Guernsey County, Ohio
County in the United States
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Guernsey County is a county located in the east-central portion of the U.S. state of Ohio. As of the 2020 census, the population was 38,438.[3] Its county seat and largest city is Cambridge.[4] It is named from the Isle of Guernsey in the English Channel, from which many of the county's early settlers emigrated.[5]
Guernsey County, Ohio | |
|---|---|
| |
 Flag .svg) Seal | |
 Location within the U.S. state of Ohio | |
| Coordinates: 40°03′N 81°30′W | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Ohio |
| Founded | January 31, 1810[1] |
| Named after | Isle of Guernsey |
| Seat | Cambridge |
| Largest city | Cambridge |
| Area | |
• Total | 528 sq mi (1,370 km2) |
| • Land | 522 sq mi (1,350 km2) |
| • Water | 6.0 sq mi (16 km2) 1.1% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 38,438 |
38,219  | |
| • Density | 73.2/sq mi (28.3/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional district | 12th |
| Website | guernseycounty |
Guernsey County comprises the Cambridge, OH Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Columbus-Marion-Zanesville, OH Combined Statistical Area.
History
Guernsey County, located in the Appalachian foothills, was first formed and organized on March 10, 1810, from portions of Muskingum and Belmont counties by the Ohio Legislature. The first county commissioners were sworn in on April 23, 1810. It lost some land during the formation of neighboring counties until it reached its present boundaries in 1851, when Buffalo, Beaver, Olive, and Seneca townships were gained by Noble County. After a dispute whether the county seat should be Cambridge or Washington, it was established in Cambridge after two individuals proposed to donate the land and furnish the public buildings if built there.[6]
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 528 square miles (1,370 km2), of which 522 square miles (1,350 km2) is land and 6.0 square miles (16 km2) (1.1%) is water.[7]
Adjacent counties
- Tuscarawas County (north)
- Coshocton County (northwest)
- Harrison County (northeast)
- Noble County (south)
- Muskingum County (west)
- Belmont County (east)
Demographics
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1810 | 3,051 | — | |
| 1820 | 9,292 | 204.6% | |
| 1830 | 18,036 | 94.1% | |
| 1840 | 27,748 | 53.8% | |
| 1850 | 30,438 | 9.7% | |
| 1860 | 24,474 | −19.6% | |
| 1870 | 23,838 | −2.6% | |
| 1880 | 27,197 | 14.1% | |
| 1890 | 28,645 | 5.3% | |
| 1900 | 34,425 | 20.2% | |
| 1910 | 42,716 | 24.1% | |
| 1920 | 45,352 | 6.2% | |
| 1930 | 41,486 | −8.5% | |
| 1940 | 38,822 | −6.4% | |
| 1950 | 38,452 | −1.0% | |
| 1960 | 38,579 | 0.3% | |
| 1970 | 37,665 | −2.4% | |
| 1980 | 42,024 | 11.6% | |
| 1990 | 39,024 | −7.1% | |
| 2000 | 40,792 | 4.5% | |
| 2010 | 40,087 | −1.7% | |
| 2020 | 38,438 | −4.1% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 38,219 | | −0.6% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[8] 1790-1960[9] 1900-1990[10] 1990-2000[11] 2020[3] | |||
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 38,438. The median age was 43.2 years. 21.7% of residents were under the age of 18 and 20.7% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 97.1 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 95.8 males age 18 and over.[12][13]
The racial makeup of the county was 93.4% White, 1.4% Black or African American, 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.5% from some other race, and 4.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 1.2% of the population.[13]
37.5% of residents lived in urban areas, while 62.5% lived in rural areas.[14]
There were 16,100 households in the county, of which 26.9% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 44.8% were married-couple households, 19.8% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 26.8% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 30.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[12]
There were 19,009 housing units, of which 15.3% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 70.6% were owner-occupied and 29.4% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.2% and the rental vacancy rate was 10.3%.[12]
Racial and ethnic composition
| Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 1980[15] | Pop 1990[16] | Pop 2000[17] | Pop 2010[18] | Pop 2020[19] | % 1980 | % 1990 | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 41,002 | 38,062 | 39,108 | 38,276 | 35,717 | 97.57% | 97.53% | 95.87% | 95.48% | 92.92% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 637 | 613 | 622 | 580 | 520 | 1.52% | 1.57% | 1.52% | 1.45% | 1.35% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 30 | 70 | 118 | 86 | 87 | 0.07% | 0.18% | 0.29% | 0.21% | 0.23% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 134 | 132 | 121 | 109 | 149 | 0.32% | 0.34% | 0.30% | 0.27% | 0.39% |
| Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) | x [20] | x [21] | 2 | 8 | 7 | x | x | 0.00% | 0.02% | 0.02% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 56 | 17 | 39 | 26 | 65 | 0.13% | 0.04% | 0.10% | 0.06% | 0.17% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | x [22] | x [23] | 528 | 653 | 1,449 | x | x | 1.29% | 1.63% | 3.77% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 165 | 130 | 254 | 349 | 444 | 0.39% | 0.33% | 0.62% | 0.87% | 1.16% |
| Total | 42,024 | 39,024 | 40,792 | 40,087 | 38,438 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
2010 census
As of the 2010 United States census, there were 40,087 people, 16,210 households, and 10,949 families living in the county.[24] The population density was 76.8 inhabitants per square mile (29.7/km2). There were 19,193 housing units at an average density of 36.8 units per square mile (14.2 units/km2).[25] The racial makeup of the county was 96.0% white, 1.5% black or African American, 0.3% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.8% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.9% of the population.[24] In terms of ancestry, 22.3% were German, 15.2% were Irish, 12.4% were English, and 9.6% were American.[26]
Of the 16,210 households, 31.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.8% were married couples living together, 12.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 32.5% were non-families, and 27.7% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.95. The median age was 40.9 years.[24]
The median income for a household in the county was $37,573 and the median income for a family was $48,445. Males had a median income of $37,642 versus $29,348 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,187. About 13.6% of families and 17.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.7% of those under age 18 and 9.5% of those age 65 or over.[27]
2000 census
As of the census[28] of 2000, there were 40,792 people, 16,094 households, and 11,233 families living in the county. The population density was 78 inhabitants per square mile (30/km2). There were 18,771 housing units at an average density of 36 units per square mile (14/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.28% White, 1.53% Black or African American, 0.31% Native American, 0.30% Asian, 0.22% from other races, and 1.36% from two or more races. 0.62% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 96.7% spoke English, 1.3% Spanish and 1.1% German as their first language.
There were 16,094 households, out of which 32.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.90% were married couples living together, 11.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.20% were non-families. 26.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.00.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.20% under the age of 18, 7.90% from 18 to 24, 27.50% from 25 to 44, 24.00% from 45 to 64, and 14.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 94.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.40 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $30,110, and the median income for a family was $35,660. Males had a median income of $30,142 versus $20,804 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,542. About 12.90% of families and 16.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.50% of those under age 18 and 12.30% of those age 65 or over.
Politics
Guernsey County has been dominated by Republican Party candidates in presidential elections, with Democrats only winning the county in six presidential elections from 1856 on. The most recent Democrat to win the county was Bill Clinton in 1996.
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2024 | 13,314 | 75.54% | 4,154 | 23.57% | 158 | 0.90% |
| 2020 | 13,407 | 73.41% | 4,577 | 25.06% | 280 | 1.53% |
| 2016 | 11,445 | 68.75% | 4,359 | 26.18% | 843 | 5.06% |
| 2012 | 8,993 | 53.37% | 7,450 | 44.22% | 406 | 2.41% |
| 2008 | 9,197 | 52.93% | 7,625 | 43.88% | 553 | 3.18% |
| 2004 | 9,962 | 55.84% | 7,768 | 43.54% | 110 | 0.62% |
| 2000 | 8,181 | 53.02% | 6,643 | 43.05% | 606 | 3.93% |
| 1996 | 5,970 | 39.52% | 6,731 | 44.55% | 2,407 | 15.93% |
| 1992 | 5,749 | 35.17% | 6,428 | 39.32% | 4,171 | 25.51% |
| 1988 | 8,507 | 58.42% | 5,926 | 40.69% | 130 | 0.89% |
| 1984 | 10,252 | 66.81% | 4,967 | 32.37% | 125 | 0.81% |
| 1980 | 8,180 | 58.08% | 5,121 | 36.36% | 783 | 5.56% |
| 1976 | 7,746 | 49.90% | 7,573 | 48.78% | 205 | 1.32% |
| 1972 | 9,648 | 66.00% | 4,757 | 32.54% | 214 | 1.46% |
| 1968 | 7,336 | 49.44% | 5,815 | 39.19% | 1,686 | 11.36% |
| 1964 | 6,429 | 40.35% | 9,503 | 59.65% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 10,396 | 61.41% | 6,532 | 38.59% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1956 | 10,224 | 66.51% | 5,149 | 33.49% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1952 | 9,749 | 59.52% | 6,631 | 40.48% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1948 | 7,651 | 53.21% | 6,639 | 46.17% | 90 | 0.63% |
| 1944 | 8,878 | 57.69% | 6,512 | 42.31% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1940 | 10,125 | 53.76% | 8,710 | 46.24% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1936 | 8,532 | 42.51% | 11,404 | 56.82% | 134 | 0.67% |
| 1932 | 8,750 | 48.33% | 9,026 | 49.85% | 330 | 1.82% |
| 1928 | 11,174 | 74.10% | 3,709 | 24.60% | 197 | 1.31% |
| 1924 | 8,997 | 59.56% | 3,604 | 23.86% | 2,505 | 16.58% |
| 1920 | 8,764 | 54.36% | 6,888 | 42.72% | 470 | 2.92% |
| 1916 | 4,228 | 44.76% | 4,312 | 45.65% | 906 | 9.59% |
| 1912 | 3,426 | 37.68% | 2,726 | 29.98% | 2,940 | 32.34% |
| 1908 | 5,210 | 53.92% | 3,449 | 35.69% | 1,004 | 10.39% |
| 1904 | 5,427 | 62.89% | 2,448 | 28.37% | 755 | 8.75% |
| 1900 | 5,014 | 59.44% | 3,120 | 36.99% | 301 | 3.57% |
| 1896 | 4,337 | 55.78% | 3,258 | 41.90% | 180 | 2.32% |
| 1892 | 3,439 | 53.53% | 2,510 | 39.07% | 476 | 7.41% |
| 1888 | 3,560 | 54.40% | 2,520 | 38.51% | 464 | 7.09% |
| 1884 | 3,409 | 55.18% | 2,570 | 41.60% | 199 | 3.22% |
| 1880 | 3,318 | 55.78% | 2,568 | 43.17% | 62 | 1.04% |
| 1876 | 3,106 | 55.60% | 2,460 | 44.04% | 20 | 0.36% |
| 1872 | 2,629 | 57.78% | 1,901 | 41.78% | 20 | 0.44% |
| 1868 | 2,743 | 58.46% | 1,949 | 41.54% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1864 | 2,677 | 57.52% | 1,977 | 42.48% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1860 | 2,510 | 55.18% | 1,933 | 42.49% | 106 | 2.33% |
| 1856 | 2,392 | 52.76% | 1,932 | 42.61% | 210 | 4.63% |
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2024 | 11,836 | 68.07% | 4,839 | 27.83% | 712 | 4.10% |
Communities
City
- Cambridge (county seat)
