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Licking County, Ohio

Coordinates: 40°05′N 82°29′W / 40.09°N 82.48°W / 40.09; -82.48
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Licking County
County
Licking County Courthouse
Licking County Courthouse
Flag of Licking County
Flag
Official seal of Licking County
Seal
Map of Ohio highlighting Licking County
Location within the U.S. state of Ohio
Map of the United States highlighting Ohio
Ohio's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 40°05′N 82°29′W / 40.09°N 82.48°W / 40.09; -82.48
Country United States
State Ohio
FoundedMarch 1, 1808[1]
SeatNewark
Largest cityNewark
Area
 • Total687 sq mi (1,780 km2)
 • Land683 sq mi (1,770 km2)
 • Water5.0 sq mi (13 km2)  0.7%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total178,519
 • Estimate 
(2021)
180,401 Increase
 • Density260/sq mi (100/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district12th
Websitewww.lcounty.com

Licking County is a county located in the central portion of the U.S. state of Ohio. At the 2020 census, the population was 178,519.[2] Its county seat is Newark.[3] The county was formed on January 30, 1808, from portions of Fairfield County.

It is named after the Licking River, which is thought to be named for the salt licks that were in the area.[4] However, one account explains it as an English pronunciation of the river's indigenous Delaware name W'li/'ik'/nk, which means "where the flood waters recede".[5]

Licking County is part of the Columbus, OH Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography

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According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 687 square miles (1,780 km2), of which 683 square miles (1,770 km2) is land and 5.0 square miles (13 km2) (0.7%) is water.[6] It is the third-largest county in Ohio by land area.

Adjacent counties

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Major highways

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18103,852—
182011,861207.9%
183020,86975.9%
184035,09668.2%
185038,84610.7%
186037,011−4.7%
187035,756−3.4%
188040,45013.1%
189043,2797.0%
190047,0708.8%
191055,59018.1%
192056,4261.5%
193059,9626.3%
194062,2793.9%
195070,64513.4%
196090,24227.7%
1970107,79919.5%
1980120,98112.2%
1990128,3006.0%
2000145,49113.4%
2010166,49214.4%
2020178,5197.2%
2021 (est.)180,401[7]1.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]
1790-1960[9] 1900-1990[10]
1990-2000[11] 2010-2020[2]

2000 census

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As of the census of 2000, there were 146,491 people, 55,609 households, and 40,149 families living in the county. The population density was 212 inhabitants per square mile (82/km2). There were 58,760 housing units at an average density of 86 units per square mile (33 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 95.64% White, 2.06% Black or African American, 0.30% Native American, 0.58% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.30% from other races, and 1.10% from two or more races. 0.76% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.[12] Of the 55,609 households 34.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.50% were married couples living together, 10.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.80% were non-families. 23.10% of households were one person and 9.10% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.01.

The age distribution was 26.00% under the age of 18, 8.80% from 18 to 24, 29.40% from 25 to 44, 23.90% from 45 to 64, and 11.90% 65 or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 94.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.00 males.

The median household income was $44,124 and the median family income was $51,969. Males had a median income of $37,957 versus $26,884 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,581. About 5.50% of families and 7.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.10% of those under age 18 and 7.50% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

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As of the census of 2010, there were 166,492 people, 63,989 households, and 45,162 families living in the county.[13] The population density was 243.9 inhabitants per square mile (94.2/km2). There were 69,291 housing units at an average density of 101.5 units per square mile (39.2 units/km2).[14] The racial makeup of the county was 93.2% white, 3.4% black or African American, 0.7% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 0.4% from other races, and 1.9% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.4% of the population.[13] In terms of ancestry, 29.5% were German, 16.0% were Irish, 13.0% were English, 10.8% were American, and 5.5% were Italian.[15]

Of the 63,989 households, 34.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.5% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 29.4% were non-families, and 23.8% of households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.00. The median age was 39.1 years.[13]

The median household income was $53,291 and the median family income was $64,386. Males had a median income of $47,391 versus $37,054 for females. The per capita income for the county was $25,534. About 8.2% of families and 11.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.7% of those under age 18 and 6.5% of those age 65 or over.[16]

Politics

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Prior to 1944, Licking County primarily supported Democratic Party candidates in presidential elections, only voting for Republican candidates five times from 1856 to 1940 in five national landslides for the party. From 1944 onward, the county has become a Republican stronghold presidentially, with the only Democratic presidential candidate to win the county since then being Lyndon B. Johnson in the midst of his 1964 national landslide.

United States presidential election results for Licking County, Ohio[17]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 59,514 63.05% 33,055 35.02% 1,827 1.94%
2016 51,241 61.28% 27,376 32.74% 5,007 5.99%
2012 45,503 55.80% 34,201 41.94% 1,846 2.26%
2008 46,918 56.82% 33,932 41.09% 1,720 2.08%
2004 49,016 61.72% 30,053 37.84% 351 0.44%
2000 37,180 59.52% 23,196 37.13% 2,090 3.35%
1996 28,276 48.78% 22,624 39.03% 7,067 12.19%
1992 26,918 44.54% 18,898 31.27% 14,618 24.19%
1988 34,540 66.72% 16,793 32.44% 434 0.84%
1984 37,560 72.26% 13,995 26.93% 421 0.81%
1980 28,425 58.28% 17,208 35.28% 3,136 6.43%
1976 23,518 53.78% 19,247 44.01% 968 2.21%
1972 28,070 66.47% 12,460 29.50% 1,702 4.03%
1968 19,542 48.89% 15,021 37.58% 5,407 13.53%
1964 15,096 39.25% 23,364 60.75% 0 0.00%
1960 23,653 63.95% 13,335 36.05% 0 0.00%
1956 21,912 67.44% 10,581 32.56% 0 0.00%
1952 20,385 63.50% 11,718 36.50% 0 0.00%
1948 15,164 54.62% 12,511 45.07% 87 0.31%
1944 16,815 56.74% 12,819 43.26% 0 0.00%
1940 16,288 49.86% 16,379 50.14% 0 0.00%
1936 11,958 39.37% 17,785 58.56% 629 2.07%
1932 13,355 48.01% 13,904 49.99% 556 2.00%
1928 19,130 72.14% 7,244 27.32% 143 0.54%
1924 13,914 58.49% 7,428 31.23% 2,446 10.28%
1920 11,924 51.89% 10,679 46.47% 378 1.64%
1916 5,935 40.93% 8,183 56.43% 382 2.63%
1912 4,487 33.73% 6,120 46.01% 2,694 20.25%
1908 6,756 44.55% 7,685 50.67% 725 4.78%
1904 6,798 51.04% 6,019 45.19% 503 3.78%
1900 5,854 46.09% 6,716 52.88% 130 1.02%
1896 5,560 45.32% 6,611 53.89% 96 0.78%
1892 4,619 41.97% 6,038 54.87% 348 3.16%
1888 4,867 43.04% 6,199 54.82% 241 2.13%
1884 4,599 42.97% 5,958 55.67% 145 1.35%
1880 4,210 42.62% 5,575 56.44% 93 0.94%
1876 3,962 41.84% 5,473 57.79% 35 0.37%
1872 3,493 43.01% 4,562 56.17% 67 0.82%
1868 3,487 44.03% 4,432 55.97% 0 0.00%
1864 3,312 46.22% 3,853 53.78% 0 0.00%
1860 3,502 47.06% 3,154 42.38% 786 10.56%
1856 3,027 44.42% 3,371 49.46% 417 6.12%

Industry and business

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An Industrial History of Licking County

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Throughout Licking County’s over 200-year history, countless businesses and industries have served as a source of employment, income, and economic growth. Famous businesses and industries include manufacturing, retail and wholesale trade, health care and social assistance, accommodation and food services. Manufacturing, agriculture, and services prove to be the major sectors of Licking County’s industry.[18]

Manufacturing

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There have recently been major establishments and advancements of manufacturing facilities in the county put forth by renowned companies, or corporations, namely Invenergy, Armstrong World Industries, Intel, and Atkore.[19][20] Such investments have provided Licking County residents with a diverse range of employment and facilitated its economic growth. However, many no-less-successful manufacturing companies have come to a close in the past such as Longaberger, Fyrepel, Meritor plant in Heath, and E.T. Rugg.[21][22][23] This has partly shown the competitive scene of economic activities in the county.

Agriculture

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Agriculture can be regarded as a traditional cornerstone of Licking County. It secures the earning and living of the residents by offering a variety of crops and livestock, such as corn, wheat, cattle, and goats. Charles Metz and Brothers Meat Market is a local agricultural company located in Newark, which is best known as a meat provider for regional butchers and markets.[24] Weiant Greenhouses was another local company that grew lettuce. It covered five acres of glass structures, becoming one of the largest greenhouses in Ohio and providing vegetables to three nearby states during its time. Unfortunately, it had come to a close after a destructive storm in 1978.[25] While modern farmers have multiple advantages such as better agricultural equipment, pesticides and fertilizers, many have encountered challenges owing to an increase in the cost of producing crops and raising livestock, and declining payout as well.[26]

Services

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There has been a variety of services available in Licking County, from housing and dining services to entertainment services. Service industry, as a whole, has provided jobs for more than 30% of the employed population in Licking County.[27] Among these, Education Services and Accommodations & Food Services are considered the major forms of services. Schools, colleges, and educational institutions in Licking County include Denison University, Newark City Schools, and Columbus State Community College. Meanwhile, Elliot’s Wood Fired Kitchen & Tap, Shipp Brothers Brewing Restaurant & Taproom, and Three Tigers Brewing Co. are popular dining-service establishments in the county.

Contemporary Business and Industry in Licking County

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Licking County continues to see substantial growth in industry across multiple fields, especially the traditional ones with major distribution. Manufacturing, Retail Trade, Health Care and Social Assistance are the top three industries in Licking County's employment for recent years.[28]

From 2017 to 2022, the number of jobs increased by 22.6% in Licking County, compared to the national growth rate of 3.8%. The number of jobs is projected to grow by an additional 7,455 over the next 5 years. Licking County's manufacturing economy continues to grow with a 12% increase in manufacturing jobs between 2017 and 2022.[29]

In January 2022 Intel announced their intention to build a $20 billion semiconductor plant in Licking County that would employ up to 3,000 workers. The facility will be built on 3,190 acres site that have been annexed from Jersey township to New Albany.[30] In March 2023, Invenergy invested $600 million in Illuminate USA, with the goal of manufacturing high-quality domestic solar panels and creating 850 new, high-paying jobs.[29]

Top 10 employers in Licking County:[31]

  1. Amazon
  2. Licking Memorial
  3. Ascena Retail
  4. Kroger
  5. Licking County Gov't
  6. Owens Corning
  7. AEP Ohio
  8. L Brands
  9. Anomatic
  10. Denison University

Places of interest

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View from a section of the Great Circle Earthworks, part of the Newark Earthworks.

Sports

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Longaberger former headquarters in Newark, Ohio, a giant Longaberger medium market basket.

Licking County high school athletic programs include Granville High School, Heath High School, Johnstown-Monroe High School, Lakewood High School, Licking Valley High School, Licking Heights High School, Newark Catholic High School, Newark High School, Northridge High School, Utica High School, and Watkins Memorial High School. In baseball, a state title has been won by a Licking County high school team every year since to 2002, when three Licking County teams won state titles. Newark Catholic High School and Heath High School have combined for nine state titles in a six-year span.

Licking County schools won at least one state title in four straight sport seasons: Heath in both baseball and boys track and field (2007), Newark Catholic in football (2007), Newark in boys basketball (2008) and Lakewood in softball (2008).

Opioid and Overdose Crisis

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The opioid crisis, described as the increased misuse of drugs under the class of opioids that has led to many overdoses and deaths, is an epidemic that has impacted the United States in the late 20th and early 21st century. Across Ohio, overdose-related deaths grew larger than deaths related to car crashes in 2007. In 2022, opioid-related overdoses made up 84% of all accidental overdoses in Ohio. In Licking County, there are 34.6 deaths due to overdoses per 100,000 citizens. From the years 2013 to 2022, overdose-related deaths grew larger than doubled from 23 overdose deaths in 2013 to 58 in 2022[35]. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, health director, Dr. William Highberger attributed isolation as one of the leading causes for the rise in overdose deaths across Licking County[36], while author and professor Jack Shuler attributes the rise in overdose deaths to a rise in fentanyl and its analogues in the drug supply; local, state, and federal responses to the crisis; and as well as increased unemployment and economic inequalities in the region.[37]

Statistics

Over the years, overdose deaths have gradually increased. Constant addiction has the possibility of fatality, which has grown over the past few years. Licking Memorial Health Systems collects data every year which includes unintentional overdose deaths. Their statistics pointed to 41 deaths in 2018 and 47 in 2021[38]. This marks a sharp increase of deaths due to overdose of over double from 2014 to 2020. Licking County Memorial found that when only considering fentanyl related deaths, the number has increased by over 1000% from 2 deaths in 2014 to 21 in 2018.[38]

Demographics

Of the 47 opioid related deaths in 2021 the primary group affected were white males between the ages 25-44. Data from the Licking County annual overdose fatality review reveals 72% of overdoses in 2021 were male while the remaining 28% were female. The most affected age ranges were 35-44 years old, with 15 deaths, followed closely by those aged 25-34, with 14 deaths. Additionally, 94% of deaths in 2021 were White/Caucasian and 6% were Black/African American. In regards to the level of education of those affected, 59.6% were high school graduates or had a GED, while 17% did not graduate high school. Additionally, 12.8% had a college education without a degree, and 8.5% held a college undergraduate degree. Fentanyl was involved in 72.3% of cases, making it the leading substance in these overdoses.[39]

Licking County's Response

In 2020, the Licking County Health Department introduced a new overdose mapping system which tracked fatal and nonfatal overdose cases in the region of Licking County. Logan Legg, the coordinator of the overdose mapping program in Licking County, hopes that through expediting the process of data collection on fatal and nonfatal overdose cases, county alerts or distribution of naloxone can be made a lot more efficient. Coinciding with the creation of overdose mapping, LCHD spokesperson Katie Beaver stated that the increase of overdoses throughout Licking County may just be a result of more overdoses being reported across the county as a result of overdose mapping.[36]

In 2019, the Licking County Health Department unanimously voted against implementing a syringe exchange program in the county. When approached about their decision to not pursue a syringe exchange program once again in 2024, the Health Department said the following, “This remains the case in 2024 and there are no plans to revisit this decision at this time.” Various organizations have taken issue with the LCHDs decision such as Licking County’s branch of Ohio CAN. The organization has noted the that unsanitary syringe use has been a cause for the rise in Hepatitis-C. [40]

Resources Available

In the wake of the crisis, Licking County has also established various other programs to combat the opioid crisis:

The Licking County Linkages Program helps individuals recovering from substance addiction by providing resources like access to health care. In addition, their goals also revolve around reducing stigmas surrounding substance abuse as well as informing the general public of the dangers of drug consumption.[41]

Other services throughout Licking County include disposal of unwanted pills which can be done at several police stations within the county.

Communities

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Map of Licking County, Ohio with Municipal and Township Labels

Cities

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Villages

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Townships

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[42]

Census-designated places

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Unincorporated communities

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Ohio County Profiles: Licking County" (PDF). Ohio Department of Development. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 21, 2007. Retrieved April 28, 2007.
  2. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 21, 2022.
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 186.
  5. ^ Mahr, August C. (April 1957). "Indian River and Place Names in Ohio". Ohio Archaeological and Historical Quarterly. 66 (2): 146–148.
  6. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on May 4, 2014. Retrieved February 8, 2015.
  7. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2021". Retrieved October 21, 2022.
  8. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 8, 2015.
  9. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved February 8, 2015.
  10. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 8, 2015.
  11. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved February 8, 2015.
  12. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  13. ^ a b c "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  14. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  15. ^ "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  16. ^ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  17. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved May 2, 2018.
  18. ^ "Licking County, OH | Data USA". datausa.io. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  19. ^ "2022 Year in Review". GROW Licking County. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  20. ^ "2023 Year in Review & Trends to Watch". GROW Licking County. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  21. ^ "Fyrepel - Licking County Library's Wiki!". wiki.lickingcountylibrary.info. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  22. ^ "E.T. Rugg Company - Licking County Library's Wiki!". wiki.lickingcountylibrary.info. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  23. ^ Mallett, Kent. "Meritor announces closing of Heath plant". The Advocate. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  24. ^ "Charles Metz and Brothers Meat Market - Licking County Library's Wiki!". wiki.lickingcountylibrary.info. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  25. ^ "Weiant Greenhouses - Licking County Library's Wiki!". wiki.lickingcountylibrary.info. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
  26. ^ "Farming - Licking County Library's Wiki!". wiki.lickingcountylibrary.info. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
  27. ^ "Licking County, OH | Data USA". datausa.io. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  28. ^ "Ohio Economic Profile Licking County" (PDF). Ohio Labor Market Information. July 2021. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
  29. ^ a b "2023 Year in Review & Trends to Watch". GROW Licking County. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  30. ^ Williams, Mark; Trombly, Monroe (January 14, 2022). "What we know about Intel factory coming to Columbus area". The Columbus Dispatch.
  31. ^ Mallett, Kent. "Amazon, Ascena, L Brands among county's top 10 employers; LMH remains, State Farm falls". The Advocate. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  32. ^ "The Velvet Ice Cream Company in Utica, Ohio". Archived from the original on June 1, 2007. Retrieved January 11, 2019.
  33. ^ "Heisey Collectors of America". Heiseymuseum.org. Retrieved January 11, 2019.
  34. ^ "National Trail Raceway". Retrieved January 11, 2019.
  35. ^ "Drug Overdose". Licking County Department of Health.
  36. ^ a b Sumner, Michaela. "Licking County 2021 drug deaths match record set in 2020". The Advocate. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
  37. ^ Shuler, Jack (2020). This is Ohio: the overdose crisis and the front lines of a new America (First hardcover ed.). Berkeley, California: Counterpoint. ISBN 978-1-64009-355-3.
  38. ^ a b "2019 Community Health Needs Assessment". Licking Memorial Health Systems. 2019.
  39. ^ "Overdose Fatality Review Annual Report Licking County 2021" (PDF). Licking County Health Department. 2021.
  40. ^ Wolf, Jack (September 3, 2024). "Syringe exchange program in Stark County offers blueprint for Licking County". The Reporting Project - Covering Licking County, Ohio. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
  41. ^ "Drug Abuse and Overdose Death Prevention". Licking County Health Department. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
  42. ^ Ohio Townships

https://www.littleriverpublishing.com/home

Further reading

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  • Thomas William Lewis, History of Southeastern Ohio and the Muskingum Valley, 1788-1928. In Three Volumes. Chicago: S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1928.
[edit]

40°05′N 82°29′W / 40.09°N 82.48°W / 40.09; -82.48

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