County population in 2014: 28,462 (49% urban, 51% rural); it was 29,659 in 2000County owner-occupied with a mortgage or a loan houses and condos in 2010: 5,626 County owner-occupied free and clear houses and condos in 2010: 3,360 County owner-occupied houses and condos in 2000: 9,462 Renter-occupied apartments: 2,453 (it was 2,125 in 2000)
% of renters here:
18%
State:
32%
Land area: 410 sq. mi.
Water area: 0.4 sq. mi.
Population density: 69 people per square mile (average).
Mar. 2016 cost of living index in Van Wert County: 78.3 (low, U.S. average is 100)
Industries providing employment: Professional, scientific, management, administrative, and waste management services (21.7%), Educational, health and social services (14.8%), Agriculture,forestry,fishing and hunting, and mining (14.5%).
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with mortgages in 2015: $1,267 (1.2%) Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with no mortgage in 2015: $1,079 (1.2%)
Percentage of residents living in poverty in 2015: 12.8%
(11.9% for White Non-Hispanic residents, 41.1% for Black residents, 24.6% for Hispanic or Latino residents, 14.0% for American Indian residents, 7.8% for other race residents, 49.6% for two or more races residents)
Percentage of residents living in poverty in 2015: 12.1%
Van Wert County:
12.1%
Ohio:
14.8%
(10.9% for White Non-Hispanic residents, 39.1% for Black residents, 23.0% for Hispanic or Latino residents, 11.6% for American Indian residents, 8.2% for other race residents, 46.6% for two or more races residents)
Median age of residents in 2015: 41 years old
(Males: 40 years old, Females: 42 years old)
(Median age for: White residents: 42 years old, Black residents: 22 years old, American Indian residents: 45 years old, Asian residents: 50 years old, Hispanic or Latino residents: 31 years old, Other race residents: 46 years old)
Fair market rent in 2006 for a 1-bedroom apartment in Van Wert County is $391 a month. Fair market rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $503 a month. Fair market rent for a 3-bedroom apartment is $612 a month.
Notable locations in this county outside city limits:
Notable locations in Van Wert County: Freeburg Station (A), Stark County Home (B), Louisville Sportsmen Club (C), American Sportsmen Club (D), Clearview Golf Course (E), Meadow Lake Golf Club (F), Alliance Wastewater Treatment Plant (G), Baltzly Farms (H), Anstine Vogley Orchard (I), Arrowhead Orchard (J), Sunny Slope Orchard (K), Varian Orchards (L), Brookside Country Club (M), Congress Lake Golf Club (N), Edgewood Golf Club (O), Holiday Country Club (P), Oakwood Golf Club (Q), Shady Hollow Country Club (R), Tannenhauf Golf Course (S), Edgewater Golf Course (T). Display/hide their locations on the map
Shopping Centers: Carousel Plaza Shopping Center (1), Tip-Top Mart Shopping Center (2), Wales Square Shopping Center (3), Southgate Shopping Center (4), Belden Village Mall Shopping Center (5), Cable Shores Shopping Center (6). Display/hide their locations on the map
Churches in Van Wert County include: Beech Mennonite Church (A), Beechy Church (B), Calvary Chapel (C), Centenary Chapel (D), County Line Mennonite Church (E), Fairmount Church (F), Five Point Church (G), Saint Paul United Methodist Church (H), King Church (I). Display/hide their locations on the map
Cemeteries: Saint Pauls Cemetery (1), Fairmount Memorial Cemetery (2), Saint Peters Cemetery (3), Armstrong Cemetery (4), Battlesburg Cemetery (5), Beech Cemetery (6), Shepler Cemetery (7). Display/hide their locations on the map
Lakes, reservoirs, and swamps: Lake O'Pines (A), Red Pine Lake (B), Lake Sherman (C), Copes Lake (D), Lake Slagle (E), Congress Lake (F), Woods Lake (G), Willowdale Lake (H). Display/hide their locations on the map
Streams, rivers, and creeks: Limestone Creek (A), Indian Run (B), Fox Run (C), Camp Creek (D), Black Run (E), Bean Creek (F), Beal Run (G), Sandy Creek (H), Pigeon Run (I). Display/hide their locations on the map
Parks in Van Wert County include: Crystal Lake Park (1), Beechwood Playground (2), Tuslaw Lions Club Park (3), Deer Creek Park (4), Diamond Recreation Park (5), Clearwater Park (6), Millside Park (7), Spiker Park (8), Lake O'Pines Park (9). Display/hide their locations on the map
Current college students: 875 People 25 years of age or older with a high school degree or higher: 86.6% People 25 years of age or older with a bachelor's degree or higher: 12.0%
Number of foreign born residents: 197 (56% naturalized citizens)
Van Wert County:
0.7%
Whole state:
3.0%
Year of entry for the foreign-born population
1995 to March 2000: 44
1990 to 1994: 9
1985 to 1989: 18
1980 to 1984: 0
1975 to 1979: 25
1970 to 1974: 4
1970 to 1974: 19
1965 to 1969: 78
Note: State values scaled to Van Wert County population
Mean travel time to work (commute): 19.0 minutes
Percentage of county residents living and working in this county: 65.5%
Housing units in structures:
One, detached: 10,182
One, attached: 155
Two: 366
3 or 4: 300
5 to 9: 144
10 to 19: 95
20 or more: 175
Mobile homes: 937
Boats, RVs, vans, etc.: 9
Housing units in Van Wert County with a mortgage: 4,965 (593 second mortgage, 631 home equity loan, 21 both second mortgage and home equity loan) Houses without a mortgage: 2,900
Here:
63.1% with mortgage
State:
69.3% with mortgage
Religion statistics for Van Wert County
Religion
Adherents
Congregations
Evangelical Protestant
4,864
28
Mainline Protestant
4,854
20
Catholic
2,410
1
Other
4
1
None
16,612
-
Van Wert County Religion Details
Source: Clifford Grammich, Kirk Hadaway, Richard Houseal, Dale E.Jones, Alexei Krindatch, Richie Stanley and Richard H.Taylor. 2012. 2010 U.S.Religion Census: Religious Congregations & Membership Study. Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies. Jones, Dale E., et al. 2002. Congregations and Membership in the United States 2000. Nashville, TN: Glenmary Research Center.
Food Environment Statistics:
Number of grocery stores: 6
Van Wert County:
2.08 / 10,000 pop.
State:
1.89 / 10,000 pop.
Number of convenience stores (no gas): 2
This county:
0.69 / 10,000 pop.
Ohio:
1.25 / 10,000 pop.
Number of convenience stores (with gas): 10
Van Wert County:
3.46 / 10,000 pop.
Ohio:
2.93 / 10,000 pop.
Number of full-service restaurants: 15
This county:
5.20 / 10,000 pop.
State:
6.25 / 10,000 pop.
Adult diabetes rate:
Van Wert County:
9.9%
Ohio:
10.3%
Adult obesity rate:
Van Wert County:
29.5%
State:
29.1%
Low-income preschool obesity rate:
Here:
7.7%
State:
11.9%
Agriculture in Van Wert County:
Average size of farms: 367 acres Average value of agricultural products sold per farm: $86,721 Average value of crops sold per acre for harvested cropland: $207.01 The value of livestock, poultry, and their products as a percentage of the total market value of agricultural products sold: 18.25% Average total farm production expenses per farm: $72,240 Harvested cropland as a percentage of land in farms: 93.20% Average market value of all machinery and equipment per farm: $126,817 The percentage of farms operated by a family or individual: 85.46% Average age of principal farm operators: 54 years Average number of cattle and calves per 100 acres of all land in farms: 1.97 Milk cows as a percentage of all cattle and calves: 36.14% Corn for grain: 67552 harvested acres All wheat for grain: 17093 harvested acres Soybeans for beans: 121100 harvested acres Land in orchards: 28 acres
Tornado activity:
Van Wert County historical area-adjusted tornado activity is significantly below Ohio state average. It is 2710226.2 times below overall U.S. average. Tornadoes in this county have caused 3 fatalities and 15 injuries recorded between 1950 and 2004. On 11/16/1965, a category 2 (max. wind speeds 113-157 mph) tornado killed 2 people and injured 9 people and caused between $500,000 and $5,000,000 in damages.
Earthquake activity:
Van Wert County-area historical earthquake activity is near Ohio state average. It is 84% smaller than the overall U.S. average.
On 7/12/1986 at 08:19:37, a magnitude 4.5 (4.5 MB, Class: Light, Intensity: IV - V) earthquake occurred 24.6 miles away from Van Wert County center On 7/27/1980 at 18:52:21, a magnitude 5.2 (5.1 MB, 4.7 MS, 5.0 UK, 5.2 UK, Class: Moderate, Intensity: VI - VII) earthquake occurred 186.6 miles away from the county center On 4/18/2008 at 09:36:59, a magnitude 5.4 (5.1 MB, 4.8 MS, 5.4 MW, 5.2 MW, Depth: 8.9 mi) earthquake occurred 242.6 miles away from the county center On 9/25/1998 at 19:52:52, a magnitude 5.2 (4.8 MB, 4.3 MS, 5.2 LG, 4.5 MW, Depth: 3.1 mi) earthquake occurred 221.7 miles away from the county center On 1/31/1986 at 16:46:43, a magnitude 5.0 (5.0 MB) earthquake occurred 184.7 miles away from Van Wert County center On 6/10/1987 at 23:48:54, a magnitude 5.1 (4.9 MB, 4.4 MS, 4.6 MS, 5.1 LG) earthquake occurred 225.5 miles away from the county center Magnitude types: regional Lg-wave magnitude (LG), body-wave magnitude (MB), surface-wave magnitude (MS), moment magnitude (MW)
Most recent natural disasters:
Ohio Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds, Incident Period: June 29, 2012 to July 02, 2012, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-4077: August 20, 2012, FEMA Id: 4077, Natural disaster type: Storm, Wind
Ohio Hurricane Katrina Evacuation, Incident Period: August 29, 2005 to October 01, 2005, Emergency Declared EM-3250: September 13, 2005, FEMA Id: 3250, Natural disaster type: Hurricane
Ohio Severe Winter Storms, Flooding and Mudslides, Incident Period: December 22, 2004 to February 01, 2005, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1580: February 15, 2005, FEMA Id: 1580, Natural disaster type: Winter Storm, Mudslide, Flood
Ohio Severe Storms and Flooding, Incident Period: July 04, 2003 to July 11, 2003, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1478: July 15, 2003, FEMA Id: 1478, Natural disaster type: Storm, Flood
Ohio Severe Storms and Tornadoes, Incident Period: November 10, 2002, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1444: November 18, 2002, FEMA Id: 1444, Natural disaster type: Storm, Tornado
Ohio Flooding, Severe Storm, Tornadoes, Incident Period: July 12, 1992 to August 01, 1992, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-951: August 04, 1992, FEMA Id: 951, Natural disaster type: Storm, Tornado, Flood
Ohio Blizzards and Snowstorms, Incident Period: January 26, 1978, Emergency Declared EM-3055: January 26, 1978, FEMA Id: 3055, Natural disaster type: Snowstorm, Blizzard
Ohio Snowstorms, Incident Period: February 02, 1977, Emergency Declared EM-3029: February 02, 1977, FEMA Id: 3029, Natural disaster type: Snowstorm
Ohio TORNADOES, SEVERE STORMS, Incident Period: April 14, 1965, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-191: April 14, 1965, FEMA Id: 191, Natural disaster type: Storm, Tornado
The number of natural disasters in Van Wert County (9) is smaller than the US average (13). Major Disasters (Presidential) Declared: 6 Emergencies Declared: 3
Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations (7%)
Sales and related occupations (7%)
Transportation occupations (7%)
Construction and extraction occupations (6%)
Office and administrative support occupations (19%)
Production occupations (17%)
Sales and related occupations (9%)
Food preparation and serving related occupations (8%)
Health diagnosing and treating practitioners and other technical occupations (7%)
Healthcare support occupations (7%)
Education, training, and library occupations (6%)
Most common places of birth for the foreign-born residents (%):
Germany (18%)
United Kingdom (18%)
China, excluding Hong Kong and Taiwan (13%)
Mexico (9%)
Iran (8%)
Argentina (6%)
Portugal (5%)
Most common first ancestries reported in Van Wert County (%):
German (51%)
United States or American (14%)
Irish (7%)
English (7%)
French (except Basque) (2%)
Welsh (2%)
Italian (2%)
Means of transportation to work:
Drove a car alone: 12,174 (85%)
Carpooled: 1,382 (10%)
Bus or trolley bus: 24 (0%)
Streetcar or trolley car: 2 (0%)
Motorcycle: 6 (0%)
Bicycle: 25 (0%)
Walked: 312 (2%)
Other means: 57 (0%)
Worked at home: 393 (3%)
Owners and renters by unit type in %
Breakdown of mean house values by ages of householders ($)
People in group quarters in Van Wert County, Ohio in 2000:
304 people in nursing homes
62 people in state prisons
60 people in homes or halfway houses for drug/alcohol abuse
19 people in homes for abused, dependent, and neglected children
10 people in other nonhousehold living situations
9 people in other noninstitutional group quarters
People in group quarters in Van Wert County, Ohio in 2010:
248 people in nursing facilities/skilled-nursing facilities
50 people in state prisons
47 people in residential treatment centers for juveniles (non-correctional)
21 people in emergency and transitional shelters (with sleeping facilities) for people experiencing homelessness
16 people in correctional facilities intended for juveniles
10 people in group homes for juveniles (non-correctional)
4 people in correctional residential facilities
Average gross adjusted income of non-migrant taxpayers in this county in 2010 was $44,951.
3.75% of this county's 2011 resident taxpayers lived in other counties in 2010 ($32,529 average adjusted gross income)
Here:
3.75%
Ohio average:
4.72%
10 or fewer of this county's residents moved from foreign countries.
2.40% relocated from other counties in Ohio ($19,975 average AGI)
1.35% relocated from other states ($12,554 average AGI)
Van Wert County:
1.35%
Ohio average:
1.60%
Percentage of residents relocating from other counties or countries
Top counties from which taxpayers relocated into this county between 2010 and 2011:
4.54% of this county's 2010 resident taxpayers moved to other counties in 2011 ($29,613 average adjusted gross income)
Here:
4.54%
Ohio average:
5.14%
10 or fewer of this county's residents moved to foreign countries.
2.40% relocated to other counties in Ohio ($13,311 average AGI)
2.14% relocated to other states ($16,302 average AGI)
Van Wert County:
2.14%
Ohio average:
2.02%
Percentage of residents relocating to other counties or countries
Top counties to which taxpayers relocated from this county between 2010 and 2011:
Births per 1000 population from 1990 to 1999: 13.3 Births per 1000 population from 2000 to 2006: 12.7
Births per 1000 population in Van Wert County
Deaths per 1000 population from 1990 to 1999: 9.8 Deaths per 1000 population from 2000 to 2006: 10.6 Deaths per 1000 population from 2007 to 2014: 10.5
Deaths per 1000 population in Van Wert County
Infant deaths per 1000 live births from 1990 to 1999: 6.0 Infant deaths per 1000 live births from 2000 to 2006: 7.7
Infant deaths per 1000 live births in Van Wert County
Population without health insurance coverage in 2013: 12.6% Persons under 19 years old without health insurance coverage in 2013: 6.8%
Percentage of population without health insurance coverage in Van Wert County
Percentage of population without health insurance coverage in Van Wert County
Persons enrolled in hospital insurance and/or supplemental medical insurance (Medicare) in July 1, 2007: 5,201 (4,503 aged, 698 disabled) Children under 18 without health insurance coverage in 2007: 648 (9%)
Persons enrolled in hospital insurance and/or supplemental medical insurance (Medicare)
Aged persons enrolled in hospital insurance and/or supplemental medical insurance (Medicare)
Disabled persons enrolled in hospital insurance and/or supplemental medical insurance (Medicare)
Most common underlying causes of death in Van Wert County, Ohio in 1999 - 2014:
Atherosclerotic heart disease (517)
Acute myocardial infarction, unspecified (305)
Bronchus or lung, unspecified - Malignant neoplasms (289)
Stroke, not specified as haemorrhage or infarction (117)
Unspecified dementia (104)
Unspecified diabetes mellitus, without complications (94)
Cardiac arrest, unspecified (91)
Population without health insurance coverage in 2000: 8% Children under 18 without health insurance coverage in 2000: 6%
Short term general hospitals per 100,000 population in 2004: 3.42 Short term general hospital admissions per 100,000 population in 2004: 5,684 Short term general hospital beds per 100,000 population in 2004: 273 Emergency room visits per 100,000 population in 2004: 43,339
General practice office based MDs per 100,000 population in 2005: 1,334 Medical specialist MDs per 100,000 population in 2005: 840 Dentists per 100,000 population in 1998: 10
Total births per 100,000 population, July 2005 - July 2006 : 33 Total deaths per 100,000 population, July 2005 - July 2006: 69
Limited-service eating places per 100,000 population in 2005 : 10
Household type by relationship:
Households: 28,348
In family households: 24,207 (6,114 male householders, 1,807 female householders)
6,365 spouses, 8,358 children (7,611 natural, 165 adopted, 582 stepchildren), 485 grandchildren, 122 brothers or sisters, 123 parents, 159 other relatives, 574 non-relatives
In nonfamily households: 4,141 (1,584 male householders (1,297 living alone)), 1,934 female householders (1,748 living alone)), 623 nonrelatives
In group quarters: 396 (375 institutionalized population)
Size of family households: 3,749 2-persons, 1,638 3-persons, 1,412 4-persons, 739 5-persons, 274 6-persons, 109 7-or-more-persons.
5,857 married couples with children.
1,353 single-parent households (380 men, 973 women).
97.2% of residents of Van Wert County speak English at home.
1.3% of residents speak Spanish at home (80% speak English very well, 10% speak English well, 8% speak English not well, 2% don't speak English at all).
1.2% of residents speak other Indo-European language at home (76% speak English very well, 21% speak English well, 3% speak English not well).
0.1% of residents speak Asian or Pacific Island language at home (25% speak English very well, 18% speak English well, 28% speak English not well, 30% don't speak English at all).
In fiscal year 2004:
Federal Government expenditure: $111,475,000 ($3,808 per capita) Department of Defense expenditure: $1,249,000 Federal direct payments to individuals for retirement and disability: $52,594,000 Federal other direct payments to individuals: $26,574,000 Federal direct payments not to individuals: $6,701,000 Federal grants: $17,546,000 Federal procurement contracts: $4,103,000 ($109,000 Department of Defense) Federal salaries and wages: $3,958,000 ($0,000 Department of Defense) Federal Government direct loans: $689,000 Federal guaranteed/insured loans: $9,286,000 Federal Government insurance: $30,303,000
Population change from April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2005:
Births: 1,830
Here:
63 per 1000 residents
State:
69 per 1000 residents
Deaths: 1,715
Here:
59 per 1000 residents
State:
50 per 1000 residents
Net international migration: +30
Here:
+1 per 1000 residents
State:
+7 per 1000 residents
Net internal migration: -619
Here:
-21 per 1000 residents
State:
-15 per 1000 residents
Population growth in Van Wert County
Total withdrawal of fresh water for public supply: 3.54 millions of gallons per day (29% from ground, 71% from surface)
Median number of rooms in houses and condos:
Here:
6.5
State:
6.4
Median number of rooms in apartments:
Here:
4.7
State:
4.3
Year house built
2014 or later: 17
2010 to 2013: 90
2000 to 2009: 724
1990 to 1999: 1,178
1980 to 1989: 924
1970 to 1979: 1,648
1960 to 1969: 1,373
1950 to 1959: 1,681
1940 to 1949: 1,038
1939 or earlier: 3,951
Note: State values scaled to Van Wert population
Rooms in houses/apartments in Van Wert County, Ohio
Note: State values scaled to Van Wert County population
no vehicle: 252
1 vehicle: 2,355
2 vehicles: 4,453
3 vehicles: 1,665
4 vehicles: 524
5+ vehicles: 213
no vehicle: 248
1 vehicle: 1,053
2 vehicles: 625
3 vehicles: 167
4 vehicles: 23
5+ vehicles: 9
65% of Van Wert County residents lived in the same house 5 years ago. Out of people who lived in different houses, 62% lived in this county. Out of people who lived in different counties, 65% lived in Ohio.
Van Wert County:
64.8%
State average:
58.2%
Place of birth for U.S.-born residents:
This state: 23,286
Northeast: 495
Midwest: 4,051
South: 1,279
West: 275
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses in 2000: $49,000
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities: 1%
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities: 1%
Year Householders Moved Into Unit
Most commonly used house heating fuel in Van Wert County
Click here to upload your Van Wert County photos (outside city limits)
40.0 years
38.0 years
(48.7%)
(51.3%)
, Benton County, Indiana 
, Sussex County, New Jersey 
