Bryan, Ohio

Bryan, Ohio
—  City  —
Eastside of Courthouse Square
Nickname(s): The Fountain City
Location of Bryan, Ohio
Coordinates:
Country United States
State Ohio
County Williams
Government
 • Mayor Douglas Johnson
Area
 • Total 4.6 sq mi (11.8 km2)
 • Land 4.6 sq mi (11.8 km2)
 • Water 0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2)
Elevation[1] 768 ft (234 m)
Population (2010)
 • Total 8,545
 • Density 1,821.7/sq mi (703.4/km2)
Time zone Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
 • Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code 43506
Area code(s) 419
FIPS code 39-09792[2]
GNIS feature ID 1048561[1]
Website http://www.cityofbryan.com/

Bryan is a city in Williams County, Ohio, United States. The population was 8,545 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Williams County[3], and the largest city in the county.

Contents

History

Bryan was settled in 1840 and incorporated as a village in 1841. It was reincorporated as a city in 1941. In 1950 Bryan had a population of 6,365 people.

Bryan and Williams County were originally part of Defiance County, with Defiance being the county seat. The county seat was later moved to Bryan, and the county split into Williams and Defiance. Bryan was named the county seat, but not without conflict: the village of Montpelier was considered a more centralized location of Williams County. The people of Montpelier petitioned the state, but in the end Bryan was named county seat because of its greater industrial and commercial importance and because of its higher population. To this day, many people still argue about the state's decision.

A strip of Williams County north of Bryan was originally part of a conflict, the Toledo War, between Ohio and Michigan. Both states claimed the land, the Toledo Strip, which was named for the port city of Toledo at its eastern end. The conflict was eventually resolved in favor of Ohio, with Michigan being compensated with what is now the western Upper Peninsula.

The Williams County Courthouse in downtown Bryan was completed in 1890. It is the third courthouse to occupy the property.

Bryan is the birthplace of 2006 Indianapolis 500 champion—and current NASCAR driver--Sam Hornish, Jr., Bob Hartman, founder of the Christian rock pioneer group "Petra", and of Mark Winegardner, chosen to be the author of the novel The Godfather Returns.

Bryan is also home to several companies whose products are far reaching: Ohio Art, maker of the Etch-A-Sketch and Betty Spaghetty toys, and Spangler Candy Company, makers of Dum Dum Pops and among the largest makers of candy canes in the world.

Bryan, Ohio, The East Side, 1910 or before

Demographics

Historical populations
Census Pop.
1860 1,064
1870 2,284 114.7%
1880 2,952 29.2%
1890 3,068 3.9%
1900 3,131 2.1%
1910 3,641 16.3%
1920 4,252 16.8%
1930 4,689 10.3%
1940 5,404 15.2%
1950 6,365 17.8%
1960 7,361 15.6%
1970 7,008 −4.8%
1980 7,880 12.4%
1990 8,348 5.9%
2000 8,333 −0.2%
2010 8,545 2.5%

As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 8,333 people, 3,528 households, and 2,155 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,821.7 people per square mile (704.0/km²). There were 3,733 housing units at an average density of 816.1 per square mile (315.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.23% White, 0.31% African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.71% Asian, 1.40% from other races, and 1.12% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.73% of the population.

There were 3,528 households out of which 29.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.7% were married couples living together, 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.9% were non-families. 32.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the city the population was spread out with 24.8% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 28.7% from 25 to 44, 22.0% from 45 to 64, and 16.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 90.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $36,978, and the median income for a family was $45,965. Males had a median income of $34,641 versus $22,434 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,069. About 3.9% of families and 6.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.1% of those under age 18 and 5.9% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

Bryan's manufacturers include a diversity of items. However, it is best known for two very famous products made by companies headquartered in the city -- Dum Dum suckers made by Spangler Candy Company (as well as much of the world's candy cane production) and the Etch A Sketch (now manufactured in China) made by Ohio Art Company.

WQCT 1520 AM, which plays oldies, WBNO-FM 100.9, which plays classic hits, and WLZZ 104.5 FM in nearby Montpelier, which plays country music, are the local commercial radio stations. Other radio stations licensed to Bryan are WGBE 90.9 FM, a simulcast of classical music/National Public Radio station WGTE-FM in Toledo, and WKJH-LP 103.5 FM, a low-powered non-commercial station playing Southern Gospel music.

Transportation

Bryan is served by Amtrak's Lake Shore Limited service at an unmanned station along the former New York Central line.

Notable natives

References

http://www.usaelectionpolls.com/cities/Ohio/Bryan.html

External links