Bluffton, Ohio facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bluffton, Ohio
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Village
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Main Street in downtown
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| Motto(s):
"150 Years Of Progress"
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Location in the state of Ohio
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Location of Bluffton in Allen County
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| Country | United States | ||
| State | Ohio | ||
| Counties | Allen, Hancock | ||
| Townships | Richland, Orange | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 3.77 sq mi (9.78 km2) | ||
| • Land | 3.69 sq mi (9.57 km2) | ||
| • Water | 0.08 sq mi (0.21 km2) | ||
| Elevation | 820 ft (250 m) | ||
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 3,967 | ||
| • Estimate
(2023)
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3,903 | ||
| • Density | 1,073.61/sq mi (414.57/km2) | ||
| Time zone | UTC−5 (EST) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) | ||
| ZIP code |
45817
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| Area code | 419, 567 | ||
| FIPS code | 39-07426 | ||
| GNIS feature ID | 2398144 | ||
Bluffton, originally known as Shannon, is a friendly village in Ohio, USA. It is located in both Allen and Hancock counties. In 2020, about 3,967 people lived here.
Bluffton is special because it is home to Bluffton University. This is a four-year college linked to the Mennonite Church USA. The village also has its own general aviation airport. Bluffton is part of the Tree City USA program, which means it cares about its trees!
Contents
History of Bluffton
The village of Bluffton was started in 1831. It was founded by groups of people from Switzerland and Germany. Some Irish families also helped to build the community.
The village was first called 'Crogan's Corners'. This name came from the local postmaster. When the citizens decided to officially form a village, the Irish residents suggested 'Shannon'. They thought the green fields around the area looked like Ireland. However, there was already a village named Shannon in Ohio. So, the town was renamed Bluffton because of its hilly land.
A famous bank robber, John Dillinger, robbed the Bluffton Bank in 1933. He took $6,000 from the bank. In 2011, Bluffton celebrated its 150th birthday with many fun events.
Geography and Nature
Bluffton covers a total area of about 3.62 square miles (9.38 square kilometers). Most of this area is land. A small part is water.
Riley Creek is a stream that flows right through the village of Bluffton.
Population of Bluffton
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1870 | 489 | — | |
| 1880 | 1,290 | 163.8% | |
| 1890 | 1,290 | 0.0% | |
| 1900 | 1,783 | 38.2% | |
| 1910 | 1,953 | 9.5% | |
| 1920 | 1,950 | −0.2% | |
| 1930 | 2,035 | 4.4% | |
| 1940 | 2,077 | 2.1% | |
| 1950 | 2,423 | 16.7% | |
| 1960 | 2,591 | 6.9% | |
| 1970 | 2,935 | 13.3% | |
| 1980 | 3,310 | 12.8% | |
| 1990 | 3,367 | 1.7% | |
| 2000 | 3,896 | 15.7% | |
| 2010 | 4,125 | 5.9% | |
| 2020 | 3,967 | −3.8% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 3,903 | −5.4% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
As of the 2010 census, there were 4,125 people living in Bluffton. The village had about 1,428 households. Most of the people living in Bluffton were White (95.3%). A smaller number were African American, Native American, or Asian.
The average age of people in the village was 34 years old. Many young people between 18 and 24 years old lived there. This is likely because of the university.
Bluffton's Economy
Bluffton is located in a good spot in northwest Ohio. It is about halfway between the cities of Lima and Findlay. This makes it easy to reach by Interstate 75.
Modern factories in Bluffton make important products. For example, Sumitomo Riko makes rubber parts for cars. GROB Systems, a German company, builds machines and automation systems here.
The downtown area of Bluffton is very charming. It has a historic town hall from the 1800s. There is also a local farmers market every Saturday morning. You can find fresh food, plants, and more there from May to October.
Ten Thousand Villages is a special store that started in Bluffton. It sells products made by artisans from developing countries. This helps support fair trade around the world.
Education in Bluffton
Local Schools
Students in Bluffton attend Bluffton High School. Their sports teams are called the Pirates. They compete in the Northwest Conference. This league includes teams from nearby towns like Ada, Allen East, and Columbus Grove.
Higher Education
Bluffton is home to Bluffton University. This is a four-year college connected to the Mennonite Church USA. In March 2024, Bluffton University and the nearby University of Findlay announced they plan to combine. This merger is expected to be finished by the fall of 2025.
Media
WBWH-LP (96.1 FM) is the only full-time radio station that serves the Bluffton community.
Notable People from Bluffton
- Trevor Bassitt, an American sprinter and competitor in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
- Tommy Boutwell, an American football player.
- Tobias Buckell, a science fiction writer.
- Larry Cox, a Major League baseball player.
- D. Michael Crites, a United States Attorney.
- James McIntire, a state treasurer.
- John Travis, a doctor and pioneer in the Wellness movement.
See also
In Spanish: Bluffton (Ohio) para niños
