County Overviews 6# - Kalawao County, HI & Summit County, OH

Hello everybody and welcome back to part six of the County Overviews. Today, we're doing another two counties this time! Kalawao County, Hawaii (suggested by Xtrordinary) and Summit County, Ohio (suggested by cathlete). Let's go!

Kalawao County is a county located in central-northern Hawaii. It is located on the island of Moloka'i. Its county seat is... none! (as stated by the Hawaii State Department of Health). The largest settlement is Kalaupapa. It was created in 1905.

As of 2022, the population stands at 82 at a land area of 12 mi², making the population density 6.83/mi². Most people who live in the county are over 50 years old, making up about 70% of the population. The median household income is $87,813.

The islands of Hawaii suffered from leprosy and lepers (people who suffered from it) were exiled to the peninsula where present-day Kalawao resided. This went on from 1866 to 1969.

After the quarantine was over, many residents decided to stay in the community.

The county is strongly democratic. Though, in 2016, 25% of voters voted for Jill Stein, making it Stein's strongest county in terms of percentage. The population has been declining gradually since 1900, due to leprosy. Most people who reside in Kalawao are federal employees who work on preservation projects. It is the smallest county by land area and the second-smallest county by population, behind Loving County. It acts as a judicial district of Maui County.

Due to the lack of local government, the county is ran by the Hawaii Department of Health. The only ways to get into Kalawao is by a mule trail or by air. You can visit the Kalaupapa National Historical Park, but that's only if you have permission from the government and it must be an official tour.

Summit County is a county in northeastern Ohio. Its county seat is Akron. It is named that due to the highest point of the Ohio and Erie Canal, which if you haven't already guessed, is the "summit" of the canal. The county was created on March 3, 1840.

As of 2022, the population was 535,882 at a total area of 419.38 mi², making the total population density 1277.8/mi². Most residents are over 50 years old, making up about 40% of the population. Though, the age ranges of 20 to 49 come close in second, making up about 37.5% of the population. The median household income is $68,360. The most common foreign-born residents are from India and Mexico.

Before colonization, many native tribes lived in the area that was once Ohio, such as the Cuyahoga, Erie, and Shawnee. Though, the French came and conquered much of the land, claiming it for France. Then, the land was later given to the U.S. in 1763.

The Northwest Territory was created by Congress on 13 July 1787, which included much of what are today Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Later, in 1840, Summit County was created from parts of Medina, Portage, and Stark counties.

Summit county is shifted towards democratic due to its urban population. It is the fourth-most populous county in Ohio. It is one of two counties in the state to be a charter county, the other being Cuyahoga county. The population has been declining due to suburban sprawl, low fertility rates, and people finding jobs elsewhere.

Akron, Summit County is known as the Rubber Capital of the World. In the county, you can visit the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, and the Akron Art Museum.

I hope you enjoyed and learned something for the six blog of the series! I am at an existential crisis. I won't turn this thing into a long-form project, just something I may do once in a while now.

Here's the current list of upcoming counties:

7# - Alpine County, CA (FlabberBapper)

7# - Oakland County, MI (Noivern)

8# - Santa Clara County, CA (Gekko0923)

8# - Santa Barbara County, CA (ItzIngenious)

9# - McLennon County, TX (Capybarra)

9# - Athens County, OH (Gademotsili99)

9# - Charleston County, SC (LuckyCat)

?? - The Washington Counties (Rockum99) {Sorry Rockum! This one might be a bit difficult!}

Again, you can recommend a county and you'll be on the list! See you next time!