# Huron County, Ohio

Huron County (/ˈhjʊərɒn, -ən/ HURE-on, -⁠ən) is a county located in the U.S. state of Ohio. As of the 2020 census, the population was 58,565. Its county seat is Norwalk. The county was created in 1809 and later organized in 1815. Huron County is included in the Norwalk, OH Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Cleveland-Akron-Canton, OH Combined Statistical Area.

## History

Huron County was named in honor of the Huron Indians (more correctly called the Wyandot), an Iroquoian-speaking tribe who occupied large areas in the Great Lakes region. The word "Huron" may be French, although this origin is disputed.
In the late 18th century, this area was in the U.S. Northwest Territory, part of the Connecticut Western Reserve in a sub-region called the Firelands. Connecticut had originally claimed the land as part of its original colony, then afterward wanted to use it to grant land to veterans in lieu of cash payment for their service in the war. In 1795, the Connecticut Land Company purchased this land for resale and development. Later, it was solely administered by the "Fire Land Company". Many of the townships in Huron County are named for places in Connecticut.

## Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 495 square miles (1,280 km$^2$), of which 491 square miles (1,270 km$^2$) is land and 3.3 square miles (8.5 km$^2$) (0.7%) is water.

### Adjacent counties

* Erie County (north)
* Lorain County (east)
* Ashland County (southeast)
* Richland County (south)
* Crawford County (southwest)
* Seneca County (west)
* Sandusky County (northwest)

## Demographics
### 2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 59,487 people, 22,307 households, and 16,217 families living in the county. The population density was 121 inhabitants per square mile (47/km$^2$). There were 23,594 housing units at an average density of 48 units per square mile (19/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the county was 95.98% White, 0.97% Black or African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.63% from other races, and 0.99% from two or more races. 3.56% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 22,307 households, out of which 36.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.50% were married couples living together, 10.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.30% were non-families. 23.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.11.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 28.30% under the age of 18, 8.50% from 18 to 24, 28.90% from 25 to 44, 21.90% from 45 to 64, and 12.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 96.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $40,558, and the median income for a family was $46,911. Males had a median income of $35,760 versus $22,785 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,133. About 6.50% of families and 8.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.00% of those under age 18 and 7.70% of those age 65 or over.

### 2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 59,626 people, 22,820 households, and 16,141 families living in the county. The population density was 121.3 inhabitants per square mile (46.8/km$^2$). There were 25,196 housing units at an average density of 51.3 units per square mile (19.8 units/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the county was 94.9% white, 1.0% black or African American, 0.3% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 2.0% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 5.6% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 36.4% were German, 14.5% were Irish, 10.8% were English, and 8.9% were American.
Of the 22,820 households, 35.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.5% were married couples living together, 12.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 29.3% were non-families, and 24.4% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.05. The median age was 38.4 years.
The median income for a household in the county was $47,058 and the median income for a family was $53,887. Males had a median income of $41,566 versus $30,967 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,743. About 10.9% of families and 14.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.3% of those under age 18 and 7.0% of those age 65 or over.

## Politics

Huron County has almost always been a Republican stronghold. However, in the election of 1996, Bill Clinton narrowly carried the county by a margin of .6%.
United States presidential election results for Huron County, Ohio :
| Year | Republican | Republican | Democratic | Democratic | Third party(ies) | Third party(ies) |
| Year | No. | % | No. | % | No. | % |
| 2024 | 19,484 | 71.26% | 7,496 | 27.41% | 364 | 1.33% |
| 2020 | 18,956 | 69.72% | 7,759 | 28.54% | 475 | 1.75% |
| 2016 | 16,226 | 64.90% | 7,192 | 28.77% | 1,584 | 6.34% |
| 2012 | 13,060 | 52.85% | 11,006 | 44.54% | 645 | 2.61% |
| 2008 | 12,884 | 50.36% | 12,076 | 47.21% | 622 | 2.43% |
| 2004 | 14,817 | 57.97% | 10,568 | 41.35% | 173 | 0.68% |
| 2000 | 12,286 | 57.52% | 8,183 | 38.31% | 891 | 4.17% |
| 1996 | 8,750 | 41.35% | 8,858 | 41.86% | 3,553 | 16.79% |
| 1992 | 9,480 | 38.74% | 7,930 | 32.41% | 7,061 | 28.85% |
| 1988 | 12,633 | 61.20% | 7,794 | 37.76% | 215 | 1.04% |
| 1984 | 14,388 | 67.96% | 6,609 | 31.22% | 174 | 0.82% |
| 1980 | 11,173 | 58.32% | 6,537 | 34.12% | 1,449 | 7.56% |
| 1976 | 9,386 | 51.95% | 7,742 | 42.85% | 938 | 5.19% |
| 1972 | 10,942 | 63.10% | 5,491 | 31.67% | 907 | 5.23% |
| 1968 | 9,456 | 53.38% | 6,515 | 36.78% | 1,743 | 9.84% |
| 1964 | 7,655 | 41.52% | 10,780 | 58.48% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 12,261 | 61.94% | 7,534 | 38.06% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1956 | 12,208 | 73.43% | 4,418 | 26.57% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1952 | 12,372 | 71.73% | 4,875 | 28.27% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1948 | 9,004 | 59.50% | 6,073 | 40.13% | 57 | 0.38% |
| 1944 | 11,442 | 66.06% | 5,879 | 33.94% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1940 | 11,758 | 63.56% | 6,741 | 36.44% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1936 | 8,318 | 46.15% | 8,500 | 47.16% | 1,204 | 6.68% |
| 1932 | 8,702 | 49.16% | 8,795 | 49.69% | 204 | 1.15% |
| 1928 | 10,702 | 67.18% | 5,157 | 32.37% | 71 | 0.45% |
| 1924 | 8,340 | 62.12% | 2,871 | 21.39% | 2,214 | 16.49% |
| 1920 | 9,348 | 67.18% | 4,398 | 31.61% | 169 | 1.21% |
| 1916 | 4,048 | 48.31% | 4,136 | 49.36% | 196 | 2.34% |
| 1912 | 1,707 | 20.61% | 3,317 | 40.05% | 3,259 | 39.35% |
| 1908 | 4,930 | 52.73% | 4,262 | 45.58% | 158 | 1.69% |
| 1904 | 5,613 | 66.11% | 2,622 | 30.88% | 255 | 3.00% |
| 1900 | 4,993 | 55.14% | 3,906 | 43.14% | 156 | 1.72% |
| 1896 | 5,008 | 53.98% | 4,185 | 45.11% | 84 | 0.91% |
| 1892 | 4,257 | 51.93% | 3,592 | 43.82% | 349 | 4.26% |
| 1888 | 4,392 | 53.35% | 3,438 | 41.76% | 402 | 4.88% |
| 1884 | 4,650 | 56.01% | 3,311 | 39.88% | 341 | 4.11% |
| 1880 | 4,566 | 57.96% | 3,040 | 38.59% | 272 | 3.45% |
| 1876 | 4,504 | 59.37% | 3,014 | 39.73% | 68 | 0.90% |
| 1872 | 3,812 | 62.82% | 2,182 | 35.96% | 74 | 1.22% |
| 1868 | 4,019 | 64.18% | 2,243 | 35.82% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1864 | 4,430 | 67.99% | 2,086 | 32.01% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1860 | 4,107 | 65.39% | 2,083 | 33.16% | 91 | 1.45% |
| 1856 | 3,468 | 66.30% | 1,709 | 32.67% | 54 | 1.03% |

## Government
### Officials

Commissioner - Terry Boose
Commissioner - Harry Brady
Commissioner - Bruce "Skip" Wilde
Auditor - Roland Tkach
Clerk of Courts - Susan Hazel
Coroner - Jeffery Harwood
Engineer - Joseph B. Kovach
Prosecutor - Joel Sitterly
Recorder - Jan Tkach
Treasurer - Kathleen Schaffer
Sheriff - Todd Corbin
Judge of Court of Common Pleas - James Conway
Court Secretary (non-elected position) - Julie Wise

## Infrastructure
### Major highways

* US Route 20
* US Route 224
* US Route 250
* State Route 4
* State Route 13
* State Route 18
* State Route 60
* State Route 61
* State Route 99
* State Route 103
* State Route 113
* State Route 162
* State Route 269
* State Route 303
* State Route 547
* State Route 598
* State Route 601
* State Route 603

## Communities
### Cities

* Bellevue
* Norwalk (county seat)
* Willard

### Villages

* Greenwich
* Milan
* Monroeville
* New London
* North Fairfield
* Plymouth
* Wakeman

### Townships

* Bronson
* Clarksfield
* Fairfield
* Fitchville
* Greenfield
* Greenwich
* Hartland
* Lyme
* New Haven
* New London
* Norwalk
* Norwich
* Peru
* Richmond
* Ridgefield
* Ripley
* Sherman
* Townsend
* Wakeman

### Census-designated places

* Celeryville
* Collins
* Holiday Lakes
* New Haven

### Unincorporated communities

* Boughtonville
* Centerton
* Clarksfield
* Delphi
* East Townsend
* Fitchville
* Havana
* Hunts Corners
* New Pittsburgh
* North Monroeville
* Olena
* Steuben

## Notable people

* Phillip Johnson, American Architect
* Laura Owens, American Painter
* Alan Blackburn, American artist
* Flora Call Disney, Walt Disney’s mother
* Ezekiel S. Sampson, two-term Republican Congressman from Iowa's 6th congressional district; born in Huron County.
* Paul Brown, American college and professional football coach; member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame
* Lefty Grove, American baseball player, member of the Baseball Hall of Fame