Versailles, Ohio

Versailles (/vərˈseɪlz/ vər-SAYLZ) is a village in Darke County, Ohio, United States. It is the only village in Wayne Township. The population was 2,687 at the 2010 census.

Versailles, Ohio
Village
Main Street in Versailles
Motto(s): 
"People - Pride - Progress"
Location in Darke County and the state of Ohio
Detailed map of Versailles
Coordinates: 40°13′23″N 84°29′6″W
CountryUnited States
StateOhio
CountyDarke
Government
 • MayorJeff A. Subler
Area
 • Total1.87 sq mi (4.85 km2)
 • Land1.87 sq mi (4.84 km2)
 • Water0.01 sq mi (0.02 km2)
Population
 • Total2,687
 • Estimate 
(2019)[3]
2,560
 • Density1,370.45/sq mi (529.22/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
45380
Area code(s)937, 326
FIPS code39-79912
WebsiteVillage website

History

Founded in 1819,[4] the village is named after the city of Versailles in France. Versailles was originally named Jacksonville, in honor of Andrew Jackson and his victory at the Battle of New Orleans.[5] Later on, as a large number of early residents were of French descent, it was suggested that the village's name be changed to "Versailles" in memory of their homeland. Versailles became the new name of the village in 1837.

Village name

The proper local pronunciation of the name is ver-sales, with the accent on the second syllable, unlike the French city of the same name.[6][7] It is unclear as to why the pronunciation deviates from the original French, but some local legends claim that it was due to spite. While many early residents were of French descent, there were also many of German descent. As an insult to the French culture, the German population purposely mispronounced the town's name and this insult has stuck ever since.

Geography

Versailles is located at 40°13′23″N 84°29′06″W.[8] According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 1.88 square miles (4.87 km2), of which 1.87 square miles (4.84 km2) is land and 0.01 square miles (0.03 km2) is water.[9]

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
18801,163—
18901,38519.1%
19001,4786.7%
19101,5806.9%
19201,563−1.1%
19301,465−6.3%
19401,71116.8%
19501,8125.9%
19602,15919.2%
19702,44113.1%
19802,384−2.3%
19902,351−1.4%
20002,58910.1%
20102,6873.8%
2019 (est.)2,560[3]−4.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[10]

2010 census

As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 2,687 people, 1,083 households, and 686 families living in the village. The population density was 1,436.9 inhabitants per square mile (554.8/km2). There were 1,150 housing units at an average density of 615.0 per square mile (237.5/km2). The racial makeup of the village was 99.0% White, 0.2% African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.1% from other races, and 0.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.6% of the population. 45.9% were of German, 33.8% French, and 11.0% Irish ancestries.[11]

There were 1,083 households, of which 32.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.2% were married couples living together, 7.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 36.7% were non-families. 33.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39, and the average family size was 3.06.

The median age in the village was 39.8 years. 25.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.6% were from 25 to 44; 24.2% were from 45 to 64, and 19.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the village was 47.7% male and 52.3% female.

2000 census

As of the census[12] of 2000, there were 2,589 people, 1,061 households, and 687 families living in the village. The population density was 1,482.5 people per square mile (571.2/km2). There were 1,109 housing units at an average density of 635.0 per square mile (244.7/km2). The racial makeup of the village was 99.38% White, 0.04% African American, 0.12% Native American, 0.08% Asian, 0.12% from other races, and 0.27% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.12% of the population.

There were 1,061 households, out of which 31.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.5% were married couples living together, 7.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.2% were non-families. 32.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35, and the average family size was 3.00.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 25.5% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 28.4% from 25 to 44, 19.0% from 45 to 64, and 20.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.3 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $37,908, and the median income for a family was $47,717. Males had a median income of $32,440 versus $25,194 for females. The per capita income for the village was $18,275. About 3.5% of families and 5.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.1% of those under age 18 and 9.3% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Versailles' municipal building, the Versailles Town Hall and Wayne Township House, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Poultry Days
Townspeople painting chickens on the streets of Versailles on Poultry Days 2009, with a previous year's palimpsest visible to the side.

Versailles is also known for hosting its yearly Poultry Days festival on the second full weekend of June. The festival consists of crowning a "Ms. Chick" and "Little Miss Chick," a carnival, a parade, the production of over 25,000 slow roasted chicken dinners, and the Poultry Days Ultimate tournament.[13][14]

Education
Main article: Versailles High School

There is one school building in Versailles. The building houses Elementary, Middle, and Jr./Sr. High School. The new school was finished in 2010 and is still in the Versailles Exempted School district. The school's new address is 280 Marker Road. The school was paid for by the Versailles people in tax dollars. [15]

References
  1. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
  2. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2013-01-06.
  3. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  4. Mangus, Michael; Herman, Jennifer L. (2008). Ohio Encyclopedia. North American Book Dist LLC. p. 564. ISBN 978-1-878592-68-2.
  5. Wilson, Frazer Ells (1914). History of Darke County, Ohio, from its earliest settlement to the present time, Vol. 1. Milford, Ohio: Hobart Publishing Company. p. 608.
  6. Mark Dawidziak. "Bay Village-born TV star Patricia Heaton takes her act online with new web series, 'Versailles'", The Plain Dealer, May 6, 2011.
  7. A Pronunciation Guide to Places in Ohio, E. W. Scripps School of Journalism (accessed 2012-09-19).
  8. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  9. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 12, 2012. Retrieved January 6, 2013.
  10. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  11. United States Census
  12. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  13. Versailles Poultry Days
  14. "Poultry Days wings its way to Versailles: 60th anniversary of the 'fowl' event" Archived June 13, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, WDTN, June 9, 2011.
  15. Building For Our Future Archived September 23, 2009, at the Wayback Machine, Versailles Exempted Village Schools, 2008. Accessed 2009-01-10.
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