Brown County, Ohio

Brown County is a county in the U.S. state of Ohio. As of the 2010 United States Census, the population was 44,846.[1] The county seat is Georgetown.[2] The county was created in 1818[3] and is named for Major General Jacob Brown, an officer in the War of 1812 who was wounded at the Battle of Lundy's Lane.[4]

Brown County
U.S. county
Seal
Location within the U.S. state of Ohio
Ohio's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 38°56′N 83°52′W
Country United States
State Ohio
Founded1 March 1818
Named forGeneral Jacob Brown
SeatGeorgetown
Largest villageGeorgetown
Area
 • Total493 sq mi (1,280 km2)
 • Land490 sq mi (1,300 km2)
 • Water3.4 sq mi (9 km2)  0.7%%
Population
 • Estimate 
(2019)
43,432
 • Density91.5/sq mi (35.3/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district2nd
Websitewww.browncountyohio.gov

Brown County is part of the Cincinnati-Middletown, OH-KY-IN Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History
White burley tobacco monument dedicated on August 7, 1964 and located at the Ohio Tobacco Museum in Ripley.

After the American Revolutionary War, the federal government established the Northwest Territory, a large area which encompassed the present county. In 1790 several counties were established, Hamilton among them. In 1797, a portion of Hamilton was partitioned off to create Adams County, and in 1800 another portion was partitioned to create Clermont. This lasted for two decades, during which the area north of the Ohio River attracted settlers.

Among the early settlers was Jesse Root Grant (father of future US President Grant), who built a home and set up a tannery in the future Georgetown area, where young Hiram Ulysses (later changed to Ulysses S.) spent his youth.[5]

On 1 March 1818, portions of Adams and Clermont counties were partitioned off to create Brown County, with Georgetown as its seat. The boundaries of the county were altered in 1874, when a portion was moved to Highland County; they have remained intact since then.[3]

Brown County was said to be the place of origin of the White Burley type of tobacco, grown in 1864 by George Webb and Joseph Fore on the farm of Captain Frederick Kautz near Higginsport, with seed from Bracken County, Kentucky. He noticed it yielded a different type of light leaf shaded from white to yellow, and cured differently. By 1866, he harvested 20,000 pounds of Burley tobacco and sold it in 1867 at the St. Louis Fair for $58 per hundred pounds. By 1883, the principal market for this tobacco was Cincinnati, but it was grown throughout central Kentucky and Middle Tennessee.[6] Later the type became referred to as burley tobacco, and it was air-cured.

Geography

Brown County lies on the south line of the state of Ohio. Its south border abuts the north border of the state of Kentucky across the Ohio River. The Ohio flows westward along the county's south line. White Oak Creek flows southward through the lower part of southwest Brown County, discharging into the Ohio at Higginsport; Straight Creek flows southwestward through the lower central part of the county, discharging into the Ohio two miles (3 km) east of Higginsport. Eagle Creek flows southerly through the lower eastern part of the county, discharging into the Ohio east of Ripley. The east fork of the Little Miami River flows southwestward through the upper part of the county, entering Clermont County near Marathon.

The terrain of Brown County consists of low rolling hills, carved by drainages. All available areas are devoted to agriculture.[7] The highest point (at 1,089' or 332 m ASL) in Brown County is a point on Ash Ridge, 9 miles (15 km) southeast of Lake Waynoka.[8] The county has an area of 493 square miles (1,280 km2), of which 490 square miles (1,300 km2) is land and 3.4 square miles (8.8 km2) (0.7%) is water.[9]

Main highways
  • US-50
  • US-52
  • US-62
  • US-68
  • OH-32
  • OH-125
  • OH-131
  • OH-134
  • OH-221
  • OH-286
  • OH-353
  • OH-505
  • OH-756
  • OH-763
  • OH-774

Adjacent counties

Lakes
  • Grant Lake
  • Lake Lorelei
  • Lake Waynoka

Protected areas[7]
  • Della Gates and Charles Bott Wildlife Area
  • Grant Lake Wildlife Area
  • Indian Creek Wildlife Area
  • Eagle Creek Wildlife Area

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
182013,356—
183017,86733.8%
184022,71527.1%
185027,33220.3%
186029,9589.6%
187030,8022.8%
188032,9116.8%
189029,899−9.2%
190028,237−5.6%
191024,832−12.1%
192022,621−8.9%
193020,148−10.9%
194021,6387.4%
195022,2212.7%
196025,17813.3%
197026,6355.8%
198031,92019.8%
199034,9669.5%
200042,28520.9%
201044,8466.1%
Est. 201943,432[10]−3.2%
US Decennial Census[11]
1790-1960[12] 1900-1990[13]
1990-2000[14] 2010-2019[1]

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 44,846 people, 17,014 households, and 12,379 families in the county.[15] The population density was 91.5/sqmi (35.3/km²). There were 19,301 housing units at an average density of 39.4/sqmi (15.2/km²).[16] The racial makeup of the county was 97.5% white, 0.9% black or African American, 0.2% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.0% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.6% of the population.[15] In terms of ancestry, 27.0% were German, 14.2% were Irish, 12.5% were American, and 9.7% were English.[17]

Of the 17,014 households, 34.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.7% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 27.2% were non-families, and 22.6% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.02. The median age was 39.9 years.[15]

The median income for a household in the county was $45,887 and the median income for a family was $54,184. Males had a median income of $39,049 versus $30,890 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,167. About 9.0% of families and 12.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.2% of those under age 18 and 8.4% of those age 65 or over.[18]

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States Census,[19] there were 42,285 people, 15,555 households, and 11,790 families in the county. The population density was 86.3/sqmi (33.3/km²). There were 17,193 housing units at an average density of 35.1/sqmi (13.5/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.08% White, 0.92% Black or African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.13% Asian, 0.08% from other races, and 0.60% from two or more races. 0.44% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 29.5% were of American, 28.2% German, 10.7% English and 10.2% Irish ancestry.

There were 15,555 households out of which 37.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.30% were married couples living together, 10.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.20% were non-families. 20.20% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.69 and the average family size was 3.09.

The county population contained 27.60% under the age of 18, 8.10% from 18 to 24, 30.30% from 25 to 44, 22.40% from 45 to 64, and 11.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 96.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.80 males.

The county's median household income was $38,303, and the median family income was $43,040. Males had a median income of $32,647 versus $22,483 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,100. About 8.80% of families and 11.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.20% of those under age 18 and 9.40% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

Prior to 1928, Brown County was Democratic Party stronghold in presidential elections. 1928 to 1988 saw the county become a swing county, backing the national winner in all but 1944 & 1960. It has since become a Republican Party stronghold, with Jimmy Carter in 1976 representing the last Democratic win of the county at the presidential level.

Presidential election results
Presidential election results[20]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2016 74.0% 14,573 22.1% 4,353 3.8% 756
2012 61.5% 11,916 36.7% 7,107 1.9% 369
2008 60.5% 12,192 37.2% 7,503 2.3% 471
2004 63.6% 12,647 35.9% 7,140 0.5% 105
2000 61.0% 10,027 36.4% 5,972 2.6% 430
1996 45.4% 6,970 41.1% 6,318 13.5% 2,078
1992 38.9% 5,912 36.5% 5,540 24.6% 3,734
1988 59.4% 7,539 39.8% 5,047 0.9% 112
1984 66.3% 8,221 32.8% 4,067 0.9% 116
1980 53.5% 6,065 41.5% 4,706 5.0% 566
1976 44.9% 4,549 53.6% 5,432 1.4% 145
1972 62.7% 6,772 34.9% 3,770 2.4% 262
1968 44.3% 4,700 34.0% 3,610 21.7% 2,307
1964 35.9% 3,904 64.1% 6,983
1960 55.7% 6,461 44.3% 5,133
1956 56.7% 5,690 43.3% 4,346
1952 53.9% 5,635 46.1% 4,828
1948 43.2% 3,931 56.5% 5,140 0.3% 28
1944 51.4% 5,024 48.6% 4,743
1940 49.3% 5,477 50.8% 5,644
1936 40.7% 4,511 57.0% 6,316 2.4% 261
1932 36.9% 3,930 61.9% 6,601 1.2% 131
1928 62.1% 5,681 37.4% 3,422 0.6% 52
1924 43.1% 3,616 49.1% 4,120 7.9% 663
1920 42.8% 4,009 56.7% 5,317 0.5% 44
1916 35.7% 2,227 63.4% 3,959 0.9% 56
1912 28.3% 1,650 59.1% 3,451 12.6% 735
1908 38.0% 2,638 61.1% 4,242 0.8% 58
1904 42.4% 2,730 55.8% 3,590 1.8% 118
1900 39.4% 2,991 57.9% 4,397 2.7% 206
1896 41.1% 3,170 58.1% 4,485 0.8% 61
1892 40.3% 2,865 55.9% 3,975 3.9% 277
1888 41.0% 3,055 56.8% 4,237 2.3% 169
1884 42.8% 3,226 56.6% 4,272 0.7% 49
1880 42.4% 3,184 57.5% 4,324 0.2% 11
1876 42.0% 2,956 57.8% 4,068 0.2% 16
1872 43.6% 2,593 56.2% 3,337 0.2% 12
1868 45.6% 2,715 54.3% 3,238
1864 47.9% 2,702 52.0% 2,929
1860 38.6% 2,105 55.2% 3,006 6.0% 329
1856 36.3% 1,785 54.9% 2,700 8.7% 428

Government
See also: Ohio county government

Brown County has three County Commissioners who oversee the various County departments. Commissioners (as of Nov. 2018) are:[21]

  • Barry Woodruff (R)
  • Daryll Gray (R)
  • Tony Applegate (R)[22]

Media

Radio
  • WRAC C103 Country 103.1 FM (West Union)
  • WAOL 99.5 (Ripley)

Newspapers
  • The News Democrat[23] (Georgetown)
  • The Brown County Press[24] (Mount Orab)
  • The County Free Press[25] (Georgetown, Monthly)
  • The Ripley Bee[26] (Ripley, Weekly)

Communities
Map of Brown County, Ohio With Municipal and Township Labels

Villages

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Townships

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 19, 2020.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. "Ohio: Individual County Chronologies". Ohio Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library. 2007. Retrieved February 12, 2015.
  4. Taylor, William Alexander (1899). Ohio Statesmen and Annals of Progress. Press of the Westbote Company. p. 243.
  5. White, Rodald C., 2016 A life of Ulysses S. Grant, p. 11
  6. J.M. Stoddart, Encyclopædia Britannica. American Supplement (Stoddart's Encyclopaedia Americana: A Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, and General Literature, and Companion to the Encyclopædia Britannica. (9th ed.) and to All Other Encyclopaedias, Volume 1), 1883, p. 123, accessed 5 February 2011
  7. Brown County OH - Google Maps (accessed 9 June 2019)
  8. Ash Ridge Benchmark, Ohio (PeakBagger.com) Accessed 9 June 2019)
  9. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on May 4, 2014. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  10. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  11. "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. 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". US Census Bureau. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  14. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  15. "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  16. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  17. "Selected Social Characteristics in the US – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  18. "Selected Economic Characteristics – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  19. "U.S. Census website". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  20. Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org.
  21. "Brown County Commissioners". Brown County web Portal. Retrieved June 9, 2019.
  22. "Applegate gets the nod for County Commissioner". Brown County News Democrat. June 11, 2012. Archived from the original on January 29, 2013. Retrieved October 3, 2012.
  23. "News Democrat". www.newsdemocrat.com.
  24. "The Brown County Press". The Brown County Press.
  25. https://web.archive.org/web/20070514033553/http://www.countyfreepress.com/
  26. "The Ripley Bee –". www.ripleybee.com.
  27. Northern Kentucky Views: Boudes Ferry (accessed 9 June 2019)
  28. OH Township List

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