Medina County ( ) is a county located in the northeastern region in the U.S. state of Ohio. As of the 2020 census, the population was 182,470. Its county seat is Medina, and its largest city is Brunswick.

The county was created in 1812 and later organized in 1818. It is named for Medina, Saudi Arabia. Medina County is part of the Cleveland, OH Metropolitan Statistical Area, although some southeastern parts of the county are included in the urban area of Akron.

History Before European colonization, several Native American tribes inhabited northeastern Ohio. After Europeans first crossed into the Americas, the land that became Medina County was colonized by the French, becoming part of the colony of Canada (New France). It was ceded in 1763 to Great Britain and renamed Province of Quebec. In the late 18th century the land became part of the Connecticut Western Reserve in the Northwest Territory, then was purchased by the Connecticut Land Company in 1795. Parts of Medina County and neighbouring Lorain became home to the Black River Colony founded in 1852, a religious community centered on the pious lifestyle of the German Baptist Brethren.

Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (0.4%) is water.

The Medina County Park District, established in 1965, manages , including 18 parks and trails.

Adjacent counties Cuyahoga County (northeast) Summit County (east) Wayne County (south) Ashland County (southwest) Lorain County (northwest)

Demographics

2020 census As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 182,470. The median age was 43.1 years. 22.1% of residents were under the age of 18 and 19.0% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 96.7 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 94.8 males age 18 and over.

The racial makeup of the county was 91.6% White, 1.3% Black or African American, 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.8% from some other race, and 5.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 2.5% of the population.

65.9% of residents lived in urban areas, while 34.1% lived in rural areas.

There were 71,647 households in the county, of which 29.9% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 57.5% were married-couple households, 14.9% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 21.7% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 24.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 75,169 housing units, of which 4.7% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 79.9% were owner-occupied and 20.1% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0.9% and the rental vacancy rate was 7.4%.

Racial and ethnic composition +Medina County, Ohio – Racial and ethnic compositionRace / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic)Pop 1980Pop 1990Pop 2000Pop 2010 Pop 2020% 1980% 1990% 2000% 2010% 2020White alone (NH)111,402119,934145,960163,794165,64398.46%98.02%96.60%95.05%90.78%Black or African American alone (NH)7088471,3041,9822,2920.63%0.69%0.86%1.15%1.26%Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)1341652092161920.12%0.13%0.14%0.13%0.11%Asian alone (NH)3106739621,6382,1840.27%0.55%0.64%0.95%1.20%Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH)x included in the Asian category in the 1980 Censusx included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census221728xx0.01%0.01%0.02%Other race alone (NH)107241121045890.09%0.02%0.07%0.06%0.32%Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)x not an option in the 1980 Censusx not an option in the 1990 Census1,1271,8346,950xx0.75%1.06%3.81%Hispanic or Latino (any race)4897111,3992,7474,5920.43%0.58%0.93%1.59%2.52%Total113,150122,354151,095172,332182,470 100.00%100.00%100.00%100.00%100.00%

2010 census As of the census of 2010, there were 172,332 people, 65,143 households, and 48,214 families living in the county. The population density was . There were 69,181 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 96.1% white, 1.2% black or African American, 1.0% Asian, 0.1% American Indian, 0.4% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.6% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 32.7% were German, 18.3% were Irish, 11.6% were English, 10.7% were Italian, 10.4% were Polish, and 7.4% were American.

Of the 65,143 households, 35.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.5% were married couples living together, 8.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 26.0% were non-families, and 21.6% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.07. The median age was 40.4 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $66,193 and the median income for a family was $76,699. Males had a median income of $56,523 versus $38,163 for females. The per capita income for the county was $29,986. About 4.4% of families and 6.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.6% of those under age 18 and 5.6% of those age 65 or over.

2000 census As of the census of 2000, there were 151,095 people, 54,542 households, and 42,215 families living in the county. The population density was . There were 56,793 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 97.26% White, 0.88% Black or African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.64% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.25% from other races, and 0.80% from two or more races. 0.93% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 26.8% were of German, 11.5% Irish, 8.6% Italian, 8.4% English, 8.4% Polish and 7.8% American ancestry according to Census 2000. 95.3% spoke English, 1.2% Spanish and 1.0% German as their first language.

There were 54,542 households, of which 37.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.50% were married couples living together, 7.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.60% were non-families. 18.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.74 and the average family size was 3.15.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 27.50% under the age of 18, 7.00% from 18 to 24, 30.60% from 25 to 44, 24.40% from 45 to 64, and 10.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 97.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $55,811, and the median income for a family was $62,489. Males had a median income of $44,600 versus $27,513 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,251. About 3.50% of families and 4.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.90% of those under age 18 and 4.80% of those age 65 or over.

Economy According to the county's comprehensive annual financial reports, the top employers by number of employees in the county are the following. ("NR" indicates the employer was not ranked among the top ten employers that year.)

Employer Employees(2020) Employees(2011) Employees(2003) Westfield Insurance 2,040 1,560 1,292 Cleveland Clinic–Medina Hospital 1,431 886 920 Medina County Government 1,365 1,404 1,600 Brunswick City School District 834 836 850 MTD Products 781 680 2,190 Medina City School District 759 700 780 Sandridge Food Corporation 569 475 Discount Drug Mart 509 2,600 Wadsworth City School District 479 500 Carlisle Brake and Friction 400 Wellman Products Group 440 Shiloh Industries, Inc. 411 Plastik Pak 1,467 Schneider National 800 Friction Products/Hawk 557

Politics Medina County is a Republican stronghold in presidential elections. It has only backed Democratic nominees 3 times in its history, in 1916, 1936, and 1964.

Communities

Cities Brunswick (largest city) Medina (county seat) Rittman (part) Wadsworth

Villages

Chippewa Lake Creston (part) Gloria Glens Park Lodi Seville Spencer Westfield Center

Townships

Brunswick Hills Chatham Granger Guilford Harrisville Hinckley Homer Lafayette Litchfield Liverpool Medina Montville Sharon Spencer Wadsworth Westfield York

Census-designated place Sharon Center Valley City

Unincorporated communities

Abbeyville Beebetown Bennetts Corners Chatham Coddingville Crawford Corners Erhart Friendsville Granger Hinckley Homerville Litchfield Mallet Creek Pawnee Remsen Corners River Styx Valley City Weymouth Western Star

Notable people Julia Carter Aldrich, 19th-century American author and editor William G. Batchelder, Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives Alice M. Batchelder, federal judge Martin and Anna Bates, record holders for tallest married couple Connor Cook, NFL quarterback, formerly quarterback for the Michigan State Spartans R. Sheldon Duecker, bishop of the United Methodist Church Jobie Hughes, one of the authors of the Lorien Legacies Mark Hunter, photographer and lead singer of heavy metal band Chimaira Kyle Juszczyk, fullback for San Francisco 49ers Larry Obhof, attorney and former President of the Ohio Senate Matthew "MatPat" Patrick, popular Internet personality Pete Rademacher, Olympic boxer Amos Root, developed innovative beekeeping techniques in the United States during the mid-19th century Drew Allar, Quarterback for Penn State Nittany Lions (2022-2025)

See also National Register of Historic Places listings in Medina County, Ohio

References

External links

Medina County District Library's website Medina County Government's website Medina County Sheriff's Office Medina County News and Events