Darke County is a county in the U.S. state of Ohio. As of the 2020 census, the population was 51,881.2020 census Its county seat and largest city is Greenville. The county was created in 1809 and later organized in 1817. It is named for William Darke, an officer in the American Revolutionary War. Darke County comprises the Greenville Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Dayton–Springfield–Sidney Combined Statistical Area.

History

Early history Human activity in Darke County is believed to have emerged under the Adena culture during the Woodland period, roughly between 500 BCE and 100 AD. The Adena were later replaced by a series of Native American trading cultures known as the Ohio Hopewell, which were replaced by the Fort Ancient culture by 1000 AD. Although Darke County was in these cultures' spheres of influence, no major archaeological sites remain in the area. By the 1600s, the Miami people had settled the region, establishing their principal village at what is now Piqua in neighboring Miami County.

Europeans nominally owned the Louisiana Territory for centuries, dividing it among several different European countries over the years. Despite this, even as major settlements such as Detroit and St. Louis were established across the region, Darke County remained unsettled for most of that time.

The first major settlement was established at Fort Jefferson in 1791, and the base was used as a staging ground during the Northwest Indian War, but saw no action. Another camp was established in 1793 at Fort Greenville, where the historic Treaty of Greenville was signed in 1795, ceding control of Southern Ohio from the Native American tribes to the United States.

Settlement and 19th century In 1807, the first European settlers began arriving in Darke County (then part of Miami). By 1808, initial plans were established for a settlement at the abandoned Fort Greenville that became the city of Greenville. Darke County split off from Miami County in 1809, and settlement continued to grow during the early 19th century, with major settlement outside Greenville proper hampered by unfavorable swampland. By mid-century, the county had roughly 15,000 people.

The railroad arrived in Darke County in 1850, and soon the county was a major intersection for three railroads, drastically spurring its economy. Despite its small size, Darke County had developed a vibrant civil society and had many churches and banking institutions, as well as two newspapers. The county saw a large influx of German immigrants at this time, which added to the community's social engagement.

During the American Civil War, Darke County was staunchly Unionist, and despite its small population it soon raised three full companies of volunteers for the Union Army. While the county was never on the Underground Railroad, local volunteers assisted escaped slaves moving to free states. During this time famed sharpshooter Annie Oakley was born there. She remains one of the county's most famous people.

20th century and modern day Darke County's growth slowed during the 20th century, with its economy shifting towards manufacturing and light industry instead of just agriculture. It benefited from the growth of the Dayton metropolitan area toward the end of the century, but began to see its population decline during the late 20th century as manufacturing slowed nationwide and Dayton began losing people.

Darke County's economy has since rebounded and its population has remained steady, with massive agricultural and industrial investments making it one of the nation's best-performing micropolitan areas and a substantial amount of the working population still commuting to Dayton. As home to the Eldora Speedway, the county also hosts one of the Dayton metropolitan area's biggest tourist events.

Geography According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of , of which is land and (0.3%) is water.

Adjacent counties

Mercer County (north) Shelby County (east) Miami County (east) Montgomery County (southeast) Preble County (south) Wayne County, Indiana (southwest) Randolph County, Indiana (west) Jay County, Indiana (northwest)

Demographics

2020 census As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 51,881. The median age was 42.5 years. 23.7% of residents were under the age of 18 and 20.8% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 99.2 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 96.9 males age 18 and over.

The racial makeup of the county was 95.1% White, 0.6% Black or African American, 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.7% from some other race, and 3.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 1.7% of the population.

28.3% of residents lived in urban areas, while 71.7% lived in rural areas.

There were 20,925 households in the county, of which 28.1% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 51.9% were married-couple households, 18.0% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 23.0% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 28.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 22,599 housing units, of which 7.4% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 73.4% were owner-occupied and 26.6% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.1% and the rental vacancy rate was 5.6%.

Racial and ethnic composition

+Darke County, Ohio – Racial and ethnic compositionRace / ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic)Pop 1980Pop 1990Pop 2000Pop 2010 Pop 2020% 1980% 1990% 2000% 2010% 2020White alone (NH)54,37252,87452,04651,36548,99498.69%98.61%97.63%96.99%94.44%Black or African American alone (NH)1671832042333020.30%0.34%0.38%0.44%0.58%Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)64908171920.12%0.17%0.15%0.13%0.18%Asian alone (NH)691091321591810.13%0.20%0.25%0.30%0.35%Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH)x included in the Asian category in the 1980 Censusx included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census12426xx0.02%0.01%0.05%Other race alone (NH)452024281220.08%0.04%0.05%0.05%0.24%Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)x not an option in the 1980 Censusx not an option in the 1990 Census3534531,305xx0.66%0.86%2.52%Hispanic or Latino (any race)3793434576468590.69%0.64%0.86%1.22%1.66%Total55,09653,61953,30952,95951,881 100.00%100.00%100.00%100.00%100.00%

2010 census As of the 2010 United States census, there were 52,959 people, 20,929 households, and 14,673 families living in the county. The population density was . There were 22,730 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 97.8% white, 0.4% black or African American, 0.3% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.4% from other races, and 0.9% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.2% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 38.9% were German, 11.5% were American, 10.6% were Irish, and 9.0% were English.

Of the 20,929 households, 31.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.7% were married couples living together, 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 29.9% were non-families, and 25.9% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.50, and the average family size was 3.00. The median age was 40.8 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $44,280, and the median income for a family was $53,454. Males had a median income of $40,402 versus $28,310 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,483. About 7.5% of families and 10.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.5% of those under age 18 and 8.1% of those age 65 or over.

2000 census As of the census of 2000, there were 53,309 people, 20,419 households, and 14,905 families living in the county. The population density was . There were 21,583 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 98.09% White, 0.39% Black or African American, 0.17% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.34% from other races, and 0.74% from two or more races. 0.86% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 43.1% were of German, 20.1% American, 8.1% English, 6.8% Irish and 5.8% French ancestry according to Census 2000.

There were 20,419 households, out of which 33.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.00% were married couples living together, 8.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.00% were non-families. 23.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56, and the average family size was 3.03.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.30% under the age of 18, 7.80% from 18 to 24, 27.50% from 25 to 44, 23.20% from 45 to 64, and 15.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $39,307, and the median income for a family was $45,735. Males had a median income of $32,933 versus $23,339 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,670. About 6.00% of families and 8.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.10% of those under age 18 and 9.20% of those age 65 or over.

Economy Darke County's economy was originally agricultural, but hampered by unfavorable soil. The arrival of the railroad heavily boosted the county's economy, which was at the junction of three railroads and thus briefly an important hub for industry. As neighboring Dayton grew during the manufacturing boom of the early 20th century, Darke County diversified its economy, gaining both light manufacturing of its own and to a lesser extent becoming a suburb of Dayton. As Dayton became part of the Rust Belt and manufacturing decline nationally, Darke County was affected, entering a prolonged downturn. Large investments from manufacturing companies have since rejuvenated the county's economy, and Darke County has become Ohio's second-most successful micropolitan area. +Darke County employment percentages (>1%)Industry namePercent annual employmentManufacturing26.6%Healthcare and Social Services14.1%Retail9.5%Educational Services7.8%Transportation and Logistics6.9%Wholesale Trade5.5%Construction5.2%Accommodation and Food Services4.7%Agriculture3.4%Finance3.4%Other3.0%Public Administration2.5%Professional Services2.5%Administrative Services2.1%Arts and Entertainment1%

Culture and media

Culture Despite Darke County's small size, it has several events centers and cultural events.

The Eldora Speedway is the largest entertainment venue in the Dayton metro area, and hosts prestigious dirt late model racing events such as the Kings Royal (since 1984) and World 100 (since 1954). Poultry Days is a major poultry-oriented event celebrated annually since 1952 that is hosted in Versailles and attracts crowds as large as 50,000. The event also hosts one of the world's largest Ultimate frisbee competitions. The Annie Oakley Festival, hosted yearly in Greenville, celebrates the life of Annie Oakley, a Greenville native and one of the most famous female sharpshooters in history.

Media

Newspapers

The Daily Advocate, published since 1883, is the newspaper of record for Greenville and Darke County.

Television

WDTN operates as the Miami Valley's local NBC affiliate. WPTD and WPTO operate as the Miami Valley's local PBS affiliates. WHIO-TV operates as the Miami Valley's local CBS affiliate. WKEF operates as the Miami Valley's local ABC, FOX, and MyNetworkTV affiliate.

Government and politics

Government