Preble County (/ˈprɛbəl/ PREH-bəl[3]) is a county located in the U.S. state of Ohio. As of the 2020 census, the population was 40,999,[4] down 3.0% from the 2010 census population of 42,270.[5] Its county seat is Eaton.[6] The county was formed on February 15, 1808, from portions of Butler and Montgomery Counties. It is named for Edward Preble, a naval officer who fought in the American Revolutionary War and against the Barbary Pirates.[7]
Preble County | |
|---|---|
 Preble County Courthouse | |
 Flag  Seal | |
 Location within the U.S. state of Ohio | |
 Ohio's location within the U.S. | |
| Coordinates: 39°44′N 84°39′W / 39.74°N 84.65°W | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Ohio |
| Founded | March 1, 1808[1][2] |
| Named for | Edward Preble |
| Seat | Eaton |
| Largest city | Eaton |
| Area | |
• Total | 426 sq mi (1,100 km2) |
| • Land | 424 sq mi (1,100 km2) |
| • Water | 2.3 sq mi (6 km2) 0.5% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 40,999  |
| • Density | 96/sq mi (37/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional district | 8th |
| Website | www |
Geography
editAccording to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 426 square miles (1,100 km2), of which 424 square miles (1,100 km2) is land and 2.3 square miles (6.0 km2) (0.5%) is water.[8]
Adjacent counties
edit- Darke County (north)
- Montgomery County (east)
- Butler County (south)
- Union County, Indiana (southwest)
- Wayne County, Indiana (northwest)
Rivers and streams
edit- Little Four Mile Creek[9]
- Harker's Run
- Seven Mile Creek
- Twin Creek
- Price Creek[10]
- Goose Creek
- Pottinger Run
Demographics
edit| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1810 | 3,304 | — | |
| 1820 | 10,237 | 209.8% | |
| 1830 | 16,291 | 59.1% | |
| 1840 | 19,482 | 19.6% | |
| 1850 | 21,736 | 11.6% | |
| 1860 | 21,820 | 0.4% | |
| 1870 | 21,809 | −0.1% | |
| 1880 | 24,533 | 12.5% | |
| 1890 | 23,421 | −4.5% | |
| 1900 | 23,713 | 1.2% | |
| 1910 | 23,834 | 0.5% | |
| 1920 | 23,238 | −2.5% | |
| 1930 | 22,455 | −3.4% | |
| 1940 | 23,329 | 3.9% | |
| 1950 | 27,081 | 16.1% | |
| 1960 | 32,498 | 20.0% | |
| 1970 | 34,719 | 6.8% | |
| 1980 | 38,223 | 10.1% | |
| 1990 | 40,113 | 4.9% | |
| 2000 | 42,337 | 5.5% | |
| 2010 | 42,270 | −0.2% | |
| 2020 | 40,999 | −3.0% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[11] 1790-1960[12] 1900-1990[13] 1990-2000[14] 2020 [15] | |||
2020 census
editAs of the 2020 United States Census, there were 40,999 living in the county. The racial makeup of the county was 94.8% white, 0.5% black or African American, 0.2% American Indian, 0.4% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 0.4% from other races, and 3.7% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino ethnicity made up 0.9% of the population.[4]
2010 census
editAs of the 2010 United States Census, there were 42,270 people, 16,341 households, and 11,867 families living in the county.[16] The population density was 99.7 inhabitants per square mile (38.5/km2). There were 17,888 housing units at an average density of 42.2 units per square mile (16.3 units/km2).[17] The racial makeup of the county was 97.6% white, 0.4% black or African American, 0.4% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.6% of the population.[16] In terms of ancestry, 34.3% were German, 14.6% were Irish, 12.7% were American, and 11.5% were English.[18]
Of the 16,341 households, 32.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.5% were married couples living together, 10.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 27.4% were non-families, and 23.2% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 2.99. The median age was 40.9 years.[16]
The median income for a household in the county was $49,780 and the median income for a family was $57,711. Males had a median income of $46,383 versus $30,876 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,290. About 6.3% of families and 9.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.1% of those under age 18 and 6.8% of those age 65 or over.[19]
2000 census
editAs of the census[20] of 2000, there were 42,337 people, 16,001 households, and 12,144 families living in the county. The population density was 100 inhabitants per square mile (39/km2). There were 17,186 housing units at an average density of 40 units per square mile (15/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.47% White, 0.32% Black or African American, 0.21% Native American, 0.26% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.11% from other races, and 0.60% from two or more races. 0.43% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 16,001 households, out of which 34.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.50% were married couples living together, 8.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.10% were non-families. 20.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.02.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.00% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 28.70% from 25 to 44, 24.40% from 45 to 64, and 13.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 99.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.70 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $42,093, and the median income for a family was $47,547. Males had a median income of $35,313 versus $23,573 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,444. About 4.50% of families and 6.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.00% of those under age 18 and 6.10% of those age 65 or over.
Politics
editPreble County votes for Republicans more often than Democrats in presidential elections. It only supported a Democrat for president five times in the 20th century, the last being Lyndon Johnson in 1964. Jimmy Carter is the last Democrat to tally as much as 40 percent of the vote.[21]
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2024 | 17,146 | 78.77% | 4,343 | 19.95% | 277 | 1.27% |
| 2020 | 17,022 | 77.94% | 4,493 | 20.57% | 325 | 1.49% |
| 2016 | 15,446 | 74.69% | 4,325 | 20.91% | 910 | 4.40% |
| 2012 | 13,535 | 66.92% | 6,211 | 30.71% | 479 | 2.37% |
| 2008 | 13,562 | 64.43% | 6,999 | 33.25% | 488 | 2.32% |
| 2004 | 13,734 | 65.01% | 7,274 | 34.43% | 119 | 0.56% |
| 2000 | 11,176 | 61.52% | 6,375 | 35.09% | 615 | 3.39% |
| 1996 | 8,139 | 47.50% | 6,611 | 38.59% | 2,383 | 13.91% |
| 1992 | 8,023 | 44.33% | 5,557 | 30.71% | 4,518 | 24.96% |
| 1988 | 10,297 | 66.95% | 4,937 | 32.10% | 147 | 0.96% |
| 1984 | 11,065 | 71.84% | 4,198 | 27.25% | 140 | 0.91% |
| 1980 | 8,376 | 56.89% | 5,416 | 36.79% | 931 | 6.32% |
| 1976 | 6,654 | 52.20% | 5,850 | 45.89% | 243 | 1.91% |
| 1972 | 8,993 | 70.29% | 3,472 | 27.14% | 330 | 2.58% |
| 1968 | 6,544 | 52.63% | 3,817 | 30.70% | 2,073 | 16.67% |
| 1964 | 5,839 | 43.53% | 7,574 | 56.47% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 8,802 | 61.69% | 5,467 | 38.31% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1956 | 8,099 | 63.91% | 4,574 | 36.09% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1952 | 8,405 | 63.48% | 4,836 | 36.52% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1948 | 5,837 | 55.51% | 4,656 | 44.28% | 23 | 0.22% |
| 1944 | 6,609 | 57.56% | 4,872 | 42.44% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1940 | 6,511 | 53.17% | 5,735 | 46.83% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1936 | 5,593 | 45.51% | 6,366 | 51.80% | 331 | 2.69% |
| 1932 | 5,205 | 44.77% | 6,221 | 53.51% | 199 | 1.71% |
| 1928 | 6,693 | 65.21% | 3,513 | 34.23% | 57 | 0.56% |
| 1924 | 5,676 | 56.75% | 4,033 | 40.33% | 292 | 2.92% |
| 1920 | 6,258 | 55.72% | 4,933 | 43.92% | 40 | 0.36% |
| 1916 | 2,881 | 45.16% | 3,387 | 53.09% | 112 | 1.76% |
| 1912 | 2,135 | 34.67% | 2,859 | 46.43% | 1,164 | 18.90% |
| 1908 | 3,519 | 50.99% | 3,247 | 47.05% | 135 | 1.96% |
| 1904 | 3,647 | 54.85% | 2,792 | 41.99% | 210 | 3.16% |
| 1900 | 3,548 | 51.43% | 3,206 | 46.47% | 145 | 2.10% |
| 1896 | 3,300 | 49.56% | 3,254 | 48.87% | 105 | 1.58% |
| 1892 | 2,957 | 49.39% | 2,699 | 45.08% | 331 | 5.53% |
| 1888 | 3,157 | 49.06% | 2,966 | 46.09% | 312 | 4.85% |
| 1884 | 3,178 | 51.21% | 2,817 | 45.39% | 211 | 3.40% |
| 1880 | 3,183 | 53.02% | 2,711 | 45.16% | 109 | 1.82% |
| 1876 | 3,004 | 53.46% | 2,551 | 45.40% | 64 | 1.14% |
| 1872 | 2,715 | 56.14% | 2,101 | 43.44% | 20 | 0.41% |
| 1868 | 2,738 | 58.93% | 1,908 | 41.07% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1864 | 2,687 | 61.25% | 1,700 | 38.75% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1860 | 2,596 | 59.24% | 1,733 | 39.55% | 53 | 1.21% |
| 1856 | 2,249 | 55.08% | 1,561 | 38.23% | 273 | 6.69% |
Education
editPublic school districts
editSchool districts include:[22]
- Union County College Corner Joint School District (the Patriots) (this portion is shown in the U.S. Census documents as being in the "College Corner Local School District")
- College Corner Union School (grades K-5) is physically located in both Ohio and Indiana (the state line runs through the middle of the building) and serves students from both College Corner, Ohio, and West College Corner, Indiana. After finishing fifth grade, Preble County students attend Union County Middle School and Union County High School, both located across the state line in Liberty, Indiana.[23]
- Eaton Community Schools
- Eaton High School, Eaton (the Eagles)
- Edgewood City School District
- National Trail Local School District
- National Trail High School, New Paris (the Blazers)
- Preble Shawnee Local School District
- Preble Shawnee High School, Camden (the Arrows)
- Talawanda City School District
- Tri-County North Local School District
- Tri-County North High School, Lewisburg (the Panthers)
- Twin Valley Community Local School District
- Twin Valley South High School, West Alexandria (the Panthers)
- Valley View Local School District
Higher education
edit- Sinclair Community College
- Preble County Learning Center, Eaton
Communities
editCity
edit- Eaton (county seat)
Villages
editTownships
editCensus-designated place
editUnincorporated communities
editNotable residents
edit- Sherwood Anderson - writer
- Victor J. Banis - "the godfather of modern popular gay fiction."
- Benjamin Hanby - wrote the Christmas carol "Up On The House Top" while living in Preble County.
- Andrew L. Harris - Civil War general and former governor of Ohio.
- William Stephens - former governor of California.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Welcome to the Preble County Commissioners' Website: History". Archived from the original on August 12, 2007. Retrieved April 28, 2007.
- ^ "Ohio County Profiles: Preble County" (PDF). Ohio Department of Development. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 21, 2007. Retrieved April 28, 2007.
- ^ "E.W. Scripps School of Journalism Ohio Pronunciation Guide | Ohio University". www.ohio.edu. Ohio University. 2016. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
- ^ a b Preble County, Ohio Demographics and Housing 2020 Decennial Census | cincinnati.com
- ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved February 10, 2015.
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- ^ "Preble County data". Ohio State University Extension Data Center. Retrieved April 28, 2007.[dead link]
- ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on May 4, 2014. Retrieved February 10, 2015.
- ^ "GNIS Detail - Little Four Mile Creek". geonames.usgs.gov. Retrieved August 23, 2017.
- ^ "GNIS Detail - Price Creek". geonames.usgs.gov. Retrieved August 23, 2017.
- ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
- ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved February 10, 2015.
- ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 10, 2015.
- ^ "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 10, 2015.
- ^ 2020 census
- ^ a b c "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.
- ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ a b Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
- ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Preble County, OH" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved June 18, 2024. - Text list
- ^ "College Corner School - Ohio/Indiana border - Border Crossings on Waymarking.com". www.waymarking.com. Retrieved May 3, 2018.