Franklin County, Ohio

Franklin County, Ohio
Franklin County Government Center

Seal
Map of Ohio highlighting Franklin County
Location in the U.S. state of Ohio
Map of the United States highlighting Ohio
Ohio's location in the U.S.
Founded April 30, 1803[1]
Named for Benjamin Franklin
Seat Columbus
Largest city Columbus
Area
 • Total 544 sq mi (1,409 km2)
 • Land 532 sq mi (1,378 km2)
 • Water 11 sq mi (28 km2), 2.1%
Population (est.)
 • (2016) 1,291,981
 • Density 2,186/sq mi (844/km2)
Congressional districts 3rd, 12th, 15th
Time zone Eastern: UTC−5/−4
Website www.co.franklin.oh.us

Franklin County is a county in the U.S. state of Ohio. As of 2017 census estimates, the population was 1,291,981,[2] making it the most populous county in Ohio. Its county seat is Columbus,[3] the state capital and most populous city in Ohio. The county was established on April 30, 1803, less than two months after Ohio became a state, and was named after Benjamin Franklin.[4] Franklin County originally extended all the way north to Lake Erie before Ohio subdivided further into more counties.

Franklin County is included in the Columbus, OH Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Franklin County, particularly Columbus, has been a centerpiece for presidential and congressional politics, most notably the 2000 presidential election, the 2004 presidential election, and the 2006 midterm elections. Franklin County is home to one of the largest universities in the United States, The Ohio State University, which as of fall 2017 has an enrollment of 59,837 students on its main Columbus campus.[5]

History

On March 30, 1803, the Ohio government authorized the creation of Franklin County. The county originally was part of Ross County. Residents named the county in honor of Benjamin Franklin.[6] In 1816, Franklin County’s Columbus became Ohio’s state capital. Surveyors laid out the city in 1812, and officials incorporated it in 1816. Columbus was not Ohio’s original capital, but the state legislature chose to move the state government there after its location for a short time at Chillicothe and at Zanesville. Columbus was chosen as the site for the new capital because of its central location within the state and access by way of major transportation routes (primarily rivers) at that time. The legislature chose it as Ohio’s capital over a number of other competitors, including Franklinton, Dublin, Worthington, and Delaware.

On May 5, 1802 a group of prospective settlers founded the Scioto Company at the home of Rev. Eber B. Clark in Granby, Connecticut for the purpose of forming a settlement between the Muskingum River and Great Miami River in the Ohio Country. James Kilbourne was elected president and Josiah Topping secretary (McCormick 1998:7). On August 30, 1802 James Kilbourne and Nathaniel Little arrived at Colonel Thomas Worthington's home in Chillicothe, Ohio. They tentatively reserved land along the Scioto River on the Pickaway Plains for their new settlement (McCormick 1998:17).

On October 5, 1802, the Scioto Company met in Granby, Connecticut and decided not to purchase the lands along the Scioto River on the Pickaway Plains, but rather to buy land 30 miles (48 km) farther north from Dr. Jonas Stanbery and his partner, an American Revolutionary War general, Jonathan Dayton. Sixteen thousand acres (65 km²) were purchased along the Whetstone River (now known as the Olentangy River) at $1.50 per acre (McCormick 1998:19-27). This land was part of the United States Military District surveyed by Israel Ludlow in 1797 and divided into townships 5 miles (8.0 km) square.[7]

Before the state legislature’s decision in 1812, Columbus did not exist. The city was designed from the first as the state’s capital, preparing itself for its role in Ohio’s political, economic, and social life. In the years between first ground-breaking and the actual movement of the capital in 1816, Columbus and Franklin County grew significantly. By 1813, workers had built a penitentiary, and by the following year, residents had established the first church, school, and newspaper in Columbus. Workers completed the Ohio Statehouse in 1861. Columbus and Franklin County grew quickly in population, with the city having 700 people by 1815. Columbus officially became the county seat in 1824. By 1834, the population of Columbus was 4,000 people, officially elevating it to "city" status.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 544 square miles (1,410 km2), of which 532 square miles (1,380 km2) is land and 11 square miles (28 km2) (2.1%) is water.[8] The county is located in the Till Plains and the Appalachian Plateau land regions.

The county is drained by the Olentangy River and the Scioto River. Major creeks in the county include Big Darby Creek, Big Walnut Creek, and Alum Creek. There are two large reservoirs in the county, Hoover Reservoir and Griggs Reservoir.[9]

Adjacent counties

Major highways

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.%±
18103,486—
182010,292195.2%
183014,74143.2%
184025,04969.9%
185042,90971.3%
186050,36117.4%
187063,01925.1%
188086,79737.7%
1890124,08743.0%
1900164,46032.5%
1910221,56734.7%
1920283,95128.2%
1930361,05527.2%
1940388,7127.7%
1950503,41029.5%
1960682,96235.7%
1970833,24922.0%
1980869,1324.3%
1990961,43710.6%
20001,068,97811.2%
20101,163,4148.8%
Est. 20171,291,981[10]11.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[11]
1790-1960[12] 1900-1990[13]
1990-2000[14] 2010-2013[15]

2000 census

At the 2000 United States Census there were 1,068,978 people, 438,778 households, and 263,705 families residing in the county.[16] The population density was 1,980 per square mile (765/km²). There were 471,016 housing units at an average density of 872 per square mile (337/km²).[17] The racial makeup of the county was 75.48% White, 17.89% Black or African American, 0.27% Native American, 3.07% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.03% from other races, and 2.23% from two or more races. 2.27% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.[16]

There were 438,778 households of which 30.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.00% were married couples living together, 13.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.90% were non-families. 30.90% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 3.03.[16]

25.10% of the population were under the age of 18, 11.70% from 18 to 24, 33.30% from 25 to 44, 20.10% from 45 to 64, and 9.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 94.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.50 males.[16]

The median household income was $42,734 and the median family income was $53,905. Males had a median income of $37,672 versus $29,856 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,059. About 8.20% of families and 11.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.20% of those under age 18 and 8.60% of those age 65 or over.[18]

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 1,163,414 people, 477,235 households, and 278,030 families residing in the county.[19] The population density was 2,186.1 inhabitants per square mile (844.1/km2). There were 527,186 housing units at an average density of 990.6 per square mile (382.5/km2).[20] The racial makeup of the county was 69.2% white, 21.2% black or African American, 3.9% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 2.3% from other races, and 3.0% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 4.8% of the population.[19] In terms of ancestry, 24.2% were German, 14.4% were Irish, 9.1% were English, 5.5% were Italian, and 5.0% were American.[21]

Of the 477,235 households, 31.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.0% were married couples living together, 14.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 41.7% were non-families, and 31.9% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 3.05. The median age was 33.4 years.[19]

The median income for a household in the county was $49,087 and the median income for a family was $62,372. Males had a median income of $45,920 versus $37,685 for females. The per capita income for the county was $26,909. About 12.1% of families and 17.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.0% of those under age 18 and 9.4% of those age 65 or over.[22]

Politics

For most of the 20th century, Franklin county has been Republican leaning. Since the 1996 presidential election though, Franklin County has trended solidly Democratic. Columbus and most of its northern suburbs in the county lean Democratic, and the southern section of the county leans Republican. In congress, it is represented by Joyce Beatty(3rd) and Steve Stivers(15th), while the 12th district is currently vacant.

Presidential elections results
Presidential elections results[23]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2016 33.9% 199,331 59.8% 351,198 6.3% 36,995
2012 37.8% 215,997 60.5% 346,373 1.7% 9,818
2008 38.9% 218,486 59.6% 334,709 1.5% 8,568
2004 45.1% 237,253 54.4% 285,801 0.5% 2,773
2000 47.8% 197,862 48.8% 202,018 3.4% 14,194
1996 44.6% 178,412 48.1% 192,795 7.3% 29,308
1992 41.9% 186,324 39.7% 176,656 18.4% 81,821
1988 60.0% 226,265 39.1% 147,585 0.9% 3,507
1984 64.1% 250,360 33.7% 131,530 2.2% 8,584
1980 53.9% 200,948 38.6% 143,932 7.6% 28,165
1976 55.7% 189,645 41.6% 141,624 2.8% 9,443
1972 63.7% 219,771 34.1% 117,562 2.2% 7,475
1968 51.8% 148,933 35.2% 101,240 13.0% 37,451
1964 46.0% 131,345 54.1% 154,527
1960 59.4% 161,178 40.6% 110,283
1956 65.8% 151,544 34.2% 78,852
1952 60.3% 138,894 39.8% 91,620
1948 53.4% 98,707 45.8% 84,806 0.8% 1,486
1944 52.6% 99,292 47.4% 89,394
1940 48.9% 92,533 51.1% 96,601
1936 40.4% 63,830 57.4% 90,746 2.2% 3,471
1932 52.2% 67,957 45.0% 58,539 2.8% 3,664
1928 65.9% 92,019 33.7% 47,084 0.4% 609
1924 57.7% 61,891 24.7% 26,505 17.6% 18,899
1920 54.2% 59,691 44.0% 48,452 1.8% 1,921
1916 40.4% 24,107 57.1% 34,103 2.5% 1,517
1912 25.2% 12,791 40.8% 20,697 34.0% 17,227
1908 53.5% 28,914 43.1% 23,314 3.5% 1,869
1904 61.5% 27,439 34.7% 15,502 3.8% 1,681
1900 52.2% 22,237 46.5% 19,809 1.3% 550
1896 52.0% 20,291 46.9% 18,320 1.1% 442
1892 46.5% 14,341 50.3% 15,495 3.2% 999
1888 47.6% 13,453 50.0% 14,126 2.5% 692
1884 47.7% 11,194 50.4% 11,842 1.9% 441
1880 48.3% 9,438 50.5% 9,863 1.2% 240
1876 44.4% 7,557 55.1% 9,383 0.6% 97
1872 43.9% 5,796 55.7% 7,345 0.4% 56

Government

Communities

Map of Franklin County with municipal and township labels

Franklin County is currently made up of 16 cities, 10 villages, and 17 townships.

Cities

Villages

Townships

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

Census-designated places

Other unincorporated communities

See also

Footnotes

  1. ↑ "Ohio County Profiles: Franklin County" (PDF). Ohio Department of Development. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2007-06-21. Retrieved 2007-04-28.
  2. ↑ "American Factfinder".
  3. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on 2011-05-31. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  4. ↑ "Franklin County data". Ohio State University Extension Data Center. Archived from the original on 2007-12-03. Retrieved 2007-04-28.
  5. ↑ "Statistical Summary". osu.edu. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
  6. ↑ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. p. 131.
  7. ↑ "A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation: U.S. Congressional Documents and Debates, 1774 - 1875". memory.loc.gov. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  8. ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on May 4, 2014. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  9. ↑ Query of Geographic Names Information System
  10. ↑ "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved June 9, 2017.
  11. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on May 12, 2015. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  12. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  13. ↑ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  14. ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  15. ↑ "Franklin County now most populous in Ohio". Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved March 31, 2017.
  16. 1 2 3 4 "SF 1 Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000, Franklin County, Ohio". United States Census Bureau. 2000. Retrieved September 28, 2017.
  17. ↑ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2000 - County, Franklin County, Ohio". United States Census Bureau. 2000. Retrieved September 29, 2017.
  18. ↑ "SF 3 Profile of Selected Economic Characteristics: 2000, Franklin County, Ohio". United States Census Bureau. 2000. Retrieved September 29, 2017.
  19. 1 2 3 "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2015-12-27.
  20. ↑ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2015-12-27.
  21. ↑ "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2015-12-27.
  22. ↑ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2015-12-27.
  23. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  24. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-02-06. Retrieved 2013-02-14.

Further reading

Coordinates: 39°58′N 83°01′W / 39.97°N 83.01°W / 39.97; -83.01

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.