| Stark County, Ohio | |
| Map | |
 Location in the state of Ohio |
|
 Ohio's location in the U.S. |
|
| Statistics | |
| Founded | February 13, 1808[1] |
|---|---|
| Seat | Canton |
| Largest city | Canton |
| Area - Total - Land - Water |
581 sq mi (1,505 km²) 576 sq mi (1,492 km²) 5 sq mi (12 km²), 0.82 |
| Population - (2000) - Density |
378,098 656/sq mi (253/km²) |
| Time zone | Eastern: UTC-5/-4 |
| Website: www.co.stark.oh.us | |
| Named for: John Stark | |
Stark County is a county located in the U.S. state of Ohio. As of the 2000 census, the population was 378,098. It is included in the Canton-Massillon, Ohio Metropolitan Statistical Area.
It is named for John Stark, an officer in the American Revolutionary War.[2] Its county seat is Canton[3].
Contents |
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 581 square miles (1,505 km²).576 square miles (1,492 km²) of it is land and 5 square miles (12 km²) of it (0.82%) is water.
Adjacent counties
- Portage County (north)
- Mahoning County (northeast)
- Columbiana County (east)
- Carroll County (southeast)
- Tuscarawas County (south)
- Holmes County (southwest)
- Wayne County (west)
- Summit County (northwest)
Stark County, Ohio, is one of the few counties in the United States to border as many as 8 counties.
National protected area
History
Stark County was named in honor of American Revolutionary War General John Stark. John Stark (August 28, 1728 – May 8, 1822) was a general who served in the American Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. He became widely known as the "Hero of Bennington" for his exemplary service at the Battle of Bennington in 1777.
In the later 20th century, Stark County's voting record swung from one party to another, closely tracking the winner of the U.S. Presidential election. Even within the swing state of Ohio, Stark County is regarded as a quintessential bellwether, and thus presidential candidates have typically made multiple visits to the region. Major media outlets typically pay close attention to the election results in the county. The New York Times in particular has covered the county's citizens and their voting concerns in a series of features each election cycle for over a decade.
Demographics
| Historical populations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1810 | 2,734 |
|
|
| 1820 | 12,406 | 353.8% | |
| 1830 | 26,588 | 114.3% | |
| 1840 | 34,603 | 30.1% | |
| 1850 | 39,878 | 15.2% | |
| 1860 | 42,978 | 7.8% | |
| 1870 | 52,508 | 22.2% | |
| 1880 | 64,031 | 21.9% | |
| 1890 | 84,170 | 31.5% | |
| 1900 | 94,747 | 12.6% | |
| 1910 | 122,987 | 29.8% | |
| 1920 | 177,218 | 44.1% | |
| 1930 | 221,784 | 25.1% | |
| 1940 | 234,887 | 5.9% | |
| 1950 | 283,194 | 20.6% | |
| 1960 | 340,345 | 20.2% | |
| 1970 | 372,210 | 9.4% | |
| 1980 | 378,823 | 1.8% | |
| 1990 | 367,585 | −3.0% | |
| 2000 | 378,098 | 2.9% | |
| Est. 2007 | 378,664 | 0.1% | |
| Population 1810-2007.[1] | |||
As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 378,098 people, 148,316 households, and 102,782 families residing in the county. The population density was 656 people per square mile (253/km²). There were 157,024 housing units at an average density of 272 per square mile (105/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 90.28% White, 7.20% Black or African American, 0.24% Native American, 0.54% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.29% from other races, and 1.43% from two or more races. 0.92% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 148,316 households out of which 31.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.20% were married couples living together, 11.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.70% were non-families. 26.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.00.
In the county, the population was spread out with 24.80% under the age of 18, 8.30% from 18 to 24, 27.80% from 25 to 44, 24.00% from 45 to 64, and 15.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 92.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.40 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $39,824, and the median income for a family was $47,747. Males had a median income of $37,065 versus $23,875 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,417. About 6.80% of families and 9.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.90% of those under age 18 and 6.60% of those age 65 or over.
Government
Elected Officials[5]
- Commissioners: Todd Bosley, Tom Harmon, Dr. Peter Ferguson
- Auditor: Kim R. Perez
- Clerk of Courts: Nancy Reinbold
- Judges of the Court of Common Pleas: Hon. Charles E. Brown Jr., Hon. John G. Haas, Hon. Taryn L. Heath, Hon. Francis G. Forchione, Hon Lee Sinclair
- Coroner: P.S. Murphy M.D.
- Engineer: Michael J. Rehfus
- Family Court: Hon. David E. Stucki, Hon Jim D. James, Hon Michael L. Howard
- Probate Court: Hon. Dixie Park
- Prosecutor: John D. Ferraro
- Recorder: Rick Campbell
- Sheriff: Timothy Swanson
- Treasurer: Gary D. Zeigler
Controversies
In 2008, a video showing sheriff's deputies allegedly committing a brutal strip search of a crime victim caused a wave of controversy and protest.[6] This may be one instance of a pattern of abuse of female prisoners in the Stark County jail, as five other women have since come forth to relate similar claims. [7] [8]
Localities
Cities
Villages
Townships
Census-designated places
Other localities
References
- ^ a b "Ohio County Profiles: Stark County" (PDF). Ohio Department of Development. http://www.odod.state.oh.us/research/FILES/S0/Stark.pdf. Retrieved 2007-04-28.
- ^ "Stark County data". Ohio State University Extension Data Center. http://www.osuedc.org/profiles/profile_entrance.php?fips=39151&sid=0. Retrieved 2007-04-28.
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. http://www.naco.org/Template.cfm?Section=Find_a_County&Template=/cffiles/counties/usamap.cfm. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ County Elected Officials
- ^ "News Report and Video of interrogation". WKYC WKYC Channel 3 News. http://www.thespectra.net/mambo/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=299&Itemid=272. Retrieved 2008-02-03.
- ^ "Strip Search Part 4: Four more women come forward with similar stories". WKYC WKYC Channel 3 News. http://www.wkyc.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=84243. Retrieved 2008-12-19.
- ^ "Strip Search Part 5: Strip search case prompts 5th woman to come forward". WKYC WKYC Channel 3 News. http://www.wkyc.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=88666. Retrieved 2008-12-19.
External links
- Stark County official website
- Stark County Sheriff's Office official website
- Canton Stark County Convention & Visitors Bureau official website
- Canton, Ohio and the surrounding communities in Stark County
- Ohio and Erie Canal National Heritage Corridor, a National Park Service Discover Our Shared Heritage Travel Itinerary
- Stark County Weather and Weather News
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