. The per capita income for the county was $27,809. About 6.3% of families and 9.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.9% of those under age 18 and 6.5% of those age 65 or over.[17]

Politics

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Prior to 1912, Ottawa County was a Democratic Party stronghold in presidential elections. Starting with the 1912 election, the county was a national bellwether, only backing losing candidates in 1940, 1944, 1960 (Richard Nixon) and 2020 (Donald Trump).

United States presidential election results for Ottawa County, Ohio[18]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 14,872 61.86% 8,866 36.88% 304 1.26%
2020 14,628 60.83% 9,008 37.46% 410 1.71%
2016 12,653 56.52% 8,285 37.01% 1,447 6.46%
2012 10,538 46.83% 11,503 51.11% 464 2.06%
2008 10,624 46.01% 12,064 52.25% 402 1.74%
2004 12,073 51.91% 11,118 47.80% 68 0.29%
2000 9,917 49.66% 9,485 47.50% 566 2.83%
1996 6,991 37.01% 9,321 49.35% 2,576 13.64%
1992 6,782 34.26% 8,128 41.06% 4,885 24.68%
1988 9,352 53.39% 8,038 45.89% 127 0.73%
1984 10,920 60.41% 7,053 39.02% 102 0.56%
1980 8,641 51.18% 6,753 40.00% 1,489 8.82%
1976 8,241 45.04% 9,646 52.71% 412 2.25%
1972 9,772 57.86% 6,465 38.28% 652 3.86%
1968 7,149 47.30% 6,319 41.81% 1,647 10.90%
1964 5,639 36.96% 9,618 63.04% 0 0.00%
1960 9,260 58.34% 6,612 41.66% 0 0.00%
1956 8,806 62.98% 5,176 37.02% 0 0.00%
1952 8,708 59.99% 5,808 40.01% 0 0.00%
1948 5,591 47.45% 6,157 52.25% 35 0.30%
1944 6,922 58.35% 4,941 41.65% 0 0.00%
1940 6,872 55.29% 5,556 44.71% 0 0.00%
1936 4,006 35.96% 6,335 56.87% 798 7.16%
1932 3,600 34.18% 6,817 64.73% 115 1.09%
1928 5,772 62.54% 3,435 37.22% 22 0.24%
1924 4,137 51.77% 2,571 32.17% 1,283 16.06%
1920 4,336 59.41% 2,867 39.28% 96 1.32%
1916 1,793 34.52% 3,347 64.44% 54 1.04%
1912 791 17.15% 2,728 59.16% 1,092 23.68%
1908 2,202 39.48% 3,329 59.69% 46 0.82%
1904 2,437 46.92% 2,706 52.10% 51 0.98%
1900 2,131 39.87% 3,185 59.59% 29 0.54%
1896 2,079 38.69% 3,260 60.67% 34 0.63%
1892 1,588 34.37% 2,943 63.70% 89 1.93%
1888 1,730 35.73% 3,065 63.30% 47 0.97%
1884 1,575 36.07% 2,742 62.80% 49 1.12%
1880 1,510 36.58% 2,559 61.99% 59 1.43%
1876 1,336 37.70% 2,208 62.30% 0 0.00%
1872 1,122 43.66% 1,439 55.99% 9 0.35%
1868 963 42.48% 1,304 57.52% 0 0.00%
1864 823 49.31% 846 50.69% 0 0.00%
1860 571 44.37% 692 53.77% 24 1.86%
1856 454 48.71% 477 51.18% 1 0.11%

Government and politics

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See also: Ohio county government

County officials

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The County elects 9 officeholders.

Office Name Party
Commissioner Donald A. Douglas Republican
Commissioner Mark W. Stahl Republican
Commissioner Mark Coppler Republican
Prosecutor James VanEerten Republican
Sheriff Stephen J. Levorchick Republican
Clerk of Courts John Klahen Republican
Recorder Virginia M. Park Democrat
Treasurer Robert Hille Democrat
Engineer Ronald Lajti Democrat
Coroner Daniel Cadigan Democrat
Auditor Jennifer Widmer Republican
Common Pleas Court Judge Bruce A. Winters Independent
Juvenile Division Judge Fredrick Haney III Independent

[19][20]

Transportation

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Major highways

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8 major highways run through Ottawa County, including two interstates, and eight state routes.

Airports

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Communities

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Map of Ottawa County, Ohio with municipal and township labels

City

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Villages

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Townships

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Census-designated places

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Unincorporated communities

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Notable residents

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Ohio County Profiles: Ottawa County" (PDF). Ohio Department of Development. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 21, 2007. Retrieved April 28, 2007.
  2. ^ a b 2020 census
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ^ "Ottawa County data". Ohio State University Extension Data Center. Archived from the original on December 3, 2007. Retrieved April 28, 2007.
  5. ^ "Ottawa County". www.co.ottawa.oh.us. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  6. ^ "AssetDetail". focus.nps.gov. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  7. ^ "The Ohio county that picks presidents is leaning Trump". BBC. July 23, 2016. Retrieved July 23, 2016.
  8. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on May 4, 2014. Retrieved February 9, 2015.
  9. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 9, 2015.
  10. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved February 9, 2015.
  11. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 9, 2015.
  12. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved February 9, 2015.
  13. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  14. ^ 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.
  15. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  16. ^ "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.
  17. ^ "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.
  18. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
  19. ^ Ottawa County Elected Officials
  20. ^ "Tim Ryan turned his race into a surprise Senate battleground. Now comes the hard part". POLITICO. Retrieved August 6, 2022.
  21. ^ "Trinity United Church of Christ (Elliston, Ohio)". Bowling Green State University. Retrieved March 9, 2010.
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41°35′N 83°04′W / 41.59°N 83.06°W / 41.59; -83.06

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