Preble County is a county located in the U.S. state of Ohio. As of the 2020 census, the population was 40,999, down 3.0% from the 2010 census population of 42,270. Its county seat is Eaton. The county was formed on February 15, 1808, from portions of Butler and Montgomery Counties. It is named for Edward Preble, a naval officer who fought in the American Revolutionary War and against the Barbary Pirates.
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
Darke County (north)
Montgomery County (east)
Butler County (south)
Union County, Indiana (southwest)
Wayne County, Indiana (northwest)
Rivers and streams
Little Four Mile Creek
Harker's Run
Seven Mile Creek
Twin Creek
Price Creek
Goose Creek
Pottinger Run
Demographics
2020 census
As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 40,999 living in the county. The racial makeup of the county was 94.8% white, 0.5% black or African American, 0.2% American Indian, 0.4% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 0.4% from other races, and 3.7% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino ethnicity made up 0.9% of the population.
2010 census
As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 42,270 people, 16,341 households, and 11,867 families living in the county. The population density was . There were 17,888 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 97.6% white, 0.4% black or African American, 0.4% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.6% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 34.3% were German, 14.6% were Irish, 12.7% were American, and 11.5% were English.
Of the 16,341 households, 32.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.5% were married couples living together, 10.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 27.4% were non-families, and 23.2% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 2.99. The median age was 40.9 years.
The median income for a household in the county was $49,780 and the median income for a family was $57,711. Males had a median income of $46,383 versus $30,876 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,290. About 6.3% of families and 9.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.1% of those under age 18 and 6.8% of those age 65 or over.
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 42,337 people, 16,001 households, and 12,144 families living in the county. The population density was 100 people per square mile (38/km2). There were 17,186 housing units at an average density of 40 per square mile (16/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.47% White, 0.32% Black or African American, 0.21% Native American, 0.26% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.11% from other races, and 0.60% from two or more races. 0.43% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 16,001 households, out of which 34.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.50% were married couples living together, 8.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.10% were non-families. 20.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.02.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.00% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 28.70% from 25 to 44, 24.40% from 45 to 64, and 13.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 99.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.70 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $42,093, and the median income for a family was $47,547. Males had a median income of $35,313 versus $23,573 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,444. About 4.50% of families and 6.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.00% of those under age 18 and 6.10% of those age 65 or over.
Politics
Preble County votes for Republicans more often than Democrats in presidential elections. It only supported a Democrat for president five times in the 20th century, the last being Lyndon Johnson in 1964. Jimmy Carter is the last Democrat to tally as much as 40 percent of the vote.
Education
Public school districts
Eaton Community Schools
Eaton High School, Eaton (the Eagles)
National Trail Local School District
National Trail High School, New Paris (the Blazers)
Preble Shawnee Local School District
Preble Shawnee High School, Camden (the Arrows)
Tri-County North Local School District
Tri-County North High School, Lewisburg (the Panthers)
Twin Valley Community Local School District
Twin Valley South High School, West Alexandria (the Panthers)
Union County College Corner Joint School District (the Patriots)
College Corner Union School (grades K-5) is physically located in both Ohio and Indiana (the state line runs through the middle of the building) and serves students from both College Corner, Ohio, and West College Corner, Indiana. After finishing fifth grade, Preble County students attend Union County Middle School and Union County High School, both located across the state line in Liberty, Indiana.
Higher education
Sinclair Community College
Preble County Learning Center, Eaton
Communities
thumb|250px|Map of Preble County, Ohio With Municipal and Township Labels
City
Eaton (county seat)
Villages
College Corner
Camden
Eldorado
Gratis
Lewisburg
New Paris
Verona
West Alexandria
West Elkton
West Manchester
Townships
Dixon
Gasper
Gratis
Harrison
Israel
Jackson
Jefferson
Lanier
Monroe
Somers
Twin
Washington
https://web.archive.org/web/20160715023447/http://www.ohiotownships.org/township-websites
Census-designated place
Lake Lakengren
Unincorporated communities
Brennersville
Brinley
Browns
Campbellstown
Cedar Springs
Dadsville
Ebenezer
Enterprise
Fairhaven
Gettysburg
Greenbush
Hamburg
Ingomar
Morning Sun
Muttonville
New Hope
New Lexington
New Westville
Sampleville
Sugar Valley
Talawanda Springs
West Florence
West Sonora
Wheatville
Glenwood
Notable residents
Sherwood Anderson - writer
Victor J. Banis - "the godfather of modern popular gay fiction."
Benjamin Hanby - wrote the Christmas carol "Up On The House Top" while living in Preble County.
Andrew L. Harris - Civil War general and former governor of Ohio.
William Stephens - former governor of California.
