Putnam County
County
Putnam County Courthouse
Putnam County Courthouse
Official seal of Putnam County
Seal
Map of Ohio highlighting Putnam County
Location within the U.S. state of Ohio
Map of the United States highlighting Ohio
Ohio's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 41°01′N 84°08′W / 41.02°N 84.13°W / 41.02; -84.13
Country United States
State Ohio
FoundedJanuary 3, 1834
Named forIsrael Putnam
SeatOttawa
Largest villageOttawa
Area
 • Total484 sq mi (1,250 km2)
 • Land483 sq mi (1,250 km2)
 • Water1.8 sq mi (5 km2)  0.4%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total34,451
 • Density71/sq mi (27/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district5th
Websitewww.putnamcountyohio.gov

Putnam County is a county located in the northwestern part of the U.S. state of Ohio. As of the 2020 census, the population was 34,451.[1] Its county seat is Ottawa.[2] The county was created in 1820 and later organized in 1834.[3] Its name is in honor of Israel Putnam, a colonial officer in the French and Indian War, who served as a general in the American Revolutionary War.[4] The Blanchard River, which passes through the county, was a key transportation route for early European-American settlers.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 484 square miles (1,250 km2), of which 483 square miles (1,250 km2) is land and 1.8 square miles (4.7 km2) (0.4%) is water. The Blanchard River passes through the county.[5]

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1830230—
18405,1892,156.1%
18507,22139.2%
186012,80877.4%
187017,08133.4%
188023,71338.8%
189030,18827.3%
190032,5257.7%
191029,972−7.8%
192027,751−7.4%
193025,074−9.6%
194025,016−0.2%
195025,2480.9%
196028,33112.2%
197031,1349.9%
198032,9916.0%
199033,8192.5%
200034,7262.7%
201034,499−0.7%
202034,451−0.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8]
1990-2000[9] 2020 [1]

2000 census

As of the census[10] of 2000, there were 34,726 people, 12,200 households, and 9,308 families living in the county. The population density was 72 people per square mile (28 people/km2). There were 12,753 housing units at an average density of 26 per square mile (10/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.26% White, 0.17% Black or African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.18% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 2.51% from other races, and 0.73% from two or more races. 4.38% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 12,200 households, out of which 39.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.90% were married couples living together, 7.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.70% were non-families. 21.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.81 and the average family size was 3.29.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 29.70% under the age of 18, 8.30% from 18 to 24, 28.10% from 25 to 44, 20.60% from 45 to 64, and 13.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 98.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $46,426, and the median income for a family was $52,859. Males had a median income of $36,548 versus $23,963 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,680. About 4.00% of families and 5.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.40% of those under age 18 and 9.80% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 34,499 people, 12,872 households, and 9,556 families living in the county.[11] The population density was 71.5 inhabitants per square mile (27.6/km2). There were 13,731 housing units at an average density of 28.5 per square mile (11.0/km2).[12] The racial makeup of the county was 95.7% white, 0.3% black or African American, 0.2% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 2.7% from other races, and 0.9% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 5.5% of the population.[11] In terms of ancestry, 65.6% identified as German, 7.8% were Irish, 7.3% were American, 4.7% were English, 2.4% were French, 1.8% were Swiss, 1.7% were Dutch, 1.6% were Italian, 1.4% were Scottish, 1.0% were Welsh, 0.8% were Hungarian and 0.8% were Polish.[13]

Of the 12,872 households, 35.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.9% were married couples living together, 7.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 25.8% were non-families, and 22.5% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.13. The median age was 39.0 years.[11]

The median income for a household in the county was $56,573 and the median income for a family was $65,882. Males had a median income of $44,417 versus $33,200 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,023. About 5.8% of families and 7.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.8% of those under age 18 and 7.0% of those age 65 or over.[14]

Politics

Prior to 1940, Putnam County was a Democratic Party county stronghold presidential elections, with James M. Cox in 1920 being the only Democrat to lose it before that year. But starting with the 1940 election, it has become a Republican stronghold. The only 2 Democrats to win the county since then are Harry S. Truman in 1948 and Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964.

Putnam County is known for its strong social conservatism. In November 2023, it gave only 17% of the vote to Ohio Issue 1, which legalized abortion, and 31% to Ohio Issue 2, which legalized recreational marijuana. In both referendums, this was the lowest percentage for any county in Ohio.[15]

United States presidential election results for Putnam County, Ohio[16]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 16,412 82.28% 3,195 16.02% 340 1.70%
2016 14,961 79.34% 2,922 15.50% 974 5.17%
2012 13,721 74.57% 4,318 23.47% 361 1.96%
2008 13,072 69.98% 5,281 28.27% 327 1.75%
2004 14,370 76.24% 4,392 23.30% 87 0.46%
2000 12,837 74.01% 4,063 23.43% 444 2.56%
1996 9,294 57.52% 4,972 30.77% 1,892 11.71%
1992 9,338 54.92% 3,962 23.30% 3,704 21.78%
1988 11,183 73.09% 4,004 26.17% 114 0.75%
1984 11,936 78.26% 3,194 20.94% 121 0.79%
1980 9,752 68.71% 3,742 26.37% 699 4.92%
1976 7,332 57.69% 5,035 39.61% 343 2.70%
1972 8,185 66.32% 3,729 30.21% 428 3.47%
1968 7,188 59.38% 3,530 29.16% 1,387 11.46%
1964 5,221 42.67% 7,014 57.33% 0 0.00%
1960 6,834 53.09% 6,039 46.91% 0 0.00%
1956 8,408 70.38% 3,538 29.62% 0 0.00%
1952 8,398 68.85% 3,799 31.15% 0 0.00%
1948 5,006 49.33% 5,114 50.39% 28 0.28%
1944 8,004 71.79% 3,145 28.21% 0 0.00%
1940 8,946 70.99% 3,655 29.01% 0 0.00%
1936 4,151 33.16% 5,786 46.23% 2,580 20.61%
1932 3,646 30.69% 8,078 68.00% 155 1.30%
1928 5,537 49.20% 5,667 50.36% 50 0.44%
1924 4,377 41.83% 4,795 45.82% 1,293 12.36%
1920 5,157 52.10% 4,673 47.21% 69 0.70%
1916 2,243 33.84% 4,294 64.79% 91 1.37%
1912 1,000 15.60% 4,000 62.40% 1,410 22.00%
1908 2,483 33.17% 4,836 64.61% 166 2.22%
1904 2,853 39.48% 4,145 57.36% 228 3.16%
1900 2,817 35.89% 4,943 62.98% 88 1.12%
1896 2,728 33.68% 5,303 65.48% 68 0.84%
1892 2,314 33.73% 4,177 60.89% 369 5.38%
1888 2,355 34.61% 4,261 62.62% 189 2.78%
1884 2,194 35.11% 4,009 64.15% 46 0.74%
1880 1,851 34.94% 3,417 64.50% 30 0.57%
1876 1,606 33.56% 3,174 66.33% 5 0.10%
1872 1,275 37.22% 2,131 62.20% 20 0.58%
1868 1,184 37.15% 2,003 62.85% 0 0.00%
1864 1,120 39.53% 1,713 60.47% 0 0.00%
1860 1,010 40.48% 1,478 59.24% 7 0.28%
1856 790 41.36% 1,116 58.43% 4 0.21%

Education

The Putnam County Board of Education operates nine separate school districts county-wide.

Other villages across the county are served by one or more of these districts above in the district's zone area.

Communities

Map of Putnam County, Ohio with municipal and township labels

Villages

Townships

Census-designated place

Unincorporated communities

See also

Footnotes

  1. 1 2 2020 census
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ↑ "Ohio: Individual County Chronologies". Ohio Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library. 2007. Archived from the original on April 6, 2016. Retrieved February 14, 2015.
  4. ↑ Warren, Robert (May 31, 1953). "Blanchard River Brought Pioneers To Putnam". Toledo Blade. p. 3. Retrieved April 30, 2015.
  5. ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on May 4, 2014. Retrieved February 10, 2015.
  6. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 10, 2015.
  7. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved February 10, 2015.
  8. ↑ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 10, 2015.
  9. ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved February 10, 2015.
  10. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  11. 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.
  12. ↑ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  13. ↑ "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.
  14. ↑ "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.
  15. ↑ https://liveresults.ohiosos.gov/
  16. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved May 3, 2018.

Further reading

  • Marguerite Calvin, Death, Administration, Marriage, and Miscellaneous Notices from the Kalida Venture, Putnam County, Ohio, 1845-1854. Ottawa, OH: Putnam County District Library, 1987.
  • Marguerite Calvin, Newspaper Notices from the Kalida Venture, Putnam County, Ohio 1845-1852: A Supplement to Deaths, Administration, Marriage, and Miscellaneous Notices. Ottawa, OH: Putnam County District Library, 1993.
  • Marguerite Calvin, Newspaper Notices from the Kalida Sentinel, Putnam County, Ohio, 1861-1866. Ottawa, OH: Putnam County District Library, 1991.
  • Marguerite Calvin and David S. Adams, People and Places: Putnam County, Ohio, 1800-1900. Ottawa, OH: M. Calvin, 1981.
  • Audrey S. Carroll, Putnam County Pioneer Association: Centennial History, 1873-1973, Putnam County, Ohio. Columbus Grove, OH: Heffner Printing Co., 1973.
  • Imogene Elwer, Chronicles of the Past: A History of Putnam County, Ohio. n.c.: n.p., 1990s.
  • Delbert L. Gratz, Historical and Genealogical Sketch of the Swiss Mennonites of Allen and Putnam Counties, Ohio. Columbus, OH: Ohio Historical Society, 1940.
  • Henry Howe, History of Putnam County, Ohio, 1820-1899. Knightstown, IN: The Bookmark, 1977.
  • George D. Kinder, History of Putnam Country, Ohio: Its Peoples, Industries, and Institutions: With Biographical Sketches of Representative Citizens and Genealogical Records of Many of the Old Families. Indianapolis, IN: B.F. Bowen and Co., 1915.
  • Putnam County Genealogical Society, Putnam County, Ohio Cemeteries. Ottawa, OH: Putnam County Genealogical Society, 1993.
  • Putnam County Historical Society, The Blizzard of 1978 in Putnam County, Ohio. Kalida, OH: Putnam County Historical Society, 1978.
  • Putnam County Historical Society, History of Putnam County, Ohio, 1880: Illustrated, Containing Outline Map, Fifteen Farm Maps and a History of the County; Lithographic Views of Buildings — Public and Private; Portraits of Prominent Men; General statistics; Miscellaneous Matters, etc. Mt. Vernon, IN: Windmill Publications, 1995.
  • Putnam County Historical Society, Putnam County Pioneer Reminiscences, 1878-1887. Kalida, OH: Putnam County Historical Society, 1981.
  • Daniel W. Seitz and O.C. Talbot, The Putnam County Atlas, 1895: Containing Sectional Outline Maps of the County...Farm Maps of the Fifteen Townships...Together with Maps of All the Towns Reduced to Single Page Size... Ottawa, OH: D.W. Seitz and O.C. Talbot, 1895.
  • Mary L. Sheeley, Putnam County, Ohio One-Room Schools. Kalida, OH: Putnam County Historical Society, 1985.
  • Marjorie Waterfield, The Ledger Tells the Story, 1811-1879: The History of the Irwin family of Putnam County, Ohio. Bowling Green, OH: M. Waterfield, 1997.
  • A Portrait and Biographical Record of Allen and Putnam Counties, Ohio: Containing Biographical Sketches of Many Prominent and Representative Citizens, Together with Biographies and Portraits of All the Presidents of the United States, and Biographies of the Governors of Ohio. Chicago: A.W. Bowen & Company, 1896.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Putnam County (Ohio).

41°01′N 84°08′W / 41.02°N 84.13°W / 41.02; -84.13

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