Defiance County, Ohio

Founding: 1845
Parent counties: Henry, Paulding, and Williams

Namesake: The city of Defiance
Seat: Defiance (1845–)

Land area: 411 square miles

Population (2020): 38,286

Population (historic): 6,966 (1850); 15,719 (1870); 25,769 (1890); 24,498 (1910); 22,714 (1930)

Periods of population growth: 1850–1900; 1910s; 1930–1980; 1990s

Subdivisions: One city; three villages; 12 townships

Pre-1940 residences (estimated): 4,829 (28.8%)
Pre-1940 housing survival rate: 60.1%
Pre-1860 housing survival rate (1940): 9.6%

Farm housing in disrepair (1950): 5.2%

Nonfarm housing in disrepair (1950): 7%

Average farmhouse value (1930): $1,527
Average outbuilding value (1930): $1,738
Average farmhouse size (1940): 7.1 rooms
Number of farms (1920): 2,522
Average farm Size (1920): 77.6 acres
Sources of settlement: Germany, Pennsylvania, Indiana, and New York
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Defiance

Namesake: Fort Defiance, which once occupied the city's site

Founding: 1822 (platting); 1825 (post office); 1836 (incorporation)

Population (2020): 17,066

Population (historic): 800 (1850); 2,750 (1870); 7,694 (1890); 7,327 (1910); 8,818 (1930)

Periods of population growth: 1850–1890; 1910s; 1930–1980; 2000–2020
Pre-1940 residences (estimated): 2,272 (29.1%)
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Outstanding Buildings

1. House (c. 1875). 1037 Ney–Williams Center Road. Farmer. Italianate.
2. Lyman Langdon Tavern (1852). 8001 State Route 15. Noble. Razed.
3. William Rohn House (c. 1840). 29095 County Road 424. Richland. Greek Revival.
4. Joseph Hiester Farm (c. 1865). 28190 State Route 18. Richland.
5. Henry Greenler Farm (c. 1900). 29234 State Route 18. Richland. Queen Anne.
6. John Ort House (1841). 28804 State Route 18. Richland.

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