Stark County, Ohio

Stark County is a county located in the U.S. state of Ohio. As of the 2010 census, the population was 375,586.[1] Its county seat is Canton.[2] The county was created in 1808 and organized the next year.[3] It is named for John Stark, an officer in the American Revolutionary War.[4]

Stark County
U.S. county
Seal
Location within the U.S. state of Ohio
Ohio's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 40°49′N 81°22′W
Country United States
State Ohio
FoundedJanuary 1, 1809
Named forJohn Stark
SeatCanton
Largest cityCanton
Area
 • Total581 sq mi (1,500 km2)
 • Land575 sq mi (1,490 km2)
 • Water5.3 sq mi (14 km2)  0.9%%
Population
 • Estimate 
(2019)
370,606
 • Density653/sq mi (252/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional districts7th, 13th, 16th
Websitewww.starkcountyohio.gov

Stark County is included in the Canton-Massillon, OH Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Cleveland-Akron-Canton, OH Combined Statistical Area.

History

Stark County was named in honor of American Revolutionary War General John Stark. John Stark (August 28, 1728 – May 8, 1822) was a general who served in the American Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. He became widely known as the "Hero of Bennington" for his exemplary service at the Battle of Bennington in 1777.

In the 1760s Moravian missionaries from Pennsylvania attempted to establish missions aimed at converting the native people. The earliest of these were Christian Frederick Post and John Heckewelder.

The first permanent settlements were established in 1805, beginning with Canton. Possibly 80% of the early settlers were German-speakers from Pennsylvania, although others came from Virginia, New York, and New England. Lumbering and sawmills were important early industries, to cater to the enormous demand for lumber from the incoming settlers. Stark County was originally part of Columbiana County, but was split off in 1807.

At the start of the Civil War the men of Stark County were quick to volunteer to preserve the Union. As of 1862 over 1,100 had enlisted.[5]

During the early 20th century, Stark County was an important location in the early development of professional football. The rivalry between the Massillon Tigers and Canton Bulldogs helped bring the Ohio League to prominence in the mid-1900s (decade) and again in the late 1910s. The Bulldogs ended up a charter member of the National Football League, where it played for several years. (The role Stark County had in developing the game is part of the reason the Pro Football Hall of Fame is located in Canton.) Two relatively large football stadiums, Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton and Paul Brown Tiger Stadium in Massillon, are still in use (albeit now mostly for high school football), with Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium hosting the NFL's annual Pro Football Hall of Fame Game each year.

In the later 20th century, Stark County's voting record swung from one party to another, closely tracking the winner of the U.S. Presidential election. Even within the swing state of Ohio, Stark County is regarded as a quintessential bellwether, and thus presidential candidates have typically made multiple visits to the region. Major media outlets typically pay close attention to the election results in the county. The New York Times in particular has covered the county's citizens and their voting concerns in a series of features each election cycle for over a decade.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 581 square miles (1,500 km2), of which 575 square miles (1,490 km2) is land and 5.3 square miles (14 km2) (0.9%) is water.[6]

Adjacent counties

Major Highways

National protected area

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
18102,734—
182012,406353.8%
183026,588114.3%
184034,60330.1%
185039,87815.2%
186042,9787.8%
187052,50822.2%
188064,03121.9%
189084,17031.5%
190094,74712.6%
1910122,98729.8%
1920177,21844.1%
1930221,78425.1%
1940234,8875.9%
1950283,19420.6%
1960340,34520.2%
1970372,2109.4%
1980378,8231.8%
1990367,585−3.0%
2000378,0982.9%
2010375,586−0.7%
2019 (est.)370,606[7]−1.3%
U.S. decennial census[8]
1790-1960[9] 1900-1990[10]
1990–2000[11] 2010–2019[1]

2000 census

As of the census[12] of 2000, there were 378,098 people, 148,316 households, and 102,782 families living in the county. The population density was 656 people per square mile (253/km2). There were 157,024 housing units at an average density of 272 per square mile (105/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 90.28% white, 7.20% black or African American, 0.24% Native American, 0.54% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.29% from other races, and 1.43% from two or more races. 0.92% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 148,316 households, out of which 31.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.20% were married couples living together, 11.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.70% were non-families. 26.10% 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 2.49 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.80% under the age of 18, 8.30% from 18 to 24, 27.80% from 25 to 44, 24.00% from 45 to 64, and 15.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 92.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $39,824, and the median income for a family was $47,747. Males had a median income of $37,065 versus $23,875 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,417. About 6.80% of families and 9.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.90% of those under age 18 and 6.60% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 375,586 people, 151,089 households, and 100,417 families living in the county.[13] The population density was 652.9 inhabitants per square mile (252.1/km2). There were 165,215 housing units at an average density of 287.2 per square mile (110.9/km2).[14] The racial makeup of the county was 88.7% white, 7.6% black or African American, 0.7% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 0.5% from other races, and 2.2% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.6% of the population.[13] In terms of ancestry, 33.6% were German, 15.5% were Irish, 10.1% were English, 10.1% were Italian, and 7.7% were American.[15]

Of the 151,089 households, 30.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.2% were married couples living together, 12.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 33.5% were non-families, and 28.1% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.96. The median age was 41.1 years.[13]

The median income for a household in the county was $44,941 and the median income for a family was $55,976. Males had a median income of $44,238 versus $31,896 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,015. About 9.5% of families and 12.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.5% of those under age 18 and 6.7% of those age 65 or over.[16]

Politics

Stark County has often been described as "the swing county, in the swing state" when it comes to presidential elections. Locally, it has generally been a strong republican area, but that changed in the 1990s and into 2000s, where it remained highly competitive for both parties. In 1992 it became a swing county that tilted Democratic, and over the next 15-20 years more local office holders were Democrats. That has changed, however, in the last 10 years or so, beginning in 2010. Republicans now hold most of the local elected positions.

Presidential election results
Presidential election results[17][18]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2020 58.4% 111,097 39.9% 75,904 1.7% 3,092
2016 55.9% 98,388 38.7% 68,146 5.5% 9,631
2012 48.7% 88,581 49.2% 89,432 2.1% 3,733
2008 46.1% 86,743 51.6% 96,990 2.3% 4,277
2004 48.9% 92,215 50.6% 95,337 0.5% 907
2000 48.9% 78,153 47.1% 75,308 4.0% 6,383
1996 38.0% 60,212 46.4% 73,437 15.6% 24,697
1992 35.3% 61,863 40.0% 70,064 24.7% 43,165
1988 55.1% 87,087 44.1% 69,639 0.9% 1,370
1984 59.7% 98,434 39.5% 65,157 0.8% 1,325
1980 55.9% 87,769 37.6% 59,005 6.6% 10,332
1976 49.8% 72,607 48.1% 70,012 2.1% 3,090
1972 62.7% 92,110 35.1% 51,565 2.1% 3,135
1968 47.9% 68,414 40.4% 57,675 11.8% 16,799
1964 37.7% 53,632 62.3% 88,704
1960 55.2% 82,881 44.8% 67,205
1956 62.9% 83,667 37.2% 49,445
1952 57.7% 74,929 42.3% 55,031
1948 51.4% 51,482 47.5% 47,533 1.1% 1,135
1944 47.3% 51,506 52.7% 57,393
1940 43.8% 46,384 56.2% 59,496
1936 35.9% 34,693 60.0% 57,931 4.1% 3,988
1932 51.1% 40,672 44.9% 35,757 4.1% 3,225
1928 70.9% 59,564 28.4% 23,840 0.8% 671
1924 64.3% 40,858 19.7% 12,544 16.0% 10,160
1920 62.9% 37,483 30.9% 18,437 6.2% 3,688
1916 45.2% 14,159 48.9% 15,316 5.8% 1,828
1912 22.6% 6,033 37.1% 9,908 40.4% 10,788[19]
1908 50.5% 14,112 44.0% 12,286 5.6% 1,559
1904 65.5% 15,695 28.9% 6,919 5.7% 1,361
1900 54.1% 13,165 43.8% 10,651 2.1% 509
1896 51.1% 12,111 47.9% 11,339 1.0% 235
1892 44.8% 9,231 49.6% 10,227 5.6% 1,150
1888 47.3% 8,763 49.1% 9,094 3.6% 674
1884 49.6% 8,315 47.5% 7,955 2.9% 487
1880 50.2% 7,264 48.1% 6,965 1.7% 238
1876 48.2% 6,410 50.9% 6,772 1.0% 128
1872 52.3% 5,817 47.2% 5,250 0.5% 55
1868 53.1% 5,601 46.9% 4,948
1864 52.8% 4,797 47.2% 4,282
1860 53.0% 4,064 36.8% 2,820 10.3% 787
1856 50.7% 3,770 48.9% 3,633 0.4% 28

Government
See also: Ohio county government

Elected officials[20]
  • Commissioners: Janet Weir Creighton (R), Bill Smith (R), Richard Regula (R)
  • Auditor: Alan Harold (R)
  • Clerk of Courts: Lynn Todaro (R)
  • Judges of the Court of Common Pleas: Hon. Kristin Farmer (R), Hon. Natalie Haupt (D), Hon. Taryn L. Heath (D), Hon. Francis G. Forchione (D), Hon Chryssa Hartnett (D)
  • Coroner: Ron Rusnak M.D. (R)
  • Engineer: Keith Bennett (D)
  • Family Court: Hon. Rosemarie Hall (R), Hon Jim D. James (R), Hon David R. Nist (R)
  • Probate Court: Hon. Dixie Park (R)
  • Prosecutor: Kyle Stone (R)
  • Recorder: Jamie Walters (R)
  • Sheriff: George Maier (D)
  • Treasurer: Alex Zumbar (R)

Education

Colleges and universities

Community, junior, and technical colleges
  • R. G. Drage Career Technical Center

Public school districts

High schools

Communities
Map of Stark County, Ohio with municipal and township labels

Cities

Villages

Townships

Prior to 1815, Stark County consisted of only eight large townships.[21] After a number of partitions and a few transfers between counties, the townships are:

https://web.archive.org/web/20160715023447/http://www.ohiotownships.org/township-websites

Census-designated places

Other unincorporated communities

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 20, 2011. Retrieved February 11, 2015.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on 2011-05-31. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  3. "Ohio: Individual County Chronologies". Ohio Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library. 2007. Retrieved February 14, 2015.
  4. "Stark County data". Ohio State University Extension Data Center. Retrieved 2007-04-28.
  5. Perrin, William Henry (1881). History of Stark County, with an outline sketch of Ohio. Chicago: Baskin & Battey. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
  6. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on May 4, 2014. Retrieved February 11, 2015.
  7. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  8. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 11, 2015.
  9. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved February 11, 2015.
  10. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 11, 2015.
  11. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved February 11, 2015.
  12. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  13. "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2020-02-13. Retrieved 2015-12-27.
  14. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2020-02-13. Retrieved 2015-12-27.
  15. "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2020-02-13. Retrieved 2015-12-27.
  16. "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2020-02-13. Retrieved 2015-12-27.
  17. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved 2018-05-03.
  18. "Ohio Historical Election Results". Retrieved January 21, 2021.
  19. The leading "other" candidate, Progressive Theodore Roosevelt, received 6,802 votes, while Socialist candidate Eugene Debs received 3,606 votes, Prohibition candidate Eugene Chafin received 309 votes, and Socialist Labor candidate Arthur Reimer received 71 votes.
  20. Stark County Elected Officials Archived September 27, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
  21. U.S. GenWeb: Ohio, Stark County, accessed February 2018.

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