Medina County, Ohio

Medina County (/məˈdaɪnə/ ^ⓘ) is a county located in the northeastern region in the U.S. state of Ohio. As of the 2020 census, the population was 182,470.^[2] Its county seat is Medina, and its largest city is Brunswick.^[3]

Medina County
County
Medina County Courthouse
Flag Seal
Location within the U.S. state of Ohio
Ohio's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 41°07′N 81°54′W
Country	United States
State	Ohio
Founded	1812; 213 years ago (1812) (incorporated in 1818; 207 years ago (1818))
Named after	Medina, Saudi Arabia[1]
Seat	Medina
Largest city	Brunswick
Government
• County Commissioners	Aaron M. Harrison (Board President) Colleen M. Swedyk (Board Vice President) Stephen D. Hambley (Commissioner)
Area
• Total	423 sq mi (1,100 km2)
• Land	421.3 sq mi (1,091 km2)
• Water	1.7 sq mi (4 km2)  0.4%
Population  (2020)
• Total	182,470
• Estimate  (2021)	183,092
• Density	430/sq mi (170/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district	7th
Website	medinacounty.gov

The county was created in 1812 and later organized in 1818.^[4] It is named for Medina, Saudi Arabia.^[5] Medina County is part of the Cleveland, OH Metropolitan Statistical Area, although parts of the county are included in the urban area of Akron.^[6]

History

Before European colonization, several Native American tribes inhabited northeastern Ohio.^[7] After Europeans first crossed into the Americas, the land that became Medina County was colonized by the French, becoming part of the colony of Canada (New France). It was ceded in 1763 to Great Britain and renamed Province of Quebec. In the late 18th century the land became part of the Connecticut Western Reserve in the Northwest Territory, then was purchased by the Connecticut Land Company in 1795. Parts of Medina County and neighbouring Lorain became home to the Black River Colony founded in 1852, a religious community centered on the pious lifestyle of the German Baptist Brethren.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 423 square miles (1,096 km²), of which 421.3 square miles (1,091 km²) is land and 1.7 square miles (4 km²) (0.4%) is water.^[8]

The Medina County Park District, established in 1965, manages 6,353 acres (2,571 ha), including 18 parks and trails.^[9]

Adjacent counties

• Cuyahoga County (northeast)
• Summit County (east)
• Wayne County (south)
• Ashland County (southwest)
• Lorain County (northwest)

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1820	3,082		—
1830	7,560		145.3%
1840	18,352		142.8%
1850	24,441		33.2%
1860	22,517		−7.9%
1870	20,092		−10.8%
1880	21,453		6.8%
1890	21,742		1.3%
1900	21,958		1.0%
1910	23,598		7.5%
1920	26,067		10.5%
1930	29,677		13.8%
1940	33,034		11.3%
1950	40,417		22.3%
1960	65,315		61.6%
1970	82,717		26.6%
1980	113,150		36.8%
1990	122,354		8.1%
2000	151,095		23.5%
2010	172,332		14.1%
2020	182,470		5.9%
2021 (est.)	183,092	[10]	0.3%
U.S. Decennial Census[11] 1790-1960[12] 1900-1990[13] 1990-2000[14] 2010-2020[2]

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 151,095 people, 54,542 households, and 42,215 families living in the county. The population density was 358 inhabitants per square mile (138/km²). There were 56,793 housing units at an average density of 135 units per square mile (52 units/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.26% White, 0.88% Black or African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.64% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.25% from other races, and 0.80% from two or more races. 0.93% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 26.8% were of German, 11.5% Irish, 8.6% Italian, 8.4% English, 8.4% Polish and 7.8% American ancestry according to Census 2000. 95.3% spoke English, 1.2% Spanish and 1.0% German as their first language.

There were 54,542 households, of which 37.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.50% were married couples living together, 7.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.60% were non-families. 18.90% 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 2.74 and the average family size was 3.15.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 27.50% under the age of 18, 7.00% from 18 to 24, 30.60% from 25 to 44, 24.40% from 45 to 64, and 10.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 97.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $55,811, and the median income for a family was $62,489. Males had a median income of $44,600 versus $27,513 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,251. About 3.50% of families and 4.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.90% of those under age 18 and 4.80% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 172,332 people, 65,143 households, and 48,214 families living in the county.^[15] The population density was 409.0 inhabitants per square mile (157.9/km²). There were 69,181 housing units at an average density of 164.2 units per square mile (63.4 units/km²).^[16] The racial makeup of the county was 96.1% white, 1.2% black or African American, 1.0% Asian, 0.1% American Indian, 0.4% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.6% of the population.^[15] In terms of ancestry, 32.7% were German, 18.3% were Irish, 11.6% were English, 10.7% were Italian, 10.4% were Polish, and 7.4% were American.^[17]

Of the 65,143 households, 35.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.5% were married couples living together, 8.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 26.0% were non-families, and 21.6% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.07. The median age was 40.4 years.^[15]

The median income for a household in the county was $66,193 and the median income for a family was $76,699. Males had a median income of $56,523 versus $38,163 for females. The per capita income for the county was $29,986. About 4.4% of families and 6.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.6% of those under age 18 and 5.6% of those age 65 or over.^[18]

Economy

According to the county's comprehensive annual financial reports, the top employers by number of employees in the county are the following. ("NR" indicates the employer was not ranked among the top ten employers that year.)

Employer	Employees (2020)[19]	Employees (2011)[19]	Employees (2003)[20]
Westfield Insurance	2,040	1,560	1,292
Cleveland Clinic–Medina Hospital	1,431	886	920
Medina County Government	1,365	1,404	1,600
Brunswick City School District	834	836	850
MTD Products	781	680	2,190
Medina City School District	759	700	780
Sandridge Food Corporation	569	475	NR
Discount Drug Mart	509	NR	2,600
Wadsworth City School District	479	500	NR
Carlisle Brake and Friction	400	NR	NR
Wellman Products Group	NR	440	NR
Shiloh Industries, Inc.	NR	411	NR
Plastik Pak	NR	NR	1,467
Schneider National	NR	NR	800
Friction Products/Hawk	NR	NR	557

Politics

Medina County is a Republican stronghold in presidential elections. It has only backed Democratic nominees 3 times in its history, in 1916, 1936, and 1964.

United States presidential election results for Medina County, Ohio^[21]

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party(ies)
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2024	66,308	61.67%	39,771	36.99%	1,439	1.34%
2020	64,598	60.92%	39,800	37.53%	1,643	1.55%
2016	54,810	59.47%	32,182	34.92%	5,171	5.61%
2012	50,418	55.45%	38,785	42.65%	1,728	1.90%
2008	48,189	53.16%	40,924	45.14%	1,539	1.70%
2004	48,196	56.78%	36,272	42.73%	410	0.48%
2000	37,349	55.84%	26,635	39.82%	2,899	4.33%
1996	26,120	44.21%	23,727	40.16%	9,239	15.64%
1992	24,090	39.75%	18,995	31.34%	17,516	28.90%
1988	29,962	60.08%	19,505	39.11%	407	0.82%
1984	30,690	65.38%	15,897	33.86%	357	0.76%
1980	24,723	58.79%	13,573	32.28%	3,754	8.93%
1976	19,066	52.60%	16,251	44.83%	932	2.57%
1972	21,010	64.82%	10,643	32.84%	758	2.34%
1968	14,089	52.31%	9,194	34.14%	3,650	13.55%
1964	10,221	40.97%	14,729	59.03%	0	0.00%
1960	16,123	62.21%	9,796	37.79%	0	0.00%
1956	15,155	70.42%	6,365	29.58%	0	0.00%
1952	14,433	70.39%	6,071	29.61%	0	0.00%
1948	9,462	64.29%	5,133	34.88%	122	0.83%
1944	10,375	63.35%	6,003	36.65%	0	0.00%
1940	10,116	60.08%	6,722	39.92%	0	0.00%
1936	7,283	48.37%	7,400	49.14%	375	2.49%
1932	7,753	55.09%	5,841	41.50%	480	3.41%
1928	9,510	79.58%	2,357	19.72%	83	0.69%
1924	6,756	67.76%	1,844	18.49%	1,371	13.75%
1920	6,846	67.63%	3,120	30.82%	156	1.54%
1916	2,754	46.80%	2,984	50.71%	147	2.50%
1912	685	12.07%	2,108	37.15%	2,881	50.78%
1908	3,427	57.32%	2,378	39.77%	174	2.91%
1904	3,632	67.85%	1,517	28.34%	204	3.81%
1900	3,510	58.25%	2,360	39.16%	156	2.59%
1896	3,533	57.32%	2,575	41.77%	56	0.91%
1892	3,062	56.10%	2,122	38.88%	274	5.02%
1888	3,333	58.08%	2,181	38.00%	225	3.92%
1884	3,433	59.62%	2,135	37.08%	190	3.30%
1880	3,340	60.26%	2,158	38.93%	45	0.81%
1876	3,119	58.39%	2,192	41.03%	31	0.58%
1872	2,794	61.80%	1,695	37.49%	32	0.71%
1868	2,886	63.03%	1,693	36.97%	0	0.00%
1864	2,936	64.29%	1,631	35.71%	0	0.00%
1860	3,068	62.64%	1,765	36.04%	65	1.33%
1856	2,635	62.22%	1,572	37.12%	28	0.66%

United States Senate election results for Medina County, Ohio1^[22]

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party(ies)
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2024	58,915	55.92%	43,173	40.98%	3,262	3.10%

Communities

Map of Medina County, Ohio with municipal and township labels

Cities

• Brunswick (largest city)
• Medina (county seat)
• Rittman (part)
• Wadsworth

Villages

• Chippewa Lake
• Creston (part)
• Gloria Glens Park
• Lodi
• Seville
• Spencer
• Westfield Center

Townships

• Brunswick Hills
• Chatham
• Granger
• Guilford
• Harrisville
• Hinckley
• Homer
• Lafayette
• Litchfield
• Liverpool
• Medina
• Montville
• Sharon
• Spencer
• Wadsworth
• Westfield
• York

Census-designated place

• Sharon Center
• Valley City

Unincorporated communities

• Abbeyville
• Beebetown
• Bennetts Corners
• Chatham
• Coddingville
• Crawford Corners
• Erhart
• Friendsville
• Granger
• Hinckley
• Homerville
• Litchfield
• Mallet Creek
• Pawnee
• Remsen Corners
• River Styx
• Valley City
• Weymouth
• Western Star

Notable people

• Julia Carter Aldrich, 19th-century American author and editor
• William G. Batchelder, Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives
• Alice M. Batchelder, federal judge
• Martin and Anna Bates, record holders for tallest married couple
• Connor Cook, NFL quarterback, formerly quarterback for the Michigan State Spartans
• R. Sheldon Duecker, bishop of the United Methodist Church
• Jobie Hughes, one of the authors of the Lorien Legacies
• Mark Hunter, photographer and lead singer of heavy metal band Chimaira
• Kyle Juszczyk, fullback for San Francisco 49ers
• Lorin Morgan-Richards, author and illustrator, primarily of children's literature
• Larry Obhof, attorney and former President of the Ohio Senate
• Matthew "MatPat" Patrick, popular Internet personality
• Pete Rademacher, Olympic boxer
• Amos Root, developed innovative beekeeping techniques in the United States during the mid-19th century

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Medina County, Ohio