Ohio

Ohio’s current immigrant population much more diverse, still well below national level

Published

2 years ago

January 13, 2024

Ohio’s current immigrant population much more diverse, still well below national level

The proportion of immigrants in the United States is at its highest level in over a century, but that’s not the case in Ohio.

Around 15% of the national population is comprised of immigrants, compared to around 5% in Ohio, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey. The proportion of Ohio’s population that is foreign-born today is far lower than in 1870, when around 14% of Ohioans were immigrants, census data shows.

However, Ohio’s immigrant communities today are far more diverse — representing a larger swath of the globe — than at any previous point in history since the federal government began collecting birthplace data in 1850, the data shows.

As immigration once again shapes up to be a major election issue in 2024, Ohio historians told The Dispatch that current political debates around immigration mirror those from the past.

“I worry as a historian because the rhetoric around (immigration) is often so divisive, and it lacks the larger historical awareness of how we’ve had these conversations before — and the country hasn’t fallen apart,” said Kevin Adams, history department chair at Kent State University.

Ohio’s immigration history

Some of Ohio’s early “immigrants” were members of Native American tribes who were displaced into the area from the east by warfare and European diseases, according to Becky Odom, a curator at The Ohio History Connection. These included tribes like the Lenape (Delaware), who were later uprooted again as white settlers moved into Ohio.

Following Ohio’s statehood in 1803, immigrants from Germany, Great Britain and Ireland made up the bulk of foreign-born Ohioans, according to Ben Baughman, another curator for the Ohio History Connection. Germans and Irish people played important roles in the construction of Ohio’s extensive canals, which served as thoroughfares for commerce long before the coming of interstate highways.

By 1860, nearly half of all immigrants living in Ohio were German, with the rest mostly coming from elsewhere in northwestern Europe, according to census data.

But in the late 19th century, immigration to the U.S. underwent a dramatic shift, with more southern and eastern Europeans arriving.

“The new immigration was really important in places like Cleveland, especially as various European ethnic groups showed up … (building) communities rooted around … factories … their own churches, their own parishes — we get increasing numbers of Jews and Eastern Orthodox Christians,” said Adams.

By 1910, nearly 15% of Americans and almost 13% of Ohioans were foreign-born, a figure that does not include children of immigrants born locally.

But the U.S. began to restrict immigration in the 1910s, culminating in country-specific quotas that were set in 1924, according to Adams. The quotas, which were influenced by eugenics and “scientific racism,” severely restricted immigration from much of the world besides northwestern Europe and — unintentionally — overland immigration from Latin America, he said.

The quota system was finally dismantled by the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, which allowed a much broader range of people to immigrate.

Since 1970, the U.S. has experienced a dramatic rebound in immigration, but the rebound has been slower and smaller in Ohio, according to census data. The proportion of immigrants in the state grew from 2.4% in 1990 to 4.9% in 2022, according to the census’ American Community Survey.

Nationally, around half of foreign-born U.S. residents today come from Latin America, followed by Asia (around 31%), Europe (approximately 11%) and Africa (around 5%).

Most of Ohio’s foreign-born residents come from Asia, with India the top country of origin. African and Latin American immigrants together make up over one-third of Ohio’s immigrants.

Persecution, opportunity and anti-immigrant sentiment

The factors that draw immigrants to Ohio — such as economic opportunity, freedom from persecution and war abroad — have remained fairly constant over the centuries, according to Odom, the Ohio History Connection curator.

“For us as students of history, history is very cyclical. … There are always going to be people in the world who see this state and this country as a place of opportunity,” she said.

Baughman, her colleague, said that anti-immigration sentiment is as old as immigration itself.

Baughman pointed to examples of anti-German riots led by the “Know-Nothing Party” in Cincinnati in 1855, followed by rising anti-Irish and anti-Chinese sentiment in the late 1800s.

Amidst the Great Migration following World War I, Black migrants from the American South to northern states like Ohio encountered opposition similar to immigrants from abroad, said Odom.

Adams said that labor groups were historically more critical of immigration than they are today, because they sometimes saw immigrants as competitors with American workers.

“In the early 1970s … folks on the left — union folks and African American civil rights groups — were interested in discussing immigration restriction, whereas those on the right, who were interested in capitalist market development and anti-union politics, were in favor of immigration,” he said.

Brian Hayashi, who is a professor of American history at Kent State, said he sees common intellectual roots between current opposition to immigration and the anti-immigrant fervor of the early 20th century.

“There is a desire to understand the United States as a nation of northern and western European people and values … But the problem is the United States isn’t that country anymore, and arguably, it hasn’t been since about 1880,” Hayashi said.

Peter Gill covers immigration, New American communities and religion for the Dispatch in partnership with Report for America. You can support work like his with a tax-deductible donation to Report for America at:bit.ly/3fNsGaZ.

pgill@dispatch.com

@pitaarji

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Ohio

Glen Wenger, Columbiana, Ohio

Published

4 hours ago

May 23, 2026

Press Room

COLUMBIANA, Ohio (MyValleyTributes) – Glen Wenger, 83, formerly of Columbiana, Ohio, passed away at his home in Dublin, Ohio on May 20, 2026, after suffering from Parkinson’s disease and cardiac amyloidosis for many years. He was born February 9, 1943, the son of David and Letha (Brunk) Wenger.

He attended North Lima Schools up until his senior year, which he completed at Eastern
Mennonite High School in Harrisonburg, Virginia, graduating in 1961.

As a young adult, Glen spent two years in Nigeria with Mennonite Voluntary Service. He worked with a community development program, teaching boys in the village of Illah agricultural skills from which they could earn a living. Upon completion of that term, he returned home to Columbiana, where he was employed by Witmer’s Inc. In 1967, he married Ethel Baird. They would have celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary this August.

From 1980-82, Glen and his family served as Mennonite Mission representatives in Nairobi, Kenya, where he and Ethel were houseparents for boarding students at Rosslyn Academy. The trips Glen’s family took to game parks in Kenya were among his most treasured memories.

Upon returning to the US, Glen continued working at Witmer’s, Inc. until his retirement. During his time there, he worked in the parts and sales departments. For several years thereafter, Glen worked at McMaster Farms in Columbiana, thriving on the energy of the farm and finding great satisfaction in the growth and harvesting of various crops of produce. Glen was a dedicated, hard-working man. He was devoted to his family, church, and community. Always ready to help others, he served the Lord in numerous ways at Midway Mennonite Church, where he was a lifelong member. He was the groundskeeper at Midway for many years, as well as the cemetery sexton. He loved music, and contributed his rich bass in many special music groups, the Midway Church chorus, and in duets with Ethel.

Since moving to Dublin in 2019 to be closer to family, Glen enjoyed attending his granddaughter’s musical performances. Glen is survived by his wife, Ethel, son Mark (Candis) of Fredericksburg, Virginia, and daughter Amy (Jeff) Bixler, of Columbus, Ohio; his beloved grandchildren, Stella Bixler, Mira Bixler, Eve Wenger, Cameron Wenger, and foster granddaughter, Dani Naghshineh. Also surviving him are his siblings, Rachel (Joseph) Martin of Westwood, Massachusetts, Dale (Marian) Wenger of Columbiana, Ohio, and Alan (Marilyn) Wenger of Poland, Ohio, along with many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, son Eric, and sister Jean Wenger.
Glen will be greatly missed by all who knew him, and was dearly loved by his family and
friends.

Glen’s family asks that in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts be given to Midway Mennonite
Church, Columbiana, Ohio or Mennonite Central Committee, Akron, Pennsylvania.

Arrangements have been handled by Shaw-Davis Funeral Home.

A service to honor his memory will be held at a later date at Midway Mennonite Church

A television tribute will air Monday, May 25 at the following approximate times: 6:47 a.m. on WYTV, 9:43 a.m. on WKBN, 10:58 a.m. on FOX and 8:12 p.m. on MyYTV. Video will be posted here the day of airing.

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Ohio

Want to pay Ohio BMV, courts with Bitcoin and other crypto? Now you can

Published

16 hours ago

May 23, 2026

Press Room

Want to pay Ohio BMV, courts with Bitcoin and other crypto? Now you can

Months after authorizing crypto as a payment method, Ohio is rolling out more ways to pay certain state fees. The Ohio Treasurer’s Office announced a new digital wallet for residents to pay court fees, the BMV or other state agencies using cryptocurrency and other funds.

The Treasury on May 21 announced the launch of Buckeye Billfold, a digital wallet program that lets residents and businesses pay state agencies using credit cards, bank transfers or crypto, while still keeping cash and checks as options.

State officials say Ohio will be the first state to authorize and promote statewide use of digital asset payments. Digital wallets are apps that store your credit or debit card information, allowing you to pay using your phone or other devices. Any cryptocurrency used is automatically converted into U.S. dollars at the time of the transaction.

Here’s what to know about how Buckeye Billfold works and where you might see it used.

Ohio launches ‘Buckeye Billfold,’ adding crypto and digital wallet options for state payments

Buckeye Billfold expands how Ohioans can pay for certain state services, giving people more flexibility in how they handle government fees.

“Ohio is leading the way by embracing Bitcoin and cryptocurrency innovation,” Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose said in a release, adding that the move is meant to modernize how people interact with state government.

According to the Treasurer’s Office, if you choose to pay with cryptocurrency, it won’t actually stay in crypto. The payment is instantly converted into U.S. dollars, so it processes like a typical transaction.

State leaders say the move could reduce processing costs and save time for both the government and users. The initiative also builds on earlier attempts to bring cryptocurrency payments into state government, this time with full legal approval and a vendor in place to handle transactions.

Which Ohio agencies currently accept digital wallet payments?

Not all state agencies accept digital wallet or cryptocurrency payments yet, and availability can vary by agency and service. Several Ohio state agencies now accept certain digital currencies for certain payments, but it depends on the agency, the service, and whether you are paying online or in person.

Examples of agencies and courts that currently accept some form of digital or electronic payments include:

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Ohio

Ohio drivers paying some of the highest gas prices in the nation ahead of Memorial Day travel rush

Published

1 day ago

May 22, 2026

Press Room

Ohio drivers paying some of the highest gas prices in the nation ahead of Memorial Day travel rush

CLEVELAND — Ohio drivers are paying some of the highest gas prices in the country just as millions of Americans prepare to travel for Memorial Day weekend.

According to AAA, Ohio now ranks 10th in the nation for gas prices, with the statewide average at approximately $4.72 a gallon as of Friday. Drivers in Ohio are paying noticeably more than those in neighboring states, including Indiana, Kentucky, West Virginia, and Michigan.

Experts say several factors are fueling the spike, including refinery disruptions in the Midwest and rising global oil prices tied to tensions in the Middle East.

AAA said Ohio is especially vulnerable when major Midwest refineries run into trouble.

One of the largest issues involves BP’s massive refinery in Whiting, Indiana, the Midwest’s largest and one of the largest in the country. The refinery can process about 440,000 barrels of oil per day and supplies fuel across the region, according to Reuters.

A major issue is the ongoing labor dispute.

Around 800 workers have been locked out since March while contract talks continue with no resolution.

The union has accused BP of using the lockout to pressure workers into accepting concessions on pay, job cuts, and contract terms. BP said negotiations can only continue while the lockout remains in place.

Jim Garrity with AAA said refinery disruptions like the one in Whiting can quickly tighten fuel supplies across the Midwest, causing prices in states like Ohio to rise faster than in other parts of the country.

“You’ve definitely seen some regional disruptions, and Ohio’s gas today is the 10th highest in the nation,” he says.
But refinery problems are only part of the equation.

Oil prices have also risen globally amid tensions involving Iran and the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil shipping routes.

The timing is especially tough for drivers because Memorial Day weekend is traditionally one of the busiest travel holidays of the year and marks the unofficial start of the summer travel season.

Despite the higher prices, AAA projects more than 39 million Americans will travel by car this weekend, setting a new Memorial Day travel record.

“We’re not seeing it deter people from taking road trips,” Garrity said. “There’s an enthusiasm to get out there and take these trips.”

At local car dealerships, rising fuel prices are also changing consumer behavior.

Paul Qua with Classic Auto Group said interest in hybrids and electric vehicles has increased significantly in recent weeks, even among customers who normally prefer traditional gas-powered vehicles.

“That’s really the sweet spot in the car business right now,” Qua said.

AAA said meaningful relief at the pump will likely depend on refinery operations stabilizing and tensions in global oil markets easing.

But for now, millions of Americans are still expected to hit the road this Memorial Day weekend, even as Ohio drivers continue paying some of the highest gas prices in the country.

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