Kenton is a city in and the county seat of Hardin County, Ohio, United States,[5] located in the west-central part of Ohio about 57 mi (92 km) northwest of Columbus and 70 mi (113 km) south of Toledo. Its population was 7,947 at the 2020 census. The city was named for frontiersman Simon Kenton of Kentucky and Ohio.
Kenton, Ohio | |
|---|---|
City | |
Downtown Kenton | |
Location of Kenton, Ohio | |
Location of Kenton in Hardin County | |
| Coordinates: 40°38′48″N 83°37′21″W / 40.64667°N 83.62250°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Ohio |
| County | Hardin |
| Township | Pleasant, Buck |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Lynn Jones Webb[1] |
| Area | |
• Total | 5.09 sq mi (13.19 km2) |
| • Land | 5.00 sq mi (12.95 km2) |
| • Water | 0.09 sq mi (0.24 km2) |
| Elevation | 968 ft (295 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 7,947 |
| • Density | 1,589.40/sq mi (613.70/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code | 43326 |
| Area code | 419 567 |
| FIPS code | 39-39886[4] |
| GNIS feature ID | 2395514[3] |
| Website | City website |
History
editKenton was originally the site of Fort McArthur, erected in 1812 by Colonel Duncan McArthur as one of the forts along the line of General William Hull's march against the British headquarters at Fort Detroit during the War of 1812.
In 1845, Kenton was incorporated as a village; it became a city in 1886. The city was named after frontiersman Simon Kenton.[6]
The city began as a center for agricultural trade, then in the late 19th century, developed industry common to America of the time.[7] From 1890 to 1952, Kenton was home to the Kenton Hardware Company, manufacturers of locks, cast-iron toys, and the very popular Gene Autry toy cap guns.[8]
International Car Company, a manufacturer of rail cabooses, operated in Kenton for many years. In 1975, it was purchased by Paccar, a manufacturer of medium- and heavy-duty trucks. In 1983, Paccar closed down the business, noting a decrease in demand for rail equipment.[9]
The 2001 CSX 8888 incident involving an unmanned freight train ended in Kenton.
Geography
editAccording to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 5.13 square miles (13.29 km2), of which 0.09 square miles (0.23 km2) is covered by water.[10]
Climate
edit| Climate data for Kenton, Ohio, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1893–2014 | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 71 (22) |
74 (23) |
85 (29) |
91 (33) |
96 (36) |
104 (40) |
106 (41) |
103 (39) |
101 (38) |
91 (33) |
79 (26) |
71 (22) |
106 (41) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 54.6 (12.6) |
60.5 (15.8) |
72.3 (22.4) |
81.8 (27.7) |
86.9 (30.5) |
93.1 (33.9) |
94.6 (34.8) |
92.9 (33.8) |
89.6 (32.0) |
81.7 (27.6) |
69.7 (20.9) |
57.3 (14.1) |
95.9 (35.5) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 32.7 (0.4) |
36.3 (2.4) |
46.9 (8.3) |
60.1 (15.6) |
71.5 (21.9) |
80.6 (27.0) |
84.0 (28.9) |
82.6 (28.1) |
76.5 (24.7) |
63.6 (17.6) |
49.7 (9.8) |
37.8 (3.2) |
60.2 (15.7) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 25.5 (−3.6) |
28.4 (−2.0) |
37.9 (3.3) |
49.7 (9.8) |
60.8 (16.0) |
70.5 (21.4) |
74.0 (23.3) |
72.3 (22.4) |
65.4 (18.6) |
53.2 (11.8) |
41.2 (5.1) |
30.8 (−0.7) |
50.8 (10.4) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 18.3 (−7.6) |
20.5 (−6.4) |
28.9 (−1.7) |
39.2 (4.0) |
50.2 (10.1) |
60.4 (15.8) |
64.0 (17.8) |
61.9 (16.6) |
54.3 (12.4) |
42.7 (5.9) |
32.7 (0.4) |
23.8 (−4.6) |
41.4 (5.2) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | −1.7 (−18.7) |
2.5 (−16.4) |
10.9 (−11.7) |
23.9 (−4.5) |
36.6 (2.6) |
46.5 (8.1) |
52.1 (11.2) |
50.2 (10.1) |
39.7 (4.3) |
29.3 (−1.5) |
19.4 (−7.0) |
4.4 (−15.3) |
−6.7 (−21.5) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −24 (−31) |
−21 (−29) |
−10 (−23) |
10 (−12) |
23 (−5) |
31 (−1) |
41 (5) |
35 (2) |
27 (−3) |
14 (−10) |
−4 (−20) |
−20 (−29) |
−24 (−31) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 2.63 (67) |
2.55 (65) |
2.78 (71) |
3.69 (94) |
3.72 (94) |
3.85 (98) |
3.43 (87) |
3.56 (90) |
3.11 (79) |
2.62 (67) |
2.94 (75) |
2.76 (70) |
37.64 (957) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 9.3 (24) |
7.4 (19) |
4.5 (11) |
0.3 (0.76) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.1 (0.25) |
0.7 (1.8) |
3.5 (8.9) |
25.8 (65.71) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 9.3 | 7.6 | 9.3 | 11.0 | 10.3 | 9.6 | 8.3 | 7.5 | 7.4 | 7.7 | 7.6 | 8.1 | 103.7 |
| Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) | 4.1 | 4.1 | 2.0 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.7 | 3.3 | 14.5 |
| Source 1: NOAA[11] | |||||||||||||
| Source 2: National Weather Service (mean maxima/minima 1981–2010)[12] | |||||||||||||
Demographics
edit| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1840 | 299 | — | |
| 1850 | 1,065 | 256.2% | |
| 1860 | 1,612 | 51.4% | |
| 1870 | 2,610 | 61.9% | |
| 1880 | 3,940 | 51.0% | |
| 1890 | 5,557 | 41.0% | |
| 1900 | 6,852 | 23.3% | |
| 1910 | 7,185 | 4.9% | |
| 1920 | 7,690 | 7.0% | |
| 1930 | 7,069 | −8.1% | |
| 1940 | 7,593 | 7.4% | |
| 1950 | 8,475 | 11.6% | |
| 1960 | 8,747 | 3.2% | |
| 1970 | 8,315 | −4.9% | |
| 1980 | 8,605 | 3.5% | |
| 1990 | 8,356 | −2.9% | |
| 2000 | 8,336 | −0.2% | |
| 2010 | 8,262 | −0.9% | |
| 2020 | 7,947 | −3.8% | |
| Sources:[4][13][14][15][16][17][18][19] | |||
2010 census
editAt the 2010 census, 8,262 people in 3,351 households, including 2,092 families, lived in the city. The population density was 1,836 persons per square mile (712.2/km2). The 3,773 housing units had an average density of 838.4 per square mile (323.7/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 96.2% White, 0.9% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.9% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 0.90%.[20]
Of the 3,351 households, 29.2% had children under 18 living with them, 40.1% were married couples living together, 6.6% had a male householder with no wife present, 15.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.6% were not families. About 31.9% of households were one person and 14.3% were one person 65 or older. The average household size was 2.40, and the average family size was 2.97.
The age distribution was 28.1% under 20, 6.5% from 20 to 24, 25.1% from 25 to 44, 24.8% from 45 to 64, and 15.5% 65 or older. The median age was 37.2 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.8 males.
2000 census
editAt the 2000 census, 8,336 people in 3,495 households, including 2,149 families, resided in the city. The population density was 1,860.6 inhabitants per square mile (718.4/km2). The 3,795 housing units at an average density of 847.0 per square mile (327.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 97.11% White, 0.91% African American, 0.28% Native American, 0.37% Asian, 0.32% from other races, and 1.01% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 0.90%.[4]
Of the 3,495 households, 29.9% had children under 18 living with them, 44.0% were married couples living together, 12.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.5% were not families. About 33.4% of households were one person, and 15.3% were one person 65 or older. The average household size was 2.34, and the average family size was 2.95.
The age distribution was 25.5% under 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 28.3% from 25 to 44, 21.3% from 45 to 64, and 15.9% were 65 or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.7 males. For every 100 females18 and over, there were 83.8 males.
The median household income was $29,065 and the median family income was $37,170. Males had a median income of $31,225 versus $19,413 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,324. About 11.6% of families and 16.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.0% of those under age 18 and 17.2% of those 65 or over.
Arts and culture
editKenton has a variety of attractions and activities. The Hardin County Courthouse is a historical site in the center of the public square. Kenton has one public library, the Mary Lou Johnson Hardin County District Library,[21] which was formerly located in a 1905 Carnegie library. The city's Hardin County Historical Museum is located in a near north side historic district.
Kenton's large Amish population sells produce, baked goods, and furniture. The Hardin County Fair is held during the week of Labor Day.
Parks and recreation
editThe city offers camping and fishing at Saulisberry Park located west of Kenton on Ohio State Route 67. This city park and reservoir was named in honor of former Mayor Helen Saulisberry.
Education
editKenton is home to the Kenton City School District, which includes an elementary school, Kenton Middle School, and Kenton High School. Kenton Elementary School opened in 2014; it replaced the three previous elementary and one kindergarten buildings. Simon Kenton, a special-education school, is run by a different board of education and is associated with the Harco Workshop for Developmental Disabilities.
The local high school is Kenton High School, with the nickname the "Wildcats". The Wildcat football team won consecutive state championships in 2001 and 2002 in division IV, was a runner-up in 2011 in Division IV, and as a runner-up in 2003 in Division III.[22][23]
Media
editTwo media outlets operate in Kenton: WKTN, a radio station, and The Kenton Times, a daily newspaper.
Notable people
edit- Jon Cross, state representative, Ohio House of Representatives (R-83rd District)
- John R. Goodin, Democratic congressman from Kansas
- William Lawrence, Republican congressman
- Fred Machetanz, writer, artist
- Jacob Parrott, first recipient of the Medal of Honor
- Paul Robinson, creator of the long-running Etta Kett comic strip for King Features Syndicate
- Luther M. Strong, US representative from Ohio
- Walt Slagle, American Baseball Pitcher
References
edit- ^ Collins, A. "Kenton City Council Swears in Mayor Jones-Webb – WKTN- A division of Home Town Media". WKTN. Home Town Media LTD. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
- ^ "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
- ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Kenton, Ohio
- ^ a b c "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- ^ Overman, William Daniel (1958). Ohio Town Names. Akron, OH: Atlantic Press. p. 69.
- ^ Kenton. "City of Kenton Web site". Archived from the original on September 2, 2011. Retrieved October 14, 2011.
- ^ Gene Autry cap guns. "Gene Autry cap guns". Retrieved October 14, 2011.
- ^ "The International Car Co., once a leading maker of..." UPI. February 18, 1983. Retrieved June 7, 2021.
- ^ "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 2, 2012. Retrieved January 6, 2013.
- ^ "U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Kenton, OH". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved March 5, 2023.
- ^ "NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS Cincinnati". National Weather Service. Retrieved March 5, 2023.
- ^ "Population of Civil Divisions Less than Counties" (PDF). Statistics of the Population of the United States at the Ninth Census. U.S. Census Bureau. 1870. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
- ^ "Population of Civil Divisions Less than Counties" (PDF). Statistics of the Population of the United States at the Tenth Census. U.S. Census Bureau. 1880. Retrieved November 28, 2013.
- ^ "Population: Ohio" (PDF). 1910 U.S. Census. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved November 28, 2013.
- ^ "Population: Ohio" (PDF). 1930 US Census. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved November 28, 2013.
- ^ "Number of Inhabitants: Ohio" (PDF). 18th Census of the United States. U.S. Census Bureau. 1960. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
- ^ "Ohio: Population and Housing Unit Counts" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved November 22, 2013.
- ^ 2020 United States Census, Kenton, Ohio, Total Population https://www.census.gov/search-results.html?searchType=web&cssp=SERP&q=Kenton%20city,%20Ohio
- ^ 2010 Census. "2010 Census". Retrieved October 17, 2011.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Mary Lou Johnson Hardin County District Library
- ^ OHSAA. "Ohio High School Athletic Association Web site". Retrieved December 31, 2006.
- ^ Yappi. "Yappi Sports Football". Archived from the original on January 13, 2007. Retrieved February 12, 2007.