Preble County, Ohio

Adjacent counties

• Darke County (north)
• Montgomery County (east)
• Butler County (south)
• Union County, Indiana (southwest)
• Wayne County, Indiana (northwest)

Rivers and streams

• Little Four Mile Creek^[9]
• Harker's Run
• Seven Mile Creek
• Twin Creek
• Price Creek^[10]
• Goose Creek
• Pottinger Run

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 40,999 and a median age of 43.4 years. 22.6% of residents were under the age of 18 and 20.5% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 98.6 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 97.4 males age 18 and over.^[17]

The racial makeup of the county was 94.8% White, 0.5% Black or African American, 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.4% from some other race, and 3.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 0.9% of the population.^[18]

23.7% of residents lived in urban areas, while 76.3% lived in rural areas.^[19]

There were 16,412 households in the county, of which 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 52.1% were married-couple households, 17.6% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 23.1% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 26.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.^[17]

There were 18,093 housing units, of which 9.3% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 76.7% were owner-occupied and 23.3% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.5% and the rental vacancy rate was 7.2%.^[17]

Racial and ethnic composition

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 42,270 people, 16,341 households, and 11,867 families living in the county.^[29] The population density was 99.7 inhabitants per square mile (38.5/km²). There were 17,888 housing units at an average density of 42.2 units per square mile (16.3 units/km²).^[30] The racial makeup of the county was 97.6% white, 0.4% black or African American, 0.4% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.6% of the population.^[29] In terms of ancestry, 34.3% were German, 14.6% were Irish, 12.7% were American, and 11.5% were English.^[31]

Of the 16,341 households, 32.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.5% were married couples living together, 10.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 27.4% were non-families, and 23.2% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 2.99. The median age was 40.9 years.^[29]

The median income for a household in the county was $49,780 and the median income for a family was $57,711. Males had a median income of $46,383 versus $30,876 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,290. About 6.3% of families and 9.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.1% of those under age 18 and 6.8% of those age 65 or over.^[32]

2000 census

As of the census^[33] of 2000, there were 42,337 people, 16,001 households, and 12,144 families living in the county. The population density was 100 inhabitants per square mile (39/km²). There were 17,186 housing units at an average density of 40 units per square mile (15/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.47% White, 0.32% Black or African American, 0.21% Native American, 0.26% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.11% from other races, and 0.60% from two or more races. 0.43% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 16,001 households, out of which 34.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.50% were married couples living together, 8.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.10% were non-families. 20.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.00% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 28.70% from 25 to 44, 24.40% from 45 to 64, and 13.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 99.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $42,093, and the median income for a family was $47,547. Males had a median income of $35,313 versus $23,573 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,444. About 4.50% of families and 6.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.00% of those under age 18 and 6.10% of those age 65 or over.

Public school districts

School districts include:^[36]

• Union County College Corner Joint School District (the Patriots) (this portion is shown in the U.S. Census documents as being in the "College Corner Local School District")
  • College Corner Union School (grades K-5) is physically located in both Ohio and Indiana (the state line runs through the middle of the building) and serves students from both College Corner, Ohio, and West College Corner, Indiana. After finishing fifth grade, Preble County students attend Union County Middle School and Union County High School, both located across the state line in Liberty, Indiana.^[37]
• Eaton Community Schools
  • Eaton High School, Eaton (the Eagles)
• Edgewood City School District
• National Trail Local School District
  • National Trail High School, New Paris (the Blazers)
• Preble Shawnee Local School District
  • Preble Shawnee High School, Camden (the Arrows)
• Talawanda City School District
• Tri-County North Local School District
  • Tri-County North High School, Lewisburg (the Panthers)
• Twin Valley Community Local School District
  • Twin Valley South High School, West Alexandria (the Panthers)
• Valley View Local School District

Higher education

• Sinclair Community College
  • Preble County Learning Center, Eaton

City

• Eaton (county seat)

Villages

Townships

Census-designated place

• Lake Lakengren

Unincorporated communities