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Brown County, Ohio

Coordinates: 38°56′N 83°52′W / 38.93°N 83.87°W / 38.93; -83.87
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Brown County
County
Brown County Courthouse
Brown County Courthouse
Flag of Brown County
Flag
Official seal of Brown County
Seal
Map of Ohio highlighting Brown County
Location within the U.S. state of Ohio
Map of the United States highlighting Ohio
Ohio's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 38°56′N 83°52′W / 38.93°N 83.87°W / 38.93; -83.87
Country United States
State Ohio
FoundedMarch 1, 1818
Named forGeneral Jacob Brown
SeatGeorgetown
Largest villageGeorgetown
Area
 • Total493 sq mi (1,280 km2)
 • Land490 sq mi (1,300 km2)
 • Water3.4 sq mi (9 km2)  0.7%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total43,676 Decrease
 • Density89/sq mi (34/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district2nd
Websitewww.browncountyohio.gov

Brown County is a county in the U.S. state of Ohio. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 43,676.[1] The county seat is Georgetown.[2] The county was created in 1818[3] and is named for Major General Jacob Brown, an officer in the War of 1812 who was wounded at the Battle of Lundy's Lane.[4] Brown County is part of the Cincinnati-Middletown, OH-KY-IN Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

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White burley tobacco monument dedicated on August 7, 1964, and located at the Ohio Tobacco Museum in Ripley.

After the American Revolutionary War, the federal government established the Northwest Territory, a large area which encompassed the present county. In 1790, several counties were established, Hamilton among them. In 1797, a portion of Hamilton was partitioned off to create Adams County, and in 1800 another portion was partitioned to create Clermont. This lasted for two decades, during which the area north of the Ohio River attracted settlers.

Among the early settlers was Jesse Root Grant (father of future US President Grant), who built a home and set up a tannery in the future Georgetown area, where young Hiram Ulysses (later changed to Ulysses S.) spent his youth.[5]

On March 1, 1818, portions of Adams and Clermont counties were partitioned off to create Brown County, with Georgetown as its seat. The boundaries of the county were altered in 1874, when a portion was moved to Highland County; they have remained intact since then.[3]

Brown County was said to be the place of origin of the White Burley type of tobacco, grown in 1864 by George Webb and Joseph Fore on the farm of Captain Frederick Kautz near Higginsport, with seed from Bracken County, Kentucky. He noticed it yielded a different type of light leaf shaded from white to yellow, and cured differently. By 1866, he harvested 20,000 pounds of Burley tobacco and sold it in 1867 at the St. Louis Fair for $58 per hundred pounds. By 1883, the principal market for this tobacco was Cincinnati, but it was grown throughout central Kentucky and Middle Tennessee.[6] Later the type became referred to as burley tobacco, and it was air-cured.

Geography

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Brown County lies on the south line of the state of Ohio. Its south border abuts the north border of the state of Kentucky across the Ohio River. The Ohio flows westward along the county's south line. White Oak Creek flows southward through the lower part of southwest Brown County, discharging into the Ohio at Higginsport; Straight Creek flows southwestward through the lower central part of the county, discharging into the Ohio two miles (3.2 km) east of Higginsport. Eagle Creek flows southerly through the lower eastern part of the county, discharging into the Ohio east of Ripley. The east fork of the Little Miami River flows southwestward through the upper part of the county, entering Clermont County near Marathon.

The terrain of Brown County consists of low rolling hills, carved by drainages. All available areas are devoted to agriculture.[7] The highest point (at 1,089' or 332 m ASL) in Brown County is a point on Ash Ridge, 9 miles (14 km) southeast of Lake Waynoka.[8] The county has an area of 493 square miles (1,280 km2), of which 490 square miles (1,300 km2) is land and 3.4 square miles (8.8 km2) (0.7%) is water.[9]

Main highways

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Adjacent counties

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Lakes

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  • Grant Lake
  • Lake Lorelei
  • Lake Waynoka

Protected areas

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  • Della Gates and Charles Bott Wildlife Area
  • Grant Lake Wildlife Area
  • Indian Creek Wildlife Area
  • Eagle Creek Wildlife Area

[7]

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
182013,356—
183017,86733.8%
184022,71527.1%
185027,33220.3%
186029,9589.6%
187030,8022.8%
188032,9116.8%
189029,899−9.2%
190028,237−5.6%
191024,832−12.1%
192022,621−8.9%
193020,148−10.9%
194021,6387.4%
195022,2212.7%
196025,17813.3%
197026,6355.8%
198031,92019.8%
199034,9669.5%
200042,28520.9%
201044,8466.1%
202043,676−2.6%
US Decennial Census[10]
1790-1960[11] 1900-1990[12]
1990-2000[13] 2020 [1]

2010 census

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As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 44,846 people, 17,014 households, and 12,379 families in the county.[15] The population density was 91.5 people per square mile (35.3 people/km2). There were 19,301 housing units at an average density of 39.4 units per square mile (15.2/km2).[16] The racial makeup of the county was 97.5% white, 0.9% black or African American, 0.2% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.0% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.6% of the population.[15] In terms of ancestry, 27.0% were German, 14.2% were Irish, 12.5% were American, and 9.7% were English.[17]

Of the 17,014 households, 34.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.7% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 27.2% were non-families, and 22.6% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.02. The median age was 39.9 years.[15]

The median income for a household in the county was $45,887 and the median income for a family was $54,184. Males had a median income of $39,049 versus $30,890 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,167. About 9.0% of families and 12.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.2% of those under age 18 and 8.4% of those age 65 or over.[18]

2000 census

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As of the 2000 United States Census,[19] there were 42,285 people, 15,555 households, and 11,790 families in the county. The population density was 86.3 people per square mile (33.3 people/km2). There were 17,193 housing units at an average density of 35.1 units per square mile (13.6/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.08% White, 0.92% Black or African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.13% Asian, 0.08% from other races, and 0.60% from two or more races. 0.44% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 29.5% were of American, 28.2% German, 10.7% English and 10.2% Irish ancestry.

There were 15,555 households, out of which 37.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.30% were married couples living together, 10.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.20% were non-families. 20.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.69 and the average family size was 3.09.

The county population contained 27.60% under the age of 18, 8.10% from 18 to 24, 30.30% from 25 to 44, 22.40% from 45 to 64, and 11.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 96.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.80 males.

The county's median household income was $38,303, and the median family income was $43,040. Males had a median income of $32,647 versus $22,483 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,100. About 8.80% of families and 11.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.20% of those under age 18 and 9.40% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

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Prior to 1928, Brown County was a Democratic Party stronghold in presidential elections. 1928 to 1988 saw the county become a swing county, backing the national winner in all but 1944 & 1960. It has since become a Republican Party stronghold, with Jimmy Carter in 1976 representing the last Democratic win of the county at the presidential level but Bill Clinton came within just 372 votes in 1992 and 652 votes in 1996.

United States presidential election results for Brown County, Ohio[20]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 17,257 80.22% 4,069 18.92% 186 0.86%
2020 16,480 77.96% 4,380 20.72% 279 1.32%
2016 14,573 74.04% 4,353 22.12% 756 3.84%
2012 11,916 61.45% 7,107 36.65% 369 1.90%
2008 12,192 60.46% 7,503 37.21% 471 2.34%
2004 12,647 63.58% 7,140 35.89% 105 0.53%
2000 10,027 61.03% 5,972 36.35% 430 2.62%
1996 6,970 45.36% 6,318 41.12% 2,078 13.52%
1992 5,912 38.93% 5,540 36.48% 3,734 24.59%
1988 7,539 59.37% 5,047 39.75% 112 0.88%
1984 8,221 66.28% 4,067 32.79% 116 0.94%
1980 6,065 53.50% 4,706 41.51% 566 4.99%
1976 4,549 44.92% 5,432 53.64% 145 1.43%
1972 6,772 62.68% 3,770 34.89% 262 2.43%
1968 4,700 44.27% 3,610 34.00% 2,307 21.73%
1964 3,904 35.86% 6,983 64.14% 0 0.00%
1960 6,461 55.73% 5,133 44.27% 0 0.00%
1956 5,690 56.70% 4,346 43.30% 0 0.00%
1952 5,635 53.86% 4,828 46.14% 0 0.00%
1948 3,931 43.20% 5,140 56.49% 28 0.31%
1944 5,024 51.44% 4,743 48.56% 0 0.00%
1940 5,477 49.25% 5,644 50.75% 0 0.00%
1936 4,511 40.68% 6,316 56.96% 261 2.35%
1932 3,930 36.86% 6,601 61.91% 131 1.23%
1928 5,681 62.05% 3,422 37.38% 52 0.57%
1924 3,616 43.05% 4,120 49.05% 663 7.89%
1920 4,009 42.79% 5,317 56.74% 44 0.47%
1916 2,227 35.68% 3,959 63.43% 56 0.90%
1912 1,650 28.27% 3,451 59.13% 735 12.59%
1908 2,638 38.02% 4,242 61.14% 58 0.84%
1904 2,730 42.40% 3,590 55.76% 118 1.83%
1900 2,991 39.95% 4,397 58.73% 99 1.32%
1896 3,170 41.08% 4,485 58.13% 61 0.79%
1892 2,865 40.26% 3,975 55.85% 277 3.89%
1888 3,055 40.95% 4,237 56.79% 169 2.27%
1884 3,226 42.75% 4,272 56.61% 49 0.65%
1880 3,184 42.35% 4,324 57.51% 11 0.15%
1876 2,956 41.99% 4,068 57.78% 16 0.23%
1872 2,593 43.64% 3,337 56.16% 12 0.20%
1868 2,715 45.61% 3,238 54.39% 0 0.00%
1864 2,702 47.98% 2,929 52.02% 0 0.00%
1860 2,105 38.69% 3,006 55.26% 329 6.05%
1856 1,785 36.33% 2,700 54.96% 428 8.71%

Government

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See also: Ohio county government

Brown County has three County Commissioners who oversee the various County departments. Commissioners (as of Nov. 2018) are:[21]

  • Barry Woodruff (R)
  • Daryll Gray (R)
  • Tony Applegate (R)[22]

Media

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Radio

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  • WRAC C103 Country 103.1 FM (West Union)
  • WAOL 99.5 (Ripley)

Newspapers

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  • The News Democrat[23] (Georgetown)
  • The Brown County Press[24] (Mount Orab)
  • The County Free Press[25] (Georgetown, Monthly)
  • The Ripley Bee[26] (Ripley, Weekly)

Communities

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Map of Brown County, Ohio With Municipal and Township Labels

Villages

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Census-designated places

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Unincorporated communities

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Townships

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b 2020 census
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ a b "Ohio: Individual County Chronologies". Ohio Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library. 2007. Archived from the original on April 6, 2016. Retrieved February 12, 2015.
  4. ^ Taylor, William Alexander (1899). Ohio Statesmen and Annals of Progress. Press of the Westbote Company. p. 243.
  5. ^ White, Rodald C., 2016 A life of Ulysses S. Grant, p. 11
  6. ^ J.M. Stoddart, Encyclopædia Britannica. American Supplement (Stoddart's Encyclopaedia Americana: A Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, and General Literature, and Companion to the Encyclopædia Britannica. (9th ed.) and to All Other Encyclopaedias, Volume 1), 1883, p. 123, accessed 5 February 2011
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Brown County OH - Google Maps (accessed 9 June 2019)
  8. ^ Ash Ridge Benchmark, Ohio (PeakBagger.com) Accessed 9 June 2019
  9. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on May 4, 2014. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  10. ^ "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  11. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  12. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  13. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  14. ^ "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  15. ^ a b c "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  16. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  17. ^ "Selected Social Characteristics in the US – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  18. ^ "Selected Economic Characteristics – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  19. ^ "U.S. Census website". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  20. ^ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org.
  21. ^ "Brown County Commissioners". Brown County web Portal. Retrieved June 9, 2019.
  22. ^ "Applegate gets the nod for County Commissioner". Brown County News Democrat. June 11, 2012. Archived from the original on January 29, 2013. Retrieved October 3, 2012.
  23. ^ "News Democrat". www.newsdemocrat.com.
  24. ^ "The Brown County Press". The Brown County Press.
  25. ^ "Free Press Publications and Promotions". Archived from the original on May 14, 2007.
  26. ^ "The Ripley Bee –". www.ripleybee.com.
  27. ^ Northern Kentucky Views: Boudes Ferry (accessed 9 June 2019)
  28. ^ OH Township List
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38°56′N 83°52′W / 38.93°N 83.87°W / 38.93; -83.87

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