Preble County (/ˈprɛbəl/ PREH-bəl[3]) is a county located in the U.S. state of Ohio. As of the 2020 census, the population was 40,999,[4] down 3.0% from the 2010 census population of 42,270.[5] Its county seat is Eaton.[6] The county was formed on February 15, 1808, from portions of Butler and Montgomery Counties. It is named for Edward Preble, a naval officer who fought in the American Revolutionary War and against the Barbary Pirates.[7]

Preble County
Preble County Courthouse
Preble County Courthouse
Flag of Preble County
Official seal of Preble County
Map of Ohio highlighting Preble County
Location within the U.S. state of Ohio
Map of the United States highlighting Ohio
Ohio's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 39°44′N 84°39′W / 39.74°N 84.65°W / 39.74; -84.65
Country United States
State Ohio
FoundedMarch 1, 1808[1][2]
Named forEdward Preble
SeatEaton
Largest cityEaton
Area
 • Total
426 sq mi (1,100 km2)
 • Land424 sq mi (1,100 km2)
 • Water2.3 sq mi (6 km2)  0.5%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
40,999 Decrease
 • Density96/sq mi (37/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district8th
Websitewww.prebco.org

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 426 square miles (1,100 km2), of which 424 square miles (1,100 km2) is land and 2.3 square miles (6.0 km2) (0.5%) is water.[8]

Adjacent counties

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Rivers and streams

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note
18103,304
182010,237209.8%
183016,29159.1%
184019,48219.6%
185021,73611.6%
186021,8200.4%
187021,809−0.1%
188024,53312.5%
189023,421−4.5%
190023,7131.2%
191023,8340.5%
192023,238−2.5%
193022,455−3.4%
194023,3293.9%
195027,08116.1%
196032,49820.0%
197034,7196.8%
198038,22310.1%
199040,1134.9%
200042,3375.5%
201042,270−0.2%
202040,999−3.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[11]
1790-1960[12] 1900-1990[13]
1990-2000[14] 2020 [15]

2020 census

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As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 40,999 living in the county. The racial makeup of the county was 94.8% white, 0.5% black or African American, 0.2% American Indian, 0.4% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 0.4% from other races, and 3.7% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino ethnicity made up 0.9% of the population.[4]

2010 census

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As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 42,270 people, 16,341 households, and 11,867 families living in the county.[16] 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).[17] 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.[16] In terms of ancestry, 34.3% were German, 14.6% were Irish, 12.7% were American, and 11.5% were English.[18]

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.[16]

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.[19]

2000 census

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As of the census[20] 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.

Politics

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Preble County votes for Republicans more often than Democrats in presidential elections. It only supported a Democrat for president five times in the 20th century, the last being Lyndon Johnson in 1964. Jimmy Carter is the last Democrat to tally as much as 40 percent of the vote.[21]

United States presidential election results for Preble County, Ohio[21]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 17,146 78.77% 4,343 19.95% 277 1.27%
2020 17,022 77.94% 4,493 20.57% 325 1.49%
2016 15,446 74.69% 4,325 20.91% 910 4.40%
2012 13,535 66.92% 6,211 30.71% 479 2.37%
2008 13,562 64.43% 6,999 33.25% 488 2.32%
2004 13,734 65.01% 7,274 34.43% 119 0.56%
2000 11,176 61.52% 6,375 35.09% 615 3.39%
1996 8,139 47.50% 6,611 38.59% 2,383 13.91%
1992 8,023 44.33% 5,557 30.71% 4,518 24.96%
1988 10,297 66.95% 4,937 32.10% 147 0.96%
1984 11,065 71.84% 4,198 27.25% 140 0.91%
1980 8,376 56.89% 5,416 36.79% 931 6.32%
1976 6,654 52.20% 5,850 45.89% 243 1.91%
1972 8,993 70.29% 3,472 27.14% 330 2.58%
1968 6,544 52.63% 3,817 30.70% 2,073 16.67%
1964 5,839 43.53% 7,574 56.47% 0 0.00%
1960 8,802 61.69% 5,467 38.31% 0 0.00%
1956 8,099 63.91% 4,574 36.09% 0 0.00%
1952 8,405 63.48% 4,836 36.52% 0 0.00%
1948 5,837 55.51% 4,656 44.28% 23 0.22%
1944 6,609 57.56% 4,872 42.44% 0 0.00%
1940 6,511 53.17% 5,735 46.83% 0 0.00%
1936 5,593 45.51% 6,366 51.80% 331 2.69%
1932 5,205 44.77% 6,221 53.51% 199 1.71%
1928 6,693 65.21% 3,513 34.23% 57 0.56%
1924 5,676 56.75% 4,033 40.33% 292 2.92%
1920 6,258 55.72% 4,933 43.92% 40 0.36%
1916 2,881 45.16% 3,387 53.09% 112 1.76%
1912 2,135 34.67% 2,859 46.43% 1,164 18.90%
1908 3,519 50.99% 3,247 47.05% 135 1.96%
1904 3,647 54.85% 2,792 41.99% 210 3.16%
1900 3,548 51.43% 3,206 46.47% 145 2.10%
1896 3,300 49.56% 3,254 48.87% 105 1.58%
1892 2,957 49.39% 2,699 45.08% 331 5.53%
1888 3,157 49.06% 2,966 46.09% 312 4.85%
1884 3,178 51.21% 2,817 45.39% 211 3.40%
1880 3,183 53.02% 2,711 45.16% 109 1.82%
1876 3,004 53.46% 2,551 45.40% 64 1.14%
1872 2,715 56.14% 2,101 43.44% 20 0.41%
1868 2,738 58.93% 1,908 41.07% 0 0.00%
1864 2,687 61.25% 1,700 38.75% 0 0.00%
1860 2,596 59.24% 1,733 39.55% 53 1.21%
1856 2,249 55.08% 1,561 38.23% 273 6.69%

Education

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Public school districts

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School districts include:[22]

Higher education

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Communities

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Map of Preble County, Ohio With Municipal and Township Labels

City

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Villages

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Townships

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Census-designated place

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Unincorporated communities

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Notable residents

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Welcome to the Preble County Commissioners' Website: History". Archived from the original on August 12, 2007. Retrieved April 28, 2007.
  2. ^ "Ohio County Profiles: Preble County" (PDF). Ohio Department of Development. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 21, 2007. Retrieved April 28, 2007.
  3. ^ "E.W. Scripps School of Journalism Ohio Pronunciation Guide | Ohio University". www.ohio.edu. Ohio University. 2016. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  4. ^ a b Preble County, Ohio Demographics and Housing 2020 Decennial Census | cincinnati.com
  5. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved February 10, 2015.
  6. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  7. ^ "Preble County data". Ohio State University Extension Data Center. Retrieved April 28, 2007.[dead link]
  8. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on May 4, 2014. Retrieved February 10, 2015.
  9. ^ "GNIS Detail - Little Four Mile Creek". geonames.usgs.gov. Retrieved August 23, 2017.
  10. ^ "GNIS Detail - Price Creek". geonames.usgs.gov. Retrieved August 23, 2017.
  11. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
  12. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved February 10, 2015.
  13. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 10, 2015.
  14. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved February 10, 2015.
  15. ^ 2020 census
  16. ^ a b c "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  17. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  18. ^ "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  19. ^ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  20. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  21. ^ a b Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
  22. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Preble County, OH" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved June 18, 2024. - Text list
  23. ^ "College Corner School - Ohio/Indiana border - Border Crossings on Waymarking.com". www.waymarking.com. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
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39°44′N 84°39′W / 39.74°N 84.65°W / 39.74; -84.65