Defiance County Public RecordsOhio

Defiance County, OH, has 18 public schools, including Defiance High School, serving around 6,100 K-12 students. About 89% of adults have a high school diploma, and 16% hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Average standardized test scores are near state averages; Defiance High earned a 5/10 on GreatSchools. School safety initiatives include resource officers and mental health programs. Adult education is available through Four County Career Center. Educational programs emphasize STEM, vocational training, and college prep to support diverse student pathways.

As of 2023, Defiance County, OH, posted an unemployment rate of approximately 3.6%. Major employment sectors include manufacturing (24%), health care and social assistance (14%), and retail trade (11%). Common occupations are production (21%), office and administrative support (12%), and sales (9%). Roughly 80% of working residents commute by car, with a mean commute time of 20 minutes. While the majority work within the county, about 35% commute to nearby counties, notably to Henry and Williams counties for employment.

Defiance County, OH, has a homeownership rate of about 74%, with median home values near $156,000 (2022). Median monthly rent is approximately $750. The housing market has shown moderate growth, with property values rising about 6% year-over-year. Housing types range from single-family homes dominating residential neighborhoods like Northtowne and Defiance City to some multi-family units. The effective property tax rate averages 1.18%, leading to median annual taxes of around $1,800. Overall, the area offers affordable options for buyers and renters alike.

Defiance County, Ohio, had approximately 25,000 registered voters in 2024. The Board of Elections oversees local, state, and federal elections, including primaries and general elections, with major parties being Republican and Democrat. In the 2020 presidential race, 73% voted Republican and 25% Democrat. Polling locations number around 25 across the county. Recent ballot issues include school levies and infrastructure funding. Voter turnout usually ranges from 60-75% in presidential cycles. The county election administration ensures compliance with Ohio laws and offers absentee and early voting options for all eligible residents.

As of the 2020 Census, Defiance County, OH had a population of 38,286. The median age was about 40.9 years. Gender distribution was nearly balanced, with 49.4% male and 50.6% female residents. Racially, the population was 90.6% White, 1.1% Black or African American, 0.3% Asian, 0.2% Native American, and 2.8% identifying as two or more races; 8.1% were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Defiance County, OH, maintains a moderate crime rate, with the latest FBI data (2021) reporting a violent crime rate of approximately 1.9 per 1,000 residents and a property crime rate of 12.7 per 1,000. The sheriff's office actively reports and updates crime statistics, reflecting community efforts to ensure safety. Compared to state averages, Defiance County’s rates are slightly below Ohio’s violent crime rate of 3.0 and property crime rate of 15.4 per 1,000. Local law enforcement prioritizes transparency, encouraging residents to report incidents and participate in neighborhood watch programs.