Wilberforce, Ohio
Encyclopedia
Wilberforce is a census-designated place
(CDP) in Greene County
, Ohio
, United States
. The population was 1,579 at the 2000 census
. The community was named for the English statesman William Wilberforce
, who worked for abolition
of slavery and achieved the end of the slave trade in the United Kingdom
and its empire
. The small community was an important stop on the Underground Railroad
before the American Civil War
, as it had seven stations.
The community has two historically black universities, Wilberforce University
and Central State University
.
Wilberforce University
was established in 1856 by the Methodist Episcopal Church
and African Methodist Episcopal Church
. In 1863 the AME Church bought the college after its temporary closing due to financial problems, making it the first to be owned and operated by African Americans. Many prominent scholars have taught there. The former residence in Wilberforce of Charles Young
, a 19th-century US Army officer who taught at Wilberforce, has been designated a National Historic Landmark
. Born into slavery
, he was the highest-ranking African-American officer in the US Army until after World War I.
Central State University
originated as a commercial, normal and industrial department established at Wilberforce in the late 19th century. In the 20th century, the department was established as a separate institution, and expanded to a college and university.
The Ohio Historical Society
operates the National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center, which provides exhibits and learning opportunities for the regional community. The Association of African American Museums, also located in Wilberforce and supported by the private university, works to build professional capacity among smaller museums.
Wilberforce is part of the Dayton
Metropolitan Statistical Area
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the CDP has a total area of 3.1 square miles (8 km²), of which, 3.1 square miles (8 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²) of it (1.59%) is water.
of 2000, there were 1,579 people, 189 households, and 133 families residing in the CDP. The population density
was 510.7 people per square mile (197.3/km²). There were 220 housing units at an average density of 71.2/sq mi (27.5/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 11.21% White, 84.17% African American, 0.38% Native American, 0.13% Asian, 0.13% from other races
, and 3.99% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.27% of the population.
There were 189 households out of which 26.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.1% were married couples
living together, 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.6% were non-families. 28.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.14.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 7.8% under the age of 18, 69.5% from 18 to 24, 9.4% from 25 to 44, 7.4% from 45 to 64, and 5.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 21 years. For every 100 females there were 93.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.8 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $31,641, and the median income for a family was $39,038. Males had a median income of $4,706 versus $23,906 for females. The per capita income
for the CDP was $10,483. None of the families and 6.5% of the population were living below the poverty line, including no under eighteens and 16.3% of those over 64.
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
(CDP) in Greene County
Greene County, Ohio
Greene County is a county located in the state of Ohio, United States. The population was 161,573 in the 2010 Census. Its county seat is Xenia, and it was named for General Nathanael Greene, an officer in the Revolutionary War. Greene County was established on March 24, 1803.Greene County is part...
, Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 1,579 at the 2000 census
United States Census, 2000
The Twenty-second United States Census, known as Census 2000 and conducted by the Census Bureau, determined the resident population of the United States on April 1, 2000, to be 281,421,906, an increase of 13.2% over the 248,709,873 persons enumerated during the 1990 Census...
. The community was named for the English statesman William Wilberforce
William Wilberforce
William Wilberforce was a British politician, a philanthropist and a leader of the movement to abolish the slave trade. A native of Kingston upon Hull, Yorkshire, he began his political career in 1780, eventually becoming the independent Member of Parliament for Yorkshire...
, who worked for abolition
Abolitionism
Abolitionism is a movement to end slavery.In western Europe and the Americas abolitionism was a movement to end the slave trade and set slaves free. At the behest of Dominican priest Bartolomé de las Casas who was shocked at the treatment of natives in the New World, Spain enacted the first...
of slavery and achieved the end of the slave trade in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and its empire
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
. The small community was an important stop on the Underground Railroad
Underground Railroad
The Underground Railroad was an informal network of secret routes and safe houses used by 19th-century black slaves in the United States to escape to free states and Canada with the aid of abolitionists and allies who were sympathetic to their cause. The term is also applied to the abolitionists,...
before the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, as it had seven stations.
The community has two historically black universities, Wilberforce University
Wilberforce University
Wilberforce University is a private, coed, liberal arts historically black university located in Wilberforce, Ohio. Affiliated with the African Methodist Episcopal Church, it was the first college to be owned and operated by African Americans...
and Central State University
Central State University
Central State University, commonly referred to as "C-State", is a historically black university located in Wilberforce, Ohio, United States. It is the only public HBCU in Ohio.-History:...
.
Wilberforce University
Wilberforce University
Wilberforce University is a private, coed, liberal arts historically black university located in Wilberforce, Ohio. Affiliated with the African Methodist Episcopal Church, it was the first college to be owned and operated by African Americans...
was established in 1856 by the Methodist Episcopal Church
Methodist Episcopal Church
The Methodist Episcopal Church, sometimes referred to as the M.E. Church, was a development of the first expression of Methodism in the United States. It officially began at the Baltimore Christmas Conference in 1784, with Francis Asbury and Thomas Coke as the first bishops. Through a series of...
and African Methodist Episcopal Church
African Methodist Episcopal Church
The African Methodist Episcopal Church, usually called the A.M.E. Church, is a predominantly African American Methodist denomination based in the United States. It was founded by the Rev. Richard Allen in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1816 from several black Methodist congregations in the...
. In 1863 the AME Church bought the college after its temporary closing due to financial problems, making it the first to be owned and operated by African Americans. Many prominent scholars have taught there. The former residence in Wilberforce of Charles Young
Charles Young
Charles Young was the third African American graduate of West Point, the first black U.S. national park superintendent, first black military attaché, first black to achieve the rank of colonel, and highest-ranking black officer in the United States Army until his death in 1922.-Early life and...
, a 19th-century US Army officer who taught at Wilberforce, has been designated a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
. Born into slavery
Slavery
Slavery is a system under which people are treated as property to be bought and sold, and are forced to work. Slaves can be held against their will from the time of their capture, purchase or birth, and deprived of the right to leave, to refuse to work, or to demand compensation...
, he was the highest-ranking African-American officer in the US Army until after World War I.
Central State University
Central State University
Central State University, commonly referred to as "C-State", is a historically black university located in Wilberforce, Ohio, United States. It is the only public HBCU in Ohio.-History:...
originated as a commercial, normal and industrial department established at Wilberforce in the late 19th century. In the 20th century, the department was established as a separate institution, and expanded to a college and university.
The Ohio Historical Society
Ohio Historical Society
The Ohio Historical Society is a non-profit organization incorporated in 1885 as The Ohio State Archaeological and Historical Society "to promote a knowledge of archaeology and history, especially in Ohio"...
operates the National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center, which provides exhibits and learning opportunities for the regional community. The Association of African American Museums, also located in Wilberforce and supported by the private university, works to build professional capacity among smaller museums.
Wilberforce is part of the Dayton
Dayton, Ohio
Dayton is the 6th largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Montgomery County, the fifth most populous county in the state. The population was 141,527 at the 2010 census. The Dayton Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 841,502 in the 2010 census...
Metropolitan Statistical Area
Greater Dayton
The Dayton metropolitan area is the fourth largest metropolitan area in the state of Ohio, behind the largest, Greater Cincinnati, Greater Cleveland, and Greater Columbus.-Definitions:...
.
Geography
Wilberforce is located at 39°42′57"N 83°52′48"W (39.715739, -83.880022).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the CDP has a total area of 3.1 square miles (8 km²), of which, 3.1 square miles (8 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²) of it (1.59%) is water.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 1,579 people, 189 households, and 133 families residing in the CDP. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 510.7 people per square mile (197.3/km²). There were 220 housing units at an average density of 71.2/sq mi (27.5/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 11.21% White, 84.17% African American, 0.38% Native American, 0.13% Asian, 0.13% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 3.99% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.27% of the population.
There were 189 households out of which 26.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.1% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.6% were non-families. 28.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.14.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 7.8% under the age of 18, 69.5% from 18 to 24, 9.4% from 25 to 44, 7.4% from 45 to 64, and 5.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 21 years. For every 100 females there were 93.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.8 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $31,641, and the median income for a family was $39,038. Males had a median income of $4,706 versus $23,906 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the CDP was $10,483. None of the families and 6.5% of the population were living below the poverty line, including no under eighteens and 16.3% of those over 64.
External links
- Underground Railroad Information Station, Ohio Historical Society
- Association of African American Museums