Williams County is a county located in the U.S. state of Ohio. As of the 2020 census, the population was 37,102. Its county seat is Bryan. The county was created in 1820 and later organized in 1824. It is named for David Williams, one of the captors of John André in the American Revolutionary War.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (0.5%) is water.
Adjacent counties
Hillsdale County, Michigan (north)
Fulton County (east)
Henry County (southeast)
Defiance County (south)
DeKalb County, Indiana (southwest)
Steuben County, Indiana (northwest)
Demographics
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 39,188 people, 15,105 households, and 10,664 families living in the county. The population density was 93 people per square mile (36/km2). There were 16,140 housing units at an average density of 38 per square mile (15/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.51% White, 0.72% Black or African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.52% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.19% from other races, and 0.83% from two or more races. 2.68% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 43.6% were of German, 17.7% American, 8.1% English and 5.8% Irish ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 15,105 households, out of which 33.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.50% were married couples living together, 9.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.40% were non-families. 24.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.00.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.20% under the age of 18, 8.30% from 18 to 24, 28.70% from 25 to 44, 22.90% from 45 to 64, and 13.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 98.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.40 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $40,735, and the median income for a family was $47,398. Males had a median income of $33,476 versus $22,136 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,441. About 3.90% of families and 6.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.20% of those under age 18 and 6.90% of those age 65 or over.
2010 census
As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 37,642 people, 15,075 households, and 10,260 families living in the county. The population density was . There were 16,668 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 95.9% white, 1.0% black or African American, 0.6% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 1.1% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 3.7% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 46.1% were German, 12.0% were Irish, 10.7% were English, and 7.8% were American.
Of the 15,075 households, 31.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.0% were married couples living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 31.9% were non-families, and 27.0% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.93. The median age was 40.7 years.
The median income for a household in the county was $44,538 and the median income for a family was $52,975. Males had a median income of $40,658 versus $29,064 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,381. About 9.1% of families and 11.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.6% of those under age 18 and 8.6% of those age 65 or over.
Politics
Williams County is a Republican stronghold county in presidential elections. The last Democrat to win the county was Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964.
Government
Williams County has three county commissioners who oversee the various county departments. Current commissioners are:
Brian Davis, Lewis Hilkert, and Terry Rummel.
Communities
thumb|250px|Map of Williams County, Ohio with municipal and township labels
City
Bryan (county seat)
Villages
Blakeslee
Edgerton
Edon
Holiday City
Montpelier
Pioneer
Stryker
West Unity
Townships
Brady
Bridgewater
Center
Florence
Jefferson
Madison
Mill Creek
Northwest
Pulaski
St. Joseph
Springfield
Superior
Census-designated places
Alvordton
Kunkle
Lake Seneca
Nettle Lake
Pulaski
Unincorporated communities
Berlin
Bridgewater Center
Columbia
Cooney
Hamer
Lock Port
Melbern
Mina
West Jefferson
Williams Center