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Ross County, Ohio

Ross County is a county in the Appalachian region of the U.S. state of Ohio. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 77,093.[2] Its county seat is Chillicothe,[3] the first and third capital of Ohio. Established on August 20, 1798, the county is named for Federalist Senator James Ross of Pennsylvania.[4] Ross County comprises the Chillicothe, OH Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Columbus-Marion-Zanesville, OH Combined Statistical Area.

Ross County
County
Ross County Courthouse
Ross County Courthouse
Flag of Ross County
Flag
Official seal of Ross County
Seal
Map of Ohio highlighting Ross County
Location within the U.S. state of Ohio
Map of the United States highlighting Ohio
Ohio's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 39°20′N 83°04′W / 39.33°N 83.06°W / 39.33; -83.06
Country United States
State Ohio
FoundedAugust 20, 1798[1]
Named forJames Ross
SeatChillicothe
Largest cityChillicothe
Area
 • Total
693.03 sq mi (1,794.9 km2)
 • Land689.19 sq mi (1,785.0 km2)
 • Water3.84 sq mi (9.9 km2)  0.6%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
77,093 Decrease
 • Density110/sq mi (40/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district2nd
Websitewww.co.ross.oh.us

History

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Ross County was formed by proclamation of Governor St. Clair, August 20, 1798, being the sixth county formed in the Northwest Territory.[5]

Ross County was described by Ephraim George Squier and Edwin Hamilton Davis as having almost "one hundred enclosures of various sizes, and five hundred mounds" in their book, Ancient Monuments of the Mississippi Valley (1848). They described the Indian-built earthworks as ranging from 5 to 30 feet (1.5–9.1 m) in size, and enclosures of 1 to 50 acres (0.40–20.23 ha) large. These included Serpent Mound, Fort Ancient, Mound City, and Seip Earthworks (both now part of Hopewell Culture National Historical Park), and Newark Earthworks.[6]

Geography

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Countryside northeast of Chillicothe on State Route 180

The Scioto River flows southward through the east-central part of the county. Paint Creek drains the lower central part of the county, flowing eastward to its terminus with the Scioto at a point southeast of Chillicothe. The county terrain consists of frequent wooded hills, with the intermediate level areas devoted to agriculture.[7] The county's highest point is Farrell Hill, six miles (9.7 km) northeast of Bainbridge.[8] The county has a total area of 693 square miles (1,790 km2), of which 689 square miles (1,780 km2) is land and 3.8 square miles (9.8 km2) (0.6%) is water.[9] Ross County is the second-largest county by land area in Ohio, after Ashtabula County, as well as the fifth-largest by total area.

Adjacent counties

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Protected areas

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18008,540—
181015,51481.7%
182020,61932.9%
183024,06816.7%
184027,46014.1%
185032,07416.8%
186035,0719.3%
187037,0975.8%
188040,3078.7%
189039,454−2.1%
190040,9403.8%
191040,069−2.1%
192041,5563.7%
193045,1818.7%
194052,14715.4%
195054,4244.4%
196061,21512.5%
197061,2110.0%
198065,0046.2%
199069,3306.7%
200073,3455.8%
201078,0646.4%
202077,093−1.2%
US Decennial Census[12]
1790-1960[13] 1900-1990[14]
1990-2000[15] 2020 [2]

2000 census

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As of the 2000 United States Census,[16] there were 73,345 people, 27,136 households, and 19,185 families in the county. The population density was 106 people per square mile (41 people/km2). There were 29,461 housing units at an average density of 42.7 units per square mile (16.5/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 91.74% White, 6.20% Black or African American, 0.31% Native American, 0.35% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.19% from other races, and 1.20% from two or more races. 0.58% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 27,136 households, out of which 32.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.20% were married couples living together, 11.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.30% were non-families. 24.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 2.97.

The county population contained 24.00% under the age of 18, 8.60% from 18 to 24, 31.60% from 25 to 44, 23.60% from 45 to 64, and 12.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 108.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 109.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $37,117, and the median income for a family was $43,241. Males had a median income of $35,892 versus $23,399 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,569. About 9.10% of families and 12.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.10% of those under age 18 and 10.20% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

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As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 78,064 people, 28,919 households, and 19,782 families in the county.[17] The population density was 113 people per square mile (44 people/km2). There were 32,148 housing units at an average density of 46.6 units per square mile (18.0/km2).[18] The racial makeup of the county was 90.7% white, 6.2% black or African American, 0.4% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 0.3% from other races, and 2.1% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.0% of the population.[18] In terms of ancestry, 27.0% were German, 15.2% were Irish, 12.5% were American, and 10.5% were English.[19]

Of the 28,919 households, 32.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.2% were married couples living together, 12.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 31.6% were non-families, and 26.2% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 2.95. The median age was 39.8 years.[18]

The median income for a household in the county was $42,626 and the median income for a family was $50,081. Males had a median income of $42,721 versus $32,374 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,595. About 13.1% of families and 17.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.7% of those under age 18 and 8.2% of those age 65 or over.[20]

Government

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See also: Ohio county government

County officials

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County officials are (as of October 2024):

  • County Auditor Jeff Lehner
  • County Board of Elections
    • Traci Henness, Director
    • Jessica Ott, Deputy Director
    • Beth Neal, Chair
    • Eric Rinehart, Member
    • Doug Corcoran, Member
    • Philip Gray, Member
  • Clerk of Courts Ty D. Hinton
  • Board of Commissioners
    • James "Oody" Lowe
    • Jack Everson
    • Dwight A. Garrett
  • Ross County Court of Common Pleas:
    • Judge Michael M. Ater
    • Judge Matthew Schmidt
    • Probate and Juvenile Court Judge J. Jeffrey Benson
    • Magistrate John Di Cesare
  • County Coroner Ben Trotter
  • County Engineer Charles R. Ortman
  • County Prosecutor Jeffrey C. Marks
  • County Recorder Kathleen "Kathy" Dunn
  • County Treasurer David Jeffers
  • County Sheriff George W. Lavender

Politics

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Ross is a generally Republican county in Presidential and Congressional elections, although until recent years, Democratic candidates performed fairly well in the county. The last Democrat to win a majority in the county was Lyndon Johnson in 1964, while Bill Clinton won a plurality in 1996 and Barack Obama came within just 439 votes in 2012.

Ross is part of Ohio's 2nd congressional district, which is held by Republican Brad Wenstrup.

United States presidential election results for Ross County, Ohio[21]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 22,801 68.96% 9,846 29.78% 418 1.26%
2020 22,278 66.77% 10,557 31.64% 530 1.59%
2016 18,652 61.02% 10,356 33.88% 1,557 5.09%
2012 15,008 49.76% 14,569 48.31% 583 1.93%
2008 16,759 52.49% 14,455 45.28% 711 2.23%
2004 17,231 54.41% 13,978 44.14% 462 1.46%
2000 13,706 52.68% 11,662 44.83% 648 2.49%
1996 10,286 39.87% 12,649 49.03% 2,862 11.09%
1992 10,825 39.84% 10,452 38.46% 5,896 21.70%
1988 14,563 60.39% 9,271 38.45% 279 1.16%
1984 17,015 66.60% 8,020 31.39% 513 2.01%
1980 13,251 55.54% 9,355 39.21% 1,253 5.25%
1976 11,477 50.45% 10,743 47.22% 531 2.33%
1972 15,573 71.15% 5,879 26.86% 436 1.99%
1968 11,284 50.72% 6,873 30.90% 4,089 18.38%
1964 9,623 43.10% 12,704 56.90% 0 0.00%
1960 14,075 60.90% 9,036 39.10% 0 0.00%
1956 13,036 63.73% 7,418 36.27% 0 0.00%
1952 13,431 61.01% 8,585 38.99% 0 0.00%
1948 10,398 52.08% 9,524 47.71% 42 0.21%
1944 11,424 53.50% 9,928 46.50% 0 0.00%
1940 11,780 48.62% 12,447 51.38% 0 0.00%
1936 9,817 43.75% 12,503 55.71% 121 0.54%
1932 9,575 47.34% 10,542 52.12% 110 0.54%
1928 11,179 64.59% 6,062 35.02% 67 0.39%
1924 8,431 53.86% 6,028 38.51% 1,194 7.63%
1920 9,330 56.46% 7,063 42.74% 133 0.80%
1916 4,857 47.76% 5,154 50.68% 159 1.56%
1912 3,600 36.76% 4,494 45.89% 1,698 17.34%
1908 5,432 49.69% 5,325 48.71% 174 1.59%
1904 5,472 54.60% 4,387 43.77% 163 1.63%
1900 5,463 51.61% 5,035 47.56% 88 0.83%
1896 5,562 52.32% 4,967 46.73% 101 0.95%
1892 4,632 49.19% 4,489 47.67% 296 3.14%
1888 4,942 50.70% 4,584 47.03% 221 2.27%
1884 4,830 50.30% 4,723 49.18% 50 0.52%
1880 4,734 50.81% 4,551 48.85% 32 0.34%
1876 4,177 48.41% 4,431 51.35% 21 0.24%
1872 3,650 49.55% 3,711 50.38% 5 0.07%
1868 3,230 46.98% 3,645 53.02% 0 0.00%
1864 3,380 51.34% 3,204 48.66% 0 0.00%
1860 3,043 47.35% 2,806 43.67% 577 8.98%
1856 2,436 42.69% 2,681 46.99% 589 10.32%

Education

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School districts

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School districts covering portions of Ross County include:[22]

Pickaway-Ross Career & Technology Center

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Pickaway-Ross lies in the Northern part of the county. Students from the following affiliated Ross and Pickaway county districts attend the vocational school:

  • Adena Local School District (Ross County)
  • Chillicothe City School District (Ross County)
  • Huntington Local School District (Ross County)
  • Paint Valley Local School District (Ross County)
  • Southeastern Local School District (Ross County)
  • Unioto Local School District (Ross County)
  • Zane Trace Local School District (Ross County)
  • Circleville City School District (Pickaway County)
  • Logan Elm Local School District (Pickaway County)
  • Westfall Local School District (Pickaway County)

Ohio University Chillicothe

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Ohio University established a regional campus in Chillicothe in 1966. The university has over 2,500 students enrolled as of 2010, ranging from traditional-aged students and non-traditional learners.[23]

Communities

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Map of Ross County, Ohio With Municipal and Township Labels

City

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Villages

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Census-designated places

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Unincorporated communities

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Townships

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Notable people

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Ross County History". Ross County OH. Archived from the original on January 15, 2009. Retrieved May 21, 2008.
  2. ^ a b 2020 census
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ^ "Ross County data". Ohio State University Extension Data Center. Retrieved April 28, 2007.[dead link‍]
  5. ^ Howe, Henry (1888). Historical Collections of Ohio. Vol. 2. Cincinnati: C.J. Krehbiel & Co. (published 1890). p. 491.
  6. ^ Squier, E.G. (1848). Ancient Monuments of the Mississippi Valley. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution. p. 57.
  7. ^ a b c Ross County OH - Google Maps (accessed 8 June 2019)
  8. ^ Farrell Hill (PeakBagger.com, accessed 8 June 2019)
  9. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on May 4, 2014. Retrieved February 10, 2015.
  10. ^ Adena State Memorial (Ohio State Parks) accessed 8 June 2019
  11. ^ Great Seal State Park (Ohio Div of Natural Resources) accessed 8 June 2019
  12. ^ "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved February 10, 2015.
  13. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved February 10, 2015.
  14. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved February 10, 2015.
  15. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved February 10, 2015.
  16. ^ "U.S. Census website". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  17. ^ "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  18. ^ a b c "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  19. ^ "Selected Social Characteristics in the US – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  20. ^ "Selected Social Characteristics – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  21. ^ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
  22. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Ross County, OH" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved November 21, 2024. - Text list
  23. ^ "Profile Fact Sheet". www.ohio.edu. Archived from the original on September 9, 2018. Retrieved September 9, 2018.
  24. ^ Brownsville, Huntington Twp OH - Google Maps (accessed 8 June 2019)
  25. ^ Lickskillet, Liberty Twp OH - Google Maps (accessed 8 June 2019)
  26. ^ Metzger, Green Twp - Google Maps (accessed 8 June 2019)
  27. ^ Pleasant Grove, Twin Twp OH - Google Maps (accessed 8 June 2019)
  28. ^ Pleasant Valley, Union Twp OH - Google Maps (accessed 8 June 2019)
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39°20′N 83°04′W / 39.33°N 83.06°W / 39.33; -83.06

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