Darke County, Ohio

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Darke County, Ohio
County
Darke County Courthouse.jpg
Darke County Courthouse, Sheriff's House and Jail
Flag of Darke County, Ohio.png
Flag
Map of Ohio highlighting Darke County.svg
Location within the U.S. state of Ohio
Ohio in United States.svg
Ohio's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 40°08′N84°37′W / 40.13°N 84.62°W / 40.13; -84.62
CountryFlag of the United States.svg United States
StateFlag of Ohio.svg Ohio
FoundedJanuary 3, 1809
Named after William Darke
Seat Greenville
Largest cityGreenville
Area
 • Total
600 sq mi (1,600 km2)
 • Land598 sq mi (1,550 km2)
 • Water1.7 sq mi (4.4 km2)  0.3%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
51,881 Decrease2.svg
 • Density86/sq mi (33/km2)
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP Codes
45303, 45304, 45308, 45328, 45331, 45332, 45346, 45348, 45350, 45351, 45352, 45358, 45362, 45380, 45388, 45390
Area code 937, 326
Congressional district 8th
Website www.mydarkecounty.com

Darke County is a county in the U.S. state of Ohio. As of the 2020 census, the population was 51,881. [1] Its county seat and largest city is Greenville. [2] The county was created in 1809 and later organized in 1817. [3] It is named for William Darke, an officer in the American Revolutionary War. [4] Darke County comprises the Greenville, OH Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Dayton-Springfield-Sidney, OH Combined Statistical Area.

Contents

History

Early history

Human activity in Darke County is believed to have emerged under the Adena culture during the Woodland period, roughly in the 500 BC to 100 AD range. The Adena were later replaced by a series of Native American trading cultures known as the Ohio Hopewell, which had been replaced by the Fort Ancient culture by 1000 AD. Although Darke County was in the sphere of influence of these various cultures, no major archaeological sites remain in the area. By the 1600s, the Miami people had settled the region, establishing their principle village at what is now Piqua in neighboring Miami County. [5]

Europeans nominally owned the Louisiana Territory for centuries, ceding it between several different European countries over the years. Despite this, even as major settlements such as Detroit and St. Louis were established across the region, Darke County remained unsettled for most that time.

The first major settlement was established at Fort Jefferson in 1791, and the base was used as a staging ground during the Northwest Indian War, although it never saw any action. Another camp was established in 1793 at Fort Greenville, where the historic Treaty of Greenville was signed in 1795, ceding control of Southern Ohio from the Native American tribes to the United States. [6]

Settlement and 19th century

In 1807, the first American settlers began arriving in Darke County (then part of Miami). By 1808, initial plans for a settlement at the abandoned Fort Greenville were established, eventually becoming the modern city of Greenville. Darke County was split off from Miami County in 1809, and settlement continued to grow slowly throughout the early 19th century, with major settlement outside of Greenville proper being hampered by unfavorable swampland. [6] By midcentury, the county had roughly 15,000 people.

The railroad arrived in Darke County in 1850, and soon Darke County was a major intersection for three different railroads, drastically spurring its economy. [6] Despite its small size, Darke County at this time had developed a vibrant civil society and had many churches and banking institutions, as well as two newspapers. The county saw a large influx of German immigrants at this time, which further contributed to the social engagement of the community.

During the American Civil War, Darke County was a staunchly Unionist county, and despite its small population it soon raised three full companies of volunteers for the Union Army. [7] While the county was never on the Underground Railroad itself, local volunteers would frequently assist escaped slaves in moving to other free states. [6] It was during this time that famed sharpshooter Annie Oakley was born here, and she remains one of the county's most famous people. [8]

20th century and modern day

Darke County's growth slowed throughout the 20th century, with its economy shifting towards manufacturing and light industry instead of just agriculture. Darke County benefitted from the growth of the Dayton metropolitan area towards the end of the century, but began to see its population decline during the late 20th century as manufacturing as a whole slowed across the country and Dayton began losing people.

Today, Darke County's economy has rebounded, and its population has remained steady, with massive agricultural and industrial investments making it one of the best performing micropolitan areas in the country and a substantial amount of the working population still commuting to Dayton. [9] [10] As home to the Eldora Speedway, constructed in 1952, the county also hosts one of the largest tourist events in the Dayton metropolitan area. [11]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 600 square miles (1,600 km2), of which 598 square miles (1,550 km2) is land and 1.7 square miles (4.4 km2) (0.3%) is water. [12]

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1820 3,622—
1830 6,20471.3%
1840 13,282114.1%
1850 20,27652.7%
1860 26,00928.3%
1870 32,27824.1%
1880 40,49625.5%
1890 42,9616.1%
1900 42,532−1.0%
1910 42,9330.9%
1920 42,911−0.1%
1930 38,009−11.4%
1940 38,8312.2%
1950 41,7997.6%
1960 45,6129.1%
1970 49,1417.7%
1980 55,09612.1%
1990 53,619−2.7%
2000 53,309−0.6%
2010 52,959−0.7%
2020 51,881−2.0%
U.S. Decennial Census [13]
1790-1960 [14] 1900-1990 [15]
1990-2000 [16] 2020 [1]

2020 census

Darke County, Ohio – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic)Pop 1980 [17] Pop 1990 [18] Pop 2000 [19] Pop 2010 [20] Pop 2020 [21] % 1980% 1990% 2000% 2010% 2020
White alone (NH)54,37252,87452,04651,36548,99498.69%98.61%97.63%96.99%94.44%
Black or African American alone (NH)1671832042333020.30%0.34%0.38%0.44%0.58%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)64908171920.12%0.17%0.15%0.13%0.18%
Asian alone (NH)691091321591810.13%0.20%0.25%0.30%0.35%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH)x [22] x [23] 12426xx0.02%0.01%0.05%
Other race alone (NH)452024281220.08%0.04%0.05%0.05%0.24%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)x [24] x [25] 3534531,305xx0.66%0.86%2.52%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)3793434576468590.69%0.64%0.86%1.22%1.66%
Total55,09653,61953,30952,95951,881 100.00%100.00%100.00%100.00%100.00%

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 52,959 people, 20,929 households, and 14,673 families living in the county. [26] The population density was 88.5 inhabitants per square mile (34.2/km2). There were 22,730 housing units at an average density of 38.0 units per square mile (14.7 units/km2). [27] The racial makeup of the county was 97.8% white, 0.4% black or African American, 0.3% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.4% from other races, and 0.9% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.2% of the population. [26] In terms of ancestry, 38.9% were German, 11.5% were American, 10.6% were Irish, and 9.0% were English. [28]

Of the 20,929 households, 31.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.7% were married couples living together, 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 29.9% were non-families, and 25.9% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.50, and the average family size was 3.00. The median age was 40.8 years. [26]

The median income for a household in the county was $44,280, and the median income for a family was $53,454. Males had a median income of $40,402 versus $28,310 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,483. About 7.5% of families and 10.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.5% of those under age 18 and 8.1% of those age 65 or over. [29]

2000 census

As of the census [30] of 2000, there were 53,309 people, 20,419 households, and 14,905 families living in the county. The population density was 89 inhabitants per square mile (34/km2). There were 21,583 housing units at an average density of 36 units 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.

Economy

At founding, Darke County's economy was primarily agricultural, although it never took off to the extent of the rest of the Midwest due to unfavorable soil. [7] The arrival of the railroad heavily boosted the county's economy, which was at the junction of three different railroads and thus was briefly an important hub for the rail industry. [6] As neighboring Dayton grew during the manufacturing boom of the early 20th century, Darke County was able to diversify its economy, gaining both light manufacturing of its own and to a lesser extent becoming a suburb of Dayton. As Dayton became part of the Rust Belt and manufacturing decline nationally, Darke County was also affected, entering a prolonged downturn. Today, large investments from manufacturing companies have rebounded the county's economy, and Darke County has become the second most successful micropolitan area in the state. [10]

Darke County employment percentages (>1%) [9]
Industry namePercent annual employment
Manufacturing26.6%
Healthcare and Social Services14.1%
Retail9.5%
Educational Services7.8%
Transportation and Logistics6.9%
Wholesale Trade5.5%
Construction5.2%
Accommodation and Food Services4.7%
Agriculture3.4%
Finance3.4%
Other3.0%
Public Administration2.5%
Professional Services2.5%
Administrative Services2.1%
Arts and Entertainment1%

Culture and media

Culture

Despite Darke County's small size, it has a series of events centers and cultural events.

Media

Newspapers

  • The Daily Advocate is the newspaper of record for Greenville and surrounding Darke County, having been published since 1883.

Television

Government and politics

Government

At the federal level, Ohio is represented in the United States Senate by Bernie Moreno and Jon Husted, both Republicans. It is represented in the United States House of Representatives as part of Ohio's 8th congressional district by Republican Warren Davidson. At the state level, Darke County is in Ohio's 5th senatorial district, represented by Republican Steve Huffman. It is in the Ohio House of Representatives' 80th and 84th district, represented by Republicans Johnathan Newman and Angela King, respectively. Judicially, Darke County is in Ohio's 2nd courts of appeals district.

Like most Ohio counties, Darke County has a three-member Board of County Commissioners elected at-large who oversee the various county departments. It also has several elected county officials.

United States presidential election results for Darke County, Ohio [35]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No. %No. %No. %
2024 22,23482.01%4,58316.90%2951.09%
2020 22,00481.01%4,73117.42%4261.57%
2016 20,01278.17%4,47017.46%1,1194.37%
2012 18,10871.21%6,82626.84%4961.95%
2008 17,29066.92%7,96430.82%5842.26%
2004 18,30669.57%7,84629.82%1610.61%
2000 14,81763.68%7,74133.27%7093.05%
1996 10,79846.88%8,87138.52%3,36314.60%
1992 11,09845.44%7,01628.72%6,31225.84%
1988 14,91467.93%6,85131.21%1890.86%
1984 16,37972.81%5,90426.25%2110.94%
1980 12,77358.17%7,63534.77%1,5507.06%
1976 11,58052.75%9,90145.10%4722.15%
1972 13,86265.71%6,53430.97%7003.32%
1968 10,92653.78%7,37136.28%2,0189.93%
1964 8,58140.83%12,43359.17%00.00%
1960 14,04864.55%7,71535.45%00.00%
1956 13,44765.32%7,13834.68%00.00%
1952 13,67064.28%7,59735.72%00.00%
1948 8,95650.28%8,77049.23%870.49%
1944 11,13558.08%8,03641.92%00.00%
1940 11,14753.60%9,65146.40%00.00%
1936 8,37541.29%11,11454.79%7943.91%
1932 8,28441.65%11,12255.92%4832.43%
1928 11,76566.34%5,82232.83%1470.83%
1924 9,16652.92%7,31642.24%8394.84%
1920 9,55252.59%8,45946.58%1510.83%
1916 4,32239.78%6,18656.94%3573.29%
1912 3,10730.43%5,02749.24%2,07520.33%
1908 4,95142.60%6,39154.99%2812.42%
1904 5,20349.26%5,03047.62%3293.11%
1900 4,83443.79%6,00354.38%2011.82%
1896 4,38441.28%6,15157.92%840.79%
1892 3,73739.99%4,91652.61%6917.40%
1888 4,26741.84%5,49553.88%4374.28%
1884 4,39044.29%5,44254.91%790.80%
1880 4,04643.46%5,16755.51%961.03%
1876 3,57743.38%4,66756.60%10.01%
1872 3,06952.35%2,76047.07%340.58%
1868 2,98948.73%3,14551.27%00.00%
1864 2,58448.90%2,70051.10%00.00%
1860 2,46049.23%2,47949.61%581.16%
1856 2,08648.70%1,98846.42%2094.88%

County commissioners

OfficeNameParty
 CommissionerMatthew AultmanRepublican
 CommissionerMarshall CombsRepublican
 CommissionerAaron FlatterRepublican

County officials

OfficeNameParty
 ProsecutorJames BennettRepublican
 AuditorCarol GinnRepublican
 Clerk of CourtsCindy PikeRepublican
 SheriffMark WhittakerRepublican
 RecorderHillary HolzapfelRepublican
 TreasurerScott ZumbrinkDemocratic
 CoronerSusan BrownRepublican
 EngineerJim SurberDemocratic

Politics

Despite its Unionist sympathies, Darke County originally was a Democratic-leaning swing county for most of the 19th century. Primarily agricultural, the county was frequently more sympathetic to the Democratic Party, and the heavily German American population was at the time predominantly Democratic, splitting to vote for Republicans only twice between 1860 and 1916 (although the Democratic margin of victory was never especially large). Darke County became one of the first counties in the region to shift towards Republicans in 1940, and has continued to deliver Republicans massive margins since then (aside from Lyndon B. Johnson's 1964 landslide). Since the beginning of the 21st century, the political realignment of rural voters has proved especially powerful in Darke County, where a large majority of voters cite the national Democratic Party's shift to the left socially on issues such as abortion and gun control as the impetus for their shift to Republicans. [36] Darke County has voted decisively against liberal causes on nearly every issue, including legalizing same-sex marriage, easing abortion restrictions, and marijuana legalization. Republicans have set a new statewide record in every single election since 2008, breaking 70% in 2012 and 80% in 2020. While Darke County does have Democrats elected at the local level, the rightward shift of the county is so strong that it has not voted for a Democrat for any state office since 1986, even during Democratic landslides.

Transportation

Airports

The county contains one airport, Darke County Airport. The primary use is civilian, although there is an air taxi service based at the airport as well. [37]

Roads

Education

Community colleges

A branch of Edison State Community College is located in Greenville.

Public school districts

School districts (this includes any school district with portions of the county, no matter how slight, even if the schools and/or administrative offices are in another county) [38]

Communities

Map of Darke County, Ohio with Municipal and Township Labels Map of Darke County Ohio With Municipal and Township Labels.PNG
Map of Darke County, Ohio with Municipal and Township Labels

City

Villages

Townships

[39]

Unincorporated communities

Historic places

Darke County has 25 places listed on the National Register of Historic Places, including the Darke County Courthouse, Sheriff's House, and Jail, and the Versailles Town Hall and Wayne Township House.

Darke County is home to the Eldora Speedway located near New Weston, which hosts many big events throughout the year.

Notable residents

See also

Footnotes

  1. 1 2 2020 census
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. 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. p. 100.
  5. ↑ Historic American Indian Tribes of Ohio. Columbus, OH: Ohio Historical Society. p. 15.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 Wharry, John (1880). The History of Darke County, Ohio. Chicago, IL: W.H. Beers and Co. pp. 207–352.
  7. 1 2 Wilson, Frazier (1914). History of Darke County, Ohio. Milford, OH: Hobart Publishing Co. pp. 293–303.
  8. 1 2 Michael Sangiacomo, The Plain Dealer (July 15, 2018). "Greenville celebrates Annie Oakley with a bang, bang: Ohio's Tiny Towns". cleveland. Retrieved November 12, 2025.
  9. 1 2 "Ohio Economic Profile: Darke County" (PDF). Ohio Department of Job and Family Services: 1–12. July 2021.
  10. 1 2 "Agriculture, manufacturing drive Greenville's rise in micropolitan rankings". WKEF. Retrieved November 12, 2025.
  11. 1 2 "Largest Dayton-Area Entertainment Venues". Dayton Business Journal. September 8, 2017. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
  12. ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on May 4, 2014. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  13. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  14. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on May 30, 2019. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  15. ↑ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  16. ↑ "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 7, 2015.
  17. ↑ "1980 Census of Population - General Social and Economic Characteristics - Ohio- Table 59 - Persons by Spanish Origin, Race, and Sex: 1980 AND Table 58 - Race by Sex: 1980" (PDF). United States Census Bureau . p. 49-67 and 27-47.
  18. ↑ "1990 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Ohio: Table 6 - Race and Hispanic Origin" (PDF). United States Census Bureau . p. 21-95.
  19. ↑ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Darke County, Ohio". United States Census Bureau .
  20. ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Darke County, Ohio". United States Census Bureau .
  21. ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Darke County, Ohio". United States Census Bureau .
  22. ↑ included in the Asian category in the 1980 Census
  23. ↑ included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census
  24. ↑ not an option in the 1980 Census
  25. ↑ not an option in the 1990 Census
  26. 1 2 3 "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.
  27. ↑ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  28. ↑ "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.
  29. ↑ "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.
  30. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  31. ↑ "WDTN.com". WDTN.com. Archived from the original on October 2, 2025. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
  32. ↑ "Home". ThinkTV. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
  33. ↑ "Dayton News, Weather & Traffic". WHIO TV 7 and WHIO Radio. November 16, 2025. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
  34. ↑ "Dayton News, Weather, Sports, Breaking News". WKEF. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
  35. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved May 1, 2018.
  36. ↑ "In Rural Ohio, It's No Country For Democrats". The Washington Post. March 5, 2008. ISSN   0190-8286 . Retrieved November 16, 2025.
  37. ↑ "Darke County Airport (VES) Transport Statistics". airport-data.com. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
  38. ↑ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Darke County, OH" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau . Retrieved October 31, 2024. - list
  39. ↑ "TOWNSHIP WEBSITES | Ohio Township Association". Archived from the original on July 15, 2016.

Further reading

40°08′N84°37′W / 40.13°N 84.62°W / 40.13; -84.62

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