Fairfield County, Ohio


Fairfield County is located in the U.S. state of Ohio. As of the 2020 census, the population was 158,921. Its county seat and largest city is Lancaster. Its name is a reference to the Fairfield area of the original Lancaster. Fairfield County is part of the Columbus, OH Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Fairfield County originally encompassed all or parts of Knox, Hocking, Licking, Perry, and Pickaway Counties. Fairfield is a descriptive name referring to the beauty of their fields.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of, of which is land and is water.
Fairfield County sits just on the edge of Ohio's Appalachian region. While the once-glaciated northern portion of the county is fairly flat, as one travels south along U.S. 33 one can easily recognize the foothills of a mountainous region beginning around the village of Carroll. Although not officially part of the state or federal definition of Appalachia, certain areas of Fairfield County—particularly those south of U.S. 22—bear a distinctly Appalachian feel in both physical geography and demographics.
The scenic Hocking Hills region lies immediately to the south, mostly in neighboring Hocking County. A large portion of Buckeye Lake is located in northeastern Fairfield County.
Mudhouse Mansion, an allegedly haunted house, was located in the county.

Adjacent counties

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 158,921. The median age was 39.7 years. 24.3% of residents were under the age of 18 and 16.8% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 98.2 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 96.2 males age 18 and over.
The racial makeup of the county was 82.9% White, 8.5% Black or African American, 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.9% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 1.0% from some other race, and 5.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 2.5% of the population.
64.4% of residents lived in urban areas, while 35.6% lived in rural areas.
There were 58,691 households in the county, of which 34.1% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 55.1% were married-couple households, 14.9% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 22.8% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 22.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
There were 62,466 housing units, of which 6.0% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 73.7% were owner-occupied and 26.3% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.0% and the rental vacancy rate was 7.5%.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 146,156 people, 54,310 households, and 39,846 families living in the county. The population density was. There were 58,687 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the county was 90.2% white, 6.0% black or African American, 1.1% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.6% from other races, and 1.9% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.7% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 31.2% were German, 16.2% were Irish, 11.7% were English, 8.6% were American, and 5.2% were Italian.
Of the 54,310 households, 37.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.3% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 26.6% were non-families, and 21.9% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.07. The median age was 38.2 years.
The median income for a household in the county was $56,796 and the median income for a family was $65,835. Males had a median income of $49,314 versus $37,209 for females. The per capita income for the county was $26,130. About 7.5% of families and 10.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.7% of those under age 18 and 6.7% of those age 65 or over.

2000 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 146,156 people, 54,310 households, and 39,846 families living in the county. The population density was. There were 58,678 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the county was 90.02% White, 6.00% Black or African American, 0.20% Native American, 1.10% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.23% from other races, and 1.90% from two or more races. 1.70% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 54,310 households, out of which 34.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.30% were married couples living together, 11.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.60% were non-families. 21.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.40% 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 3.07.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.30% under the age of 18, 8.00% from 18 to 24, 30.20% from 25 to 44, 23.90% from 45 to 64, and 12.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38.2 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.30 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $47,962, and the median income for a family was $55,539. Males had a median income of $39,566 versus $27,353 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,671. About 4.50% of families and 5.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.40% of those under age 18 and 6.20% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

Government

OfficeOfficeholderParty
Fairfield County CommissionerDavid L. LevacyRepublican
Fairfield County CommissionerSteve DavisRepublican
Fairfield County CommissionerJeffrey FixRepublican
AuditorCarri Brown, PhDRepublican
Clerk of CourtsBranden MeyerRepublican
CoronerDr. L. Brian Varney, M.D.Republican
EngineerJeremiah UppRepublican
ProsecutorKyle WittRepublican
RecorderLisa R. McKenzieRepublican
SheriffAlex LapeRepublican
TreasurerJames BahnsenRepublican

Ohio House of Representatives

Ohio State Senate

United States House of Representatives

United States Senate

Education

School districts and state schools

School districts include:

Cities

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