Symmes Township, Hamilton County, Ohio Explained

Official Name:Symmes Township, Hamilton County, Ohio
Settlement Type:Township
Image Blank Emblem:SymmesLogo.jpg
Blank Emblem Size:200px
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:United States
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Name1:Ohio
Subdivision Type2:County
Subdivision Name2:Hamilton
Established Title1:Incorporated
Established Date1:January 19, 1822
Established Title2:?
Established Date2:1824
Unit Pref:Imperial
Area Total Km2:22.4
Area Land Km2:21.8
Area Water Km2:0.6
Population As Of:2020
Population Total:15642
Population Density Km2:717.52
Population Density Sq Mi:1858.38
Timezone:Eastern (EST)
Utc Offset:-5
Timezone Dst:EDT
Utc Offset Dst:-4
Elevation Footnotes:[1]
Elevation M:224
Elevation Ft:735
Coordinates:39.255°N -84.3014°W
Postal Code Type:ZIP code
Postal Code:45249
Area Code:513
Blank Name:FIPS code
Blank Info:39-76028[2]
Blank1 Name:GNIS feature ID
Blank1 Info:1086232

Symmes Township is one of the twelve townships of Hamilton County, Ohio, United States. The population was 15,642 as of the 2020 census.

History

Symmes Township is located in what was originally the Symmes Purchase. The township was incorporated by an act of the General Assembly on January 19, 1822.[3] [4] However, its year of establishment is usually given as 1824, as seen in the township's previous logo. In 1853, the Little Miami Railroad was completed, connecting the township to Cincinnati. Symmes Township survived a 1994 attempt to merge with Loveland,[5] as well as efforts the following year to incorporate most of Symmes and Deerfield Townships as the City of Heritage.[6]

Name

Named for John Cleves Symmes, it is one of two Symmes Townships statewide; the other Symmes Township is located in Lawrence County.

Geography

Located in the northeastern corner of the county, the township has been cut into two "islands" due to annexations by surrounding cities. They have the following borders:

The northern island

The southern island

Unincorporated communities

The cities of Indian Hill, Loveland, and Montgomery have annexed large portions of Symmes Township, especially Indian Hill. The following census-designated places (unincorporated communities) are in the township:

Demographics

2020 census

As of the census of 2020, there were 15,642 people living in the township, for a population density of 1,858.4 people per square mile (717.5/km2). There were 6,001 housing units. The racial makeup of the township was 72.4% White, 4.8% Black or African American, 0.1% Native American, 14.1% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 1.0% from some other race, and 7.5% from two or more races. 4.5% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.[7]

There were 5,663 households, out of which 38.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.7% were married couples living together, 11.7% had a male householder with no spouse present, and 14.6% had a female householder with no spouse present. 18.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.8% were someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73, and the average family size was 3.19.[7]

28.3% of the township's population were under the age of 18, 55.4% were 18 to 64, and 16.3% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.8. For every 100 females, there were 98.9 males.[7]

According to the U.S. Census American Community Survey, for the period 2016-2020 the estimated median annual income for a household in the township was $133,344, and the median income for a family was $168,254. About 2.8% of the population were living below the poverty line, including 1.7% of those under age 18 and 1.9% of those age 65 or over. About 68.1% of the population were employed, and 71.6% had a bachelor's degree or higher.[7]

Government

The township is governed by a three-member board of trustees, who are elected in November of odd-numbered years to a four-year term beginning on the following January 1. Two are elected in the year after the presidential election and one is elected in the year before it. There is also an elected township fiscal officer,[8] who serves a four-year term beginning on April 1 of the year after the election, which is held in November of the year before the presidential election. Vacancies in the fiscal officership or on the board of trustees are filled by the remaining trustees.

Police and fire protection in Symmes Township are the responsibility of the Hamilton County Sheriff and the Loveland-Symmes Fire Department respectively.

Parks

Symmes Township has 10 parks: Symmes Park, Home of the Brave Park, Hopewell Meadows Park, Stonebridge Park, Shore Drive Park, Seven Gables Park, Meade Historic Preserve, Little Miami Scenic Trail, Camp Dennison Nature Trail, and Blong Memorial Park.[9]

Education

Three different school districts include parts of the township:

Many private schools are located near Symmes Township as well, including Cincinnati Country Day School, Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy, Archbishop Moeller High School, Ursuline Academy, St. Margaret of York Elementary School, and St. Columban School.

The township is also served by a branch of the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County.[10]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: US Board on Geographic Names. 2008-01-31. United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25.
  2. Web site: U.S. Census website. United States Census Bureau. 2008-01-31.
  3. Book: Chase, Salmon Portland. Salmon P. Chase

    . The statutes of Ohio and of the Northwestern Territory, adopted or enacted from 1788 to 1833 inclusive. 3. Salmon P. Chase. Cincinnati. Corey & Fairbank. 1835. 2248. Chap. MMCIV.—An act to incorporate the township of Symmes, in the county of Hamilton. Passed, January 19, 1822: 20 O. L. L. 16..

  4. Book: Kilbourn, John . The Ohio Gazetteer, or, a Topographical Dictionary . Scott and Wright . 1833 . 12 December 2013 . 438.
  5. News: Ginny. Hunter. Petitions would put merger panel to vote Loveland Council hears residents. The Cincinnati Post. E. W. Scripps Company. Editorial 1. 1994-08-18. 2006-09-08.
  6. News: Ginny. Hunter. Growth spurs vision for new city Proponents could put 'Heritage' on map. The Cincinnati Post. E. W. Scripps Company. 14A. 1995-10-05. 2006-09-08.
  7. Web site: Symmes township, Hamilton County, Ohio - Census Bureau Profile . United States Census Bureau . 1 November 2023.
  8. http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/503.24 §503.24
  9. Web site: Symmes Township - departments. 2021-05-31. www.symmestownship.org.
  10. Web site: Symmes Township Branch . Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County . 12 June 2014.