Adjacent counties

• Lorain County (north)
• Medina County (northeast)
• Wayne County (east)
• Holmes County (southeast)
• Knox County (southwest)
• Richland County (west)
• Huron County (northwest)

2000 census

As of the census^[12] of 2000, there were 52,523 people, 19,524 households, and 14,018 families living in the county. The population density was 124 inhabitants per square mile (48/km²).^[13] There were 20,832 housing units at an average density of 49 units per square mile (19/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.54% White, 0.81% Black or African American, 0.11% Native American, 0.55% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.21% from other races, and 0.76% from two or more races. 0.65% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 36.8% were of German, 27.4% English and 8.8% Irish ancestry according to Census 2000. 96.1% spoke English, 1.2% German and 1.0% Spanish as their first language.^[14]

There were 19,524 households, out of which 32.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.50% were married couples living together, 8.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.20% were non-families. 24.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.06.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.70% under the age of 18, 10.80% from 18 to 24, 26.50% from 25 to 44, 23.00% from 45 to 64, and 13.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 96.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $39,179, and the median income for a family was $46,306. Males had a median income of $32,585 versus $22,334 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,308. About 7.10% of families and 9.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.10% of those under age 18 and 7.50% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 53,139 people, 20,196 households, and 14,017 families living in the county.^[15] The population density was 125.6 inhabitants per square mile (48.5/km²). There were 22,141 housing units at an average density of 52.3 units per square mile (20.2 units/km²).^[16] The racial makeup of the county was 97.3% white, 0.7% black or African American, 0.5% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 0.2% from other races, and 1.0% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.9% of the population.^[15] In terms of ancestry, 32.7% were German, 26.2% were English, 11.2% were Irish, and 5.2% were Italian.^[17]

Of the 20,196 households, 30.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.6% were married couples living together, 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 30.6% were non-families, and 25.3% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.02. The median age was 39.3 years.^[15]

The median income for a household in the county was $44,542 and the median income for a family was $54,177. Males had a median income of $39,663 versus $31,012 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,558. About 10.2% of families and 15.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.6% of those under age 18 and 7.9% of those age 65 or over.^[18]

City

• Ashland (county seat)

Villages

Townships

Census-designated place

• Cinnamon Lake

Unincorporated communities

• Albion
• Mohicanville
• Nankin
• Nova
• Paradise Hill
• Redhaw
• Rowsburg
• Ruggles
• Sullivan
• Widowville