Auglaize County, Ohio


Auglaize County is a county in Northwestern Ohio, United States of America. As of the 2020 census, the population was 46,442. Its county seat and largest city is Wapakoneta.
Auglaize County comprises the Wapakoneta Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Lima-Van Wert-Celina Combined Statistical Area.

Etymology

The county is named for the Auglaize River. Some sources say it is a corruption of the French description of the clay water ; others say it comes from a Native American word for fallen timbers. Another remote possibility is that it derives from the French glace , meaning "mirror" or "ice" .

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of, of which is land and is water. It is Ohio's second-smallest county by area.
The county is crossed by the Auglaize River and the Miami and Erie Canal. The headwaters of the Saint Marys River, the Great Miami River and the Scioto River as well as parts of Grand Lake St. Marys and Lake Loramie are in the county.

Adjacent counties

  • Allen County - north
  • Darke County - southwest
  • Hardin County - east
  • Logan County - southeast
  • Shelby County - south
  • Mercer County - west
  • Van Wert County - northwest

    Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 46,422. The median age was 41.3 years. 23.8% of residents were under the age of 18 and 19.4% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 98.7 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 97.1 males age 18 and over.
The racial makeup of the county was 94.6% White, 0.5% Black or African American, 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.6% from some other race, and 3.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 1.7% of the population.
61.3% of residents lived in urban areas, while 38.7% lived in rural areas.
There were 18,602 households in the county, of which 29.3% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 54.4% were married-couple households, 17.4% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 21.9% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 27.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
There were 19,873 housing units, of which 6.4% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 75.6% were owner-occupied and 24.4% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.1% and the rental vacancy rate was 5.2%.

Racial and ethnic composition

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 45,949 people, 17,972 households, and 12,749 families residing in the county. The population density was. There were 19,585 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the county was 97.8% white, 0.4% Asian, 0.3% black or African American, 0.2% American Indian, 0.3% from other races, and 0.9% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.2% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 53.0% were German, 12.6% were Irish, 8.9% were American, and 8.0% were English.
Of the 17,972 households, 32.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.9% were married couples living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 29.1% were non-families, and 25.3% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.02. The median age was 40.0 years.
The median income for a household in the county was $52,018 and the median income for a family was $60,318. Males had a median income of $44,267 versus $30,591 for females. The per capita income for the county was $25,290. About 5.8% of families and 7.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.5% of those under age 18 and 4.6% of those age 65 or over.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 46,611 people, 17,376 households, and 12,771 families residing in the county. The population density was. There were 18,470 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the county was 98.12% White, 0.24% Black or African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.41% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.20% from other races, and 0.83% from two or more races. 0.67% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 59.5% were of German, 10.9% American, 6.9% Irish and 6.3% English ancestry according to Census 2000. 97.9% spoke English and 1.2% Spanish as their first language.
There were 17,376 households, out of which 35.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.10% were married couples living together, 7.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.50% were non-families. 23.30% 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 2.62 and the average family size was 3.11.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 27.60% under the age of 18, 7.80% from 18 to 24, 28.20% from 25 to 44, 22.00% from 45 to 64, and 14.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.10 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $43,367, and the median income for a family was $50,024. Males had a median income of $37,024 versus $23,809 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,593. About 4.90% of families and 6.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.20% of those under age 18 and 6.40% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

Prior to 1920, Auglaize County consistently voted for Democratic candidates in presidential elections. Since 1920, Democrats have won the county three times in presidential elections, all in years where the party won nationally by a landslide.

Government

Auglaize County is governed by an elected Board of Commissioners.

Courthouse

The county's first courthouse, built in 1851 for $11,499, was in use until 1894, when the current courthouse opened. Occupying an entire city block, the courthouse and its adjacent powerhouse cost $259,481. Some 85 men took 18 months to construct it, starting on July 2, 1893. Built of Berea sandstone with tile floors, the courthouse was highly fire-resistant. The boilers for heating and power generation, a significant cause of fire at the time, were in a separate powerhouse. Steam-driven dynamos produced the electricity that, along with steam for heating and hot water, was fed to the building via an underground conduit. The courthouse marked its centennial in 1994, and remains the seat of the county's courts, along with the much newer West Municipal Court in St. Marys.

Economy

Auglaize County's economy is based on manufacturing. Employers with more than 400 employees are Crown Equipment Corporation, Joint Township District Memorial Hospital, the Minster Machine Company, Setex, Inc, AAP-St. Mary's Corporation, Veyance Technologies, Inc, and the Dannon Company.

Communities

Cities

  • Saint Marys
  • Wapakoneta

    Villages

  • Buckland
  • Cridersville
  • Minster
  • New Bremen
  • New Knoxville
  • Waynesfield

    Townships

  • Clay
  • Duchouquet
  • German
  • Goshen
  • Jackson
  • Logan
  • Moulton
  • Noble
  • Pusheta
  • Saint Marys
  • Salem
  • Union
  • Washington
  • Wayne

    Census-designated places

  • New Hampshire
  • Saint Johns
  • Uniopolis

    Unincorporated communities

  • Bulkhead
  • Egypt
  • Fryburg
  • Geyer
  • Glynwood
  • Gutman
  • Holden
  • Kossuth
  • Lock Two
  • Moulton
  • Santa Fe
  • Slater
  • Villa Nova