Geauga County, Ohio facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Geauga County
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|
Geauga County Courthouse
|
|||
|
|||
Location within the U.S. state of Ohio
|
|||
 Ohio's location within the U.S. |
|||
| Country |  United States |
||
| State |  Ohio |
||
| Founded | March 1, 1806 | ||
| Named for | an Iroquoian word for "raccoon" | ||
| Seat | Chardon | ||
| Largest city | Chardon | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 408 sq mi (1,060 km2) | ||
| • Land | 400 sq mi (1,000 km2) | ||
| • Water | 8.1 sq mi (21 km2) 2.0%% | ||
| Population
(2020)
|
|||
| • Total | 95,397 | ||
| • Estimate
(2023)
|
95,407  |
||
| • Density | 233.82/sq mi (90.28/km2) | ||
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) | ||
| Congressional district | 14th | ||
Geauga County (pronounced jee-AW-guh) is a county in the state of Ohio. In 2020, about 95,397 people lived there. The main town and largest city is Chardon.
The county's name comes from an old Native American word. It means 'raccoon' in the Onondaga or Seneca languages. This was originally the name for the Grand River. Geauga County is part of the larger Cleveland area. In 2008, Forbes Magazine said Geauga County was one of the best places in the U.S. to raise a family. A big part of the county's population, about 20%, is Amish.
Contents
History of Geauga County
Geauga County gets its name from a Native American word. It means 'raccoon' in the Onondaga or Seneca languages. This word was first used for the Grand River.
After the New World was found, this land was part of a French colony. It was called Canada (New France). In 1763, it became part of Great Britain. Later, in the late 1700s, it joined the Connecticut Western Reserve. This area was then bought by the Connecticut Land Company in 1795.
Geauga County was officially started on March 1, 1806. It was the second county in the Connecticut Western Reserve. It was formed from parts of Trumbull County, Ohio. In 1808, Geauga County became smaller. This happened when Ashtabula County, Cuyahoga County, and Lake County were created.
The county's current borders were set in 1840. This was after Lake County was formed. There was a big argument about where the county seat should be. People in the north wanted it in Champion (now Painesville). People in the south wanted it in the middle. They liked a piece of land given by Peter Chardon Brooks, which became Chardon, Ohio.
Even though Chardon was chosen in 1809, the argument continued. More people moved to the northern parts of the county. This made the disagreement even stronger. In 1840, a request was made to create Lake County. It would take seven townships from northern Geauga County. Lake County was created in March 1840.
The first people to settle in Geauga County arrived in 1798. Three families from Connecticut settled in Burton, Ohio.
Geography of Geauga County
Geauga County covers about 408 square miles. Most of this, 400 square miles, is land. About 8.1 square miles, or 2%, is water.
Geauga County gets more rain and snow than any other county in northern Ohio. Most areas get over 42 inches of precipitation each year. Some parts even get more than 44 inches.
Rivers and Waterways
The landscape of Geauga County was greatly changed by glaciers long ago. This created a unique drainage system. The beginnings of three rivers that flow into Lake Erie are in Geauga County. These are the Cuyahoga River, Chagrin River, and Grand River. Parts of all three are special "Ohio Scenic Rivers."
The east branch of the Cuyahoga River starts in Hambden, Claridon, and Burton Townships. The west branch of the Cuyahoga River begins near Pond and Rapids Roads in Burton Township.
The east branch of the Chagrin River starts at Bass Lake in Munson Township. It also begins in the southwest part of Chardon. McFarland Creek in Bainbridge Township flows into the Aurora branch of the Chagrin River.
The Grand River starts in Parkman and Troy Townships. Swine Creek in Middlefield Township also feeds into it.
Most of the water in Geauga County flows into Lake Erie. However, Silver Creek in Troy Township is different. It flows into the west branch of the Mahoning River. This river is part of the Ohio River watershed. The Ohio River is the largest river that flows into the Mississippi River.
Neighboring Counties
- Lake County (north)
- Ashtabula County (northeast)
- Trumbull County (southeast)
- Portage County (south)
- Cuyahoga County (west)
- Summit County (southwest)
People of Geauga County
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1810 | 2,917 | — | |
| 1820 | 7,791 | 167.1% | |
| 1830 | 15,813 | 103.0% | |
| 1840 | 16,297 | 3.1% | |
| 1850 | 17,827 | 9.4% | |
| 1860 | 15,817 | −11.3% | |
| 1870 | 14,190 | −10.3% | |
| 1880 | 14,251 | 0.4% | |
| 1890 | 13,489 | −5.3% | |
| 1900 | 14,744 | 9.3% | |
| 1910 | 14,670 | −0.5% | |
| 1920 | 15,036 | 2.5% | |
| 1930 | 15,414 | 2.5% | |
| 1940 | 19,430 | 26.1% | |
| 1950 | 26,646 | 37.1% | |
| 1960 | 47,573 | 78.5% | |
| 1970 | 62,977 | 32.4% | |
| 1980 | 74,474 | 18.3% | |
| 1990 | 81,129 | 8.9% | |
| 2000 | 90,895 | 12.0% | |
| 2010 | 93,389 | 2.7% | |
| 2020 | 95,397 | 2.2% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 95,407 | 2.2% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2020 |
|||
2010 Census Information
In 2010, Geauga County had 93,389 people. There were 34,264 homes and 25,654 families. The county had about 233 people per square mile. Most people, 96.9%, were white. About 1.3% were black, and 0.6% were Asian.
About 33.6% of homes had children under 18. Most homes, 63.8%, were married couples. The average age in the county was 43.3 years old. The average income for a family was about $101,780. About 7.6% of the people lived below the poverty line.
Amish Community
Geauga County has a large Amish community. It was started in 1886. This is the fourth largest Amish settlement. In 2017, there were 18,650 Amish people in 132 groups. They made up about 19.8% of the population in Geauga and nearby counties.
Religion in Geauga County
Religion in Geauga County, according to ARDA (2020) Catholic Church (34%) Others Evangelical Churches (19.9%) Anabaptist Churches (Amish and Mennonite) (10.3%) Mainline Protestant Churches (6.9%) Black Protestant Churches (0.5%) Others (1.5%) None (26.8%)
| Religion | 2010 | 2020 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number | % | Number | % | |
| Christianity | 52,788 | 56.5 | 67,801 | 71.6 |
| — Anabaptist Churches | 8,870 | 9.5 | 9,803 | 10.3 |
| — Others Evangelical Churches | 4,865 | 5.2 | 18,533 | 19.9 |
| — Catholic Church | 30,880 | 33,1 | 32,469 | 34.0 |
| — Mainline Protestant Churches | 7,738 | 8.3 | 6,564 | 6.9 |
|
-Black Protestant Churches |
185 | 0.2 | 432 | 0.5 |
| Other religions | 250 | 0.3 | 1,417 | 1.5 |
| None* | 40,601 | 43,5 | 27,596 | 28.9 |
| Total population | 93,389 | 95,397 | ||
| *"Nones" refers to people who don't identify with a specific religion. This group includes people with different beliefs, some of whom still believe in God or a Higher Power. | ||||
Transportation in Geauga County
Major Highways
U.S. Route 6 This road honors American Civil War Veterans.
U.S. Route 322
U.S. Route 422
State Routes
State Route 43
State Route 44
State Route 86
State Route 87
State Route 88
State Route 166
State Route 168
State Route 306
State Route 528
State Route 608
State Route 700
You can find an official Geauga County Road Map online.
Public Transportation
Geauga County is mostly rural. This means there isn't a regular bus system. Instead, Geauga County Transit offers a special ride service. You can call and book a ride to go places within the county. They also offer some rides outside the county.
In 2015, a one-way ride cost $6. Kids aged 6 to 17, seniors, and people with disabilities got a 50% discount. Kids 5 and under rode for free. Rides outside the county cost double. Service is available Monday to Friday, from 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM. It's best to book your ride a few days ahead of time.
Airports
Geauga County has one public airport. It is located in Middlefield, Ohio. The airport's code is 7G8. It is home to Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 5.
The Geauga County Airport is on 41 acres of land. It was bought by the Middlefield Chamber of Commerce. They then gave it to Geauga County. Construction started on August 31, 1967. The airport officially opened on September 29, 1968. It has one runway that is 3500 feet long and 65 feet wide. The airport also has hangars for planes and a lounge for pilots.
Education in Geauga County
Public School Districts
Geauga County has six public school districts. They are listed below.
The Geauga County Educational Service Center helps these school districts. They offer programs and services together. This helps reduce costs for each district. They also work to prepare students for jobs. They partner with businesses and community groups.
| District | Location | Communities served | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Berkshire Local School District | Burton, Ohio | Burton Township, Burton Village, most of Claridon Township, Troy Township, Welshfield, Montville and Thompson Townships | |
| Cardinal Local School District | Middlefield, Ohio | Huntsburg Township, Middlefield Township, Middlefield Village, Parkman Township, small part of Mespotamia (Trumbull County) | |
| Chardon Local School District | Chardon, Ohio | Chardon City, Chardon Township, part of Claridon Township, Hambden Township, most of Munson Township, very small part of Concord Township (Lake County) | |
| Kenston Local School District | Bainbridge Township, Ohio | Auburn Township, most of Bainbridge Township | |
| West Geauga County Local School District | Chester Township, Ohio | Chester Township, Chesterland, Newbury Township, a small part of Hunting Valley, a part of Munson Township, and an unincorporated part of Russell Township |
Some parts of Geauga County are also served by five nearby public school districts.
| District | Location | Communities served in Geauga County |
|---|---|---|
| Chagrin Falls Exempted Village School District | Chagrin Falls, Ohio and South Russell, Ohio | South Russell Village; small parts of Bainbridge and Russell Townships |
| Kirtland Local School District | Kirtland, Ohio | small part of Chardon Township |
| Madison Local School District | Madison, Ohio | small part of Thompson Township |
| Mentor Exempted Village School District | Mentor, Ohio | small part of Chardon Township |
| Riverside Local School District | Painesville, Ohio | small part of Chardon Township |
Vocational School
Students in six of Geauga County's school districts can attend a special vocational school. It is called the Auburn Career Center. It is located in Concord Township, Ohio. This center offers many programs. These include health, education, and hands-on technology training.
Private and Religious Schools
Geauga County has eight private, religious, or specialized schools.
| District | Location | Communities served |
|---|---|---|
| Agape Christian Academy | Burton Township, Ohio and Troy Township, Ohio | Accepts applications prior to the start of each school year |
| Hawken School | Gates Mills, Ohio | College preparatory day school: online application, site visit and testing |
| Hershey Montessori School | Huntsburg Township, Ohio | Co-ed school and boarding community serving students in 7th-12th grade. Chartered by Ohio Department of Education. New applications accepted year round. |
| Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin | Munson Township, Ohio | Roman Catholic Diocese of Cleveland: open to 8th grade students who have attended a Catholic elementary school and others who have not |
| Solon/Bainbridge Montessori School of Languages | Bainbridge Township, Ohio | nonsectarian Montessori School: quarterly enrollment periods |
| Saint Anselm School | Chester Township, Ohio | Roman Catholic Diocese of Cleveland K - 8th grade; preschool |
| Saint Helen's School | Newbury, Ohio | Roman Catholic Diocese of Cleveland K - 8th grade; parishioners and non-parishioners |
| Saint Mary's School | Chardon, Ohio | Roman Catholic Diocese of Cleveland preschool - 8th grade; parishioners and non-parishioners |
| Laurel School Butler Campus | Russell Township, Ohio | Private K-12 Girls Only School, College Preparatory |
Higher Education
Geauga County has one college campus. It is Kent State University - Geauga. This campus is in Burton, Ohio. It is one of seven regional campuses of Kent State University. The campus covers 87 acres in Burton Township. It started as an academic center in 1964. It became a regional campus in 1976. In 2011, over 2,000 students were enrolled. The Geauga campus does not have student housing. It offers many programs. These include certificates, associate's degrees, and bachelor's degrees. You can study business, education, nursing, science, and technology.
Communities in Geauga County
City
- Chardon (This is the county seat, or main town)
Villages
Townships
Census-Designated Places
These are areas that are like towns but not officially incorporated.
- Bainbridge
- Bass Lake
- Chesterland
- Parkman
Unincorporated Communities
These are smaller communities without their own local government.
- Bostwick
- Bundysburg
- Claridon
- East Claridon
- Fowlers Mill
- Fullertown
- Hampden
- Huntsburg
- Materials Park
- Montville
- Newbury Center
- Novelty
- Popes Corners
- Russell Center
- South Newbury
- South Thompson
- Thompson
- Welshfield
Notable People from Geauga County
Many interesting people have come from Geauga County:
- Leman Copley, an early leader in the Mormon church.
- Larry Dolan, a lawyer and former owner of the Cleveland Guardians baseball team.
- Seabury Ford, a lawyer and governor of Ohio from 1849-1850.
- Charles Martin Hall, who invented a way to produce aluminum.
- Peter Hitchcock, a lawyer, soldier, and judge.
- General Mortimer Leggett, a general in the American Civil War.
- Frances Spatz Leighton, a writer.
- Charles C. Paine, a politician.
- Halbert Eleazer Paine, a lawyer, Civil War general, and congressman.
- Seth Ledyard Phelps, a Civil War officer and commissioner for Washington, D.C.
- Albert Gallatin Riddle, a lawyer and educator.
- Nick Schuyler, an author.
- JoAnn M. Tenorio, an expert on insects.
- Brigham Young, a famous Mormon leader.
Athletes
- Andrew Brown, a professional baseball pitcher.
- Mel Harder, a professional baseball pitcher for the Cleveland Indians.
- Matt Hutter, a NASCAR race car driver.
- Leroy Kemp, a college and Olympic wrestler.
- Tom Kipp, an international professional motorcycle racing champion.
Musical Artists and Groups
- Midnight Syndicate, a Gothic rock band.
- John Popper, the lead singer for the rock band Blues Traveler.
- The Chardon Polka Band, a Cleveland-Style polka band.
Images for kids
-
Map of public school districts in Geauga County. Newbury Local School District has since joined West Geauga Schools.
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Geauga para niños
