It is named after the Licking River, which is thought to be named for the salt licks that were in the area.[4] However, one account explains it as an English pronunciation of the river's indigenous Delaware name W'li/'ik'/nk, which means "where the flood waters recede".[5]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 687 square miles (1,780 km2), of which 683 square miles (1,770 km2) is land and 5.0 square miles (13 km2) (0.7%) is water.[6] It is the third-largest county in Ohio by land area.
U.S. Decennial Census[8] 1790-1960[9] 1900-1990[10] 1990-2000[11] 2010-2020[2]
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 146,491 people, 55,609 households, and 40,149 families living in the county. The population density was 212 inhabitants per square mile (82/km2). There were 58,760 housing units at an average density of 86 units per square mile (33 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 95.64% White, 2.06% Black or African American, 0.30% Native American, 0.58% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.30% from other races, and 1.10% from two or more races. 0.76% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.[12]
Of the 55,609 households 34.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.50% were married couples living together, 10.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.80% were non-families. 23.10% of households were one person and 9.10% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.01.
The age distribution was 26.00% under the age of 18, 8.80% from 18 to 24, 29.40% from 25 to 44, 23.90% from 45 to 64, and 11.90% 65 or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 94.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.00 males.
The median household income was $44,124 and the median family income was $51,969. Males had a median income of $37,957 versus $26,884 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,581. About 5.50% of families and 7.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.10% of those under age 18 and 7.50% of those age 65 or over.
2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 166,492 people, 63,989 households, and 45,162 families living in the county.[13] The population density was 243.9 inhabitants per square mile (94.2/km2). There were 69,291 housing units at an average density of 101.5 units per square mile (39.2 units/km2).[14] The racial makeup of the county was 93.2% white, 3.4% black or African American, 0.7% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 0.4% from other races, and 1.9% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.4% of the population.[13] In terms of ancestry, 29.5% were German, 16.0% were Irish, 13.0% were English, 10.8% were American, and 5.5% were Italian.[15]
Of the 63,989 households, 34.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.5% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 29.4% were non-families, and 23.8% of households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.00. The median age was 39.1 years.[13]
The median household income was $53,291 and the median family income was $64,386. Males had a median income of $47,391 versus $37,054 for females. The per capita income for the county was $25,534. About 8.2% of families and 11.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.7% of those under age 18 and 6.5% of those age 65 or over.[16]
Politics
United States presidential election results for Licking County, Ohio[17]
Prior to 1944, Licking County primarily supported Democratic Party candidates in presidential elections, only voting for Republican candidates five times from 1856 to 1940 in five national landslides for the party. From 1944 onward, the county has become a Republican stronghold presidentially, with the only Democratic presidential candidate to win the county since then being Lyndon B. Johnson in the midst of his 1964 national landslide.
Industry and business
An industrial history of Licking County
Since Licking County's establishment in 1808, businesses and industries have served as a source of employment, generating income and promoting economic growth. Notable industries include manufacturing, retail and wholesale trade, health care and social assistance, accommodation and food services. Manufacturing, agriculture, and services prove to be the major sectors of Licking County's industry.[18]
Manufacturing
Manufacturing is one of the largest industry sectors in Licking County.[19] Major establishments and advancements have been made by manufacturing facilities in the county by renowned companies or corporations, namely Invenergy, Armstrong World Industries, Intel, and Atkore.[20][21] These investments have provided Licking County residents with a diverse range of employment opportunties and facilitated its economic growth. However, in the past many other successful manufacturing companies have come to a close, such as Longaberger, Fyrepel, Meritor plant in Heath, and E.T. Rugg.[22][23][24] This shows the competitiveness of economic activity in the county. The glass-making industry, which has been established since the late 19th century from Newark with natural gas supplies, sand quarry, and cheap labor, is also a significant manufacturing sector in Licking County.[25]
Agriculture
Agriculture is regarded as a traditional cornerstone of Licking County. It secures the earnings and living of the residents by offering a variety of crops and livestock, such as corn, wheat, cattle, and goats. Charles Metz and Brothers Meat Market, a local agricultural company located in Newark, is a well known meat provider for regional butchers and markets.[26]Weiant Greenhouses was another local company that grew lettuce. It covered five acres of glass structures, becoming one of the largest greenhouses in Ohio and providing vegetables to three nearby states during its time. Unfortunately, it came to a close after a destructive storm in 1978.[27] While modern farmers have multiple advantages such as better agricultural equipment, pesticides and fertilizers, many have encountered challenges due to an increase in the cost of producing crops and raising livestock, and a declining payout as well.[28]
Services
The service industry, as a whole, has provided jobs for more than 30% of the employed population in Licking County.[19] From housing and dining services to entertainment services, a variety of services have been available in Licking County. Among these, Education Services and Accommodations & Food Services are considered the major forms of services. Educational institutions in Licking County include Denison University, Newark City Schools, and Columbus State Community College.[19] Meanwhile, Elliot's Wood Fired Kitchen & Tap, Shipp Brothers Brewing Restaurant & Taproom, and Three Tigers Brewing Co. are popular dining-service establishments in the county.
Contemporary business and industry in Licking County
AEP headquarters building in Columbus, Ohio
Licking County continues to see substantial growth in industries across multiple fields, especially traditional companies with major distribution. Manufacturing, Retail Trade, Health Care and Social Assistance are the top three industries in Licking County's employment for recent years.[29]
From 2017 to 2022, the number of jobs increased by 22.6% in Licking County, compared to the national growth rate of 3.8%. The number of jobs is projected to grow an additional 7,455 over the next 5 years. Licking County's manufacturing economy continued to grow with a 12% increase in manufacturing jobs between 2017 and 2022.[30]
In January 2022 Intel announced their intention to build a $20 billion semiconductor plant in Licking County that would employ up to 3,000 workers. The facility will be built on a 3,190 acre site that has been annexed from the Jersey Township to New Albany.[31] In March 2023, Invenergy invested $600 million in Illuminate USA, with the goal of manufacturing high-quality domestic solar panels and creating 850 new, high-paying jobs.[30]
Licking County schools won at least one state title in four straight sport seasons: Heath in both baseball and boys track and field (2007), Newark Catholic in football (2007), Newark in boys basketball (2008) and Lakewood in softball (2008).
Opioid and overdose crisis
In line with national and regional trends, opioid misuse led to increased rates of overdose and fatalities in Licking County over the last two decades.[36][37]Opioids, which encompass a variety of drugs, are often used for pain relief.[38] However, when opioids are taken in large doses, they can be fatal.[38] Synthetic varieties of opioids, such as fentanyl, have been listed as one of the main contributors to the ongoing crisis.[38] Evidence indicates that the opioid and overdose crises in Licking County have been affected by unemployment in the region, economic inequalities, and local, state, and federal responses to the crises.[36] Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, one director of a residential treatment center attributed isolation to the rise in overdose deaths across Licking County.[39] Others have attributed the rise in overdose deaths to a rise in fentanyl and its analogues in the drug supply.[36]
Statistics
Since 2001, unintentional drug overdose deaths in Licking County have increased.[40] Between 2001 and 2010, the number of unintentional overdose fatalities per year ranged from four to 24.[40] From 2011 to 2020, annual overdose deaths ranged from 13 to 47 per year.[40] In 2022, 58 people died in Licking County due to unintetional drug overdoses.[40] Licking County Memorial Health Systems found out that when focusing on fentanyl related deaths, the number increased by over 1000% between 2014 and 2018, from 2 to 21 deaths.[41] The Licking County Health Department reported that fentanyl played a role in nearly three quarters of overdose deaths in 2020 and 2021.[40]
Overdose Mapping
In 2020, the Licking County Health Department introduced a new overdose mapping system that began tracking fatal and nonfatal overdose cases in the region.[39] The system was designed, in part, to identify surges in overdoses that could then allow for more efficient and effective distribution of naloxone, a drug that reverses opioid overdose.[39] It is possible that the recent increases in overdoses throughout Licking County may be the result of more overdoses being reported across the county as a result of overdose mapping.[39]
Demographics
In 2021, of the 47 opioid related death, the primary group affected was white males between the ages 25-44. Annual data from the Licking County overdose fatality review illustrates 72% of overdoses in 2021 were male, while the remaining 28% were female.[42] The most affected age range was 35-44 years old, with 15 deaths, followed closely by those aged 25-34, with 14 deaths.[42] Additionally, 94% of deaths in 2021 were White/Caucasian and 6% were Black/African American. Regarding the level of education of those affected, 59.6% were high school graduates or had a GED, while 17% did not graduate high school. Additionally, 12.8% had a college education without a degree, and 8.5% held a college undergraduate degree.[42]
One method of stopping an overdose is applying narcan to the person's nose.
Refusal of Syringe Services Program
Syringe services programs (SSPs) offer drug users clean injection equipment and often other services, like referrals to treatment facilities, access to naloxone, and screenings for disease.[43] Evidene indicates that SSPs help prevent the spread of disease, increase the likelihood that drug users will enter treatment, and decrease overdose deaths.[43] Unsanitary syringe use has been a cause for the Hepatitis-C cases in the County.[44] Despite these facts, in 2019, the Licking County Health Department unanimously voted against implementing a syringe exchange program in the county, and in 2024 it indicated that it was not willing to revisit its decision.[44] Various organizations have taken issue with the Health Department's, decision, such as Licking County's branch of OhioCAN.
Resources available
Various programs have emerged in Licking County to address the opioid and overdose crises.The Licking County Linkages Program helps individuals recovering from substance addiction by providing health care.[45] In addition, their goals also revolve around reducing stigmas surrounding substance abuse as well as informing the general public of the dangers of drug consumption.[45] Other services throughout Licking County include disposal of unwanted pills which can be done at several police stations within the county.
Communities
Map of Licking County, Ohio with Municipal and Township Labels
^ abcShuler, Jack (2020). This is Ohio: the overdose crisis and the front lines of a new America (First hardcover ed.). Berkeley, California: Counterpoint. ISBN978-1-64009-355-3.
