Richland County, Ohio


Richland County is a county located in the U.S. state of Ohio. As of the 2020 census, the population was 124,936. Its county seat is Mansfield. The county was created in 1808 and later organized in 1813. It is named for the fertile soil found there. Richland County is included in the Mansfield, OH Metropolitan Statistical Area as well as the Mansfield-Ashland-Bucyrus, OH Combined Statistical Area. The county is one of the six Metropolitan Statistical Areas that make up Northeast Ohio.
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History

At its formation in 1806 Richland County encompassed a larger area. The land was mainly forest. Settlers cleared the land for farming and the population increased. When Ashland County was formed on February 24, 1846, most of its area was provided by townships annexed in whole or in part from eastern Richland County.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of, of which is land and is water.

Adjacent counties

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 124,936. The median age was 41.7 years. 21.7% of residents were under the age of 18 and 20.2% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 103.3 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 102.8 males age 18 and over.
The racial makeup of the county was 84.2% White, 9.1% Black or African American, 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.8% from some other race, and 5.1% from two or more races. [Hispanic and Race (United States Census)|Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino] residents of any race comprised 2.1% of the population.
66.3% of residents lived in urban areas, while 33.7% lived in rural areas.
There were 50,303 households in the county, of which 27.1% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 44.9% were married-couple households, 18.9% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 28.8% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 31.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
There were 54,522 housing units, of which 7.7% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 66.2% were owner-occupied and 33.8% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.2% and the rental vacancy rate was 7.9%.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 124,475 people, 48,921 households, and 32,510 families living in the county. The population density was. There were 54,599 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the county was 87.5% white, 9.4% black or African American, 0.6% Asian, 0.2% 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, 30.6% were German, 13.3% were Irish, 12.6% were English, and 8.0% were American.
Of the 48,921 households, 29.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.7% were married couples living together, 12.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 33.5% were non-families, and 28.8% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.93. The median age was 40.9 years.
The median income for a household in the county was $42,664 and the median income for a family was $54,637. Males had a median income of $42,919 versus $31,228 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,459. About 8.6% of families and 12.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.9% of those under age 18 and 8.2% of those age 65 or over.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 128,852 people, 49,534 households, and 34,277 families living in the county. The population density was. There were 53,062 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the county was 88.16% White, 9.43% Black or African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.51% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.38% from other races, and 1.28% from two or more races. 0.93% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 96.0% spoke English, 1.2% German and 1.2% Spanish as their first language.
There were 49,534 households, out of which 30.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.30% were married couples living together, 11.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.80% were non-families. 26.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 2.98.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.80% under the age of 18, 8.40% from 18 to 24, 28.60% from 25 to 44, 24.10% from 45 to 64, and 14.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 101.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.30 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $37,397, and the median income for a family was $45,036. Males had a median income of $35,425 versus $22,859 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,582. About 8.20% of families and 10.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.30% of those under age 18 and 7.70% of those age 65 or over.

Government

County officials

  • Commissioners: Cliff Mears, Darrell Banks, Tony Vero
  • Prosecutor: Jodie Schumacher
  • Sheriff: J. Steve Sheldon
  • Auditor: Patrick W. Dropsey
  • Treasurer: Bart Hamilton
  • Recorder: Denise Jackson
  • Clerk of Courts: Denise Ruhl
  • Engineer: Adam Gove
  • Judges of the Court of Common Pleas: Phillip Naumoff and Brent Robinson
  • Judges of the Domestic Relations Court: Beth Owens
  • Judges of the Juvenile Court: Steven McKinley
  • Judges of the Probate Court: Kelly Badnell

Politics

Prior to 1944, Richland County was largely Democratic in presidential elections, only voting for Republican candidates four times from 1856 to 1940. But starting with the 1944 election, it has become a Republican stronghold for presidential elections, with Lyndon B. Johnson being the only Democrat to win since then. The rise of Donald Trump in 2016 saw the county swing even further in the GOP's favor, with Trump's vote share in the 2024 election the highest for any presidential candidate since 1928.

Communities

Cities

Villages

Townships

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Ghost towns