West Jefferson, Ohio

For the community in Williams County, see West Jefferson, Williams County, Ohio.

West Jefferson, Ohio
Village
Main Street
Location of West Jefferson, Ohio
Location of West Jefferson in Madison County
Coordinates: 39°56′48″N83°18′23″W / 39.94667°N 83.30639°W / 39.94667; -83.30639
Country	United States
State	Ohio
County	Madison
Area [1]
• Total	9.94 sq mi (25.74 km2)
• Land	9.92 sq mi (25.69 km2)
• Water	0.02 sq mi (0.05 km2)
Elevation [2]	971 ft (296 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	4,137
• Density	417.12/sq mi (161.04/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code	43162
Area code(s)	614 and 380
FIPS code	39-83580
GNIS feature ID	2400132 [2]
Website	www.westjeffersonohio.gov

West Jefferson is a village in Madison County, Ohio, United States. The population was 4,137 at the 2020 census. Located along U.S. Route 40, the village has a fairly close relationship with the surrounding township, which include various out-of-corporation-limit neighborhoods (including Haymarket Road, Olmstead Road, Forrest Lake Estates, Goodson Road/Enchanted Valley, and North and South Road).

History

West Jefferson was originally called New Hampton, and under the latter name was platted c. 1831. ^[3] A post office called West Jefferson has been in operation since 1833. ^[4]

2021 shooting

On May 24, 2021, a mass shooting occurred at an apartment complex in West Jefferson. Three men and one woman were killed, with three of the victims being found inside the building and one outside. A motive has not been determined for the shooting. On June 14, a suspect was arrested and charged with the killings. The shooting marked West Jefferson's first homicides since April 2012. ^{[5] [6] [7] [8]} In February 2024, the shooter, John Steckel, was convicted of four counts of aggravated murder for the shooting and was sentenced to life without parole. ^[9]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 4.87 square miles (12.61 km²), of which 4.85 square miles (12.56 km²) is land and 0.02 square miles (0.05 km²) is water. ^[10]

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1850	436		—
1860	460		5.5%
1880	720		—
1890	778		8.1%
1900	803		3.2%
1910	1,043		29.9%
1920	1,170		12.2%
1930	1,376		17.6%
1940	1,386		0.7%
1950	1,647		18.8%
1960	2,774		68.4%
1970	3,664		32.1%
1980	4,448		21.4%
1990	4,505		1.3%
2000	4,331		−3.9%
2010	4,222		−2.5%
2020	4,137		−2.0%
U.S. Decennial Census [11]

2010 census

As of the census ^[12] of 2010, there were 4,222 people, 1,617 households, and 1,149 families residing in the village. The population density was 870.5 inhabitants per square mile (336.1/km²). There were 1,709 housing units at an average density of 352.4 per square mile (136.1/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 97.6% White, 0.5% African American, 0.3% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.9% of the population.

There were 1,617 households, of which 35.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.3% were married couples living together, 13.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 28.9% were non-families. 25.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.02.

The median age in the village was 38.5 years. 25.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.4% were from 25 to 44; 25.6% were from 45 to 64; and 15.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the village was 48.9% male and 51.1% female.

2000 census

As of the census ^[13] of 2000, there were 4,331 people, 1,631 households, and 1,180 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,306.0 inhabitants per square mile (504.2/km²). There were 1,704 housing units at an average density of 513.8 per square mile (198.4/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 99.01% White, 0.02% African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.14% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.09% from other races, and 0.55% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.58% of the population.

There were 1,631 households, out of which 36.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.5% were married couples living together, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.6% were non-families. 22.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.07.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 27.4% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 29.5% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 13.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 95.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.7 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $41,949, and the median income for a family was $50,046. Males had a median income of $36,073 versus $26,734 for females. The per capita income for the village was $20,425. About 6.1% of families and 5.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.6% of those under age 18 and 6.5% of those age 65 or over.

Library

West Jefferson is served by the Hurt/Battelle Memorial Library. In 2005, the library loaned more than 81,000 items to its 9,500 cardholders. Total holdings are over 57,000 volumes with over 60 periodical subscriptions. The Library also has a large collection of VHS tapes. ^[14]

References

1. "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
2. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: West Jefferson, Ohio
3. Overman, William Daniel (1958). Ohio Town Names. Akron, OH: Atlantic Press. p. 142.
4. "Post offices". Jim Forte Postal History. Retrieved June 21, 2016.
5. Wong, Wilson (May 25, 2021). "Four dead in shooting at Ohio apartment". NBC News. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
6. Lenthang, Marlene (May 25, 2021). "4 dead in shooting at Ohio suburb apartment". ABC News. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
7. Cooley, Patrick (May 25, 2021). "West Jefferson in shock after mass shooting leaves three males, one female dead". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
8. Bruner, Bethany (June 14, 2021). "Man charged with four counts of murder in West Jefferson mass shooting". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
9. "Man sentenced for 2021 quadruple homicide". WSYX. WSYX (Fox 28). February 3, 2024. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
10. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 25, 2012. Retrieved January 6, 2013.
11. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
12. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 6, 2013.
13. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
14. "2005 Ohio Public Library Statistics:Statistics by County and Town". State Library of Ohio. Archived from the original on September 24, 2006. Retrieved November 6, 2006.

External links

• Official website
• Hurt/Battelle Memorial Library