Sandusky County
County
Sandusky County Courthouse in Fremont
Seal
Location within the U.S. state of Ohio
Ohio's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 41°22′N 83°09′W / 41.36°N 83.15°W / 41.36; -83.15
Country	United States
State	Ohio
Founded	February 12, 1820[1]
Named for	Sandusky River
Seat	Fremont
Largest city	Fremont
Area
• Total	418 sq mi (1,080 km2)
• Land	408 sq mi (1,060 km2)
• Water	9.3 sq mi (24 km2)  2.2%
Population  (2020)
• Total	58,896
• Density	140/sq mi (54/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district	9th
Website	www.sandusky-county.com

Sandusky County is a county located in the northwestern part of the U.S. state of Ohio. As of the 2020 census, the population was 58,896.^[2] Its county seat and largest city is Fremont.^[3] The county was formed on February 12, 1820, from portions of Huron County.

The name is derived from the Wyandot word meaning "water" (Wyandot: saandustee).^[4] The Sandusky River runs diagonally northeast through the county to its mouth on Sandusky Bay, opening into Lake Erie. Sandusky County compromises the Fremont, OH Micropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 418 square miles (1,080 km²), of which 408 square miles (1,060 km²) is land and 9.3 square miles (24 km²) (2.2%) is water.^[5]

Adjacent counties

• Ottawa County (north)
• Erie County (east)
• Huron County (southeast)
• Seneca County (south)
• Wood County (west)

Demographics

2000 census

As of the census^[10] of 2000, there were 61,792 people, 23,717 households, and 16,957 families living in the county. The population density was 151 inhabitants per square mile (58/km²). There were 25,253 housing units at an average density of 62 units per square mile (24/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 92.20% White, 2.67% Black or African American, 0.13% Native American, 0.29% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 3.10% from other races, and 1.61% from two or more races. 6.96% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 23,717 households, out of which 33.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.50% were married couples living together, 10.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.50% were non-families. 24.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.20% under the age of 18, 8.10% from 18 to 24, 28.30% from 25 to 44, 23.00% from 45 to 64, and 14.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 95.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $40,584, and the median income for a family was $47,675. Males had a median income of $35,501 versus $23,964 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,239. About 5.70% of families and 7.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.10% of those under age 18 and 7.00% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 60,944 people, 24,182 households, and 16,616 families living in the county.^[11] The population density was 149.2 inhabitants per square mile (57.6/km²). There were 26,390 housing units at an average density of 64.6 units per square mile (24.9 units/km²).^[12] The racial makeup of the county was 91.2% white, 2.8% black or African American, 0.3% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 2.8% from other races, and 2.6% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 8.9% of the population.^[11] In terms of ancestry, 41.9% were German, 12.1% were Irish, 9.5% were English, and 7.1% were American.^[13]

Of the 24,182 households, 32.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.3% were married couples living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 31.3% were non-families, and 26.3% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 2.97. The median age was 40.4 years.^[11]

The median income for a household in the county was $48,056 and the median income for a family was $57,500. Males had a median income of $42,582 versus $31,257 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,286. About 7.2% of families and 10.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.8% of those under age 18 and 6.5% of those age 65 or over.^[14]

Government and politics

Like most of northwestern Ohio, Sandusky County voters have historically supported the Republican Party. It was initially settled by migrants from the Northern Tier of New England and New York, who carried their culture with them. The county has a strong history of supporting Republican presidential candidates as well as local Republican candidates.

During the 2008 U.S. presidential election, 51% of the voters from Sandusky County supported Democratic candidate Barack Obama.^[15] It was the second time since 1964 that the county had supported a Democrat for president, and the second time since 1932 that it had done so with a majority. Obama narrowly carried the county again in the 2012 U.S. presidential election with just under 50 percent of the vote.^[16] Time magazine listed Sandusky as one of five critical counties in the 2012 election.^[17] In 2016 and 2020 the county supported the Republican candidate.