Sugar Grove is a village in Fairfield County, Ohio, United States. The population was 372 at the 2020 census. Nestled at the confluence of Rush Creek and the Hocking River, Sugar Grove is often referred to as the Gateway to the Hocking Hills due to its location along U.S. Route 33 between Lancaster and the Hocking Hills region. The village was incorporated in 1851 and historically served as a stop along the canal and early transport routes. Today, it retains its small-town charm with historic buildings, locally owned shops, and community events anchoring village life.

History

Sugar Grove was officially platted in 1830 and incorporated in 1851. It is named for a sugar orchard near the original town site. Early settlement began in 1834 with pioneers such as Asa McDole and the Isbell brothers, who are credited with building the first cabin in what would become the village. The village grew at the confluence of Rush Creek and the Hocking River and served as a waypoint along early transport routes, including the Hocking Canal. Through the 19th and early 20th centuries, Sugar Grove supported a mix of agriculture, small industries, and locally owned commerce. Several early structures remain, including canal-era buildings and 19th-century storefronts. Its location along modern U.S. Route 33 continues to support village life and tourism. Sugar Grove is often referred to as the "Gateway to the Hocking Hills" due to its proximity to the regional park system and scenic byways.

Local businesses

General Store / Sadie’s Village Market

The community’s historic general store, originally known as Stoneburner’s Grocery, has long served as Sugar Grove’s central gathering spot and supplier of daily necessities. In its current form as Sadie’s Village Market, the business continues this legacy by offering fresh, local produce, sandwiches, ice cream, deli meats, and grab‑and‑go items. It is a popular stop for both locals and travelers on the route between Columbus or Lancaster and the Hocking Hills region.

Geography

According to the

United States Census Bureau The United States Census Bureau, officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the Federal statistical system, U.S. federal statistical system, responsible for producing data about the American people and American economy, econ ...

, the village has a total area of , of which is land and is water.

Recreation and commerce

Sugar Grove hosts a variety of locally owned shops and services, including Sugar Grove Antiques LLC, operating in the historic 1918 Kull building (formerly the village drug store). The shop specializes in vintage items such as Coca‑Cola memorabilia, postcards, and collectible signs.

Demographics

2010 census

As of the

census A census (from Latin ''censere'', 'to assess') is the procedure of systematically acquiring, recording, and calculating population information about the members of a given Statistical population, population, usually displayed in the form of stati ...

of 2010, there were 426 people, 155 households, and 123 families living in the village. The

population density Population density (in agriculture: Standing stock (disambiguation), standing stock or plant density) is a measurement of population per unit land area. It is mostly applied to humans, but sometimes to other living organisms too. It is a key geog ...

was . There were 175 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the village was 98.1%

White White is the lightest color and is achromatic (having no chroma). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully (or almost fully) reflect and scatter all the visible wa ...

, 1.4% Native American, and 0.5% from two or more races.

Hispanic The term Hispanic () are people, Spanish culture, cultures, or countries related to Spain, the Spanish language, or broadly. In some contexts, Hispanic and Latino Americans, especially within the United States, "Hispanic" is used as an Ethnici ...

or 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

married couples Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a culturally and often legally recognised union between people called spouses. It establishes rights and obligations between them, as well as between them and their children (if any), and b ...

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.

2000 census

As of the

of 2000, there were 448 people, 162 households, and 121 families living in the village. The population density was . There were 171 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the village was 99.55%

, and 0.45% from two or more races.

or Latino of any race were 0.67% of the population. There were 162 households, out of which 41.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.6% were

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. 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. 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 Per capita income (PCI) or average income measures the average income earned per person in a given area (city, region, country, etc.) in a specified year. In many countries, per capita income is determined using regular population surveys, such ...

for the village was $14,547. About 6.1% of families and 6.0% 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 8.4% of those under age 18 and 4.2% of those age 65 or over.

References

External links

Village website

Fairfield County Visitors & Convention Bureau
{{Authority control Villages in Fairfield County, Ohio Villages in Ohio