Fayette County, Ohio
Fayette County is a county located in the U.S. state of Ohio. As of the 2020 census, the population was 28,951.[1] Its county seat and largest city is Washington Court House.[2] The county was named for the Marquis de Lafayette,[3] a Frenchman who was an officer in the American Army in the Revolution, when established on March 1, 1810. Fayette County comprises the Washington Court House, OH Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Columbus-Marion-Zanesville, OH Combined Statistical Area. Recently, on April 2, 2025, it was one of a few counties with minor damage from an EF-1 tornado in southern Ohio. The total costs of the damage have yet to be determined.
History
[edit]Fayette County was formed on March 1, 1810, from portions of Highland and Ross Counties. It was named after Marie-Joseph Motier, Marquis de La Fayette, a French general and politician who took the side of the Colonials during the American Revolutionary War and who played an important role in the French Revolution.[4]
Parks
[edit]Trails
[edit]Tri-County Triangle Trail - This trail goes between Washington Court House and Chillicothe.[5]
Clinton-Fayette Friendship Trail - This trail goes between Melvin to Borum Road and starts back at Bush Road to Jamison Road.[citation needed]
Xenia-Jamestown Connector - Opened in 2022, this trail allows travel from Xenia to Octa. This trail is 18.5 miles (29.8 km) long.[6][7]
Geography
[edit]According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 407 square miles (1,050 km2), of which 406 square miles (1,050 km2) is land and 0.7 square miles (1.8 km2) (0.2%) is water.[8]
Adjacent counties
[edit]- Madison County (north)
- Pickaway County (northeast)
- Ross County (southeast)
- Highland County (south)
- Clinton County (southwest)
- Greene County (northwest)
Major highways
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Demographics
[edit]2020 census
[edit]As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 28,951. The median age was 41.5 years. 23.3% of residents were under the age of 18 and 19.2% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 94.8 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 93.5 males age 18 and over.[9][10]
The racial makeup of the county was 91.6% White, 1.9% Black or African American, 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.8% from some other race, and 4.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 2.4% of the population.[10]
51.9% of residents lived in urban areas, while 48.1% lived in rural areas.[11]
There were 11,752 households in the county, of which 29.9% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 45.0% were married-couple households, 18.9% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 27.0% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 28.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[9]
There were 12,663 housing units, of which 7.2% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 62.8% were owner-occupied and 37.2% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.9% and the rental vacancy rate was 4.6%.[9]
Racial and ethnic composition
[edit]| Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 1980[12] | Pop 1990[13] | Pop 2000[14] | Pop 2010[15] | Pop 2020[16] | % 1980 | % 1990 | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 26,519 | 26,544 | 27,022 | 27,227 | 26,260 | 96.55% | 96.64% | 95.04% | 93.79% | 90.70% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 718 | 655 | 568 | 569 | 521 | 2.61% | 2.38% | 2.00% | 1.96% | 1.80% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 20 | 49 | 41 | 59 | 43 | 0.07% | 0.18% | 0.14% | 0.20% | 0.15% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 50 | 98 | 130 | 151 | 171 | 0.18% | 0.36% | 0.46% | 0.52% | 0.59% |
| Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) | x [17] | x [18] | 2 | 8 | 11 | x | x | 0.01% | 0.03% | 0.04% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 24 | 31 | 17 | 32 | 88 | 0.09% | 0.11% | 0.06% | 0.11% | 0.30% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | x [19] | x [20] | 301 | 464 | 1,176 | x | x | 1.06% | 1.60% | 4.06% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 136 | 89 | 352 | 520 | 681 | 0.50% | 0.32% | 1.24% | 1.79% | 2.35% |
| Total | 27,467 | 27,466 | 28,433 | 29,030 | 28,951 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
2010 census
[edit]As of the census[21] of 2010, there were 29,030 people, 11,436 households, and 7,834 families living in the county. The population density was 71.4 inhabitants per square mile (27.6/km2). There were 12,693 housing units at an average density of 31.2 units per square mile (12.0 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 94.63% White, 2.02% Black or African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.54% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.80% from other races, and 1.74% from two or more races. 1.79% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 11,436 households, out of which 32.53% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.05% were married couples living together, 13.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.50% were non-families. 25.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.34% 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 2.95.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.67% under the age of 18, 7.88% from 18 to 24, 24.89% from 25 to 44, 27.59% from 45 to 64, and 14.97% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.4 years. For every 100 females there were 96.69 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.56 males.
Income and poverty
[edit]As of 2013[update], the median income for a household in the county was $37,619, and the median income for a family was $45,108. Males had a median income of $30,516 versus $20,223 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,603. About 16.1% of families and 20.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.4% of those under age 18 and 9.1% of those age 65 or over.
Politics
[edit]Fayette County is a stronghold of the Republican party in presidential elections; it has voted Democratic only four times since 1856.
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1856 | 1,209 | 49.11% | 880 | 35.74% | 373 | 15.15% |
| 1860 | 1,458 | 50.59% | 1,121 | 38.90% | 303 | 10.51% |
| 1864 | 1,848 | 59.83% | 1,241 | 40.17% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1868 | 1,970 | 58.88% | 1,376 | 41.12% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1872 | 2,140 | 57.88% | 1,545 | 41.79% | 12 | 0.32% |
| 1876 | 2,436 | 55.59% | 1,874 | 42.77% | 72 | 1.64% |
| 1880 | 2,830 | 56.99% | 2,111 | 42.51% | 25 | 0.50% |
| 1884 | 3,171 | 58.87% | 2,160 | 40.10% | 55 | 1.02% |
| 1888 | 3,316 | 58.44% | 2,192 | 38.63% | 166 | 2.93% |
| 1892 | 2,838 | 55.26% | 1,989 | 38.73% | 309 | 6.02% |
| 1896 | 3,357 | 54.54% | 2,748 | 44.65% | 50 | 0.81% |
| 1900 | 3,380 | 57.25% | 2,438 | 41.29% | 86 | 1.46% |
| 1904 | 3,331 | 62.47% | 1,880 | 35.26% | 121 | 2.27% |
| 1908 | 3,343 | 56.84% | 2,451 | 41.68% | 87 | 1.48% |
| 1912 | 2,186 | 39.72% | 2,261 | 41.08% | 1,057 | 19.20% |
| 1916 | 2,772 | 50.53% | 2,616 | 47.69% | 98 | 1.79% |
| 1920 | 5,446 | 58.55% | 3,812 | 40.98% | 43 | 0.46% |
| 1924 | 4,542 | 60.27% | 2,696 | 35.77% | 298 | 3.95% |
| 1928 | 5,251 | 65.23% | 2,752 | 34.19% | 47 | 0.58% |
| 1932 | 4,254 | 44.74% | 5,157 | 54.24% | 97 | 1.02% |
| 1936 | 4,841 | 45.29% | 5,807 | 54.33% | 41 | 0.38% |
| 1940 | 5,984 | 53.27% | 5,249 | 46.73% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1944 | 5,933 | 60.06% | 3,945 | 39.94% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1948 | 4,865 | 57.95% | 3,513 | 41.85% | 17 | 0.20% |
| 1952 | 6,800 | 63.66% | 3,882 | 36.34% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1956 | 6,696 | 66.00% | 3,449 | 34.00% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 7,085 | 64.11% | 3,966 | 35.89% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1964 | 4,567 | 42.70% | 6,128 | 57.30% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1968 | 5,339 | 51.99% | 2,966 | 28.88% | 1,964 | 19.13% |
| 1972 | 6,970 | 73.25% | 2,344 | 24.63% | 201 | 2.11% |
| 1976 | 5,719 | 55.18% | 4,477 | 43.20% | 168 | 1.62% |
| 1980 | 5,827 | 64.26% | 2,810 | 30.99% | 431 | 4.75% |
| 1984 | 6,838 | 75.80% | 2,126 | 23.57% | 57 | 0.63% |
| 1988 | 6,186 | 69.72% | 2,623 | 29.56% | 64 | 0.72% |
| 1992 | 4,916 | 48.74% | 2,976 | 29.51% | 2,194 | 21.75% |
| 1996 | 4,831 | 50.29% | 3,665 | 38.15% | 1,111 | 11.56% |
| 2000 | 5,685 | 61.27% | 3,363 | 36.25% | 230 | 2.48% |
| 2004 | 7,376 | 62.74% | 4,334 | 36.86% | 47 | 0.40% |
| 2008 | 7,102 | 60.61% | 4,401 | 37.56% | 215 | 1.83% |
| 2012 | 6,620 | 59.97% | 4,249 | 38.49% | 169 | 1.53% |
| 2016 | 7,995 | 71.18% | 2,739 | 24.39% | 498 | 4.43% |
| 2020 | 9,473 | 75.03% | 2,975 | 23.56% | 178 | 1.41% |
| 2024 | 9,706 | 76.94% | 2,773 | 21.98% | 136 | 1.08% |
| 2016 | 1 | 33.33% | 1 | 33.33% | 1 | 33.33% |
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Government
[edit]Fayette County has a 3-member Board of County Commissioners that oversee the various County departments, similar to all but 2 of the 88 Ohio counties. As of 2025, Fayette County's elected commissioners are Tony Anderson, Donnie Fleak, and Jim Garland.[23]
Transportation
[edit]Airport
[edit]Fayette County Airport is a general aviation facility owned by the county and located northeast of the city of Washington Court House.
Communities
[edit]
City
[edit]- Washington Court House (county seat)
Villages
[edit]Townships
[edit]Census-designated places
[edit]Unincorporated communities
[edit]- Blessing
- Bookwalter
- Boyds
- Buena Vista
- Cook
- Cunningham
- Eber
- Edgefield
- Fairview
- Georgetown
- Ghormley
- Glendon
- Hagler
- Jasper Mills
- Johnson
- Luray
- Luttrell
- Madison Mills
- Manara
- McLean
- New Martinsburg
- Parrott
- Plano
- Pleasant View
- Rock Mills
- Shady Grove
- South Plymouth
- Staunton
- West Lancaster
- White Oak
- Yankeetown
- Yatesville
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ↑ "2020 Population and Housing State Data". Census.gov. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
- ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 3, 2015. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- ↑ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 124.
- ↑ Kilbourn, John (1833). The Ohio Gazetteer, or, a Topographical Dictionary. Scott and Wright. pp. 194. Retrieved December 12, 2013.
- ↑ Tri-County Triangle
- ↑ Xenia-Jamestown Connector. Accessed:November 21, 2024
- ↑ Stahl, Dan. Trails in Fayette Co.: A step in the right direction. Record Herald. May 8, 2023. Accessed: November 21, 2024.
- ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on May 4, 2014. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved January 2, 2026.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved January 2, 2026.
- ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved January 2, 2026.
- ↑ "1980 Census of Population - General Social and Economic Characteristics - Ohio- Table 59 - Persons by Spanish Origin, Race, and Sex: 1980 AND Table 58 - Race by Sex: 1980" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. p. 49-67 and 27-47.
- ↑ "1990 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Ohio: Table 6 - Race and Hispanic Origin" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. p. 21-95.
- ↑ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Fayette County, Ohio". United States Census Bureau.
- ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Fayette County, Ohio". United States Census Bureau.
- ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Fayette County, Ohio". United States Census Bureau.
- ↑ included in the Asian category in the 1980 Census
- ↑ included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census
- ↑ not an option in the 1980 Census
- ↑ not an option in the 1990 Census
- ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved May 1, 2018.
- ↑ Fayette County Ohio, County Commissioners, Accessed: January 22, 2025
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