West Unity, Ohio
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West Unity is a village located in Williams County, Ohio. As of the 2000 census, the village had a total population of 1,790.
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Geography
Image:OHMap-doton-West Unity.png
West Unity is located at 41°35'12" North, 84°26'3" West (41.586528, -84.434174)Template:GR.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 2.7 km² (1.0 mi²). 2.7 km² (1.0 mi²) of it is land and none of the area is covered with water.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 1,790 people, 733 households, and 477 families residing in the village. The population density was 671.0/km² (1,732.9/mi²). There were 763 housing units at an average density of 286.0/km² (738.7/mi²). The racial makeup of the village was 97.21% White, 0.39% African American, 0.45% Native American, 0.22% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.89% from other races, and 0.84% from two or more races. 3.13% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 733 households out of which 34.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.2% were married couples living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.8% were non-families. 30.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 3.04.
In the village the population was spread out with 28.6% under the age of 18, 10.2% from 18 to 24, 28.8% from 25 to 44, 19.2% from 45 to 64, and 13.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 95.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.7 males.
The median income for a household in the village was $35,250, and the median income for a family was $42,455. Males had a median income of $31,934 versus $21,058 for females. The per capita income for the village was $16,950. 8.0% of the population and 6.2% of families were below the poverty line. 10.7% of those under the age of 18 and 8.2% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
History
The village of West Unity was platted by John Rings and William Smith in 1842. The 1850 federal census shows 202 families living in the Brady Township. Many of these families had recently emigrated from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. There were also a number of Dutch, Sweedish, and French citizens that had settled in the area.
For many years the community celebrated "Egg 'n' Fest" as its annual fair, and even had the festival's logo painted on the town water tower. Since the early 1990s, many different soirees have been held at varying times of the spring and summer, and none have showed any significant signs of lasting.
Education
Image:Hilltophighschool.JPG West Unity is home to the Millcreek-West Unity School district. This system contains Hilltop High School and Hilltop Elementary. Both schools are connected on the same campus. Neighboring the campus is the West Unity Branch Library -- A part of the Williams County Public Library system. Hilltop High School is partnered with Four County Career Center and Northwest State Community College. Upon reaching junior year, a student may attend either of these institutions.
Recently, there has been some controversy surrounding K-12 education at Milcreek-West Unity Schools. The school district has faced adversity gaining the community’s support to pass variously-milled levies. Many community members find the tax structure frustratingly regressive. Adding to these frustrations is the administration’s practice of "double dipping," exemplified by former Superintendent Kenneth J. Boyer's collection of pension while receiving full salary. The district is also bidding for a new facility. Some citizens support the building of a new school while others argue that it would be in the community’s best interest to maintain the current building. Another viewpoint suggests that the school system should consolidate with other local schools.
Famous residents
Nick Brenner - Gained notariety for the massive consumption of McDonald's double-cheeseburgers at the 1998 Chicago Fair. Brenner devoured 37 of the 99-cent sandwhiches before looking at the judge and yelling "I'm full!"
Nathan J. Loetz, a.k.a. "DJ Loetz" - In 2000, Loetz won the International Crap Vehicle Contest -- held each autumn in Kunkle, Ohio -- for his large, rickety pick-up truck. The vehicle was so rusted that the year, make and model still cannot be deciphered.
Richard "Wolfie" Berry - Made famous in the late 90s by consuming 12 ounces of Bacardi 151 Rum in one gulp from a "beer bong." Accounts of Berry's accomplishment have been spread across the United States by his more traveled associates and the feat is slowly finding its place among national folklore. To signify his thirst for the high-proof liqour, Berry had the Bacardi Bat logo tattoed on his right arm.
Mike Manley - Former athletic director of Milcreek-West Unity Schools infamous for using his authoratative position to keep select youths from participating in organized sports and in one instance, a sophomore class president on open-enrollment from attending the high school. Manley is also credited as single-handedly destroying student desire to join Hilltop althletics through drug test implementation and suspensions, a phenomenon illustrated by the low number of student-athletes in recent years. Mike Manley is also known as being an increasingly diliked person in the entire town.