Holmes County, Ohio

Holmes County
Holmes County Courthouse, with the Grant Memorial Statue
Holmes County Courthouse, with the Grant Memorial Statue
Official seal of Holmes County
Map of Ohio highlighting Holmes 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 81°56′W / 40.56°N 81.93°W / 40.56; -81.93
Country United States
State Ohio
FoundedJanuary 4, 1825
Named forAndrew Holmes
SeatMillersburg
Largest villageMillersburg
Area
 • Total424 sq mi (1,100 km2)
 • Land423 sq mi (1,100 km2)
 • Water1.4 sq mi (4 km2)  0.3%%
Population
 • Total44,223
 • Estimate 
(2021)
44,271
 • Density100/sq mi (40/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional districts7th, 12th
Websitewww.co.holmes.oh.us

Holmes County is a county in the U.S. state of Ohio. As of the 2020 census, the population was 44,223. Its county seat is Millersburg. The county was formed in 1824 from portions of Coshocton, Tuscarawas and Wayne counties and organized the following year. It was named after Andrew Holmes, an officer killed in the War of 1812.

Holmes County, which was about 42% Amish in 2010, and 48% in 2020, has the highest concentration of Amish in the world, which draws many visitors to the county. The Holmes Amish settlement (which also includes Amish from the neighbouring counties, such as: Wayne, Coshocton, Tuscarawas and Stark) is the second biggest one in the world (after the Lancaster County, Pennsylvania) and numbered 37,770 people in 2021.

History

Holmes County was formed on January 20, 1824, from portions of Coshocton, Tuscarawas and Wayne counties. It was named after Major Andrew Holmes, a fatal casualty in the Battle of Mackinac Island.

In 1863, during the Civil War, numerous small anti-draft riots took place, mainly in the German-speaking areas. Holmes County at the time was a Democratic stronghold, dominated by its Pennsylvania Dutch settlers, along with many recent German immigrants. With the passage of the Conscription Act in March 1863, Holmes County politicians denounced both Congress and President Lincoln as despotic, saying that forced military service was little different from slavery. Conscription had been common in their former German homelands, and it was one of the reasons they had moved to America. Violent protests broke out in June, and they continued until the Union Army marched into the county and declared martial law. Stephen E. Towne in 2019 using archival records argues that many of the resisters belonged to secret organizations that opposed Union tactics to defeat the Confederacy.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 424 square miles (1,100 km2), of which 423 square miles (1,100 km2) is land and 1.4 square miles (3.6 km2) (0.3%) is water.

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
18309,135
184018,08898.0%
185020,45213.1%
186020,5890.7%
187018,177−11.7%
188020,77614.3%
189021,1391.7%
190019,511−7.7%
191017,909−8.2%
192016,965−5.3%
193016,726−1.4%
194017,8766.9%
195018,7604.9%
196021,59115.1%
197023,0246.6%
198029,41627.8%
199032,84911.7%
200038,94318.6%
201042,3668.8%
202044,2234.4%
2021 (est.)44,2710.1%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790-1960 1900-1990
1990-2000 2020
Amish farmer plowing fields with horses

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 38,943 people, 11,337 households, and 9,194 families living in the county. The population density was 92 people per square mile (36/km2). There were 12,280 housing units at an average density of 29 per square mile (11/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 99.03% White, 0.33% Black or African American, 0.06% Native American, 0.06% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.13% from other races, and 0.40% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.75% of the population. 56.1% spoke English, 20.1% Pennsylvania German, 15.8% German and 7.1% "Dutch, i.e. Pennsylvania Dutch." as their first language.

There were 11,337 households, out of which 44.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 71.50% were married couples living together, 6.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.90% were non-families. 16.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.35 and the average family size was 3.82. Religious breakdown for those who gave a religion (68.33 of the total population) was 89.79% Evangelical Protestant, 8.04% Mainline Protestant and 2.16% Catholic. There were 140 Amish congregations with 17,654 adherents. There were several other unrelated Amish congregations and Mennonite congregations. There was one Catholic congregation.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 35.60% under the age of 18, 10.40% from 18 to 24, 25.70% from 25 to 44, 17.80% from 45 to 64, and 10.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28 years. For every 100 females there were 99.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $36,944, and the median income for a family was $40,230. Males had a median income of $28,490 versus $20,602 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,197. About 10.50% of families and 12.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.40% of those under age 18 and 13.30% of those age 65 or over.

Holmes County has a relatively high number of residents who do not speak English at home. According to the 2000 census, almost 36% of the population speak either Pennsylvania German or German at home, and a further 7% speak "Dutch", i.e. Pennsylvania Dutch. 42.92% of the total population and 50.28% of the children in 5-17 age range uses German/Pennsylvania German or "Dutch" at home.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 42,366 people, 12,554 households, and 10,035 families living in the county. The population density was 100.3 inhabitants per square mile (38.7/km2). There were 13,666 housing units at an average density of 32.3 per square mile (12.5/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.7% white, 0.3% black or African American, 0.1% Asian, 0.1% American Indian, 0.2% from other races, and 0.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.8% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 37.8% were German, 10.8% were American, 6.6% were Irish, and 6.3% were English.

Of the 12,554 households, 42.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 69.7% were married couples living together, 6.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 20.1% were non-families, and 17.2% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 3.31 and the average family size was 3.80. The median age was 29.7 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $43,533 and the median income for a family was $49,133. Males had a median income of $36,644 versus $24,317 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,009. About 10.5% of families and 13.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.9% of those under age 18 and 6.9% of those age 65 or over.

2020 census

As of the 2020 United States Census, the population of Holmes County was 44,223 with 14,580 households. it's racial makeup was 97.43% White, 0.278% Black, 0.145% Asian, 0.081% American Indian and Alaska Native, and 0.308% others alone (including Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander), and 1.755% belonged to two or more races.


Amish community

The Amish community in Holmes County established in 1808, had a 17,654 adherents in 2010, or 41.7% of the county's population.

Economy

Tourism is an important part of the economy. In 2017, Holmes County was the second most popular tourist destination in Ohio. Tourism is centered on the Amish community, which makes up almost half the county's population, the highest density in the world.

Politics

Prior to 1944, Holmes County was a stronghold of the Democratic Party in presidential elections, with every Democratic presidential candidate from 1856 to 1940, except for Al Smith, carrying the county. The county has since become a Republican stronghold, with Lyndon B. Johnson being the only Democrat since 1940 to carry it, in his 1964 landslide, although Harry S. Truman came within just 16 votes of winning it in 1948.

United States presidential election results for Holmes County, Ohio
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 10,796 83.19% 1,994 15.36% 188 1.45%
2016 8,720 78.52% 1,788 16.10% 598 5.38%
2012 8,702 75.23% 2,608 22.55% 257 2.22%
2008 7,720 69.34% 3,141 28.21% 273 2.45%
2004 8,468 75.47% 2,697 24.04% 55 0.49%
2000 6,754 73.85% 2,066 22.59% 325 3.55%
1996 5,213 57.39% 2,531 27.86% 1,340 14.75%
1992 5,079 56.08% 1,969 21.74% 2,008 22.17%
1988 5,064 69.22% 2,179 29.78% 73 1.00%
1984 5,146 74.11% 1,737 25.01% 61 0.88%
1980 3,860 60.37% 2,094 32.75% 440 6.88%
1976 2,870 54.16% 2,242 42.31% 187 3.53%
1972 3,752 69.97% 1,507 28.11% 103 1.92%
1968 3,350 58.47% 1,898 33.13% 481 8.40%
1964 2,106 37.18% 3,559 62.82% 0 0.00%
1960 4,432 69.41% 1,953 30.59% 0 0.00%
1956 3,955 68.78% 1,795 31.22% 0 0.00%
1952 3,891 65.07% 2,089 34.93% 0 0.00%
1948 2,496 50.10% 2,480 49.78% 6 0.12%
1944 3,093 54.69% 2,563 45.31% 0 0.00%
1940 3,201 48.87% 3,349 51.13% 0 0.00%
1936 2,247 34.93% 4,097 63.70% 88 1.37%
1932 1,953 31.60% 4,096 66.28% 131 2.12%
1928 3,457 67.43% 1,631 31.81% 39 0.76%
1924 1,824 38.26% 2,539 53.25% 405 8.49%
1920 2,065 38.78% 3,211 60.30% 49 0.92%
1916 955 24.71% 2,846 73.64% 64 1.66%
1912 465 12.81% 2,429 66.90% 737 20.30%
1908 1,252 28.74% 3,043 69.84% 62 1.42%
1904 1,377 34.77% 2,486 62.78% 97 2.45%
1900 1,269 26.83% 3,394 71.75% 67 1.42%
1896 1,284 25.93% 3,622 73.16% 45 0.91%
1892 1,152 25.56% 3,151 69.91% 204 4.53%
1888 1,241 25.81% 3,388 70.45% 180 3.74%
1884 1,366 28.57% 3,368 70.43% 48 1.00%
1880 1,370 29.36% 3,281 70.30% 16 0.34%
1876 1,241 28.12% 3,171 71.84% 2 0.05%
1872 1,089 30.08% 2,530 69.89% 1 0.03%
1868 1,083 27.47% 2,859 72.53% 0 0.00%
1864 1,066 28.45% 2,681 71.55% 0 0.00%
1860 1,392 37.41% 2,281 61.30% 48 1.29%
1856 1,285 37.87% 2,103 61.98% 5 0.15%

Communities

Map of Holmes County, Ohio with Municipal and Township Labels
Amish couple in a horse-drawn buggy in rural Holmes County
Township Village Other places in township
Berlin Berlin (CDP)
Clark Baltic (north part) Charm (UIC)
Farmerstown (UIC)
Unionville (UIC)
Hardy Millersburg (county seat) Holmes County Airport
Killbuck Killbuck
Knox Nashville (south part)
Mechanic Lake Buckhorn (CDP)
Becks Mills
Saltillo
Monroe Welcome (UIC)
West Holmes High School
Paint Winesburg (CDP)
Prairie Holmesville
Richland Glenmont Stillwell
Ripley Big Prairie (UIC)
Salt Creek Mt. Hope (UIC)
Walnut Creek Walnut Creek (CDP)
Trail (UIC)
Washington Loudonville (east part)
Nashville (north part)
Lakeville (UIC)

CDP = Census-designated place
UIC = Unincorporated community

Transportation

Holmes County Airport (FAA LID: 10G) located two miles southwest of Millersburg.

Amish community

A large Amish community of about 36,000 exists in Northeast-Central Ohio, centered on Holmes County and extending into surrounding counties. The Holmes Old Order Amish affiliation, with 140 church districts out of 221 in the Holmes County Amish settlement in 2009, is the main and dominant Amish affiliation. Holmes County houses the highest percentage of Amish of any U.S. county, currently 42 percent of the population, and experts speculate that by 2027, Holmes County could become the first county in the US where more than half the residents were Amish. The Amish & Mennonite Heritage Center in Berlin explains traditional ways of the Amish and provides an illustrated history for visitors in its 10-foot-by-265-foot mural.

The overall Amish population of the area, centered on Holmes County, is the largest Amish community in the world. Called locally "Amish Country", it draws many visitors to the county, thus making tourism an important sector of the local economy.

In Holmes County Amish Settlements there are several Old Order Amish affiliations. The Holmes Old Order Amish affiliation is the main and original affiliation, the Swartzentruber Amish with three subgroups, that originated in 1917 in Holmes County, are the most conservative Amish in Holmes county. There are also Andy Weaver Amish (formed 1952), Stutzman-Troyer Amish, Old Order Tobe Amish and Roman Amish on the conservative side, whereas the New Order Amish (formed in the early 1960s), the New Order Tobe Amish the New Order Amish Christian Fellowship are on the more progressive side. Holmes County is home of more Amish affiliations than any other place in the world.

See also

Coordinates: 40°34′N 81°56′W / 40.56°N 81.93°W / 40.56; -81.93


This page was last updated at 2023-04-07 04:27 UTC. Update now. View original page.

All our content comes from Wikipedia and under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License.


Top

If mathematical, chemical, physical and other formulas are not displayed correctly on this page, please useFirefox or Safari