Tuscarawas County, Ohio
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Tuscarawas County is a county located in the state of Ohio. As of 2000, the population was 90,914. Its county seat is New Philadelphia6. Its name is an Indian word meaning "open mouth".
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[edit] Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,480 km² (571 mi²). 1,470 km² (568 mi²) of it is land and 10 km² (4 mi²) of it (0.68%) is water.
[edit] Adjacent counties
- Stark County (north)
- Carroll County (northeast)
- Harrison County (southeast)
- Guernsey County (south)
- Coshocton County (southwest)
- Holmes County (northwest)
[edit] Demographics
As of the census² of 2000, there were 90,914 people, 35,653 households, and 25,313 families residing in the county. The population density was 62/km² (160/mi²). There were 38,113 housing units at an average density of 26/km² (67/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.87% White, 0.73% Black or African American, 0.17% Native American, 0.24% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.21% from other races, and 0.73% from two or more races. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 0.71% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. The Census Bureau declined offers to be introduced to Spanish speaking households, and has not disclosed the identity or activities of any Spanish speaking enumerators. The Census may have missed many of the recent immigrants from Guatemala who arrived since the mid-90's. Guatemalans were initially recruited to the area by Case Farms of Ohio in Winesburg. They have since diversified to many area businesses. Principally from Huehuetenango, Totonicapán Department and El Quiche in Guatemala, the immigrants often speak native Mayan languages including K'ichee', Awakateko, Q'anjob'al and Mam. Area volunteers provide tutoring in English.
There were 35,653 households out of which 32.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.10% were married couples living together, 9.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.00% were non-families. 24.90% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.01.
In the county, the population was spread out with 25.40% under the age of 18, 8.00% from 18 to 24, 28.10% from 25 to 44, 23.60% from 45 to 64, and 15.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 95.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.40 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $35,489, and the median income for a family was $41,677. Males had a median income of $31,963 versus $20,549 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,276. About 7.20% of families and 9.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.20% of those under age 18 and 7.80% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Government
Main article: Ohio county government
[edit] Municipalities
[edit] History
Not much was known about the territory west of the Appalachian Mountains except for a few Explorers and Fur traders who ventured into the area. In 1750, Christopher Gist, of the Ohio Land Company, did some exploration of the Tuscarawas Valley. His report of the area hinted at some natural riches and friendly Indians. In 1761, Missionaries from the Renewed Church of the United Brethren, also known as the Moravians, set out from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania to set up a mission in the Tuscarawas Valley. Christian Fredrick Post and John Heckawelder met with Chief Netawatwes of the Lenape, also know as the Delaware Indians, at Gekelemukpechunk, near present day Newcomerstown, Ohio. They were granted permission to build a cabin near the junction of the Sandy Creek and Tuscarawas River, in present day Stark County. It was abandoned in 1763 during the French and Indian War.
In 1771, David Zeisberger returned, at the request of Chief Netawatwes,to establish some missions in the valley. In the spring of 1772, near the present site of New Philadelphia, Ohio, David Zeisberger along with five converted Indian families established Schoenbrunn, or "beautiful spring". They built a school house and a chapel. August of that year, John Heckawelder brought additional 250 converted Indians which then expanded the village of Schoenbrunn. A second settlement, roughly 10 miles, was established at Gnadenhutten, which means "Tents of Grace". On October 17, 1772, David Zeisberger conducted the first religious service at Gnadenhutten. In 1776, Chief Netawatwes donated land for another settlement, Lichtenau, which means "fields of light", near present day Coshocton.1.
[edit] External links
- Tuscarawas County Government's website
- Tuscarawas County Bar Association
- Kent State University The Olmstead Collection, Tuscarawas County Historical Society
[edit] Footnotes
1Guide to Tuscarawas County, Federal Writers Project of Ohio Work Projects Administration, F.C. Harrington, Florence Kerr, Carl Watson, 1939
