Gambier is a

village A village is a clustered human settlement or community, larger than a hamlet but smaller than a town (although the word is often used to describe both hamlets and smaller towns), with a population typically ranging from a few hundred ...

in Knox County,

Ohio Ohio () is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern region of the United States. Of the List of states and territories of the United States, fifty U.S. states, it is the List of U.S. states and territories by area, 34th-l ...

, United States. The population was 2,391 at the 2010 census. Gambier is the home of

Kenyon College Kenyon College is a private liberal arts college in Gambier, Ohio. It was founded in 1824 by Philander Chase. Kenyon College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Kenyon has 1,708 undergraduates enrolled. Its 1,000-acre campus is s ...

. A major feature is a gravel path running the length of the village, referred to as "Middle Path". This path has become a piece of Gambier's history, as it is used by college students and residents alike as a way through the community.

History

Gambier was laid out in 1824. The village was named after one of Kenyon College's early benefactors, Lord Gambier. In the 1960s, Japanese writer

Junzo Shono was a Japanese novelist. A native of Osaka, he began writing novels after World War II. He won the 1954 Akutagawa Prize for his book ''Purusaido Shokei'' (''Poolside Scene''). Shōno's other award-winning books include ''Seibutsu'' (''Still Li ...

spent several years in Gambier, culminating in the writing of the book ''A Sojourn in Gambier'', which would prove to be quite popular in Japan. In May 2020, the Village of Gambier became the first municipality in Knox County to establish

anti-discrimination Discrimination is the act of making unjustified distinctions between people based on the groups, classes, or other categories to which they belong or are perceived to belong. People may be discriminated on the basis of race, gender, age, relig ...

legislation for

LGBTQ+ ' is an initialism that stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender. In use since the 1990s, the initialism, as well as some of its common variants, functions as an umbrella term for sexuality and gender identity. The LGBT term is ...

people.

Geography

Gambier is located along the Kokosing River. According to the

United States Census Bureau The United States Census Bureau (USCB), officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the U.S. Federal Statistical System, responsible for producing data about the American people and economy. The Census Bureau is part of th ...

, the village has a total area of , all land.

Demographics

2010 census

At the 2010 census there were 2,391 people, 343 households, and 126 families living in the village. The population density was . There were 375 housing units at an average density of . The

racial makeup A race is a categorization of humans based on shared physical or social qualities into groups generally viewed as distinct within a given society. The term came into common usage during the 1500s, when it was used to refer to groups of variou ...

of the village was 90.5% White, 2.8% African American, 0.2% Native American, 2.0% Asian, 0.8% from other races, and 3.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.8%. Of the 343 households 15.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 30.6% were married couples living together, 4.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 1.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 63.3% were non-families. 33.5% of households were one person and 11.4% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.76. The median age in the village was 21.2 years. 4% of residents were under the age of 18; 79.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 5.1% were from 25 to 44; 6.7% were from 45 to 64; and 4.5% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the village was 47.3% male and 52.7% female.

2000 census

At the 2000 census there were 1,871 people, 278 households, and 142 families living in the village. The population density was 1,998.5 people per square mile (768.5/km). There were 305 housing units at an average density of 325.8 per square mile (125.3/km). The

of the village was 94.07% White, 2.51% African American, 1.28% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.43% from other races, and 1.66% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.66%. Of the 278 households 22.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.9% were married couples living together, 6.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 48.9% were non-families. 39.9% of households were one person and 12.2% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.03 and the average family size was 2.77. The age distribution was 5.8% under the age of 18, 73.1% from 18 to 24, 7.3% from 25 to 44, 9.0% from 45 to 64, and 4.9% 65 or older. The median age was 21 years. For every 100 females there were 82.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.6 males. The median household income was $51,964 and the median family income was $71,477. Males had a median income of $40,500 versus $29,327 for females. The per capita income for the village was $9,661. About 2.5% of families and 8.0% of the population were below the

poverty line The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for ...

, including 5.2% of those under age 18 and 2.6% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Mount Vernon City Schools operates Wiggin Street Elementary in the village. Kenyon College, an Episcopal institution, has been in operation in Gambier since 1824. Gambier has a public library, a branch of The Public Library of Mount Vernon & Knox County.

Notable people

* Margaret L. Bodine, photographer * Philander Chase, founder of Kenyon College, Bishop of Ohio and Illinois, Sixth Presiding Bishop of the National Episcopal church *

P. F. Kluge Paul Frederick Kluge (born 1942 in New Jersey) is an American novelist living in Gambier, Ohio. Kluge was raised in Berkeley Heights, New Jersey.Zatzariny, Tim"ON THE ROAD AGAIN / 'EDDIE AND THE CRUISERS' MAKES ANOTHER COMEBACK" ''The Press of Atl ...

, author of '' Biggest Elvis: A Novel'' * Robie Macauley, newspaperman and author *

Paul Newman Paul Leonard Newman (January 26, 1925 – September 26, 2008) was an American actor, film director, race car driver, philanthropist, and entrepreneur. He was the recipient of numerous awards, including an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, three ...

, American actor *

Olof Palme Sven Olof Joachim Palme (; ; 30 January 1927 – 28 February 1986) was a Swedish politician and statesman who served as Prime Minister of Sweden from 1969 to 1976 and 1982 to 1986. Palme led the Swedish Social Democratic Party from 1969 until ...

, Prime Minister of Sweden *

Herbert T. Perrin Brigadier general (United States), Brigadier General Herbert Towle Perrin (September 8, 1893 – June 9, 1962) was a United States Army Officer (armed forces), officer, with the rank of brigadier general. He served during World War II and receive ...

, U.S. Army officer *

Joan Slonczewski Joan Lyn Slonczewski is an American microbiologist at Kenyon College and a science fiction writer who explores biology and space travel. Their books have twice earned the John W. Campbell Memorial Award for Best Science Fiction Novel: '' A Door ...

, biologist * John Green, author of '' The Fault in our Stars'', YouTuber

References

External links

Village website
* * {{Authority control Villages in Knox County, Ohio Villages in Ohio 1824 establishments in Ohio Populated places established in 1824