Auglaize County (/ˈɔːɡlz/)[2] is a county in Northwestern Ohio, United States of America . As of the 2020 census, the population was 46,442.[3] Its county seat and largest city is Wapakoneta.[4]

Auglaize County
County courthouse in Wapakoneta
County courthouse in Wapakoneta
Flag of Auglaize County
Official seal of Auglaize County
Map of Ohio highlighting Auglaize County
Location within the U.S. state of Ohio
Map of the United States highlighting Ohio
Ohio's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 40°34′N 84°13′W / 40.56°N 84.22°W / 40.56; -84.22
Country United States
State Ohio
FoundedFebruary 14, 1848[1]
Named forAuglaize River
SeatWapakoneta
Largest cityWapakoneta
Area
 • Total
402 sq mi (1,040 km2)
 • Land401 sq mi (1,040 km2)
 • Water0.5 sq mi (1 km2)  0.1%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
46,442
 • Density120/sq mi (45/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district4th
Websitewww.auglaizecounty.org

Auglaize County comprises the Wapakoneta Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Lima-Van Wert-Celina Combined Statistical Area.

Etymology

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The county is named for the Auglaize River. Some sources say it is a corruption of the French description of the clay (glaise) water (eau);[5] others say it comes from a Native American word for fallen timbers.[1][6] Another remote possibility is that it derives from the French glace [*aux glaces?], meaning "mirror" or "ice" ['at the ices'?].[7]

Eau glaise ("clay water") remains unattested, like the attested terre glaise ("clay soil"), but Ramsey[8] and Stewart[9] agree that Auglaize (and variants, implying "*aux glaises") is American French for "at the lick(s)", literally "at the clays", where wild beasts came to lick salt and minerals from the soil, filling the lacuna in standard French for a salt lick. The spelling "glaize" is archaic (as in Cotgrave's French-English dictionary of 1611). In addition, in Arkansas there is a creek and mountain Glazypeau, from French glaise à Paul ("Paul's lick"). The assumed indigenous American (Algonquian) "fallen timbers" or "overgrown with brush" has no support without any attested etymons supplied and would not match phonetically in the case of Shawnee.

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of 402 square miles (1,040 km2), of which 401 square miles (1,040 km2) is land and 0.5 square miles (1.3 km2) (0.1%) is water.[10] It is Ohio's second-smallest county by area.

The county is crossed by the Auglaize River and the Miami and Erie Canal. The headwaters of the Saint Marys River, the Great Miami River and the Scioto River as well as parts of Grand Lake St. Marys and Lake Loramie are in the county.[11]

Adjacent counties

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note
185011,338
186017,18751.6%
187020,04116.6%
188025,44427.0%
189028,10010.4%
190031,19211.0%
191031,2460.2%
192029,527−5.5%
193028,034−5.1%
194028,0370.0%
195030,6379.3%
196036,14718.0%
197038,6026.8%
198042,55410.2%
199044,5854.8%
200046,6114.5%
201045,949−1.4%
202046,4421.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[12]
1790-1960[13] 1900-1990[14]
1990-2000[15] 2020 [3]

2000 census

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As of the census[18] of 2000, there were 46,611 people, 17,376 households, and 12,771 families residing in the county. The population density was 116 inhabitants per square mile (45/km2). There were 18,470 housing units at an average density of 46 units per square mile (18/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.12% White, 0.24% Black or African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.41% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.20% from other races, and 0.83% from two or more races. 0.67% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 59.5% were of German, 10.9% American, 6.9% Irish and 6.3% English ancestry according to Census 2000. 97.9% spoke English and 1.2% Spanish as their first language.

There were 17,376 households, out of which 35.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.10% were married couples living together, 7.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.50% were non-families. 23.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.50% 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 3.11.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 27.60% under the age of 18, 7.80% from 18 to 24, 28.20% from 25 to 44, 22.00% from 45 to 64, and 14.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $43,367, and the median income for a family was $50,024. Males had a median income of $37,024 versus $23,809 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,593. About 4.90% of families and 6.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.20% of those under age 18 and 6.40% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

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As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 45,949 people, 17,972 households, and 12,749 families residing in the county.[19] The population density was 114.5 inhabitants per square mile (44.2/km2). There were 19,585 housing units at an average density of 48.8 units per square mile (18.8 units/km2).[20] The racial makeup of the county was 97.8% white, 0.4% Asian, 0.3% black or African American, 0.2% American Indian, 0.3% from other races, and 0.9% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.2% of the population.[19] In terms of ancestry, 53.0% were German, 12.6% were Irish, 8.9% were American, and 8.0% were English.[21]

Of the 17,972 households, 32.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.9% were married couples living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 29.1% were non-families, and 25.3% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.02. The median age was 40.0 years.[19]

The median income for a household in the county was $52,018 and the median income for a family was $60,318. Males had a median income of $44,267 versus $30,591 for females. The per capita income for the county was $25,290. About 5.8% of families and 7.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.5% of those under age 18 and 4.6% of those age 65 or over.[22]

Politics

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Prior to 1920, Auglaize County consistently voted for Democratic candidates in presidential elections. Since 1920, Democrats have won the county three times in presidential elections, all in years where the party won nationally by a landslide.

United States presidential election results for Auglaize County, Ohio[23]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 20,988 81.57% 4,442 17.26% 300 1.17%
2020 20,798 80.54% 4,651 18.01% 373 1.44%
2016 18,658 78.41% 3,980 16.73% 1,156 4.86%
2012 17,169 73.22% 5,831 24.87% 449 1.91%
2008 16,414 69.67% 6,738 28.60% 407 1.73%
2004 17,016 73.87% 5,903 25.63% 115 0.50%
2000 13,770 69.22% 5,564 27.97% 558 2.81%
1996 10,169 51.80% 6,652 33.88% 2,811 14.32%
1992 10,455 51.49% 4,960 24.43% 4,891 24.09%
1988 13,562 73.39% 4,756 25.74% 161 0.87%
1984 14,766 77.72% 4,102 21.59% 132 0.69%
1980 11,537 65.34% 5,022 28.44% 1,098 6.22%
1976 9,772 61.21% 5,840 36.58% 353 2.21%
1972 11,900 69.81% 4,617 27.08% 530 3.11%
1968 9,368 56.96% 5,550 33.74% 1,529 9.30%
1964 7,954 47.96% 8,632 52.04% 0 0.00%
1960 11,183 64.03% 6,282 35.97% 0 0.00%
1956 11,453 72.07% 4,438 27.93% 0 0.00%
1952 10,599 67.30% 5,149 32.70% 0 0.00%
1948 6,818 54.45% 5,670 45.28% 34 0.27%
1944 8,980 64.75% 4,888 35.25% 0 0.00%
1940 8,953 61.08% 5,704 38.92% 0 0.00%
1936 5,526 38.63% 7,835 54.77% 944 6.60%
1932 5,039 38.15% 8,036 60.83% 135 1.02%
1928 7,794 60.90% 4,954 38.71% 50 0.39%
1924 5,507 51.86% 3,952 37.22% 1,159 10.92%
1920 6,752 57.45% 4,792 40.78% 208 1.77%
1916 2,763 38.51% 4,124 57.48% 288 4.01%
1912 1,401 20.99% 3,726 55.81% 1,549 23.20%
1908 3,001 38.55% 4,622 59.38% 161 2.07%
1904 3,049 44.63% 3,619 52.98% 163 2.39%
1900 2,895 37.18% 4,812 61.80% 79 1.01%
1896 2,900 36.75% 4,939 62.59% 52 0.66%
1892 2,113 33.68% 3,774 60.16% 386 6.15%
1888 2,212 35.55% 3,928 63.12% 83 1.33%
1884 2,026 34.21% 3,882 65.55% 14 0.24%
1880 1,837 33.70% 3,599 66.02% 15 0.28%
1876 1,521 29.90% 3,560 69.98% 6 0.12%
1872 1,180 31.12% 2,535 66.85% 77 2.03%
1868 1,266 31.49% 2,754 68.51% 0 0.00%
1864 1,180 33.17% 2,377 66.83% 0 0.00%
1860 1,088 36.09% 1,836 60.90% 91 3.02%
1856 912 35.02% 1,604 61.60% 88 3.38%

Government

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A 1915 class at Geyer School

Auglaize County is governed by an elected Board of Commissioners.

Courthouse

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The county's first courthouse, built in 1851 for $11,499, was in use until 1894, when the current courthouse opened. Occupying an entire city block, the courthouse and its adjacent powerhouse cost $259,481. Some 85 men took 18 months to construct it, starting on July 2, 1893. Built of Berea sandstone with tile floors, the courthouse was highly fire-resistant. The boilers for heating and power generation, a significant cause of fire at the time, were in a separate powerhouse. Steam-driven dynamos produced the electricity that, along with steam for heating and hot water, was fed to the building via an underground conduit. The courthouse marked its centennial in 1994, and remains the seat of the county's courts,[24] along with the much newer West Municipal Court in St. Marys.[25]

Economy

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Auglaize County's economy is based on manufacturing.[26] Employers with more than 400 employees are Crown Equipment Corporation, Joint Township District Memorial Hospital, the Minster Machine Company, Setex, Inc, AAP-St. Mary's Corporation (a division of Hitachi Metals), Veyance Technologies, Inc (Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company), and the Dannon Company.[27]

Communities

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Cities

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Villages

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Townships

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Census-designated places

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Unincorporated communities

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Ohio County Profiles: Auglaize County" (PDF). Ohio Department of Development. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 21, 2007. Retrieved April 28, 2007.
  2. ^ "A Pronunciation Guide to places in Ohio". Archived from the original on July 25, 2017. Retrieved April 14, 2009.
  3. ^ a b 2020 census
  4. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  5. ^ Auglaize County, Ohio 2006 Highway Map Archived September 28, 2007, at the Wayback Machine Auglaize County Engineer's Office, 2006. Accessed July 15, 2007.
  6. ^ "Auglaize County data". Ohio State University Extension Data Center. Retrieved April 28, 2007.[dead link]
  7. ^ The Trouble with French
  8. ^ Robert L. Ramsay: Our storehouse of Missouri place names, Columbia, Mo., 1973, University of Missouri Press
  9. ^ George R. Stewart: American place-names, NY, 1970, Oxford University Press
  10. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on May 4, 2014. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  11. ^ DeLorme. Ohio Atlas & Gazetteer. 7th ed. Yarmouth: DeLorme, 2004, p. 45. ISBN 0-89933-281-1.
  12. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  13. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  14. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  15. ^ "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 7, 2015.
  16. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 19, 2020.
  17. ^ "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  18. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  19. ^ 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.
  20. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  21. ^ "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.
  22. ^ "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.
  23. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved May 1, 2018.
  24. ^ "History of the Auglaize County Courthouse" Archived May 17, 2008, at the Wayback Machine, Auglaize County official site.
  25. ^ Auglaize County Archived May 17, 2008, at the Wayback Machine official site.
  26. ^ WhyWapakoneta.com
  27. ^ Ohio County Profiles Archived June 21, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  • Auglaize County Engineer's Office. Official Highway Map 2004. Wapakoneta, Ohio: The Office, 2004.
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40°34′N 84°13′W / 40.56°N 84.22°W / 40.56; -84.22