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 is a small village located in Allen and Hancock counties in the state of Ohio, United States. It was first called Shannon. In 2020, about 3,967 people lived there.
Bluffton is home to Bluffton University, which is a four-year college. The village also has its own airport for small planes, called Bluffton general aviation airport. Bluffton is known for being part of the Tree City USA program, which means it cares about its trees and green spaces.
Part of Bluffton is near Lima, and another part is close to Findlay.
Contents
Village History
The village of Bluffton was started in 1831. Its first settlers were people from Switzerland who were Mennonites, German Reformists, and Irish Catholics. The area was first known as 'Crogan's Corners'. This name came from the local postmaster.
When the people decided to make it an official village, the Irish settlers suggested the name 'Shannon'. They thought the green fields around the town looked like Ireland. However, there was already a village named Shannon in Ohio. So, the town was renamed Bluffton because of the hilly land where it was built.
A famous bank robber, John Dillinger, robbed the Bluffton Bank on August 14, 1933. He took $6,000 from the bank, which is now called Citizens National Bank of Bluffton.
In 2011, Bluffton celebrated its 150th birthday. The village held many special events for this big milestone.
Geography and Nature
Bluffton covers a total area of about 3.62 square miles (9.38 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water.
Riley Creek is a stream that flows right through the village of Bluffton.
Population and People
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | |||
How Many People Live Here?
In 2020, the population of Bluffton was 3,967 people. The village had about 1,428 households. Most people living in Bluffton are White (95.3%). There are also smaller groups of African American, Native American, and Asian residents. About 1.5% of the population is Hispanic or Latino.
The average age of people in Bluffton in 2010 was 34 years old. About 19.9% of the residents were under 18. Also, 19% of the people were 65 years old or older.
Local Economy
Bluffton is located in northwest Ohio, right along Interstate 75. This makes it easy to get to from larger cities like Lima and Findlay.
Businesses and Jobs
Bluffton has several modern manufacturing companies. One is Sumitomo Riko, which makes rubber parts for cars. This company is a partnership between Duramax and Tokai Rubber from Japan. Another important company is GROB Systems. It is a part of the German company GROB Group. GROB Systems builds machines and automation systems at its factory in Bluffton.
Downtown Area
The center of Bluffton has a historic town hall building from the 1800s. There is also a local farmers market held on Saturday mornings. This market runs from May through October. Shoppers can find fresh local foods, plants, and flowers from about 20 different sellers.
Ten Thousand Villages is a special store that started in Bluffton. It is a fair-trade retailer. This means it sells products made by artists in developing countries. The store helps these artists earn a fair income for their work.
Education in Bluffton
Schools for Kids
Students in Bluffton attend Bluffton High School. The school's sports teams are called the Pirates. They compete in the Northwest Conference. This conference includes teams from other nearby towns like Ada, Allen East, Columbus Grove, and Spencerville.
College and University
Bluffton is home to Bluffton University. This is a four-year college. It is connected with the Mennonite Church USA.
Media and News
WBWH-LP (96.1 FM) is the local radio station for the Bluffton community. It is the only full-time radio station in the area.
Famous People from Bluffton
- Trevor Bassitt - An American sprinter who competed 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 for Washington.
- John Travis - A doctor known for his work in the Wellness movement.
See also
In Spanish: Bluffton (Ohio) para niños
