Huron County, Ohio

History

Huron County was named in honor of the Huron Indians (Wyandot), an Iroquoian-speaking tribe who occupied large areas in the Great Lakes region. The word "Huron" may be French, although this origin is disputed.

In the late 18th century this area was in the US Northwest Territory, part of the Connecticut Western Reserve in a sub-region called the Firelands. Connecticut had originally claimed the land as part of its original colony, then afterward wanted to use it to grant to veterans as payment for their service in the war. In 1795 the land was purchased for resale and development by the Connecticut Land Company, but was later under the sole administration of the "Fire Land Company".

At its formation, Huron County consisted of all the Firelands. However, as the population increased in the region, the sections in the northern areas of the county were divided and assigned to the newly organized Erie and Ottawa counties, and a township in the southern section became part of the newly established Ashland County.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 495 square miles (1,280 km²), of which 491 square miles (1,270 km²) is land and 3.3 square miles (8.5 km²) (0.7%) is water.

Adjacent counties

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 59,487 people, 22,307 households, and 16,217 families residing in the county. The population density was 121 people per square mile (47/km²). There were 23,594 housing units at an average density of 48 per square mile (18/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 95.98% White, 0.97% Black or African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.63% from other races, and 0.99% from two or more races. 3.56% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 22,307 households out of which 36.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.50% were married couples living together, 10.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.30% were non-families. 23.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.11.

In the county, the population was spread out with 28.30% under the age of 18, 8.50% from 18 to 24, 28.90% from 25 to 44, 21.90% from 45 to 64, and 12.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 96.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $40,558, and the median income for a family was $46,911. Males had a median income of $35,760 versus $22,785 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,133. About 6.50% of families and 8.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.00% of those under age 18 and 7.70% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 59,626 people, 22,820 households, and 16,141 families residing in the county. The population density was 121.3 inhabitants per square mile (46.8/km²). There were 25,196 housing units at an average density of 51.3 per square mile (19.8/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 94.9% white, 1.0% black or African American, 0.3% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 2.0% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 5.6% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 36.4% were German, 14.5% were Irish, 10.8% were English, and 8.9% were American.

Of the 22,820 households, 35.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.5% were married couples living together, 12.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 29.3% were non-families, and 24.4% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.05. The median age was 38.4 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $47,058 and the median income for a family was $53,887. Males had a median income of $41,566 versus $30,967 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,743. About 10.9% of families and 14.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.3% of those under age 18 and 7.0% of those age 65 or over.

Officials

Commissioner - Terry Boose

Commissioner - Joe Hintz

Commissioner - Bruce "Skip" Wilde

Auditor - Roland Tkach

Clerk of Courts - Susan Hazel

Coroner - Jeffery Harwood

Engineer - Joseph B. Kovach

Prosecutor - Joel Sitterly

Recorder - Jan Tkach

Treasurer - Kathleen Schaffer

Sheriff - Todd Corbin

Judge of Court of Common Pleas - James Conway

Court Secretary (non-elected position) - Julie Wise

Cities

Census-designated places

Notable people