Noble County, Ohio

County in Ohio, United States

County in Ohio

Noble County

County

The Noble County Courthouse in Caldwell in 2007

Flag

Seal

Map of Ohio highlighting Noble County

Location within the U.S. state of Ohio

Ohio's location within the U.S.

Country|  United States
State|  Ohio
Founded| April 1, 1851[1]
Named for| either James Noble or Warren P. Noble
Seat| Caldwell
Largest village| Caldwell
Area

• Total| 405 sq mi (1,050 km2)
• Land| 398 sq mi (1,030 km2)
• Water| 6.6 sq mi (17 km2)  1.6%%
Population

(2020)

• Total| 14,115
• Estimate

(2021)

| 14,176
• Density| 35/sq mi (13/km2)
Time zone| UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)| UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district| 6th
Website| noblecountyohio.gov

Noble County is a county located in the U.S. state of Ohio. As of the 2020 census, the population was 14,115,[2] making it the fourth-least populous county in Ohio. Its county seat is Caldwell.[3] The county is named for Rep. Warren P. Noble of the Ohio House of Representatives, who was an early settler there.[4]

## Contents

* 1 History
* 2 Geography
* 2.1 Adjacent counties
* 2.2 National protected area
* 3 Demographics
* 3.1 2000 census
* 3.2 2010 census
* 4 Politics
* 5 Government
* 6 Education
* 7 Communities
* 7.1 Villages
* 7.2 Townships
* 7.3 Unincorporated communities
* 8 See also
* 9 Footnotes
* 10 Further reading
* 11 External links

## History

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Noble County was formed on March 11, 1851, from portions of Guernsey, Morgan, Monroe and Washington counties.[5] It was the last and youngest county to be formed in the state.[6][7] It was named for either James Noble or Warren P. Noble, each of whom was an early settler in this region.[8]

Noble County was home to the first North American oil well, the Thorla-McKee Well, which struck oil in 1814.[9] For a time this was a center of oil production in the state.

In 1925, a United States Navy dirigible, USS Shenandoah (ZR-1), was caught in a storm over Noble County. It broke into several pieces, resulting in the deaths of 14 persons on board; 29 survived.

## Geography

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According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 405 square miles (1,050 km2), of which 398 square miles (1,030 km2) is land and 6.6 square miles (17 km2) (1.6%) is water.[10]

### Adjacent counties

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* Guernsey County (north)
* Belmont County (northeast)
* Monroe County (east)
* Washington County (south)
* Morgan County (west)
* Muskingum County (northwest)

### National protected area

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* Wayne National Forest (part)

## Demographics

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Historical population

Census | Pop. |  | %±
1860| 20,751| | —
1870| 19,949| | −3.9%
1880| 21,138| | 6.0%
1890| 20,753| | −1.8%
1900| 19,466| | −6.2%
1910| 18,601| | −4.4%
1920| 17,849| | −4.0%
1930| 14,961| | −16.2%
1940| 14,587| | −2.5%
1950| 11,750| | −19.4%
1960| 10,982| | −6.5%
1970| 10,428| | −5.0%
1980| 11,310| | 8.5%
1990| 11,336| | 0.2%
2000| 14,058| | 24.0%
2010| 14,645| | 4.2%
2020| 14,115| | −3.6%
2021 (est.)| 14,176| [11]| 0.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[12]
1790-1960[13] 1900-1990[14]
1990-2000[15] 2010-2020[2]

### 2000 census

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As of the census of 2000, there were 14,058 people, 4,546 households, and 3,318 families living in the county. The population density was 35 people per square mile (14/km2). There were 5,480 housing units at an average density of 14 per square mile (5/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 92.55% White, 6.69% Black or African American, 0.26% Native American, 0.09% Asian, 0.03% from other races, and 0.38% from two or more races. 0.43% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 4,546 households, out of which 33.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.50% were married couples living together, 7.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.00% were non-families. 24.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.10.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 22.60% under the age of 18, 11.70% from 18 to 24, 31.80% from 25 to 44, 20.80% from 45 to 64, and 13.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 130.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 140.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,940, and the median income for a family was $38,939. Males had a median income of $30,911 versus $20,222 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,100. About 8.30% of families and 11.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.90% of those under age 18 and 11.90% of those age 65 or over.

### 2010 census

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As of the 2010 United States census, there were 14,645 people, 4,852 households, and 3,394 families living in the county.[16] The population density was 36.8 inhabitants per square mile (14.2/km2). There were 6,053 housing units at an average density of 15.2 per square mile (5.9/km2).[17] The racial makeup of the county was 96.1% white, 2.5% black or African American, 0.3% American Indian, 0.1% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 0.8% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.4% of the population.[16] In terms of ancestry, 25.9% were German, 13.1% were Irish, 9.1% were American, and 9.0% were English.[18]

Of the 4,852 households, 30.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.8% were married couples living together, 8.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 30.0% were non-families, and 25.7% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 2.94. The median age was 48.6 years.[16]

The median income for a household in the county was $39,500 and the median income for a family was $44,773. Males had a median income of $42,456 versus $29,551 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,029. About 11.6% of families and 14.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.9% of those under age 18 and 13.8% of those age 65 or over.[19]

## Politics

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Results from the 2020 Presidential Election in Caldwell, the county's largest Village.

Noble County is a Republican stronghold in presidential elections, although Bill Clinton narrowly won it in 1996.

United States presidential election results for Noble County, Ohio[20] Year  | Republican | Democratic | Third party

|
|
|

No. | % | No. | % | No. | %
2020 | 5,135  | 80.89% | 1,170  | 18.43%  | 43  | 0.68%
2016 | 4,549  | 75.33% | 1,221  | 20.22%  | 269  | 4.45%
2012 | 3,563  | 60.48% | 2,131  | 36.17%  | 197  | 3.34%
2008 | 3,450  | 55.75% | 2,474  | 39.98%  | 264  | 4.27%
2004 | 3,841  | 58.73% | 2,654  | 40.58%  | 45  | 0.69%
2000 | 3,435  | 57.36% | 2,296  | 38.34%  | 257  | 4.29%
1996 | 2,183  | 39.59%  | 2,366  | 42.91% | 965  | 17.50%
1992 | 2,223  | 37.79% | 2,201  | 37.41%  | 1,459  | 24.80%
1988 | 3,155  | 59.44% | 2,079  | 39.17%  | 74  | 1.39%
1984 | 3,853  | 67.70% | 1,777  | 31.22%  | 61  | 1.07%
1980 | 3,025  | 57.38% | 1,944  | 36.87%  | 303  | 5.75%
1976 | 3,007  | 52.48% | 2,612  | 45.58%  | 111  | 1.94%
1972 | 3,274  | 68.22% | 1,449  | 30.19%  | 76  | 1.58%
1968 | 2,615  | 53.06% | 1,726  | 35.02%  | 587  | 11.91%
1964 | 2,250  | 43.48%  | 2,925  | 56.52% | 0  | 0.00%
1960 | 3,951  | 65.99% | 2,036  | 34.01%  | 0  | 0.00%
1956 | 3,861  | 66.52% | 1,943  | 33.48%  | 0  | 0.00%
1952 | 4,046  | 66.33% | 2,054  | 33.67%  | 0  | 0.00%
1948 | 3,494  | 58.79% | 2,425  | 40.80%  | 24  | 0.40%
1944 | 4,130  | 64.89% | 2,235  | 35.11%  | 0  | 0.00%
1940 | 4,922  | 61.84% | 3,037  | 38.16%  | 0  | 0.00%
1936 | 4,384  | 52.70% | 3,865  | 46.46%  | 70  | 0.84%
1932 | 3,950  | 49.25%  | 3,966  | 49.45% | 104  | 1.30%
1928 | 4,462  | 66.45% | 2,190  | 32.61%  | 63  | 0.94%
1924 | 4,284  | 60.78% | 2,485  | 35.26%  | 279  | 3.96%
1920 | 4,197  | 59.06% | 2,909  | 40.94%  | 0  | 0.00%
1916 | 2,290  | 50.33% | 2,175  | 47.80%  | 85  | 1.87%
1912 | 1,804  | 40.05%  | 1,842  | 40.90% | 858  | 19.05%
1908 | 2,707  | 54.27% | 2,154  | 43.18%  | 127  | 2.55%
1904 | 2,700  | 58.90% | 1,671  | 36.45%  | 213  | 4.65%
1900 | 2,704  | 54.55% | 2,173  | 43.84%  | 80  | 1.61%
1896 | 2,559  | 51.86% | 2,318  | 46.98%  | 57  | 1.16%
1892 | 2,307  | 50.69% | 2,026  | 44.52%  | 218  | 4.79%
1888 | 2,515  | 53.18% | 2,087  | 44.13%  | 127  | 2.69%
1884 | 2,385  | 52.27% | 2,061  | 45.17%  | 117  | 2.56%
1880 | 2,316  | 50.55% | 2,044  | 44.61%  | 222  | 4.85%
1876 | 2,225  | 50.86% | 2,096  | 47.91%  | 54  | 1.23%
1872 | 2,016  | 54.78% | 1,627  | 44.21%  | 37  | 1.01%
1868 | 2,204  | 56.24% | 1,715  | 43.76%  | 0  | 0.00%
1864 | 2,211  | 56.23% | 1,721  | 43.77%  | 0  | 0.00%
1860 | 1,944  | 52.02% | 1,647  | 44.07%  | 146  | 3.91%
1856 | 1,603  | 51.81% | 1,337  | 43.21%  | 154  | 4.98%

## Government

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Noble County has a three-member Board of County Commissioners that oversee and administer the various County departments, similar to all but two of the 88 Ohio counties. Noble County's elected commissioners are:

* County Commissioners: Virgil Thompson (R), Brad Peoples (R), and Ty Moore (R).[21]

## Education

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Noble County is served by the Caldwell Exempted Village School District and Noble Local School District.

## Communities

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Map of Noble County, Ohio with municipal and township labels

### Villages

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* Batesville
* Belle Valley
* Caldwell (county seat)
* Dexter City
* Sarahsville
* Summerfield

### Townships

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* Beaver
* Brookfield
* Buffalo
* Center
* Elk
* Enoch
* Jackson
* Jefferson
* Marion
* Noble
* Olive
* Seneca
* Sharon
* Stock
* Wayne

https://web.archive.org/web/20160715023447/http://www.ohiotownships.org/township-websites

### Unincorporated communities

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* Ava
* Carlisle
* Crooked Tree
* Dudley
* Dungannon
* East Union
* Elk
* Fulda
* Gem
* Harriettsville
* Hiramsburg
* Honesty
* Hoskinsville
* Keith
* Kennonsburg
* Middleburg
* Moundsville
* Mount Ephraim
* Olive Green
* Rochester
* Sharon
* South Olive
* Steamtown
* Whigville

## See also

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* National Register of Historic Places listings in Noble County, Ohio

## Footnotes

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1. ^ "Ohio County Profiles: Noble County" (PDF). Ohio Department of Development. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 21, 2007. Retrieved April 28, 2007.
2. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 21, 2022.
3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
4. ^ "Noble County data". Ohio State University Extension Data Center. Archived from the original on February 13, 2008. Retrieved April 28, 2007.
5. ^ Noble County, Ohio | Learn | FamilySearch.org
6. ^ "Noble County". Ohio University Small Business Development Center. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved April 28, 2007.
7. ^ 1832 Ball-Caldwell House in Noble County, Ohio Archived July 30, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
8. ^ Noble County, Ohio definition of Noble County, Ohio in the Free Online Encyclopedia
9. ^ Thorla-McKee Well, First Oil Well in North America, Noble County, Ohio Archived August 6, 2007, at the Wayback Machine, Noble County, 2004. Accessed August 5, 2005.
10. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on May 4, 2014. Retrieved February 9, 2015.
11. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2021". Retrieved October 21, 2022.
12. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 9, 2015.
13. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved February 9, 2015.
14. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 9, 2015.
15. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved February 9, 2015.
16. ^ a b c "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
17. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
18. ^ "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
19. ^ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
20. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
21. ^ "Noble County, Ohio". County Commissioner of Ohio Homepage. Retrieved January 11, 2014.

## Further reading

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* Thomas William Lewis, History of Southeastern Ohio and the Muskingum Valley, 1788-1928. In Three Volumes. Chicago: S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1928.

## External links

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* Unofficial county information website Archived August 10, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
* Noble County Sheriff's Office

Places adjacent to Noble County, Ohio

| Muskingum County | Guernsey County | Belmont County

|
|

|  |

Noble County, Ohio

| Monroe County
|  |
Morgan County | Washington County |

* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of Noble County, Ohio, United States

County seat: Caldwell

Villages|

* Batesville
* Belle Valley
* Caldwell
* Dexter City
* Sarahsville
* Summerfield

File:Map of Ohio highlighting Noble County.svgMap of Ohio highlighting Noble County

Townships|

* Beaver
* Brookfield
* Buffalo
* Center
* Elk
* Enoch
* Jackson
* Jefferson
* Marion
* Noble
* Olive
* Seneca
* Sharon
* Stock
* Wayne

Unincorporated
communities|

* Ava
* Carlisle
* Crooked Tree
* Dudley
* Dungannon
* East Union
* Elk
* Fulda
* Gem
* Harriettsville
* Hiramsburg
* Honesty
* Hoskinsville
* Keith
* Kennonsburg
* Middleburg
* Moundsville
* Mount Ephraim
* Olive Green
* Rochester
* Sharon
* South Olive
* Steamtown
* Whigville

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Coordinates: 39°46′N 81°27′W﻿ / ﻿39.77°N 81.45°W﻿ / 39.77; -81.45
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