Erie County, Ohio

Erie County
County
Erie County Courthouse
Flag Seal
Location within the U.S. state of Ohio
Ohio's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 41°31′N82°37′W / 41.51°N 82.61°W / 41.51; -82.61
Country	United States
State	Ohio
Founded	March 16, 1838 [1]
Named for	Erie tribe
Seat	Sandusky
Largest city	Sandusky
Area
• Total	626 sq mi (1,620 km2)
• Land	252 sq mi (650 km2)
• Water	374 sq mi (970 km2)  60%
Population  (2020)
• Total	75,622
• Density	120/sq mi (50/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district	9th
Website	eriecounty.oh.gov

Erie County is a county in the northern portion of the U.S. state of Ohio. As of the 2020 census, the population was 75,622. ^[2] Its county seat and largest city is Sandusky. ^[3] The county is named for the Erie tribe, whose name was their word for "wildcat". ^[4] It was formed in 1838 from the northern third of Huron County and a portion of Sandusky County.

Erie County is included in the Sandusky, OH Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Cleveland-Akron-Canton, OH Combined Statistical Area. ^[5]

History

Erie County was created in 1838 from a portion of Huron County. A few subsequent changes to Erie County's boundaries occurred shortly after its initial formation. ^[6]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 626 square miles (1,620 km²), of which 252 square miles (650 km²) is land and 374 square miles (970 km²) (60%) is water. ^[7] It is the second-smallest county in Ohio by land area after Lake County. The county is bordered on the north by Lake Erie; the opposite shore is made up of two counties in Ontario, Canada.

It is drained by the Huron and Vermilion rivers. Near the Huron River are several ancient earthwork mounds and enclosures constructed by early indigenous peoples. Sandusky has extensive quarries of valuable limestone. The surface is generally level, and the soil alluvial and exceedingly fertile. ^[8]

Adjacent counties and municipalities

• Essex County, Ontario (north, across Lake Erie)
• Chatham-Kent municipality, Ontario (north, across Lake Erie)
• Lorain County (east)
• Huron County (south)
• Sandusky County (west)
• Ottawa County (northwest)

Major highways

• I-80  / I-90 (Ohio Turnpike)
• US 6
• US 250
• SR 2
• SR 4
• SR 13
• SR 60
• SR 61
• SR 99
• SR 101
• SR 113
• SR 269

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1840	12,599		—
1850	18,568		47.4%
1860	24,474		31.8%
1870	28,188		15.2%
1880	32,640		15.8%
1890	35,462		8.6%
1900	37,650		6.2%
1910	38,327		1.8%
1920	39,789		3.8%
1930	42,133		5.9%
1940	43,201		2.5%
1950	52,565		21.7%
1960	68,000		29.4%
1970	75,909		11.6%
1980	79,655		4.9%
1990	76,779		−3.6%
2000	79,551		3.6%
2010	77,079		−3.1%
2020	75,622		−1.9%
U.S. Decennial Census [9] 1790-1960 [10] 1900-1990 [11] 1990-2000 [12] 2020 [2]

2000 census

As of the census ^[13] of 2000, there were 79,551 people, 31,727 households, and 21,764 families residing in the county. The population density was 312 inhabitants per square mile (120/km²). There were 35,909 housing units at an average density of 141 units per square mile (54/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 88.64% White, 8.64% Black or African American, 0.21% Native American, 0.37% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.53% from other races, and 1.60% from two or more races. 2.09% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 35.7% were of German, 9.2% Irish, 8.2% English, 8.1% Italian, and 7.8% American ancestry according to Census 2000.

There were 31,727 households, out of which 30.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.70% were married couples living together, 11.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.40% were non-families. 27.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.80% 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 2.97.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.70% under the age of 18, 7.20% from 18 to 24, 27.00% from 25 to 44, 25.50% from 45 to 64, and 15.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 95.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $42,746, and the median income for a family was $51,756. Males had a median income of $39,249 versus $23,697 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,530. About 6.00% of families and 8.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.60% of those under age 18 and 6.80% of those age 65 or over.

In 2008, the Census Bureau announced that the county's population had declined to an estimated 77,323 by July 1, 2007. ^[14]

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 77,079 people, 31,860 households, and 21,011 families residing in the county. ^[15] The population density was 306.4 inhabitants per square mile (118.3/km²). There were 37,845 housing units at an average density of 150.4 units per square mile (58.1 units/km²). ^[16] The racial makeup of the county was 87.0% white, 8.6% black or African American, 0.6% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 0.7% from other races, and 2.8% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 3.4% of the population. ^[15] In terms of ancestry, 38.8% were German, 15.2% were Irish, 11.7% were English, 8.5% were Italian, and 4.6% were American. ^[17]

Of the 31,860 households, 29.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.5% were married couples living together, 12.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 34.1% were non-families, and 28.6% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.89. The median age was 43.4 years. ^[15]

The median income for a household in the county was $46,593 and the median income for a family was $61,247. Males had a median income of $46,211 versus $32,621 for females. The per capita income for the county was $25,290. About 8.5% of families and 12.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.1% of those under age 18 and 8.5% of those age 65 or over. ^[18]

Government and politics

See also: Ohio county government

Erie County Office Building

Patrick Shenigo is the Chairman of the Erie County Commission, the highest elected position in the county.

From 1992 to 2012, Erie County consistently voted Democratic. In 2016, however, it swung from a 12.3% margin for Barack Obama to a 9.5% margin for Donald Trump, tracking with Trump's unexpectedly strong showing in the Rust Belt. Trump further increased his margin of victory to 11.5% in 2020. In 2024, Trump won the highest percentage of the vote in the county since 1984.

United States presidential election results for Erie County, Ohio ^[19]

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party(ies)
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2024	22,493	56.32%	16,871	42.24%	573	1.43%
2020	22,160	54.83%	17,493	43.28%	763	1.89%
2016	19,648	51.89%	16,057	42.41%	2,157	5.70%
2012	16,952	42.92%	21,793	55.17%	755	1.91%
2008	17,432	42.13%	23,148	55.95%	795	1.92%
2004	18,597	46.39%	21,421	53.44%	67	0.17%
2000	16,105	45.99%	17,732	50.64%	1,178	3.36%
1996	12,204	36.49%	16,730	50.02%	4,515	13.50%
1992	12,459	34.77%	14,531	40.56%	8,838	24.67%
1988	16,670	51.77%	15,097	46.89%	431	1.34%
1984	19,174	57.83%	13,508	40.74%	472	1.42%
1980	15,628	51.29%	12,343	40.51%	2,499	8.20%
1976	14,742	50.01%	13,843	46.96%	893	3.03%
1972	16,714	58.46%	10,889	38.09%	988	3.46%
1968	13,023	48.50%	11,388	42.41%	2,438	9.08%
1964	9,981	38.46%	15,968	61.54%	0	0.00%
1960	15,092	57.94%	10,954	42.06%	0	0.00%
1956	14,771	70.18%	6,276	29.82%	0	0.00%
1952	14,245	65.36%	7,549	34.64%	0	0.00%
1948	9,568	52.28%	8,644	47.23%	90	0.49%
1944	10,663	57.90%	7,753	42.10%	0	0.00%
1940	11,267	54.90%	9,254	45.10%	0	0.00%
1936	6,869	36.69%	10,376	55.43%	1,475	7.88%
1932	7,666	40.68%	10,765	57.13%	412	2.19%
1928	10,380	57.68%	7,570	42.06%	46	0.26%
1924	7,689	54.34%	2,968	20.97%	3,494	24.69%
1920	8,755	62.36%	4,831	34.41%	453	3.23%
1916	4,170	43.12%	5,152	53.27%	349	3.61%
1912	2,695	30.22%	3,504	39.29%	2,720	30.50%
1908	5,366	50.14%	4,983	46.56%	353	3.30%
1904	5,764	58.67%	3,648	37.13%	413	4.20%
1900	5,353	51.95%	4,837	46.94%	115	1.12%
1896	5,442	53.18%	4,641	45.35%	150	1.47%
1892	3,979	47.28%	4,195	49.85%	242	2.88%
1888	3,721	45.49%	4,322	52.84%	136	1.66%
1884	3,507	45.51%	4,044	52.48%	155	2.01%
1880	3,661	51.51%	3,305	46.50%	141	1.98%
1876	3,158	49.40%	3,112	48.68%	123	1.92%
1872	2,905	55.75%	2,287	43.89%	19	0.36%
1868	3,130	62.43%	1,884	37.57%	0	0.00%
1864	3,033	62.41%	1,827	37.59%	0	0.00%
1860	2,886	63.57%	1,538	33.88%	116	2.56%
1856	2,258	60.86%	1,377	37.12%	75	2.02%

County officials

Office	Name	Party
Commissioner	Steve Shoffner	Republican
Commissioner	Matt Old	Republican
Commissioner	Patrick J. Shenigo	Republican
Prosecutor	Kevin J. Baxter	Democrat
Sheriff	Paul A. Sigsworth	Democrat
Clerk of Courts	Luvada S. Wilson	Democrat
Recorder	Ellen Olsen	Democrat
Treasurer	Caleb A. Stidham	Republican
Engineer	John "Jack" D. Farschman	Democrat
Coroner	Brian A. Baxter	Republican
Auditor	Richard H. Jeffrey	Republican
Common Pleas Court Judge	Tygh M. Tone	Democrat
Common Pleas Court Judge	Roger E. Binette	Republican
Common Pleas Court Judge	Beverly K. McGookey	Democrat
Juvenile Court Judge	Robert C. DeLamatre	Republican

^{[20] [21]}

Courthouse

Main article: Erie County Courthouse (Ohio)

Erie County's courthouse at 323 Columbus Avenue in Sandusky was built in 1872 by Cleveland architects Myer and Holmes in a richly ornamented Second Empire style. Most of the façade was remodeled beginning in 1936 in Art Deco in a WPA project led locally by architect Henry Millott. Some of the original façade remains visible around the bottom row of windows. ^[22]

Education

All or part of eleven school districts serve Erie County and its residents:

• Bellevue City School District: includes parts of Bellevue and Groton Township.
• Edison Local School District: includes parts of Berlin Heights and Milan, and Berlin, Florence, Huron, Milan, Oxford, Perkins, and Vermilion Townships.
• Firelands Local School District: includes parts of Florence Township.
• Huron City School District: includes parts of Huron and Berlin, Huron, and Milan Townships.
• Kelleys Island Local School District: includes all of Kelleys Island.
• Margaretta Local School District: includes parts of Bay View and Castalia, and Groton and Margaretta Townships.
• Monroeville Local School District: includes parts of Oxford Township.
• Perkins Local School District: includes parts of Groton, Huron, Margaretta, Milan, Oxford, and Perkins Townships.
• Sandusky Central Catholic Schools: includes Sandusky's three catholic Parishes (St. Mary's, Sts. Peter & Paul, and Holy Angels).
• St. Peter's School: a private catholic elementary school in Huron
• Sandusky City School District: includes all of Sandusky.
• Vermilion Local School District: includes parts of Vermilion and Florence and Vermilion Townships.
• Western Reserve Local School District: including parts of Florence Township.

Communities

Map of Erie County, Ohio With Municipal and Township Labels

Cities

• Bellevue (part)
• Huron
• Sandusky (county seat)
• Vermilion (part)

Villages

• Bay View
• Berlin Heights
• Castalia
• Kelleys Island
• Milan (part)

Townships

• Berlin
• Florence
• Groton
• Huron
• Margaretta
• Milan
• Oxford
• Perkins
• Vermilion

Census-designated places

• Beulah Beach
• Crystal Rock
• Mitiwanga
• Whites Landing

Unincorporated communities

• Avery
• Axtel
• Birmingham
• Bloomingville
• Bogart
• Ceylon
• Fairview Lanes
• Florence
• Ruggles Beach
• Sandusky South

Places of interest

• Blue Hole
• Cedar Point
• Plum Brook Station
• Thomas Alva Edison Birthplace

See also

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

References

1. "Ohio County Profiles: Erie County" (PDF). Ohio Department of Development. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 21, 2007. Retrieved April 28, 2007.
2. Bureau, US Census. "2020 Population and Housing State Data". Census.gov.{{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
3. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
4. "Erie County data". Ohio State University Extension Data Center. Retrieved April 28, 2007.^{[ dead link ‍]}
5. "OMB Bulletin No. 23-01: Revised Delineations of Metropolitan Statistical Areas, Micropolitan Statistical Areas, and Combined Statistical Areas, and Guidance on Uses of the Delineations of These Areas" (PDF). United States Office of Management and Budget . July 21, 2023.
6. Standard History of Erie County, Ohio; Peeke, 1916
7. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on May 4, 2014. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
8. "Erie. III. A N. county of Ohio"  . Encyclopedia Americana . 1920.
9. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
10. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
11. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
12. "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.
13. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
14. "Annual Estimates of the Population of Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas: April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2007 (CBSA-EST2007-01)". 2007 Population Estimates. United States Census Bureau, Population Division. March 27, 2008. Archived from the original (CSV) on September 5, 2008. Retrieved February 7, 2009.
15. "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.
16. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
17. "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.
18. "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.
19. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved May 1, 2018.
20. "404 Not Found". www.eriecounty.oh.gov.{{cite web}}: Cite uses generic title (help)
21. "Erie County Board of Elections website: elected officials". February 12, 2024.
22. Center, Sandusky Library Archives Research (May 25, 2017). "Sandusky History: Erie County Courthouse, Built in the 1870s".

Further reading

• William W. Williams, History of the Fire Lands, Comprising Huron and Erie Counties, Ohio: With Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some of the Prominent Men and Pioneers. Cleveland, OH: Press of Leader Printing Company, 1879.

External links

• Erie County Government's website Archived December 9, 2004, at the Wayback Machine

41°31′N82°37′W / 41.51°N 82.61°W / 41.51; -82.61