Holmes County, Ohio#Townships

Image:DSCN4624 holmescountyamishbuggy e.jpg couple in a horse-drawn buggy in rural Holmes County]]

Holmes County was formed on January 20, 1824, from portions of Coshocton, Tuscarawas and Wayne counties. It was named after Major Andrew Holmes, who was killed in action at 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.Kenneth H. Wheeler, "Local autonomy and civil war draft resistance: Holmes County, Ohio," Civil War History, June 1999, Vol. 45 Issue 2, pp 147-58 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.Stephen E. Towne, "A Lesson for All Rebels at Home: The Holmes County, Ohio, Rebellion of 1863 Revisited" Ohio History (Fall 2019) 126#2 pp 5-37.

In the spring of 1892, a Black man from Mt. Vernon or Wooster, Ohio, whose name remains unknown, was walking through the county. After he had been in town for a few days, a group of white people decided to lynch him because he “lingered about people’s doorsteps and angered them in various ways.” On April 1, 1892, a mob gathered after nightfall, abducted the man, and hanged him from a tree in the public square in front of the county courthouse.{{cite web |title=Lynching in America: Outside the South |url=https://eji.org/issues/lynching-in-america-outside-the-south/ |website=Equal Justice Initiative |access-date=24 February 2025}}

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of {{convert|424|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|423|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|1.4|sqmi}} (0.3%) is water.{{Cite web |date=August 22, 2012 |title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_39.txt |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140504223453/http://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_39.txt |archive-date=May 4, 2014 |access-date=February 8, 2015 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}

• Wayne County (north)
• Stark County (northeast)
• Tuscarawas County (southeast)
• Coshocton County (south)
• Knox County (southwest)
• Ashland County (northwest)

{{US Census population

|1830= 9135

|1840= 18088

|1850= 20452

|1860= 20589

|1870= 18177

|1880= 20776

|1890= 21139

|1900= 19511

|1910= 17909

|1920= 16965

|1930= 16726

|1940= 17876

|1950= 18760

|1960= 21591

|1970= 23024

|1980= 29416

|1990= 32849

|2000= 38943

|2010= 42366

|2020= 44223

|estyear=2024

|estimate=44668

|estref=

|align-fn=center

|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census{{Cite web |title=U.S. Decennial Census |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html |access-date=February 8, 2015 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}
1790-1960{{Cite web |title=Historical Census Browser |url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu |access-date=February 8, 2015 |publisher=University of Virginia Library}} 1900-1990{{Cite web |date=March 27, 1995 |editor-last=Forstall |editor-first=Richard L. |title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990 |url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/oh190090.txt |access-date=February 8, 2015 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}
1990-2000{{Cite web |date=April 2, 2001 |title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000 |url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327165705/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=March 27, 2010 |access-date=February 8, 2015 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}} 2020 2024

}}

As of the 2020 United States census, the population of Holmes County was 44,223 with 14,580 households. Its 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.

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 42,366 people, 12,554 households, and 10,035 families living in the county.{{Cite web |title=DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US39075 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213031305/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US39075 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=December 27, 2015 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}} The population density was {{convert|100.3|PD/sqmi}}. There were 13,666 housing units at an average density of {{convert|32.3|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units |units|}}.{{Cite web |title=Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US39075 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213234323/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US39075 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=December 27, 2015 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}} 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.{{Cite web |title=DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US39075 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213021258/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US39075 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=December 27, 2015 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}

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.{{Cite web |title=DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US39075 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213024119/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US39075 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=December 27, 2015 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}

As of the census{{Cite web |title=U.S. Census website |url=https://www.census.gov |access-date=January 31, 2008 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}} of 2000, there were 38,943 people, 11,337 households, and 9,194 families living in the county. The population density was {{convert|92|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people |people|}}. There were 12,280 housing units at an average density of {{convert|29|/mi2|/km2|adj=pre|units }}. 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."It is likely that those reporting such confused Pennsylvania Dutch, a German dialect, with 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.{{Cite web |title=The Association of Religion Data Archives | Maps & Reports |url=https://www.thearda.com/rcms2010/r/c/39/rcms2010_39075_county_name_2010.asp |website=Thearda.com}}

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.{{Cite web |title=Language Map Data Center |url=https://apps.mla.org/map_data_results&state_id=39&county_id=75&mode=geographic&zip=&place_id=&cty_id=&ll=&a=&ea=&order=r |website=Apps.mla.org}}

The Amish community in Holmes County established in 1808, had a 17,654 adherents in 2010,[http://amishamerica.com/12-largest-amish-communities-2017/ The 12 Largest Amish Communities (2017).] at Amish America or 41.7% of the county's population.

{{Pie chart

|thumb = right

|caption = Religion in Holmes County, according to ARDA (2020) {{Cite web |title=Holmes County , Ohio - County Membership Report (2020) |url=https://www.thearda.com/us-religion/census/congregational-membership?y=2020&y2=0&t=0&c=39075 |publisher=The Association of Religion Data Archives}}{{failed verification|date=August 2023|reason=These numbers are not apparent in the reference given}}

|label1 = Anabaptist Churches (Amish and Mennonite)

|value1 = 54.7

|color1 = DodgerBlue

|label2 = Others Evangelical Churches

|value2 = 17.4

|color2 = Blue

|label3 = Mainline Protestant Churches

|value3 = 3.8

|color3 = Red

|label4 = Catholic Church

|value4 = 0.7

|color4 = Purple

|label5 = None

|value5 = 23.4

|color5 = White

}}

Image:Amish farmer in Mount Hope, Ohio.jpg

Tourism is an important part of the economy. In 2017, Holmes County was the second most popular tourist destination in Ohio.{{Cite web |last=Lynch |first=Kevin |date=November 27, 2017 |title=Holmes County tourism, hotels keep growing |url=https://www.the-daily-record.com/news/20171127/holmes-county-tourism-hotels-keep-growing |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210818131446/https://www.the-daily-record.com/news/20171127/holmes-county-tourism-hotels-keep-growing |archive-date=August 18, 2021 |access-date=August 18, 2021 |website=The Daily Record |language=en}} Tourism is centered on the Amish community, which makes up almost half the county's population, the highest density in the world.

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.

The high Amish population means that a large proportion of residents in Holmes County do not vote, even compared to turnout standards in much of the United States. These low figures are likely due to the Amish's tendency to abstain from politics.

{{PresHead|place=Holmes County, Ohio|source={{Cite web |last=Leip |first=David |title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections |url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS |access-date=May 2, 2018 |website=uselectionatlas.org}}}}

{{PresRow|2024|Republican|10,384|1,854|148|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|2020|Republican|10,796|1,994|188|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|2016|Republican|8,720|1,788|598|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|2012|Republican|8,702|2,608|257|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|2008|Republican|7,720|3,141|273|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|2004|Republican|8,468|2,697|55|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|2000|Republican|6,754|2,066|325|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|1996|Republican|5,213|2,531|1,340|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|1992|Republican|5,079|1,969|2,008|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|1988|Republican|5,064|2,179|73|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|1984|Republican|5,146|1,737|61|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|1980|Republican|3,860|2,094|440|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|1976|Republican|2,870|2,242|187|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|1972|Republican|3,752|1,507|103|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|1968|Republican|3,350|1,898|481|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|2,106|3,559|0|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|1960|Republican|4,432|1,953|0|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|1956|Republican|3,955|1,795|0|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|1952|Republican|3,891|2,089|0|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|1948|Republican|2,496|2,480|6|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|1944|Republican|3,093|2,563|0|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|3,201|3,349|0|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|2,247|4,097|88|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|1,953|4,096|131|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|1928|Republican|3,457|1,631|39|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|1924|Democratic|1,824|2,539|405|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|1920|Democratic|2,065|3,211|49|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|955|2,846|64|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|465|2,429|737|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|1908|Democratic|1,252|3,043|62|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|1904|Democratic|1,377|2,486|97|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|1900|Democratic|1,269|3,394|67|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|1896|Democratic|1,284|3,622|45|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|1892|Democratic|1,152|3,151|204|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|1888|Democratic|1,241|3,388|180|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|1884|Democratic|1,366|3,368|48|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|1880|Democratic|1,370|3,281|16|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|1876|Democratic|1,241|3,171|2|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|1872|Democratic|1,089|2,530|1|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|1868|Democratic|1,083|2,859|0|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|1864|Democratic|1,066|2,681|0|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|1860|Democratic|1,392|2,281|48|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|1856|Democratic|1,285|2,103|5|Ohio}}

|}

{{U.S. SenHead|place=Holmes County, Ohio|Seat=1|source={{cite news |title=2024 Senate Election (Official Returns) |website=Commonwealth of Texas by county |date=November 5, 2024 |access-date=December 5, 2024 |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-elections/ohio-senate-results}}}}

{{U.S. SenRow|2024|Republican|9,699|2,117|381|Ohio}}

|}

Image:Map of Holmes County Ohio With Municipal and Township Labels.PNG

CDP = Census-designated place

UIC = Unincorporated community

Holmes County Airport {{airport codes|||10G}} located two miles southwest of Millersburg.

{{Main|Amish in Ohio}}

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.Charles E. Hurst, David L. McConnell: An Amish Paradox: Diversity and Change in the World's Largest Amish Community, Baltimore 2010, pages 35-36 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.{{Cite web |title=Estimate: A New Amish Community is Founded Every 3 1/2 Weeks in U.S. |url=http://researchnews.osu.edu/archive/amishpop.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130602042028/http://researchnews.osu.edu/archive/amishpop.htm |archive-date=June 2, 2013 |access-date=June 17, 2013 |publisher=The Ohio State University}}. Quote: "“My guess is that in 15 years, we'll witness a county whose population is majority Amish, and Holmes County is likely to gain that distinction first. Perhaps LaGrange County in Indiana will not be far behind,” Donnermeyer said." 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.{{Cite web |title=Amish & Mennonite Heritage Center |url=https://amishcountryinsider.com/amish-mennonite-heritage-center/ |website=Amish Country Insider}}

The overall Amish population of the area, centered on Holmes County, is the largest Amish community in the world.{{Cite web |title=Fact Sheets: Holmes County and Amish Country |url=http://holmescountychamber.com/press_factsheets.php?ID=14 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111230133808/http://holmescountychamber.com/press_factsheets.php?ID=14 |archive-date=December 30, 2011 |access-date=July 29, 2012 |publisher=Holmes County Chamber of Commerce}}. Quote: "Approximately 36,000 Amish residents make the region the largest Amish community in the world. Centered in Holmes County, Amish Country extends into each of the surrounding five counties. The Amish community has existed in this region of Ohio since 1809." 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.Charles E. Hurst, David L. McConnell: An Amish Paradox: Diversity and Change in the World's Largest Amish Community, Baltimore 2010, page 36.{{Cite web |date=August 23, 2010 |title=How many types of Amish are there? |url=https://amishamerica.com/how-many-types-of-amish-are-there/ |website=Amishamerica.com}}

{{Commons category|Holmes County, Ohio}}

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Holmes County, Ohio
• USS Holmes County (LST-836)

{{Reflist}}

{{wikivoyage|Holmes County (Ohio)}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20040730065541/http://holmescounty.com/ Holmes County official site]
• [http://www.visitamishcountry.com/ Visit Amish Country (Holmes Co. Tourism Bureau)]

{{Geographic Location

|Centre = Holmes County, Ohio

|North = Wayne County

|Northeast = Stark County

|East = Tuscarawas County

|Southeast =

|South = Coshocton County

|Southwest = Knox County

|West =

|Northwest = Ashland County

}}

{{Holmes County, Ohio}}

{{Ohio}}

{{authority control}}

{{coord|40.56|-81.93|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-OH_source:UScensus1990}}

Category:Appalachian Ohio

Category:1825 establishments in Ohio

Category:Populated places established in 1825

Category:Amish in Ohio

Category:Pennsylvania Dutch culture in Ohio

Category:German-American culture in Ohio

Category:Swiss-American culture in Ohio