Licking County, Ohio
Licking County is located in the central portion of the U.S. state of Ohio. At the 2020 census, the population was 178,519. Its county seat is Newark. The county was formed on January 30, 1808, from portions of Fairfield County.
It is named after the Licking River, which is thought to be named for the salt licks that were in the area. However, one account explains it as an English pronunciation of the river's indigenous Delaware name W'li/'ik'/nk, which means "where the flood waters recede".
Licking County is part of the Columbus, OH Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of, of which is land and is water. It is the third-largest county in Ohio by land area.Adjacent counties
- Knox County
- Coshocton County
- Muskingum County
- Perry County
- Fairfield County
- Franklin County
- Delaware County
Major highways
Demographics
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 178,519. The median age was 40.4 years. 23.0% of residents were under the age of 18 and 17.5% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 96.9 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 94.4 males age 18 and over.The racial makeup of the county was 86.3% White, 4.0% Black or African American, 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.8% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 1.1% from some other race, and 5.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 2.2% of the population.
The 2020 census reported that 66.2% of residents lived in urban areas, while 33.8% lived in rural areas.
There were 68,462 households in the county, of which 31.2% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 52.2% were married-couple households, 16.6% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 23.8% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 25.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
There were 72,709 housing units, of which 5.8% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 72.5% were owner-occupied and 27.5% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.2% and the rental vacancy rate was 5.9%.
Racial and ethnic composition
2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 166,492 people, 63,989 households, and 45,162 families living in the county. The population density was. There were 69,291 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the county was 93.2% white, 3.4% black or African American, 0.7% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 0.4% from other races, and 1.9% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.4% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 29.5% were German, 16.0% were Irish, 13.0% were English, 10.8% were American, and 5.5% were Italian.Of the 63,989 households, 34.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.5% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 29.4% were non-families, and 23.8% of households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.00. The median age was 39.1 years.
The median household income was $53,291 and the median family income was $64,386. Males had a median income of $47,391 versus $37,054 for females. The per capita income for the county was $25,534. About 8.2% of families and 11.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.7% of those under age 18 and 6.5% of those age 65 or over.
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 146,491 people, 55,609 households, and 40,149 families living in the county. The population density was. There were 58,760 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the county was 95.64% White, 2.06% Black or African American, 0.30% Native American, 0.58% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.30% from other races, and 1.10% from two or more races. 0.76% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.Of the 55,609 households 34.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.50% were married couples living together, 10.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.80% were non-families. 23.10% of households were one person and 9.10% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.01.
The age distribution was 26.00% under the age of 18, 8.80% from 18 to 24, 29.40% from 25 to 44, 23.90% from 45 to 64, and 11.90% 65 or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 94.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.00 males.
The median household income was $44,124 and the median family income was $51,969. Males had a median income of $37,957 versus $26,884 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,581. About 5.50% of families and 7.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.10% of those under age 18 and 7.50% of those age 65 or over.
Politics
Prior to 1944, Licking County primarily supported Democratic Party candidates in presidential elections, only voting for Republican candidates five times from 1856 to 1940 in five national landslides for the party. From 1944 onward, the county has become a Republican stronghold presidentially, with the only Democratic presidential candidate to win the county since then being Lyndon B. Johnson in the midst of his 1964 national landslide.Industry and business
Early history
Since Licking County's establishment in 1808, businesses and industries have served as a source of employment, generating income and promoting economic growth. Notable industries include manufacturing, retail and wholesale trade, health care and social assistance, accommodation and food services. Manufacturing, agriculture, and services prove to be the major sectors of Licking County's industry.Manufacturing
Manufacturing is one of the largest industry sectors in Licking County. Major establishments and advancements have been made by manufacturing facilities in the county by renowned companies or corporations, namely Invenergy, Armstrong World Industries, Intel, and Atkore. These investments have provided Licking County residents with a diverse range of employment opportunities and facilitated its economic growth. However, in the past many other successful manufacturing companies have come to a close, such as Longaberger, Fyrepel, Meritor plant in Heath, and E.T. Rugg. The glass-making industry, which has been established since the late 19th century from Newark with natural gas supplies, sand quarry, and cheap labor, is also a significant manufacturing sector in Licking County.Agriculture
Agriculture is regarded as a traditional cornerstone of Licking County. Within Licking County, agriculture has always been a significant industry, and in the 1800s, it was a top producer of corn, wheat, and oats. The formation of the Licking County Agricultural Society in 1832, as well as the creation of the Ohio and Erie Canal, helped boost agriculture in Licking County during this time period. Farmers benefited from easy access to markets via railroads, and different companies would supply tools to local farmers. In the later end of the 1800s, Licking County was in the top ten of counties within Ohio for agricultural production. By 1870, 2,692 farms with 278,611 improved acres were owned by farmers within Licking County; all of these helped account for $3,500,000 in production. Licking County ranked very high within the state of Ohio in production of corn, wheat, and oats while also leading the state in wool production. By 1887, 150,000 acres of designated pasture land was readily available and Licking County ranked first in Ohio with over 174,000 sheep within the county.In the 19th century, Licking County farms produced a variety of crops like corn, wheat, and oats, along with livestock such as cattle, chickens, pigs and lambs. Farms relied on labor-intensive methods of farming, using crop rationing and the spread of manure to keep the soil fertile.
As of 2017, Licking County ranks 11th out of 88 counties in Ohio for products sold, and agriculture is still an important industry. Currently, Licking County is focused on large-scale production of grains and oilseeds, in particular corn and soybeans. This accounted for two-thirds of the county's agricultural sales in 2017, according to the USDA Census of Agriculture. Modern agricultural methods involve chemicals and mechanization, which support a shift from traditional to modern farming practices.
Charles Metz and Brothers Meat Market, a local agricultural company located in Newark, is a well known meat provider for regional butchers and markets. Weiant Greenhouses was another local company that grew lettuce. It covered five acres of glass structures, becoming one of the largest greenhouses in Ohio and providing vegetables to three nearby states during its time. Unfortunately, it came to a close after a destructive storm in 1978. While modern farmers have multiple advantages such as better agricultural equipment, pesticides and fertilizers, many have encountered challenges due to an increase in the cost of producing crops and raising livestock, and a declining payout as well.