Editing Bluffton, Ohio

{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name            = Bluffton, Ohio
| settlement_type          = [[Village (United States)|Village]]
| image_skyline            = Downtown Bluffton.jpg
| image_caption            = Main Street in downtown
| image_flag               = Flag of Bluffton, Ohio.png
| image_seal               = 
| image_blank_emblem       = Logo of Bluffton, Ohio.svg
| blank_emblem_type        = logo
| nickname                 = 
| motto                    = "150 Years Of Progress"
| image_map                = OHMap-doton-Bluffton.png
| mapsize                  = 250px
| map_caption              = Location in the state of [[Ohio]]
| image_map1               = Map of Allen County Ohio Highlighting Bluffton Village.png
| mapsize1                 = 250px
| map_caption1             = Location of Bluffton in Allen County
| coordinates              = {{coord|40|53|22|N|83|52|45|W|region:US|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name         = United States
| subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1        = [[Ohio]]
| subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Ohio|Counties]]
| subdivision_name2        = [[Allen County, Ohio|Allen]], [[Hancock County, Ohio|Hancock]]
| subdivision_type3        = [[List of Ohio townships|Townships]]
| subdivision_name3        = [[Richland Township, Allen County, Ohio|Richland]], [[Orange Township, Hancock County, Ohio|Orange]]
| established_date         = 1861
| government_type          = 
| leader_title             = [[Mayor]]
| leader_name              = Richard Johnson{{cn|date=February 2024}}
| area_footnotes           = <ref name="TigerWebMapServer">{{cite web|title=ArcGIS REST Services Directory|url=https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/arcgis/rest/services/TIGERweb/Places_CouSub_ConCity_SubMCD/MapServer|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=September 20, 2022}}</ref>
| area_total_km2           = 9.78
| area_total_sq_mi         = 3.77
| area_land_km2            = 9.57
| area_land_sq_mi          = 3.69
| area_water_km2           = 0.21
| area_water_sq_mi         = 0.08
| elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_ft             = 820
| population_footnotes     = 
| population_total         = 3967
| population_as_of         = [[2020 United States Census|2020]]
| population_est           = 3903
| pop_est_as_of            = 2023
| pop_est_footnotes        = <ref name="2023 est">{{cite web |title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places in Ohio: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023 |url=https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/tables/2020-2023/cities/totals/SUB-IP-EST2023-POP-39.xlsx |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=4 June 2024}}</ref>
| population_density_km2   = 414.57
| population_density_sq_mi = 1073.61
| population_metro         = 
| timezone                 = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|EST]]
| utc_offset               = −5
| timezone_DST             = [[Eastern Daylight Time|EDT]]
| utc_offset_DST           = −4
| postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
| postal_code              = 45817
| area_code_type           = [[North American Numbering Plan|Area code]]
| area_code                = [[Area code 419|419]], [[Area code 567|567]]
| blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info               = 39-07426<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref>
| blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info              = 2398144<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2398144}}</ref>
| website                  = {{URL|https://www.bluffton-ohio.com/}}
| footnotes                = 
| unit_pref                = Imperial
}}
'''Bluffton''', originally known as Shannon, is a [[village (United States)#Ohio|village]] in [[Allen County, Ohio|Allen]] and [[Hancock County, Ohio|Hancock]] counties in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Ohio]].  The population was 3,967 at the [[2020 United States Census|2020 census]]. Bluffton is home to [[Bluffton University]], a four-year educational institution affiliated with [[Mennonite Church USA]]. Bluffton is served by the [[Bluffton Airport|Bluffton general aviation airport]]. Bluffton participates in the [[Tree City USA]] program.

The Allen County portion of Bluffton is part of the [[Lima, Ohio metropolitan area]], while the Hancock County portion is part of the [[Findlay, Ohio|Findlay Micropolitan Statistical Area]].

==History==
The village was founded in 1831 by Swiss Mennonites, German Reformists and Irish Catholics. It was originally named 'Crogan's Corners' after the postmaster. When the citizens chose to incorporate as a village, the Irish suggested the name 'Shannon' because of the green fields around the area. As there was already a village named Shannon in the state, the town was renamed Bluffton for the hilly terrain of the town site.<ref>{{cite book |last=Overman |first=William Daniel |url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015015361465;view=1up;seq=32 |title=Ohio Town Names |publisher=Atlantic Press |year=1958 |location=Akron, OH |page=16}}</ref>

Bank robber [[John Dillinger]] robbed the Bluffton Bank (now known as Citizens National Bank of Bluffton) of $6,000 on August 14, 1933.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wiley Wolf |first1=Jeannie |title='Bluffton has Public Enemy No. 1' |url=https://thecourier.com/news/376624/bluffton-has-public-enemy-no-1/#:~:text=Take%20Aug.%2C%2014%2C%201933%2C%20for%20instance.%20That's,Bank%20on%20South%20Main%20Street%20in%20Bluffton%2C |access-date=9 December 2024 |work=The Courier |publisher=The Courier |date=23 March 2022}}</ref>

In 2011, Bluffton celebrated its 150th birthday with a series of town-wide events.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bluffton celebrating 150th anniversary |url=https://www.toledoblade.com/local/2011/06/28/Bluffton-celebrating-150th-anniversary/stories/20110628009 |access-date=9 December 2024 |publisher=The Toledo Blade |date=28 June 2011}}</ref>

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the village has a total area of {{convert|3.62|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|3.55|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.07|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{cite web |title=US Gazetteer files 2010 |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 6, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125061959/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archive-date=January 25, 2012 }}</ref>

[[Riley Creek (Ohio)|Riley Creek]] flows through Bluffton.

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1870= 489
|1880= 1290
|1890= 1290
|1900= 1783
|1910= 1953
|1920= 1950
|1930= 2035
|1940= 2077
|1950= 2423
|1960= 2591
|1970= 2935
|1980= 3310
|1990= 3367
|2000= 3896
|2010= 4125
|2020= 3967
|estyear=2023
|estimate=3903
|estref=<ref name="2023 est"/>
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref>
}}

===2010 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name ="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=January 6, 2013}}</ref> of 2010, there were 4,125 people, 1,428 households, and 913 families living in the village. The [[population density]] was {{convert|1162.0|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 1,522 housing units at an average density of {{convert|428.7|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the village was 95.3% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 1.6% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.2% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.9% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.8% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 1.2% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 1.5% of the population.

There were 1,428 households, of which 29.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.4% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 8.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 36.1% were non-families. 33.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.95.

The median age in the village was 34 years. 19.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 21.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 19.2% were from 25 to 44; 20% were from 45 to 64; and 19% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the village was 45.6% male and 54.4% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 3,896 people, 1,329 households, and 851 families living in the village. The population density was {{convert|1,170.2|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 1,427 housing units at an average density of {{convert|428.6|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the village was 97.82% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.77% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.05% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.54% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.18% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.64% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 1.18% of the population.

There were 1,329 households, out of which 28.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.3% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 7.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.9% were non-families. 33.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 19.7% under the age of 18, 22.3% from 18 to 24, 21.3% from 25 to 44, 16.8% from 45 to 64, and 20.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 76.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 73.4 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $43,208, and the median income for a family was $54,948. Males had a median income of $40,208 versus $21,563 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the village was $18,711. About 4.9% of families and 5.7% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 3.6% of those under age 18 and 10.6% of those age 65 or over.

==Economy==
[[File:A Collage of Bluffton, Ohio.jpg|thumb|A Collage of Bluffton, Ohio]]
Bluffton is located approximately halfway between [[Lima, Ohio|Lima]] and [[Findlay, Ohio|Findlay]] in northwest Ohio along [[Interstate 75 in Ohio|Interstate 75]].

Modern manufacturing in Bluffton includes the international firm [[Sumitomo Riko]], a cooperative venture between Duramax and Tokai Rubber of Japan, that makes rubber components for the auto industry. GROB Systems, a division of the German company [[Grob Aircraft|GROB Group]], produces machining and automation systems at its plant in Bluffton.

The downtown area is anchored by the 19th century [[Seat of local government|town hall]] and includes a local [[Farmers' market|farmers market]] on Saturday mornings from May through October. With an average of 20 vendors, shoppers can choose from local foods and produce, as well as potted herbs, annuals, perennials, shrubs, and trees.<ref>Steiner, Fred. [http://www.blufftonicon.com/news/2010/04/12/farmers-market-opening-day-may-1 "Farmer's market opening day is May 1"], ''Bluffton Icon'', April 12, 2010.</ref>

[[Ten Thousand Villages]] is a fair-trade retailer that was founded in Bluffton. The shop sells products made by artisans in developing countries.

==Education==
===Elementary and secondary===
[[Bluffton High School (Ohio)|Bluffton High School]] sports participate in the [[Northwest Conference (OHSAA)|Northwest Conference]], an athletic body sanctioned by the [[Ohio High School Athletic Association]] (OHSAA) which includes the [[Ada, Ohio|Ada]] Bulldogs, [[Allen East High School|Allen East]] Mustangs, Bluffton Pirates, [[Columbus Grove, Ohio|Columbus Grove]] Bulldogs, [[Convoy, Ohio|Convoy Crestview]] Knights, [[Delphos, Ohio|Delphos Jefferson]] Wildcats, [[Van Wert, Ohio|Lincolnview]] Lancers, [[Paulding, Ohio|Paulding]] Panthers, and [[Spencerville, Ohio|Spencerville]] Bearcats.

===Higher education===
Bluffton is home to [[Bluffton University]], a four-year educational institution affiliated with the [[Mennonite Church USA]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.bluffton.edu | title=Homepage | publisher=Bluffton University | access-date=June 9, 2016}}</ref> Bluffton and the nearby [[University of Findlay]] announced a merger in March 2024, to be complete by fall 2025.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Spitalniak |first=Laura |date=March 21, 2024 |title=Bluffton U to merge with University of Findlay |url=https://www.highereddive.com/news/bluffton-u-merger-university-of-findlay-ohio-christian-private-colleges/711054/ |access-date=2024-03-23 |website=Higher Ed Dive |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Media==
[[WBWH-LP]] (96.1 FM) serves the Bluffton community as its only full-time radio station.

==Notable people==
* [[Trevor Bassitt]], American sprinter and 2024 Paris Olympics competitor.
* [[Tommy Boutwell]], American football player
* [[Tobias S. Buckell|Tobias Buckell]], science fiction writer
* [[Larry Cox (baseball)|Larry Cox]], Major League baseball player
* [[D. Michael Crites]], United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio
* [[James McIntire (politician)|James McIntire]], Washington state treasurer
* [[John Travis (physician)|John Travis]], doctor and pioneer in the Wellness movement

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Official website|https://www.bluffton-ohio.com/}}
{{Allen County, Ohio}}
{{Hancock County, Ohio}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Bluffton, Ohio| ]]
[[Category:Villages in Allen County, Ohio]]
[[Category:Villages in Hancock County, Ohio]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1831]]
[[Category:1831 establishments in Ohio]]
[[Category:Villages in Ohio]]