New Lexington, Ohio

The area around New Lexington and Perry County had been home to various indigenous groups for centuries prior to European settlement. Archeologists have found mounds and relics from groups such as the Adena and Hopewell cultures in areas near present-day New Lexington, most notably the Glenford Fort mound.{{cite news |title=Ancient Indians built hilltop earthworks now known as Glenford Fort |url=https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/news/2016/07/30/ancient-indians-built-hilltop-earthworks/10719010007/ |agency=Akron Beacon Journal |publisher=USA Today |date=July 30, 2016}}

The Shawnee tribe lived across wide areas of Ohio including Perry County prior to the 1800s. After Tecumseh's defeat at the Battle of Thames in 1813, many Shawnee were forced to relocate to present-day Oklahoma.{{cite web |last1=Jessie |first1=Walton |title=The Forgotten History of Ohio’s Indigenous Peoples |url=https://www.midstory.org/the-forgotten-history-of-ohios-indigenous-peoples/ |website=midstory.com |publisher=Midstory |access-date=24 April 2025}}

New Lexington was first formally settled in 1817 by James Comly, though he was not conscious of it at the time. Comly had lived with his family near Circleville, and contracted malaria. He spent a long period of time bedridden by the disease, and when he eventually recovered he was surprised to find that he had apparently sold his home in Pickaway County and signed a deed for property in Perry County. The negotiations had been overseen by his mother and wife during his sickness, and despite his obliviousness to the property transfers Comly decided he was content with the sales.{{cite book|last=Colborn|first=Ephraim S.|title=History of Fairfield and Perry Counties, Ohio: Their Past and Present|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4NUyAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA236|year=1883|publisher=Brookhaven Press|page=236}}

File:Old courthouse at New Lexington.png

The village was named after Lexington, Massachusetts, and originally consisted of 64 lots, which Comly sold for prices ranging from $25 to $50 apiece. After the sale, the village began to grow and residents built houses and businesses including a tannery, hat shop, and tavern. A post office was first established in 1829.{{cite web | url=http://www.postalhistory.com/postoffices.asp?task=display&state=OH&county=Perry | title=Perry County | publisher=Jim Forte Postal History | access-date=December 16, 2015}}

For over two decades after the New Lexington's formation, it stayed close to the same size as when it was founded. After a bitter and hotly contested contest against the communities of Somerset and Rehoboth, New Lexington became the seat of Perry County in 1857.{{cite book |last1=Martzolff |first1=Clement Luther |title=History of Perry County, Ohio |date=1902 |publisher=Ward and Weiland |location=New Lexington, Ohio}} Beginning in the 1840s plots were added onto the village, and by the end of the century the village had more than quadrupled in population. New Lexington and its surrounding area became home to multiple industries, three newspapers, and two railroads.

Many residents of Perry County were passionate supporters of the Union cause, and large numbers of people from New Lexington fought for the United States during the American Civil War. General Philip Sheridan's horse Rienzi was from New Lexington.{{cite book |last1=Cullinan |first1=P.M. |title=The Book of Perry County - An Historic Industrial Portfolio |date=1909 |publisher=The New Lexington Herald |location=New Lexington, Ohio}}

New Lexington was severely damaged by a fire in February 1874, which originated in a drug store around midnight. The flames quickly spread to the second floor of the drug store, and then inflamed several more buildings, before igniting an entire block of structures. Townspeople hurried to tear down a one-story building by a wide alleyway, preventing the flames from catching a further row of houses and stopping the spread. After that point, the damage was more limited and no more buildings were lost. In the end, total damages from the fire were estimated at $50,000.

In 1887 the Perry County Courthouse was erected to replace the smaller building used previously. After completion, it stood vacant for a few years before offices were opened inside.

New Lexington and its surrounding regions are within the Clay Belt of Ohio, and it was once home to numerous ceramic industries. Ludowici Roof Tile has operated a factory in New Lexington since 1902, and has produced tile at this location for projects including Walt Disney World, Ellis Island, and the White House.{{cite web |title=Why Ludowici |url=https://ludowici.com/ludowici-difference/about/ |website=ludowici.com |publisher=Ludowici Roof Tile |access-date=24 April 2025}}

Star Manufacturing was founded in New Lexington in 1871 as a small foundry for making feed grinders, stoves, plows, and other items. Starting in the 1880s they branched into production of mine cars for the area's coal industry. Over time the company grew to focus on grinders, engines, and mining equipment. In 1941 the company and its factory were bought and turned into STAR Engineering, which designs and builds equipment for ceramic manufacturers. As of 2025, this company continues to work as a manufacturer of custom machines for the ceramic industry.{{cite web |title=About STAR Engineering LLC |url=https://starengineering.com/about |website=starengineering.com |publisher=STAR Engineering LLC |access-date=24 April 2025}}

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of {{convert|1.95|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, all land.{{cite web|title=US Gazetteer files 2010|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=January 6, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125061959/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt|archive-date=January 25, 2012}}

{{Weather box

|location = New Lexington, Ohio (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1942–present)

|single line = Y

|width = auto

|Jan record high F = 75

|Feb record high F = 78

|Mar record high F = 86

|Apr record high F = 102

|May record high F = 94

|Jun record high F = 100

|Jul record high F = 103

|Aug record high F = 100

|Sep record high F = 101

|Oct record high F = 91

|Nov record high F = 88

|Dec record high F = 77

|year record high F = 103

|Jan high F = 37.1

|Feb high F = 40.5

|Mar high F = 50.6

|Apr high F = 63.9

|May high F = 72.8

|Jun high F = 80.2

|Jul high F = 83.4

|Aug high F = 82.6

|Sep high F = 76.8

|Oct high F = 65.3

|Nov high F = 52.8

|Dec high F = 41.7

|year high F = 62.3

|Jan mean F = 27.4

|Feb mean F = 30.1

|Mar mean F = 38.8

|Apr mean F = 50.1

|May mean F = 60.0

|Jun mean F = 68.3

|Jul mean F = 72.1

|Aug mean F = 70.8

|Sep mean F = 64.2

|Oct mean F = 52.5

|Nov mean F = 41.2

|Dec mean F = 32.6

|year mean F = 50.7

|Jan low F = 17.7

|Feb low F = 19.6

|Mar low F = 27.0

|Apr low F = 36.4

|May low F = 47.2

|Jun low F = 56.5

|Jul low F = 60.8

|Aug low F = 59.0

|Sep low F = 51.6

|Oct low F = 39.7

|Nov low F = 29.7

|Dec low F = 23.5

|year low F = 39.1

|Jan record low F = −35

|Feb record low F = −26

|Mar record low F = -12

|Apr record low F = 10

|May record low F = 22

|Jun record low F = 32

|Jul record low F = 40

|Aug record low F = 36

|Sep record low F = 24

|Oct record low F = 14

|Nov record low F = -12

|Dec record low F = −24

|year record low F = -35

|precipitation colour = green

|Jan precipitation inch = 3.35

|Feb precipitation inch = 2.72

|Mar precipitation inch = 3.84

|Apr precipitation inch = 4.36

|May precipitation inch = 4.34

|Jun precipitation inch = 4.92

|Jul precipitation inch = 4.55

|Aug precipitation inch = 3.31

|Sep precipitation inch = 3.20

|Oct precipitation inch = 3.26

|Nov precipitation inch = 3.21

|Dec precipitation inch = 3.29

|year precipitation inch = 44.35

|Jan snow inch = 8.6

|Feb snow inch = 5.3

|Mar snow inch = 2.8

|Apr snow inch = 0.1

|May snow inch = 0.0

|Jun snow inch = 0.0

|Jul snow inch = 0.0

|Aug snow inch = 0.0

|Sep snow inch = 0.0

|Oct snow inch = 0.0

|Nov snow inch = 0.4

|Dec snow inch = 3.0

|year snow inch = 20.2

|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in

|Jan precipitation days = 13.5

|Feb precipitation days = 11.3

|Mar precipitation days = 11.9

|Apr precipitation days = 12.1

|May precipitation days = 13.4

|Jun precipitation days = 11.7

|Jul precipitation days = 11.1

|Aug precipitation days = 9.6

|Sep precipitation days = 8.7

|Oct precipitation days = 10.2

|Nov precipitation days = 10.3

|Dec precipitation days = 13.4

|year precipitation days = 137.2

|unit snow days = 0.1 in

|Jan snow days = 5.5

|Feb snow days = 3.9

|Mar snow days = 2.2

|Apr snow days = 0.1

|May snow days = 0.0

|Jun snow days = 0.0

|Jul snow days = 0.0

|Aug snow days = 0.0

|Sep snow days = 0.0

|Oct snow days = 0.0

|Nov snow days = 0.5

|Dec snow days = 2.7

|year snow days = 14.9

|source 1 = NOAA

{{cite web

| url = https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=rlx

| title = NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data

| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

| access-date = August 7, 2021}}

{{cite web

| url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USC00335857&format=pdf

| title = Station: New Lexington 2 NW, OH

| work = U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020)

| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

| access-date = August 7, 2021}}

}}

{{US Census population

|1850= 406

|1860= 812

|1870= 953

|1880= 1357

|1890= 1470

|1900= 1701

|1910= 2559

|1920= 3157

|1930= 3901

|1940= 4049

|1950= 4233

|1960= 4514

|1970= 4921

|1980= 5179

|1990= 5117

|2000= 4689

|2010= 4731

|2020= 4435

|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}

}}

As of the census{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=January 6, 2013}} of 2010, there were 4,731 people, 1,838 households, and 1,164 families living in the village. The population density was {{convert|2426.2|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 2,000 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1025.6|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the village was 97.9% White, 0.5% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.1% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.1% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.6% of the population.

There were 1,838 households, of which 36.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.9% were married couples living together, 17.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 36.7% were non-families. 30.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.12.

The median age in the village was 33.8 years. 28.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.3% were from 25 to 44; 23.3% were from 45 to 64; and 13.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the village was 47.3% male and 52.7% female.

As of the census of 2000, there were 4,689 people, 1,836 households, and 1,233 families living in the village. The population density was {{convert|2,017.1|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 1,976 housing units at an average density of {{convert|850.0|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the village was 98.76% White, 0.17% African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.13% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.13% from other races, and 0.53% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.38% of the population.

There were 1,836 households, out of which 35.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.5% were married couples living together, 13.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.8% were non-families. 28.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.07.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 28.1% under the age of 18, 10.4% from 18 to 24, 26.6% from 25 to 44, 19.5% from 45 to 64, and 15.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 91.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.9 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $28,406, and the median income for a family was $33,514. Males had a median income of $28,155 versus $21,039 for females. The per capita income for the village was $14,127. About 16.4% of families and 17.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.0% of those under age 18 and 11.2% of those age 65 or over.

As of 2024, the mayor of New Lexington is Trent Thompson.[http://newlexington.org/index.php?q=node/6 Mayor's office], Village of New Lexington, 2017. Accessed May 27, 2013. The Village Administrator is Eric Emmert. Janie DePinto serves as the council president.

New Lexington City School District operates New Lexington Elementary, Junction City Elementary, New Lexington Middle School, and New Lexington High School.{{cite web | url=http://www.nlpanthers.org | title=Homepage | publisher=New Lexington City Schools | access-date=March 3, 2018}}

New Lexington has a public library, a branch of the Perry County District Library.{{cite web | url=https://www.pcdl.org/hrsloc | title=Hours and locations | publisher=Perry County District Library | access-date=March 3, 2018}}

• William A. Calderhead, U.S. Representative from Kansas
• James M. Comly, brigadier general in Union Army, journalist, attorney and diplomat
• Dan Dodd, member of the Ohio House of Representatives
• Stephen Benton Elkins, industrialist and politician
• William C. Grimes, acting Governor of Oklahoma Territory
• Januarius MacGahan, journalist and national hero of Bulgaria
• Jerry McGee - professional golfer
• John A. McShane, first Democrat elected to United States House of Representatives from Nebraska
• Albert Francis Zahm - specialist in aerodynamics; early aircraft experimenter
• John Augustine Zahm - Holy Cross priest and scientist
• Gene Cole, Olympic medalist and sprinter

{{reflist}}

{{commons category}}

• [http://www.newlexington.org/ Village of New Lexington]
• [http://www.nlpanthers.org/ New Lexington City Schools]

{{Perry County, Ohio}}

{{Ohio county seats}}

{{authority control}}

Category:County seats in Ohio

Category:Villages in Perry County, Ohio

Category:1817 establishments in Ohio

Category:Populated places established in 1817

Category:Villages in Ohio