Editing Seneca County, Ohio

{{short description|County in Ohio, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Seneca County
 | state                = Ohio
 | ex image             = Justice Center.jpg
 | ex image cap         = [[Seneca County Justice Center]] in [[Tiffin, Ohio]]
 | flag                 = Flag of Seneca County, Ohio.png
 | seal                 = Seal of Seneca County Ohio.svg
 | founded year         = 1824
 | founded date         = April 1
 | seat wl              = Tiffin
 | largest city wl      = Tiffin
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 553
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 551
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 1.8
 | area percentage      = 0.3
 | census yr            = 2020
 | pop                  = 55069 {{decrease}}
 | pop_est_as_of        = 2024
 | population_est       = 
 | density_sq_mi        = 100
 | time zone            = Eastern
 | web                  = https://senecacountyohio.gov/
 | named for            = the [[Seneca nation]]
 | district             = 5th }}

'''Seneca County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] located in the [[Northwest Ohio|northwestern]] part of the [[U.S. state]] of [[Ohio]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population was 55,069.<ref name="2020 census">[https://www.census.gov/library/visualizations/interactive/2020-population-and-housing-state-data.html 2020 census]</ref> Its [[county seat]] is [[Tiffin, Ohio|Tiffin]].<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=June 7, 2011|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref> The county was created in 1820 and organized in 1824.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://publications.newberry.org/ahcbp/documents/OH_Individual_County_Chronologies.htm|title=Ohio: Individual County Chronologies|work=Ohio Atlas of Historical County Boundaries|publisher=The Newberry Library|date=2007|access-date=February 14, 2015|archive-date=April 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160406154847/http://publications.newberry.org/ahcbp/documents/OH_Individual_County_Chronologies.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> It is [[List of Ohio county name etymologies|named]] for the [[Seneca Indians]], the westernmost nation of the Iroquois Confederacy. This people were based in present-day New York but had territory extending into Pennsylvania and Ohio.<ref name = osuedc/> Seneca County comprises the Tiffin, OH [[Micropolitan Statistical Area]], which is also included in the [[Findlay–Tiffin, Ohio, CSA|Findlay–Tiffin, OH Combined Statistical Area]].

==History==
This area was long occupied by a succession of indigenous peoples. During and after the colonial period, French, British and American fur traders established relations with the historic peoples of the time.

The county was barely inhabited by European Americans until the 1830s, but this period was one of steady migration by settlers from New York and New England. The migration was stimulated by completion of the Erie Canal through New York, which connected the markets by the Great Lakes to the Hudson River and New York City. By 1860 the population of Seneca County had increased to about half the current number of residents. It was developed for agriculture, and grew slowly thereafter. In 1889 900 [[Luxembourgers|luxembourgers]] settled in Seneca County where they built substantial churches and schools.<ref>Luxembourg America, 19th,20th and 21th century - roots and leaves foundation 2015 p. 71.</ref>

Toward the end of the 19th century, during the [[Great Depression]], and the [[post–World War II baby boom]], this area had periods of greater population increase. In 1980 the census recorded a population of 61,901; the total has since declined. Since about 2000, the county's population declines by about 100–300 persons annually, mainly due to a migration deficit of about 300 persons annually. This decline is projected to continue in the future.<ref name = odod />

==Geography==
According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|553|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|551|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|1.8|sqmi}} (0.3%) is water.<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_39.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=February 11, 2015|date=August 22, 2012|title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140504223453/http://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_39.txt|archive-date=May 4, 2014}}</ref>

Almost 80% of the county's total area is [[agricultural]] land. Some 10% is covered by forest. Most of the rest is developed, with some allocated for [[pasture]]land.<ref name = odod />

The [[terrain]] of Seneca County is nearly level, gently sloping from about 290 meters [[Above mean sea level|ASL]] in the southeast to about 210 m ASL at the edge of the [[Great Black Swamp]] in the northwest. Most of the county's area is located between 230 and 260 m ASL, however. Almost the entire county belongs to the [[Sandusky River]] [[drainage basin]]; the river bisects the county from north to south slightly west of its middle. [[Tiffin, Ohio|Tiffin]] developed on both sides of the river, which flows north to its mouth at Lake Erie. There is some steeper terrain along the river's course, formed by the occasional [[ravine]] of its tributaries.<ref name = henninger1906/>

The [[Great Lakes]] moderate temperatures somewhat, but Seneca County has essentially a [[continental climate]]. After most of the forests were cleared for agricultural development, the [[microclimate]] was disrupted. Winters can be harsh, with plentiful snowfall due to [[lake-effect snow]]. Summers are often hot and oppressively humid, bordering on [[subtropical]]. The mostly featureless surface does not form any obstacles to the winter winds sweeping south from Canada, resulting in extreme [[wind chill]] at times. In a 1906 description, the local climate was described as "rather unhealthful".<ref name = henninger1906 />

===Adjacent counties===
* [[Sandusky County, Ohio|Sandusky County]] (north)
* [[Huron County, Ohio|Huron County]] (east)
* [[Crawford County, Ohio|Crawford County]] (southeast)
* [[Wyandot County, Ohio|Wyandot County]] (southwest)
* [[Hancock County, Ohio|Hancock County]] (west)
* [[Wood County, Ohio|Wood County]] (northwest)

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1830= 5159
|1840= 18128
|1850= 27104
|1860= 30868
|1870= 30827
|1880= 36947
|1890= 40869
|1900= 41163
|1910= 42421
|1920= 43176
|1930= 47941
|1940= 48499
|1950= 52978
|1960= 59326
|1970= 60696
|1980= 61901
|1990= 59733
|2000= 58683
|2010= 56745
|2020= 55069
|estyear=
|estimate=
|estref=
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=February 11, 2015}}</ref><br />1790-1960<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=February 11, 2015}}</ref> 1900-1990<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/oh190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|editor-last=Forstall|editor-first=Richard L.|date=March 27, 1995|access-date=February 11, 2015}}</ref><br />1990-2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327165705/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=March 27, 2010 |url-status=live|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|date=April 2, 2001|access-date=February 11, 2015}}</ref> 2020 <ref name="2020 census">[https://www.census.gov/library/visualizations/interactive/2020-population-and-housing-state-data.html 2020 census]</ref>
}}

===2000 census===
As of the [[United States Census, 2000|census of 2000]],<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> there were 58,683 people, 22,292 households, and 15,738 families residing in the county. The population density was {{convert|107|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 23,692 housing units at an average density of {{convert|43|/mi2|/km2|adj=pre|units&nbsp;}}. The racial makeup of the county was 95.04% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 1.76% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.18% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.38% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.01% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 1.39% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.25% from two or more races. 3.36% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.

There were 22,292 households, out of which 33.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.10% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 10.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.40% were non-families. 24.70% 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 26.00% under the age of 18, 10.40% from 18 to 24, 27.20% from 25 to 44, 22.40% from 45 to 64, and 14.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 98.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $38,037, and the median income for a family was $44,600. Males had a median income of $32,387 versus $22,383 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $17,027. About 6.10% of families and 9.00% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 9.60% of those under age 18 and 7.20% of those age 65 or over.

===2010 census===
As of the [[2010 United States Census]], there were 56,745&nbsp;people, 21,774&nbsp;households, and 14,870&nbsp;families residing in the county.<ref name="census-dp1">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US39147
  |title=DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data
  |access-date=December 27, 2015
  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213024238/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US39147
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
  |url-status=dead
  }}</ref> The population density was {{convert|103.0|PD/sqmi}}. There were 24,122 housing units at an average density of {{convert|43.8|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}.<ref name="census-density">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US39147
  |access-date=December 27, 2015
  |title=Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County
  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213234520/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US39147
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
  |url-status=dead
  }}</ref> The racial makeup of the county was 93.7% white, 2.3% black or African American, 0.6% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 1.3% from other races, and 1.9% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 4.4% of the population.<ref name="census-dp1"/> In terms of ancestry, 47.6% were [[Germans|German]], 10.4% were [[Irish people|Irish]], 8.9% were [[Americans|American]], and 8.2% were [[English people|English]].<ref name="census-dp2">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US39147
  |title=DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
  |access-date=December 27, 2015
  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213030045/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US39147
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
  |url-status=dead
  }}</ref>

Of the 21,774&nbsp;households, 31.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.6% were married couples living together, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 31.7% were non-families, and 26.3% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.97. The median age was 38.8 years.<ref name="census-dp1"/>

The median income for a household in the county was $42,573 and the median income for a family was $51,216. Males had a median income of $39,494 versus $30,286 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,976. About 8.7% of families and 11.9% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 17.9% of those under age 18 and 8.3% of those age 65 or over.<ref name="census-dp3">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US39147
  |title=DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
  |access-date=December 27, 2015
  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213013425/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US39147
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
  |url-status=dead
  }}</ref>

==Politics==
Prior to 1936, Seneca County had supported Democrats in presidential elections, supporting Republican candidates only four times from 1856 to 1932. But starting with the 1936 election, it has become a Republican stronghold in presidential elections. Its support for Democrats [[Lyndon B. Johnson]] in 1964 and [[Bill Clinton]] in 1996 were the exceptions.

{{PresHead|place=Seneca County, Ohio|source=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|first=David|last=Leip|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=April 6, 2018}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|17,241|7,765|398|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|17,086|8,266|496|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|14,825|7,404|1,954|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|13,243|11,353|747|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|13,823|13,087|643|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|15,886|10,957|148|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|13,863|9,512|976|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|9,713|10,044|3,754|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|1992|Republican|9,763|9,280|7,107|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|13,704|9,504|222|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|16,520|7,905|217|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|14,172|7,303|1,784|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|1976|Republican|11,730|10,074|712|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|13,939|8,180|799|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|12,040|8,970|2,010|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|9,536|14,518|0|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|15,772|10,001|0|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|17,728|6,260|0|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|17,750|7,060|0|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|1948|Republican|11,493|7,954|77|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|1944|Republican|15,137|6,224|0|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|1940|Republican|16,272|7,464|0|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|1936|Republican|9,953|8,982|3,324|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|9,007|11,894|383|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|13,369|8,136|82|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|1924|Republican|9,641|6,290|2,160|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|10,064|8,175|261|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|4,301|6,451|409|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|2,362|5,082|2,796|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|1908|Democratic|4,959|6,138|415|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|1904|Republican|5,291|4,757|372|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|1900|Democratic|4,904|5,946|240|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|1896|Democratic|4,988|6,347|130|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|1892|Democratic|4,195|5,378|537|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|1888|Democratic|4,165|5,232|271|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|1884|Democratic|4,004|4,950|205|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|1880|Democratic|4,008|4,845|132|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|1876|Democratic|3,793|4,515|15|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|1872|Democratic|3,128|3,462|48|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|1868|Democratic|2,977|3,540|0|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|1864|Democratic|3,042|3,285|0|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|1860|Democratic|3,052|3,175|113|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|1856|Democratic|2,565|2,605|103|Ohio}}
|}
{{U.S. SenHead|place=Seneca County, Ohio|Seat=1|source=<ref>{{cite news |title=2024 Senate Election (Official Returns) |website=Commonwealth of Texas by county |date=November 5, 2024 |access-date=December 5, 2024 |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-elections/ohio-senate-results}}</ref>}}
<!-- U.S. SenRow should be {{U.S. SenRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{U.S. SenRow|2024|Republican|15,420|8,509|1,163|Ohio}}
{{U.S. SenFoot}}

==Government and politics==
{{See also|Ohio county government}}

===County officials===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Office
! Name
! Party
|-
| Commissioner
| Tony Paradiso-President
| Republican
|-
| Commissioner
| William 'Bill' Frankart
| Republican
|-
| Commissioner
| Tyler Shuff-Vice President
| Republican
|-
| Prosecutor
| Derek W. DeVine
| Independent
|-
| Sheriff
| Fredrick W. Stevens
| Republican
|-
| Clerk of Courts
| Stephanie Hicks
| Republican
|-
| Recorder
| Michael Dell
| Republican
|-
| Treasurer
| Paul Harrison
| Republican
|-
| Engineer
| Mark Zimmerman
| Republican
|-
| Coroner
| Mark Akers
| Republican
|-
| Auditor
| Julie Adkins
| Republican
|-
| Common Pleas Court Judge
| Steve Shuff
| Republican
|-
| Common Pleas Court Judge
| Damon Alt
| Republican
|-
| Juvenile Court Judge
| Jay A. Meyer
| Republican
|}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.seneca-county.com/|title=Seneca County Commissioners - Welcome to the Frontpage!|website=www.seneca-county.com|access-date=April 6, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.senecarepublicans.org/county/|title=County|website=Seneca County Republican Party|access-date=April 6, 2018}}</ref>

==Transportation==

===Major highways===
* [[Image:US 23.svg|20px]]  [[U.S. Route 23]]
* [[Image:US 224.svg|20px]]  [[U.S. Route 224]]

===Other highways===
{{div col|colwidth=18em}}
* [[Image:OH-4.svg|20px]]  [[Ohio State Route 4|State Route 4]]
* [[Image:OH-12.svg|20px]]  [[Ohio State Route 12|State Route 12]]
* [[Image:OH-18.svg|20px]]  [[Ohio State Route 18|State Route 18]]
* [[Image:OH-19.svg|20px]]  [[Ohio State Route 19|State Route 19]]
* [[Image:OH-53.svg|20px]]  [[Ohio State Route 53|State Route 53]]
* [[Image:OH-67.svg|20px]]  [[Ohio State Route 67|State Route 67]]
* [[Image:OH-100.svg|20px]]  [[Ohio State Route 100|State Route 100]]
* [[Image:OH-101.svg|20px]]  [[Ohio State Route 101|State Route 101]]
* [[Image:OH-162.svg|20px]]  [[Ohio State Route 162|State Route 162]]
* [[Image:OH-228.svg|20px]]  [[Ohio State Route 228|State Route 228]]
* [[Image:OH-231.svg|20px]]  [[Ohio State Route 231|State Route 231]]
* [[Image:OH-587.svg|20px]]  [[Ohio State Route 587|State Route 587]]
* [[Image:OH-590.svg|20px]]  [[Ohio State Route 590|State Route 590]]
* [[Image:OH-635.svg|20px]]  [[Ohio State Route 635|State Route 635]]
* [[Image:OH-778.svg|20px]]  [[Ohio State Route 778|State Route 778]]
{{div col end}}

===Airports===
* [[Bandit Field Airdrome]]
* [[Fostoria Metropolitan Airport]]
* [[Seneca County Airport]]
* [[Weiker Airport]]

==Communities==
[[Image:Map of Seneca County Ohio With Municipal and Township Labels.PNG|thumb|right|300px|Map of Seneca County, Ohio With Municipal and Township Labels]]

===Cities===
* [[Bellevue, Ohio|Bellevue]] (partly)
* [[Fostoria, Ohio|Fostoria]] (partly)
* [[Tiffin, Ohio|Tiffin]] (county seat)

===Villages===
* [[Attica, Ohio|Attica]]
* [[Bettsville, Ohio|Bettsville]]
* [[Bloomville, Ohio|Bloomville]]
* [[Green Springs, Ohio|Green Springs]] (partly)
* [[New Riegel, Ohio|New Riegel]]
* [[Republic, Ohio|Republic]]

===Townships===
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
* [[Adams Township, Seneca County, Ohio|Adams]]
* [[Big Spring Township, Ohio|Big Spring]]
* [[Bloom Township, Seneca County, Ohio|Bloom]]
* [[Clinton Township, Seneca County, Ohio|Clinton]]
* [[Eden Township, Seneca County, Ohio|Eden]]
* [[Hopewell Township, Seneca County, Ohio|Hopewell]]
* [[Jackson Township, Seneca County, Ohio|Jackson]]
* [[Liberty Township, Seneca County, Ohio|Liberty]]
* [[Loudon Township, Seneca County, Ohio|Loudon]]
* [[Pleasant Township, Seneca County, Ohio|Pleasant]]
* [[Reed Township, Seneca County, Ohio|Reed]]
* [[Scipio Township, Seneca County, Ohio|Scipio]]
* [[Seneca Township, Seneca County, Ohio|Seneca]]
* [[Thompson Township, Seneca County, Ohio|Thompson]]
* [[Venice Township, Seneca County, Ohio|Venice]]
{{div col end}}

===Census-designated places===
* [[Bascom, Ohio|Bascom]]
* [[Flat Rock, Ohio|Flat Rock]]
* [[Fort Seneca, Ohio|Fort Seneca]]
* [[Kansas, Ohio|Kansas]]
* [[McCutchenville, Ohio|McCutchenville]]
* [[Melmore, Ohio|Melmore]]
* [[Old Fort, Ohio|Old Fort]]

===Unincorporated communities===
{{div col|colwidth=12em}}
* [[Adrian, Ohio|Adrian]]
* [[Alvada, Ohio|Alvada]]
* [[Amsden, Ohio|Amsden]]
* [[Angus, Ohio|Angus]]
* [[Berwick, Ohio|Berwick]]
* [[Caroline, Ohio|Caroline]]
* [[Carrothers, Ohio|Carrothers]]
* [[Cooper, Ohio|Cooper]]
* [[Cromers, Ohio|Cromers]]
* [[Fireside, Ohio|Fireside]]
* [[Frenchtown, Seneca County, Ohio|Frenchtown]]
* [[Iler, Ohio|Iler]]
* [[Lowell, Seneca County, Ohio|Lowell]]
* [[Maple Grove, Ohio|Maple Grove]]
* [[Omar, Ohio|Omar]]
* [[Reedtown, Ohio|Reedtown]]
* [[Rehoboth, Seneca County, Ohio|Rehoboth]]
* [[Rockaway, Ohio|Rockaway]]
* [[Saint Stephens, Ohio|Saint Stephens]]
* [[Siam, Ohio|Siam]]
* [[Springville, Seneca County, Ohio|Springville]]
* [[Swander, Ohio|Swander]]
* [[Watson, Ohio|Watson]]
* [[West Lodi, Ohio|West Lodi]]
{{div col end}}

==Places of interest==
* [[Seneca Caverns (Ohio)|Seneca Caverns]]

==Natural history==
Before widespread settlement, the area of Seneca County was for the most part woodland. Besides the fringe of the [[Great Black Swamp]] in the northwest, there was also an extensive area of marshland in the [[Bloomville, Ohio|Bloomville]] area as well as smaller patches of swamp terrain which were formed due to the county's essentially level terrain.<ref name = henninger1906 /> [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] inhabitants and later settlers used the region mainly for hunting [[fur]] animals, with little [[agriculture]] of note until the early 19th century.

Starting in the early-mid 19th century, the county's area was subject to wholesale [[deforestation]]. This led to massive alteration of much of the local wildlife, with grassland and farmland animals replacing the native woodland [[fauna]]. [[Bird migration|Migrant]] waterbirds, in ancient times commonly encountered throughout the region as they foraged in the swamps on their way south, are nowadays rare and concentrate on the few remaining waterbodies large enough to sustain them. The [[passenger pigeon]] (''Ectopistes migratorius'') had several roosting (and probably nesting) places in the county when it was still wooded. Removal of the forest had driven the birds away by the 1860s, foreshadowing its eventual total [[extinct]]ion due to large-scale logging which rendered this species unable to sustain the massive hunting pressure.<ref name = henninger1906 />

Several [[species]] of waterbirds, formerly frequently encountered during migration, are only rarely seen nowadays. These include, for example, the [[common loon]] (''Gavia immer''), [[American wigeon]] (''Anas americana''), [[Redhead (duck)|redhead]] (''Aythya americana''), [[canvasback]] (''Aythya valisneria''), and several species of [[merganser]]s.<ref name = henninger1906 />

Landbirds were apparently less seriously affected; apart from the [[passenger pigeon]], the [[ruffed grouse]] (''Bonasa umbellus''), [[wild turkey]] (''Meleagris gallopavo''), [[golden eagle]] (''Aquila chrysaetos'') and [[marsh wren]] (''Cistothorus palustris'') had essentially or completely disappeared by 1900. However, it is not known how many of the numerous species of [[New World warbler]]s, most of which today only occur only as transient migrants, formerly bred in Seneca County.<ref name = henninger1906 />

The [[Eskimo curlew]] (''Numenius borealis''), possibly extinct today, occurred as a transient in Ohio until about 1900; to what extent it migrated through Seneca County is not well known but even if it did it is unlikely that it was often seen after deforestation had gotten underway in earnest. The extinct [[Carolina parakeet]] (''Conuropsis carolinensis'') – or probably individuals of the western [[subspecies]], the Louisiana Parakeet (''C. c. ludovicianus'') – may have on occasion have occurred in Seneca County as a vagrant before 1862.<ref name = henninger1906/><ref name= OOS/>

The only record of the [[long-billed murrelet]] (''Brachyramphus perdix'') in Ohio comes from Seneca County. A stray individual of this [[North Pacific]] [[auk]] was observed and photographed between November 12–18, 1996. The rare [[Kirtland's warbler]] (''Setophaga kirtlandii'') is again increasing in numbers and may occasionally range as far north as Seneca County.<ref name = henninger1906/><ref name= OOS/>

The introduced [[house sparrow]] (''Passer domesticus'') is common since at least the late 19th century. The [[ring-necked pheasant]] (''Phasianus colchicus''), another species introduced from [[Europe]], never seems to have become really plentiful, though it has been a breeding resident since at least 1901.<ref name = henninger1906/><ref name= OOS/>

==See also==
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Seneca County, Ohio]]

==References==
{{reflist|30em|refs=
<ref name = henninger1906>{{cite journal|author=Henninger, W.F. |title=A Preliminary List of the Birds of Seneca County, Ohio|journal=[[Wilson Bulletin]]|volume=18|issue=2 |year=1906|pages=47–60|url=http://sora.unm.edu/sites/default/files/journals/wilson/v018n02/p0047-p0060.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141018041540/http://sora.unm.edu/sites/default/files/journals/wilson/v018n02/p0047-p0060.pdf |archive-date=October 18, 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref>
<ref name=odod>Ohio Department of Development, Office of Strategic Research (2007): [http://www.odod.state.oh.us/research/FILES/S0/Seneca.pdf Ohio County Profiles: Seneca County] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070621230549/http://www.odod.state.oh.us/research/FILES/S0/Seneca.pdf |date=June 21, 2007 }}.</ref>
<ref name=OOS>Ohio Ornithological Society (2004): [http://www.ohiobirds.org/publications/OBRClist.pdf Annotated Ohio state checklist] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040718101517/http://www.ohiobirds.org/publications/OBRClist.pdf |date=July 18, 2004 }}. Version of April 2004.</ref>
<ref name = osuedc>[[Ohio State University]] Extension Data Center (2006): Seneca County data. Version of 2006-FEB-09. Retrieved 2007-APR-28.<!-- http://www.osuedc.org/profiles/profile_entrance.php?fips=39147&sid=0 [the EDC web page is not functional 2008-FEB-10] --></ref>
}}

==External links==
{{Wikivoyage|Seneca County (Ohio)}}
* [https://archive.org/details/acentennialbiog01compgoog ''A Centennial Biographical History of Seneca County, Ohio.''] Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1902.
* [http://www.senecacounty.com County website]

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Seneca County, Ohio
|North     = [[Sandusky County, Ohio|Sandusky County]]
|Northeast =
|East      = [[Huron County, Ohio|Huron County]]
|Southeast = [[Crawford County, Ohio|Crawford County]]
|South     =
|Southwest = [[Wyandot County, Ohio|Wyandot County]]
|West      = [[Hancock County, Ohio|Hancock County]]
|Northwest = [[Wood County, Ohio|Wood County]]
}}
{{Seneca County, Ohio}}
{{Ohio}}

{{authority control}}

{{coord|41.13|-83.13|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-OH_source:UScensus1990}}

[[Category:Seneca County, Ohio| ]]
[[Category:1824 establishments in Ohio]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1824]]