Darke County, Ohio

Darke County
County
Darke County Courthouse, Sheriff's House and Jail
Location within the U.S. state of Ohio
Ohio's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 40°08′N84°37′W / 40.13°N 84.62°W / 40.13; -84.62
Country	United States
State	Ohio
Founded	March 1, 1817
Named for	William Darke
Seat	Greenville
Largest city	Greenville
Area
• Total	600 sq mi (2,000 km2)
• Land	598 sq mi (1,550 km2)
• Water	1.7 sq mi (4 km2)  0.3%%
Population  (2020)
• Total	51,881
• Density	86/sq mi (33/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
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.

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. ^[5]

Adjacent counties

• Mercer County (north)
• Shelby County (northeast)
• Miami County (east)
• Montgomery County (southeast)
• Preble County (south)
• Wayne County, Indiana (southwest)
• Randolph County, Indiana (west)
• Jay County, Indiana (northwest)

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1820	3,622		—
1830	6,204		71.3%
1840	13,282		114.1%
1850	20,276		52.7%
1860	26,009		28.3%
1870	32,278		24.1%
1880	40,496		25.5%
1890	42,961		6.1%
1900	42,532		−1.0%
1910	42,933		0.9%
1920	42,911		−0.1%
1930	38,009		−11.4%
1940	38,831		2.2%
1950	41,799		7.6%
1960	45,612		9.1%
1970	49,141		7.7%
1980	55,096		12.1%
1990	53,619		−2.7%
2000	53,309		−0.6%
2010	52,959		−0.7%
2020	51,881		−2.0%
U.S. Decennial Census [6] 1790-1960 [7] 1900-1990 [8] 1990-2000 [9] 2020 [1]

2000 census

As of the census ^[10] 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.

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. ^[11] 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). ^[12] 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. ^[11] In terms of ancestry, 38.9% were German, 11.5% were American, 10.6% were Irish, and 9.0% were English. ^[13]

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. ^[11]

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. ^[14]

Politics

Originally settled by numerous migrants from the South, Darke County supported Democratic presidential candidates prior to 1912. It voted for Republicans only three times from 1856 to 1908. The county was a bellwether from 1912 to 1936.

Starting with the 1940 election, it has become a Republican stronghold in presidential elections. Lyndon B. Johnson was the only Democratic candidate supported by county voters since then.

United States presidential election results for Darke County, Ohio ^[15]

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2020	22,004	81.01%	4,731	17.42%	426	1.57%
2016	20,012	78.17%	4,470	17.46%	1,119	4.37%
2012	18,108	71.21%	6,826	26.84%	496	1.95%
2008	17,290	66.92%	7,964	30.82%	584	2.26%
2004	18,306	69.57%	7,846	29.82%	161	0.61%
2000	14,817	63.68%	7,741	33.27%	709	3.05%
1996	10,798	46.88%	8,871	38.52%	3,363	14.60%
1992	11,098	45.44%	7,016	28.72%	6,312	25.84%
1988	14,914	67.93%	6,851	31.21%	189	0.86%
1984	16,379	72.81%	5,904	26.25%	211	0.94%
1980	12,773	58.17%	7,635	34.77%	1,550	7.06%
1976	11,580	52.75%	9,901	45.10%	472	2.15%
1972	13,862	65.71%	6,534	30.97%	700	3.32%
1968	10,926	53.78%	7,371	36.28%	2,018	9.93%
1964	8,581	40.83%	12,433	59.17%	0	0.00%
1960	14,048	64.55%	7,715	35.45%	0	0.00%
1956	13,447	65.32%	7,138	34.68%	0	0.00%
1952	13,670	64.28%	7,597	35.72%	0	0.00%
1948	8,956	50.28%	8,770	49.23%	87	0.49%
1944	11,135	58.08%	8,036	41.92%	0	0.00%
1940	11,147	53.60%	9,651	46.40%	0	0.00%
1936	8,375	41.29%	11,114	54.79%	794	3.91%
1932	8,284	41.65%	11,122	55.92%	483	2.43%
1928	11,765	66.34%	5,822	32.83%	147	0.83%
1924	9,166	52.92%	7,316	42.24%	839	4.84%
1920	9,552	52.59%	8,459	46.58%	151	0.83%
1916	4,322	39.78%	6,186	56.94%	357	3.29%
1912	3,107	30.43%	5,027	49.24%	2,075	20.33%
1908	4,951	42.60%	6,391	54.99%	281	2.42%
1904	5,203	49.26%	5,030	47.62%	329	3.11%
1900	4,834	43.79%	6,003	54.38%	201	1.82%
1896	4,384	41.28%	6,151	57.92%	84	0.79%
1892	3,737	39.99%	4,916	52.61%	691	7.40%
1888	4,267	41.84%	5,495	53.88%	437	4.28%
1884	4,390	44.29%	5,442	54.91%	79	0.80%
1880	4,046	43.46%	5,167	55.51%	96	1.03%
1876	3,577	43.38%	4,667	56.60%	1	0.01%
1872	3,069	52.35%	2,760	47.07%	34	0.58%
1868	2,989	48.73%	3,145	51.27%	0	0.00%
1864	2,584	48.90%	2,700	51.10%	0	0.00%
1860	2,460	49.23%	2,479	49.61%	58	1.16%
1856	2,086	48.70%	1,988	46.42%	209	4.88%

Government

Darke County has a three-member Board of County Commissioners who oversee the various county departments, in similar fashion to all but two of the 88 Ohio counties. Darke County's elected commissioners are Mike Rhoades, Mike Stegall, and Matt Aultman. ^[16]

Education

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)

Communities

Map of Darke County, Ohio with Municipal and Township Labels

City

• Greenville (county seat)

Villages

• Ansonia
• Arcanum
• Bradford
• Burkettsville
• Castine
• Gettysburg
• Gordon
• Hollansburg
• Ithaca
• New Madison
• New Weston
• North Star
• Osgood
• Palestine
• Pitsburg
• Rossburg
• Union City
• Versailles
• Wayne Lakes
• Yorkshire

Townships

^[17]

• Adams
• Allen
• Brown
• Butler
• Franklin
• Greenville
• Harrison
• Jackson
• Liberty
• Mississinawa
• Monroe
• Neave
• Patterson
• Richland
• Twin
• Van Buren
• Wabash
• Washington
• Wayne
• York

Unincorporated communities

• Abbottsville
• Beamsville
• Braffetsville
• Brock
• Coletown
• Dawn
• Delisle
• Fort Jefferson
• Frenchtown
• Hill Grove
• Horatio
• Jaysville
• Lightsville
• Nashville
• New Harrison
• Otterbein
• Painter Creek
• Pikeville
• Poplar Ridge
• Rose Hill
• Savona
• Stelvideo
• Tampico
• Weavers
• Webster
• Willowdell
• Woodington
• Yankeetown

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

• Joseph Lowery Johnson, U.S. ambassador to Liberia
• Matt Light, NFL football player
• Lucullus Virgil McWhorter, farmer and frontiersman
• Annie Oakley, famed 19th-century markswoman
• Lowell Thomas, travel author and broadcaster

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Darke County, Ohio

Footnotes

1. 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. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on May 4, 2014. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
6. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
7. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
8. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
9. "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.
10. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
11. "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.
12. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
13. "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.
14. "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.
15. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved May 1, 2018.
16. "Elected Officials". Darke County Ohio Homepage. Archived from the original on February 19, 2015. Retrieved March 13, 2017.
17. "TOWNSHIP WEBSITES | Ohio Township Association". Archived from the original on July 15, 2016.

Further reading

• Frazer E. Wilson, History of Darke County, Ohio from Its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time: Also Biographical Sketches of Many Representative Citizens of the County. In Two Volumes. Milford, OH: Hobart Publishing Co., 1914. Volume 1 | Volume 2
• A Biographical History of Darke County, Ohio: Compendium of National Biography. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1900.
• The History of Darke County, Ohio Containing a History of the County; Its Cities, Towns, etc.; General and Local Statistics; Portraits of Early Settlers and Prominent Men; History of the Northwest Territory; History of Ohio; Map of Darke County; Constitution of the United States, Miscellaneous Matters, etc., etc. Chicago: W.H. Beers and Co., 1880.

External links

• Darke County Government's website

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