Fayette County, Ohio

Not to be confused with Fayette, Ohio.

Fayette County
County
Fayette County Courthouse
Flag Seal
Location within the U.S. state of Ohio
Ohio's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 39°34′N83°27′W / 39.56°N 83.45°W / 39.56; -83.45
Country	United States
State	Ohio
Founded	March 1, 1810 [1]
Named for	Marquis de Lafayette
Seat	Washington Court House
Largest city	Washington Court House
Area
• Total	407 sq mi (1,050 km2)
• Land	406 sq mi (1,050 km2)
• Water	0.7 sq mi (2 km2)  0.2%
Population  (2020)
• Total	28,951
• Density	71/sq mi (27/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional districts	2nd, 15th
Website	www.fayette-co-oh.com

Fayette County is a county located in the U.S. state of Ohio. As of the 2020 census, the population was 28,951. ^[2] Its county seat and largest city is Washington Court House. ^[3] The county was named for the Marquis de Lafayette, ^[4] a Frenchman who was an officer in the American Army in the Revolution, when established on March 1, 1810. Fayette County comprises the Washington Court House, OH Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Columbus-Marion-Zanesville, OH Combined Statistical Area.

History

Fayette County was formed on March 1, 1810, from portions of Highland and Ross Counties. It was named after Marie-Joseph Motier, Marquis de La Fayette, a French general and politician who took the side of the Colonials during the American Revolutionary War and who played an important role in the French Revolution. ^[5]

Parks

Trails

Tri-County Triangle Trail - This trail goes between Washington Court House and Chillicothe. ^[6]

Clinton-Fayette Friendship Trail - This trail goes between Melvin to Borum Road and starts back at Bush Road to Jamison Road.^{[ citation needed ]}

Xenia-Jamestown Connector - Opened in 2022, this trail allows travel from Xenia to Octa. This trail is 18.5 miles (29.8 km) long. ^{[7] [8]}

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 407 square miles (1,050 km²), of which 406 square miles (1,050 km²) is land and 0.7 square miles (1.8 km²) (0.2%) is water. ^[9]

Adjacent counties

• Madison County (north)
• Pickaway County (northeast)
• Ross County (southeast)
• Highland County (south)
• Clinton County (southwest)
• Greene County (northwest)

Major highways

• I-71
• US 22
• US 35
• US 62
• SR 38
• SR 41
• SR 435
• SR 729
• SR 734
• SR 753

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1810	1,854		—
1820	6,316		240.7%
1830	8,182		29.5%
1840	10,984		34.2%
1850	12,726		15.9%
1860	15,935		25.2%
1870	17,170		7.8%
1880	20,364		18.6%
1890	22,309		9.6%
1900	21,725		−2.6%
1910	21,744		0.1%
1920	21,518		−1.0%
1930	20,755		−3.5%
1940	21,385		3.0%
1950	22,554		5.5%
1960	24,775		9.8%
1970	25,461		2.8%
1980	27,467		7.9%
1990	27,466		0.0%
2000	28,433		3.5%
2010	29,030		2.1%
2020	28,951		−0.3%
U.S. Decennial Census [10] 1790-1960 [11] 1900-1990 [12] 1990-2000 [13] 2020 [14]

2000 census

As of the census ^[15] of 2010, there were 29,030 people, 11,436 households, and 7,834 families living in the county. The population density was 71.4 inhabitants per square mile (27.6/km²). There were 12,693 housing units at an average density of 31.2 units per square mile (12.0 units/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 94.63% White, 2.02% Black or African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.54% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.80% from other races, and 1.74% from two or more races. 1.79% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 11,436 households, out of which 32.53% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.05% were married couples living together, 13.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.50% were non-families. 25.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.34% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.67% under the age of 18, 7.88% from 18 to 24, 24.89% from 25 to 44, 27.59% from 45 to 64, and 14.97% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.4 years. For every 100 females there were 96.69 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.56 males.

As of 2013 ^[update] , the median income for a household in the county was $37,619, and the median income for a family was $45,108. Males had a median income of $30,516 versus $20,223 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,603. About 16.1% of families and 20.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.4% of those under age 18 and 9.1% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 29,030 people, 11,436 households, and 7,834 families living in the county. ^[16] The population density was 71.4 inhabitants per square mile (27.6/km²). There were 12,693 housing units at an average density of 31.2 units per square mile (12.0 units/km²). ^[17] The racial makeup of the county was 94.6% white, 2.0% black or African American, 0.5% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.8% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.8% of the population. ^[16] In terms of ancestry, 21.9% were German, 15.4% were American, 10.6% were Irish, and 9.7% were English. ^[18]

Of the 11,436 households, 33.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.0% were married couples living together, 13.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 31.5% were non-families, and 25.8% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.95. The median age was 39.4 years. ^[16]

The median income for a household in the county was $39,599 and the median income for a family was $48,424. Males had a median income of $39,078 versus $31,434 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,525. About 12.9% of families and 17.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.6% of those under age 18 and 9.6% of those age 65 or over. ^[19]

Politics

Fayette County is a stronghold of the Republican party in presidential elections; it has voted Democratic only four times since 1856.

United States presidential election results for Fayette County, Ohio ^[20]

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party(ies)
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2024	9,706	76.95%	2,773	21.98%	135	1.07%
2020	9,473	75.03%	2,975	23.56%	178	1.41%
2016	7,995	71.18%	2,739	24.39%	498	4.43%
2012	6,620	59.97%	4,249	38.49%	169	1.53%
2008	7,102	60.61%	4,401	37.56%	215	1.83%
2004	7,376	62.74%	4,334	36.86%	47	0.40%
2000	5,685	61.27%	3,363	36.25%	230	2.48%
1996	4,831	50.29%	3,665	38.15%	1,111	11.56%
1992	4,916	48.74%	2,976	29.51%	2,194	21.75%
1988	6,186	69.72%	2,623	29.56%	64	0.72%
1984	6,838	75.80%	2,126	23.57%	57	0.63%
1980	5,827	64.26%	2,810	30.99%	431	4.75%
1976	5,719	55.18%	4,477	43.20%	168	1.62%
1972	6,970	73.25%	2,344	24.63%	201	2.11%
1968	5,339	51.99%	2,966	28.88%	1,964	19.13%
1964	4,567	42.70%	6,128	57.30%	0	0.00%
1960	7,085	64.11%	3,966	35.89%	0	0.00%
1956	6,696	66.00%	3,449	34.00%	0	0.00%
1952	6,800	63.66%	3,882	36.34%	0	0.00%
1948	4,865	57.95%	3,513	41.85%	17	0.20%
1944	5,933	60.06%	3,945	39.94%	0	0.00%
1940	5,984	53.27%	5,249	46.73%	0	0.00%
1936	4,841	45.29%	5,807	54.33%	41	0.38%
1932	4,254	44.74%	5,157	54.24%	97	1.02%
1928	5,251	65.23%	2,752	34.19%	47	0.58%
1924	4,542	60.27%	2,696	35.77%	298	3.95%
1920	5,446	58.55%	3,812	40.98%	43	0.46%
1916	2,772	50.53%	2,616	47.69%	98	1.79%
1912	2,186	39.72%	2,261	41.08%	1,057	19.20%
1908	3,343	56.84%	2,451	41.68%	87	1.48%
1904	3,331	62.47%	1,880	35.26%	121	2.27%
1900	3,380	57.25%	2,438	41.29%	86	1.46%
1896	3,357	54.54%	2,748	44.65%	50	0.81%
1892	2,838	55.26%	1,989	38.73%	309	6.02%
1888	3,316	58.44%	2,192	38.63%	166	2.93%
1884	3,171	58.87%	2,160	40.10%	55	1.02%
1880	2,830	56.99%	2,111	42.51%	25	0.50%
1876	2,436	55.59%	1,874	42.77%	72	1.64%
1872	2,140	57.88%	1,545	41.79%	12	0.32%
1868	1,970	58.88%	1,376	41.12%	0	0.00%
1864	1,848	59.83%	1,241	40.17%	0	0.00%
1860	1,458	50.59%	1,121	38.90%	303	10.51%
1856	1,209	49.11%	880	35.74%	373	15.15%

Government

Fayette County has a 3-member Board of County Commissioners that oversee the various County departments, similar to all but 2 of the 88 Ohio counties. As of 2021, Fayette County's elected commissioners are Tony Anderson, Dan Dean, and Jim Garland. ^[21]

Transportation

Airport

Fayette County Airport is a general aviation facility owned by the county and located northeast of the city of Washington Court House.

Communities

Map of Fayette County, Ohio with Municipal and Township Labels

City

• Washington Court House (county seat)

Villages

• Bloomingburg
• Jeffersonville
• Milledgeville
• New Holland (partly in Pickaway County)
• Octa

Townships

• Concord
• Green
• Jasper
• Jefferson
• Madison
• Marion
• Paint
• Perry
• Union
• Wayne

Census-designated places

• Good Hope
• Pancoastburg

Unincorporated communities

• Blessing
• Bookwalter
• Boyds
• Buena Vista
• Cook
• Cunningham
• Eber
• Edgefield
• Fairview
• Georgetown
• Ghormley
• Glendon
• Hagler
• Jasper Mills
• Johnson
• Luray
• Luttrell
• Madison Mills
• Manara
• McLean
• New Martinsburg
• Parrott
• Plano
• Pleasant View
• Rock Mills
• Shady Grove
• South Plymouth
• Staunton
• West Lancaster
• White Oak
• Yankeetown
• Yatesville

See also

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

References

1. "Ohio County Profiles: Fayette County" (PDF). Ohio Department of Development. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 21, 2007. Retrieved April 28, 2007.
2. "2020 Population and Housing State Data". Census.gov. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
3. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 3, 2015. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
4. Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp.  124.
5. Kilbourn, John (1833). The Ohio Gazetteer, or, a Topographical Dictionary. Scott and Wright. pp.  194 . Retrieved December 12, 2013.
6. Tri-County Triangle
7. Xenia-Jamestown Connector. Accessed:November 21, 2024
8. Stahl, Dan. Trails in Fayette Co.: A step in the right direction. Record Herald. May 8, 2023. Accessed: November 21, 2024.
9. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on May 4, 2014. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
10. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
11. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
12. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
13. "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.
14. 2020 census
15. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
16. "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.
17. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
18. "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.
19. "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.
20. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved May 1, 2018.
21. "County Commissioners". Fayette County Ohio Home Page. Retrieved April 14, 2021.

39°34′N83°27′W / 39.56°N 83.45°W / 39.56; -83.45