Bluffton, originally known as Shannon, is a village in Allen and Hancock counties in the U.S. state of Ohio. The population was 3,967 at the 2020 census. Bluffton is home to Bluffton University, a four-year educational institution affiliated with Mennonite Church USA. Bluffton is served by the Bluffton general aviation airport. Bluffton participates in the Tree City USA program.
The Allen County portion of Bluffton is part of the Lima, Ohio metropolitan area, while the Hancock County portion is part of the Findlay Micropolitan Statistical Area.
History
The village was founded in 1831 by Swiss Mennonites, German Reformists and Irish Catholics. It was originally named 'Crogan's Corners' after the postmaster. When the citizens chose to incorporate as a village, the Irish suggested the name 'Shannon' because of the green fields around the area. As there was already a village named Shannon in the state, the town was renamed Bluffton for the hilly terrain of the town site.
Bank robber John Dillinger robbed the Bluffton Bank (now known as Citizens National Bank of Bluffton) of $6,000 on August 14, 1933.
In 2011, Bluffton celebrated its 150th birthday with a series of town-wide events.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of , of which is land and is water.
Riley Creek flows through Bluffton.
Demographics
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, Bluffton had a population of 3,967. The median age was 38.1 years. 19.9% of residents were under the age of 18 and 21.7% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 87.7 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 87.1 males age 18 and over.
0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.
There were 1,430 households in Bluffton, of which 29.6% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 52.7% were married-couple households, 14.2% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 29.4% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 32.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. of 2010, there were 4,125 people, 1,428 households, and 913 families living in the village. The population density was . There were 1,522 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the village was 95.3% White, 1.6% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.9% Asian, 0.8% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.5% of the population.
There were 1,428 households, of which 29.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.4% were married couples living together, 8.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 36.1% were non-families. 33.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.95.
The median age in the village was 34 years. 19.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 21.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 19.2% were from 25 to 44; 20% were from 45 to 64; and 19% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the village was 45.6% male and 54.4% female.
2000 census
As of the census
Ten Thousand Villages is a fair-trade retailer that was founded in Bluffton. The shop sells products made by artisans in developing countries.
Education
Elementary and secondary
Bluffton High School sports participate in the Northwest Conference, an athletic body sanctioned by the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) which includes the Ada Bulldogs, Allen East Mustangs, Bluffton Pirates, Columbus Grove Bulldogs, Convoy Crestview Knights, Delphos Jefferson Wildcats, Lincolnview Lancers, Paulding Panthers, and Spencerville Bearcats.
Higher education
Bluffton is home to Bluffton University, a four-year educational institution affiliated with the Mennonite Church USA.
Media
WBWH-LP (96.1 FM) serves the Bluffton community as its only full-time radio station.
Notable people
- Trevor Bassitt, American sprinter and 2024 Paris Olympics competitor.
- Tommy Boutwell, American football player
- Tobias Buckell, science fiction writer
- Larry Cox, Major League baseball player
- D. Michael Crites, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio
- Bob Latta, U.S. representative for Ohio
- James McIntire, Washington state treasurer
- John Travis, doctor and pioneer in the Wellness movement