Allen County
County
Allen County Courthouse in Lima
Allen County Courthouse in Lima
Official seal of Allen County
Seal
Map of Ohio highlighting Allen County
Location within the U.S. state of Ohio
Map of the United States highlighting Ohio
Ohio's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 40°46′N 84°07′W / 40.77°N 84.12°W / 40.77; -84.12
Country United States
State Ohio
FoundedMarch 1, 1831
Named forJohn Allen
SeatLima
Largest cityLima
Area
 • Total407 sq mi (1,050 km2)
 • Land402 sq mi (1,040 km2)
 • Water4.4 sq mi (11 km2)  1.1%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total102,206
 • Density250/sq mi (97/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district4th
Websitewww.co.allen.oh.us

Allen County is a county located in the northwestern part of the U.S. state of Ohio. Its county seat and largest city is Lima.[1] The county was created in 1820 and organized in 1831.[2] The county is named in honor of Colonel John Allen, who was killed leading his men at the Battle of Frenchtown during the War of 1812.[lower-alpha 1]

Allen County comprises the Lima metropolitan statistical area, and as of the 2020 census, the population was 102,206.[5] Allen County also comprises the entirety of the Lima, OH media market.

History

Under the terms of the Treaty of Greenville signed in 1795, northwestern Ohio was reserved for Native Americans. Thus the area now comprising Allen County was off-limits to European settlement until the Treaty of Maumee Rapids in 1817.[6] Under the terms of this treaty, the Shawnee tribe was assigned reservations at Wapakonetta and at their "Hog Creek" settlement along the Ottawa River which comprised most of what is the present-day Shawnee Township. The latter treaty opened the way for the Ohio Legislature on March 1, 1820, to create fourteen counties, including Allen,[6] which was defined as Ranges 5 through 8 east and Towns 3 through 6 south.

The first permanent settlement within Allen County's present day bounds took place in 1824, when Christopher S. Wood and his family settled in section 7 of Bath Township.[7] The organization of Bath Township predates that of Allen County, with its first township meeting held on March 2, 1829. On February 12, 1829, an act of the legislature set aside land for a "county town".[8] Wood was appointed commissioner to determine the location of this "seat of justice" for Allen County. This was done on March 3, 1831, with Wood appointed as Town Director. He laid out plots of land to be sold in section 31 of Bath Township,[9] and the plat was filed April 20, 1831, creating what was the beginning of the city of Lima.

Allen County organization's dates from the first meeting of the county commissioners, held on June 6, 1831. Present at this meeting were Commissioners James Daniels, John G. Wood, and Samuel Stewart. Also present was William G. Wood, county auditor; Adam White, county treasurer; and Henry Lippincott, sheriff.[10]

The first court of justice was held in August 1831,[10] and it is believed the assembly of men, in informal session, selected the name for the seat of justice by drawing names from a hat. The meeting was held at the cabin of James Daniels, which was on the bank of the Ottawa River near the current location of Market Street.[10] Patrick G. Goode of Montgomery County, special prosecuting attorney at that session, is given credit for having offered up the name of "Lima" (capital of Peru and source of the quinine used to treat the malaria prevalent in the area of the Great Black Swamp). At the County Commission session on June 6, 1831, the formation of a second township, Jackson, was approved.[10]

In 1832 the Shawnees, including those living in the Hog Creek reservation (present day Shawnee Township), were removed to eastern Kansas. They received payment of $30 000 in fifteen annual installments for their lands which had an estimated value of over $200 000 at that time.[11] They arrived at their new home with few provisions and immediately suffered an epidemic of cholera.[11]

Lima was established as a village in 1841, and the town of Lima was organized March 29, 1842. Henry DeVilliers Williams was elected the first mayor and Amos Clutter was elected the first town marshal.

In 1848, Allen County's boundaries changed with a reorganization that created Auglaize County, Ohio, from the southern half of the original county. Town 2S, Range 7E (Monroe Twp.); Town 2S, Range 8E (Richland Twp.); the southern half of Town 2S, Range 5E, and the southern half of Town 2S, Range 6E (Sugar Creek Twp.) were transferred from Putnam County to Allen County. Parts of Van Wert and Mercer Counties were also transferred to Allen to form Spencer Township and part of Marion Township. In May 1853, Allen and Putnam Counties agreed on a cash settlement for Putnam's loss.[12]

There were several practical implications of these changes to the boundaries of Allen County. Lima, the county seat, became near the county's center, rather than in the northern quarter. The county's western part gained a significant stretch of the Miami and Erie Canal, which was completed in 1845. The reorganization also brought the towns of Spencerville, laid out in 1844 on the canal,[13] and Bluffton within the bounds of the county.

In 1885, oil was discovered in Lima. This began a boom in Allen County which lasted until after 1910.

Allen County Fair

One of Allen County's notable annual events is its County Fair. Run every August in Lima since 1851, the Fair is among Western Ohio's foremost agricultural showcasing events. In 2005, there were over 220,000 visitors and almost 3,000 exhibitors, making it the largest in the state.

The fair attracted many nationally known performers during the 1980s and 1990s, and combined with significant renovations to the county show grounds, these factors led to a marked increase in attendance and notoriety over the past two decades.[14]

Geography

Allen County townships.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 407 square miles (1,050 km2), of which 402 square miles (1,040 km2) is land and 4.4 square miles (11 km2) (1.1%) is water.[15]

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1830578—
18409,0791,470.8%
185012,10933.4%
186019,18558.4%
187023,62323.1%
188031,31432.6%
189040,64429.8%
190047,97618.0%
191056,58017.9%
192068,22320.6%
193069,4191.8%
194073,3035.6%
195088,18320.3%
1960103,69117.6%
1970111,1447.2%
1980112,2411.0%
1990109,755−2.2%
2000108,743−0.9%
2010106,331−2.2%
2020102,206−3.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[16]
1790-1960[17] 1900-1990[18]
1990-2000[19] 2020 [5]

2000 census

As of the census[20] of 2000, there were 108,473 people, 40,646 households, and 28,208 families living in the county. The population density was 268 inhabitants per square mile (103/km2). There were 44,245 housing units at an average density of 109 units per square mile (42/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 84.95% White, 12.19% Black or African American, 0.21% Native American, 0.55% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.63% from other races, and 1.45% from two or more races. 1.42% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 33.8% were of German, 14.2% American, 8.8% Irish, and 6.6% English ancestry according to Census 2000.

There were 40,646 households, out of which 32.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.00% were married couples living together, 12.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.60% were non-families. 26.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.05.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.90% under the age of 18, 9.90% from 18 to 24, 27.60% from 25 to 44, 22.40% from 45 to 64, and 14.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 100.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $37,048, and the median income for a family was $44,723. Males had a median income of $35,546 versus $23,537 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,511. About 9.60% of families and 12.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.00% of those under age 18 and 9.60% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 106,331 people, 40,619 households, and 26,982 families living in the county.[21] The population density was 264.2 inhabitants per square mile (102.0/km2). There were 44,999 housing units at an average density of 111.8 units per square mile (43.2 units/km2).[22] The racial makeup of the county was 83.8% white, 11.9% black or African American, 0.7% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.8% from other races, and 2.6% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.4% of the population.[21] In terms of ancestry, 34.7% were German, 12.6% were Irish, 9.7% were American, and 7.1% were English.[23]

Of the 40,619 households, 31.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.0% were married couples living together, 13.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 33.6% were non-families, and 27.8% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.01. The median age was 38.3 years.[21]

The median income for a household in the county was $43,632 and the median income for a family was $55,549. Males had a median income of $43,277 versus $31,148 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,713. About 12.0% of families and 16.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.1% of those under age 18 and 6.8% of those age 65 or over.[24]

Politics

Although strongly Democratic up to World War I, when the only Democrat to lose the county was Alton B. Parker in 1904, Allen County has since become a very solid Republican county. Along with Delaware, Fulton, Hancock and Union, it was one of five Ohio counties to remain loyal to Barry Goldwater in 1964, and the last Democrat to carry the county was Franklin Roosevelt in his 1936 landslide.[25]

United States presidential election results for Allen County, Ohio[26]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 33,116 68.85% 14,149 29.42% 834 1.73%
2016 30,487 65.94% 13,294 28.75% 2,453 5.31%
2012 29,502 61.03% 17,914 37.06% 925 1.91%
2008 29,940 59.29% 19,522 38.66% 1,033 2.05%
2004 32,580 66.14% 16,470 33.44% 206 0.42%
2000 28,647 65.41% 13,996 31.96% 1,152 2.63%
1996 24,325 55.35% 15,529 35.33% 4,094 9.32%
1992 25,322 53.48% 13,777 29.10% 8,251 17.43%
1988 31,021 68.97% 13,727 30.52% 227 0.50%
1984 33,506 72.98% 12,176 26.52% 229 0.50%
1980 29,070 65.84% 13,140 29.76% 1,944 4.40%
1976 23,721 60.56% 14,627 37.35% 819 2.09%
1972 26,966 69.96% 10,184 26.42% 1,393 3.61%
1968 23,124 60.30% 10,994 28.67% 4,231 11.03%
1964 19,897 51.17% 18,990 48.83% 0 0.00%
1960 28,007 65.54% 14,725 34.46% 0 0.00%
1956 28,388 70.22% 12,042 29.78% 0 0.00%
1952 26,396 65.12% 14,139 34.88% 0 0.00%
1948 17,380 56.67% 13,161 42.91% 127 0.41%
1944 21,024 62.59% 12,564 37.41% 0 0.00%
1940 20,675 58.83% 14,469 41.17% 0 0.00%
1936 15,079 44.89% 16,500 49.12% 2,013 5.99%
1932 14,678 45.97% 16,676 52.23% 576 1.80%
1928 20,693 68.21% 9,462 31.19% 182 0.60%
1924 15,711 61.76% 7,378 29.00% 2,348 9.23%
1920 13,978 53.59% 11,658 44.70% 446 1.71%
1916 5,713 40.40% 7,905 55.91% 522 3.69%
1912 2,638 22.33% 5,696 48.21% 3,481 29.46%
1908 5,841 43.08% 7,195 53.07% 521 3.84%
1904 6,091 52.50% 4,980 42.92% 532 4.59%
1900 5,281 43.94% 6,540 54.42% 197 1.64%
1896 4,959 43.01% 6,394 55.46% 176 1.53%
1892 3,579 38.55% 4,945 53.26% 761 8.20%
1888 3,761 41.07% 5,123 55.94% 274 2.99%
1884 3,372 42.67% 4,442 56.21% 89 1.13%
1880 2,906 42.44% 3,890 56.81% 51 0.74%
1876 2,481 41.23% 3,518 58.47% 18 0.30%
1872 2,010 44.61% 2,463 54.66% 33 0.73%
1868 1,892 42.15% 2,597 57.85% 0 0.00%
1864 1,882 45.61% 2,244 54.39% 0 0.00%
1860 1,796 48.18% 1,882 50.48% 50 1.34%
1856 1,415 46.90% 1,508 49.98% 94 3.12%

Communities

Municipalities and townships of Allen County

Cities

Villages

Townships

Census-designated places

Other unincorporated communities

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ It has been claimed the county was named for Revolutionary War soldier Ethan Allen,[3] but the weight of the evidence in favor of John Allen led the General Assembly to declare in 1976 that the county was named for him.[4]

References

  1. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  2. ↑ "Ohio: Individual County Chronologies". Ohio Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library. 2007. Archived from the original on April 6, 2016. Retrieved February 12, 2015.
  3. ↑ Wood, Helen Winemiller (1975). The Naming of Allen County: The Story of Colonel John Allen in the War of 1812. Lima, Ohio: Longmeier Printing & Advertising.
  4. ↑ Resolution of 111th Ohio General Assembly designating John Allen as the person for which Allen County was named.
  5. 1 2 2020 census
  6. 1 2 Harrison, R. H. (1880). Atlas of Allen County, Ohio, from Records and Original Surveys. Philadelphia: R.H. Harrison. p. 20.
  7. ↑ History of Allen County, Ohio. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Company. 1885. pp. 417–418.
  8. ↑ Knapp, H. S. (1875). History of Allen County in Historical Atlas of Allen County, Ohio. Chicago: H.H. Hardesty & Co. p. 19.
  9. ↑ Harrison, R. H. (1880). Atlas of Allen County, Ohio, from Records and Original Surveys. Philadelphia: R.H. Harrison. pp. 33 1/4.
  10. 1 2 3 4 Knapp, H. S. (1875). History of Allen County in Historical Atlas of Allen County, Ohio. Chicago: H.H. Hardesty & Co. p. 15.
  11. 1 2 Harrison, R. H. (1880). Atlas of Allen County, Ohio, from Records and Original Surveys. Philadelphia: R.H. Harrison. p. 19.
  12. ↑ History of Allen County, Ohio. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Company. 1885. pp. 280–281.
  13. ↑ Harrison, R. H. (1880). Atlas of Allen County, Ohio, from Records and Original Surveys. Philadelphia: R.H. Harrison. p. 30.
  14. ↑ "Allen County Fair". Archived from the original on April 2, 2007. Retrieved April 5, 2007.
  15. ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on May 4, 2014. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  16. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  17. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  18. ↑ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  19. ↑ "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.
  20. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  21. 1 2 3 "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.
  22. ↑ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  23. ↑ "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.
  24. ↑ "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.
  25. ↑ Menendez, Albert J.; The Geography of Presidential Elections in the United States, 1868-2004, pp. 274-279 ISBN 0786422173
  26. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved May 1, 2018.

40°46′N 84°07′W / 40.77°N 84.11°W / 40.77; -84.11

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