Sugar Grove, Ohio

'''Sugar Grove''' is a [[village (United States)#Ohio|village]] in [[Fairfield County, Ohio|Fairfield County]], [[Ohio]], United States. The population was 429 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].

'''Sugar Grove''' is a [[village (United States)#Ohio|village]] in [[Fairfield County, Ohio|Fairfield County]], [[Ohio]], United States. The population was 429 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].

==History==

==History==

Sugar Grove was named for a grove of [[sugar maple]] near the original town site.<ref>{{cite book | url=https://archive.org/stream/historyoffairfie00mill#page/130/mode/2up | title=History of Fairfield County, Ohio, and representative citizens | publisher=Chicago, Richmond-Arnold Pub. Co | author=Miller, Charles Christian | year=1912 | pages=130}}</ref>

Sugar Grove was named for a grove of [[sugar maple]] near the original town site.<ref>{{cite book | url=https://archive.org/stream/historyoffairfie00mill#page/130/mode/2up | title=History of Fairfield County, Ohio, and representative citizens | publisher=Chicago, Richmond-Arnold Pub. Co | author=Miller, Charles Christian | year=1912 | pages=130}}</ref> Settlement began in the spring of 1834, when early pioneers such as Asa McDole and the Isbell brothers built the first cabin after arriving from the East.<ref>{{cite web |title=Village History |url=https://www.sugargroveil.gov/history-of-sugar-grove |access-date=July 7, 2025}}</ref>

In May 2012, Sugar Grove hosted the inaugural Dude's Weekend celebration. In July 2013 the 2nd annual Dude's Weekend was held in Sugar Grove. Both were attended by [https://edition.cnn.com/profiles/josiah-ryan Josiah Ryan].

==Geography==

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the village has a total area of {{convert|0.30|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|0.29|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.01|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{cite web|title=US Gazetteer files 2010|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=January 6, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125061959/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt|archive-date=January 25, 2012}}</ref>

==Demographics==

{{US Census population

|align=left

|1870= 254

|1880= 262

|1890= 275

|1900= 350

|1910= 368

|1920= 420

|1930= 388

|1940= 429

|1950= 434

|1960= 479

|1970= 469

|1980= 407

|1990= 465

|2000= 448

|2010= 426

|2020= 429

|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|accessdate=June 4, 2015}}</ref>

}}

===2010 census===

As of the [[census]]<ref name ="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|accessdate=January 6, 2013}}</ref> of 2010, there were 426 people, 155 households, and 123 families living in the village. The [[population density]] was {{convert|1469.0|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 175 housing units at an average density of {{convert|603.4|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the village was 98.1% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 1.4% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], and 0.5% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 0.5% of the population.

There were 155 households, of which 50.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.7% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 25.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 20.6% were non-families. 18.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.75 and the average family size was 3.00.

The median age in the village was 34.8 years. 30.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 27.2% were from 25 to 44; 26% were from 45 to 64; and 6.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the village was 50.2% male and 49.8% female.

The arrival of the Chicago & Iowa Railroad in 1871 spurred growth in the village, later absorbed into the Burlington Line in 1881. Sugar Grove saw electricity arrive in 1925 and established a municipal water district in 1948.<ref>{{cite web |title=Village History |url=https://www.sugargroveil.gov/history-of-sugar-grove |access-date=July 7, 2025}}</ref> Town incorporation followed in 1957, along with infrastructure improvements like sewer lines (1974) and telephone switching upgrades (1983).

===2000 census===

As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 448 people, 162 households, and 121 families living in the village. The population density was {{convert|2,182.1|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 171 housing units at an average density of {{convert|832.9|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the village was 99.55% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], and 0.45% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 0.67% of the population.

In May 2012, Sugar Grove hosted the inaugural "Dude's Weekend" celebration. The second annual event took place in July 2013 and was attended by CNN reporter [https://edition.cnn.com/profiles/josiah-ryan Josiah Ryan].

There were 162 households, out of which 41.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.6% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 15.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.7% were non-families. 22.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.77 and the average family size was 3.17.

==Commerce==

In the village, the population was spread out, with 32.8% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 28.3% from 25 to 44, 18.5% from 45 to 64, and 11.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 92.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.1 males.

Sugar Grove has maintained a local commerce tradition since the mid-1800s. George Hedges operated one of the town’s earliest general stores. In 1918, Frank Kull opened a combination drugstore, candy shop, and taxidermy studio on Main Street; he lived in an apartment above the store.<ref>{{cite web |title=Fairfield County Historical Post |url=https://www.facebook.com/groups/historical.group.lancaster.fairfield/posts/3058274157779856/ |access-date=July 7, 2025}}</ref>

The general store building at 100 S. Main Street has been in continuous operation for over a century. It was long known as Stoneburner's Grocery before being revitalized as '''Sadie’s Village Market'''—offering fresh produce, groceries, ice cream, and more.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sadie’s Village Market |url=https://visitfairfieldcounty.org/listings/sadies-village-market/ |access-date=July 7, 2025}}</ref>

The median income for a household in the village was $39,107, and the median income for a family was $42,500. Males had a median income of $32,813 versus $22,083 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the village was $14,547. About 6.1% of families and 6.0% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 8.4% of those under age 18 and 4.2% of those age 65 or over.

==Notable residents==

* '''James Thurber''' – celebrated humorist, author, and cartoonist known for ''The Secret Life of Walter Mitty'' and his contributions to ''The New Yorker''. Thurber spent part of his youth in Sugar Grove while his father worked in central Ohio. The rural surroundings influenced his depictions of small-town life and satirical characters.<ref>{{cite web |title=James Thurber |url=https://www.thurberhouse.org/james-thurber |publisher=Thurber House |access-date=July 7, 2025}}</ref>

==References==

==References==

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