Official Name: | Eaton, Ohio |
Settlement Type: | City |
Motto: | "A Rural Community Growing In To The Future" |
Mapsize: | 250px |
Image Map1: | Map of Preble County Ohio Highlighting Eaton City.png |
Mapsize1: | 250px |
Map Caption1: | Location of Eaton in Preble County |
Subdivision Type: | Country |
Subdivision Name: | United States |
Subdivision Type1: | State |
Subdivision Name1: | Ohio |
Subdivision Type2: | County |
Subdivision Name2: | Preble |
Leader Title: | Mayor |
Leader Name: | Matt Venable[1] |
Area Footnotes: | [2] |
Area Total Sq Mi: | 6.43 |
Area Land Sq Mi: | 6.43 |
Area Water Sq Mi: | 0.01 |
Area Water Percent: | 0.16 |
Population As Of: | 2020 |
Population Total: | 8375 |
Population Density Sq Mi: | 1303.10 |
Population Est: | 8301 |
Pop Est As Of: | 2023 |
Pop Est Footnotes: | [3] |
Area Total Km2: | 16.67 |
Area Land Km2: | 16.65 |
Area Water Km2: | 0.02 |
Population Density Km2: | 503.12 |
Timezone: | EST |
Utc Offset: | −4 |
Timezone Dst: | EDT |
Utc Offset Dst: | −4 |
Coordinates: | 39.7475°N -84.6339°W |
Elevation Ft: | 1040 |
Postal Code Type: | Zip code |
Postal Code: | 45320 |
Area Code: | 937, 326 |
Blank Name: | FIPS code |
Blank Info: | 39-24234[4] |
Blank1 Name: | GNIS feature ID |
Blank1 Info: | 1086845 |
Unit Pref: | Imperial |
Eaton is a city in and the county seat of Preble County, Ohio, United States,[5] approximately west of Dayton. The population was 8,375 at the 2020 census, down 0.4% from the population of 8,407 at the 2010 census.[6]
Eaton was founded and platted in 1806 by William Bruce.[7] The village derives its name from Gen. William Eaton[8] (1764–1811), the U.S. Consul at Tunis, who led a diverse army in a harrowing march from Egypt to Tripoli to meet the U.S. Naval forces. In addition to the city of Eaton and the county of Preble, various streets in Eaton (Barron, Decatur, Israel, Wadsworth, and Somers) were named in honor of heroes of the First Barbary War and the Second Barbary War.[9]
The town grew quickly following its establishment. In 1846, the town first had 1000 inhabitants. This growth was primarily derived from the town's location at the strategic junction of two turnpikes. In 1849, Eaton was the site of a cholera outbreak. About half of the inhabitants fled; of the remaining 600 people, 120 died.[9]
In June 1859 a fire in Eaton destroyed thirteen of its primary business establishments. The total loss was estimated at $40,000 to $50,000. Caused by incendiaries, the fire scorched the courthouse and left it a brown color.[10]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.2sqmi, of which 6.19sqmi is land and 0.01sqmi is water.[11]
The city includes Crystal Lake and Seven Mile Creek. Parks include: Fort St. Clair, Water Works Park, 7-Mile Park, and Clarence Hook Memorial Park.
As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 8,375 people living in Eaton. The racial makeup of the city was 92.8% white, 0.9% black or African American, 0.2% American Indian, 0.9% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 0.6% from other races, and 4.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino ethnicity made up 1.2% of the population.[6]
As of the census[12] of 2010, there were 8,407 people, 3,486 households, and 2,181 families living in the city. The population density was 1358.2PD/sqmi. There were 3,903 housing units at an average density of 630.5/sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 96.3% White, 0.6% African American, 0.2% Native American, 1.0% Asian, 0.5% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.8% of the population.
There were 3,486 households, of which 30.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.2% were married couples living together, 13.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 37.4% were non-families. 32.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.90.
The median age in the city was 40.4 years. 23.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.7% were from 25 to 44; 25.7% were from 45 to 64; and 19.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.2% male and 52.8% female.
As of the census of 2000, there were 8,133 people, 3,274 households, and 2,183 families living in the city. The population density was 1434.2sp=usNaNsp=us. There were 3,467 housing units at an average density of 611.4sp=usNaNsp=us. The racial makeup of the city was 98.02% White, 0.39% African American, 0.09% Native American, 0.55% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.07% from other races, and 0.85% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.57% of the population.
There were 3,274 households, out of which 30.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.3% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.3% were non-families. 29.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.89.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 24.0% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 27.5% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 18.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $37,231, and the median income for a family was $42,241. Males had a median income of $32,404 versus $24,006 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,771. About 5.8% of families and 8.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.0% of those under age 18 and 9.5% of those age 65 or over.
Eaton hosts the annual Preble County Pork Festival, held the third full weekend each September, and the summer Preble County Fair.
Downtown Eaton is home to Preble Arts, the art center of Preble County Art Association.
Eaton has a branch and administrative offices of the Preble County District Library.[13]
Eaton Community Schools operates two elementary schools, one middle school, and Eaton High School.[14]
Edison State Community College operates a satellite campus in Eaton.[15]
Eaton has a sister city arrangement with Rödental bei Coburg, Germany.[18]