Stark County, Ohio

Stark County, Ohio

Seal
Map of Ohio highlighting Stark County
Location in the state of Ohio
Map of the United States highlighting Ohio
Ohio's location in the U.S.
Founded January 1, 1809
Named for John Stark
Seat Canton
Largest city Canton
Area
 • Total 581 sq mi (1,505 km2)
 • Land 575 sq mi (1,489 km2)
 • Water 5.3 sq mi (14 km2), 0.9%
Population
 • (2010) 375,586
 • Density 653/sq mi (252/km²)
Congressional districts 7th, 13th, 16th
Time zone Eastern: UTC-5/-4
Website www.co.stark.oh.us

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 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.

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, Fawcett Stadium in Canton and Paul Brown Tiger Stadium in Massillon, are still in use (albeit now mostly for high school football), with Fawcett 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.[5]

Adjacent counties

National protected area

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
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%
Est. 2014375,7360.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8]
1990-2000[9] 2010-2013[1]

As of the census[10] of 2000, there were 378,098 people, 148,316 households, and 102,782 families residing 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.

Government

Elected officials[11]

Communities

Map of Stark County, Ohio with municipal and township labels

Cities

Villages

Townships

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 11, 2015.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. 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. ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved February 11, 2015.
  6. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 11, 2015.
  7. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved February 11, 2015.
  8. ↑ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 11, 2015.
  9. ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved February 11, 2015.
  10. ↑ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  11. ↑ Stark County Elected Officials

External links

 Summit County Portage County Mahoning County
Wayne County Columbiana County
   Stark County, Ohio  
Holmes County Tuscarawas County Carroll County

Coordinates: 40°49′N 81°22′W / 40.81°N 81.37°W