Meigs County, Ohio

Meigs County is a county located in the U.S. state of Ohio. As of the 2010 census, the population was 23,770.[2] Its county seat is Pomeroy.[3] The county is named for Return J. Meigs, Jr., the fourth Governor of Ohio.[4]

Meigs County
U.S. county
Seal
Location within the U.S. state of Ohio
Ohio's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 39°05′N 82°01′W
Country United States
State Ohio
FoundedApril 1, 1819[1]
Named forReturn J. Meigs, Jr.
SeatPomeroy
Largest villageMiddleport
Area
 • Total433 sq mi (1,120 km2)
 • Land430 sq mi (1,100 km2)
 • Water2.9 sq mi (8 km2)  0.7%%
Population
 • Estimate 
(2019)
22,907
 • Density55/sq mi (21/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district6th
Websitewww.meigscountyohio.com

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 433 square miles (1,120 km2), of which 430 square miles (1,100 km2) is land and 2.9 square miles (7.5 km2) (0.7%) is water.[5] The Ohio River forms the eastern and southern boundaries of the county, the other side of which is located in West Virginia.

Meigs County lies in the Appalachian Plateau physiographic region of the Appalachian Mountains. The landscape is considered to be anywhere from gently rolling to rugged, typical of a dissected plateau. Elevations range from 1,020 feet (310 m) asl (above sea level) in the southwest to about 535 feet (163 m) asl in the far south central part of the county along the Ohio River. The majority of Meigs County is drained by two subwatersheds of the Ohio River, Shade River and Leading Creek. Another stream of note is Raccoon Creek, which flows through a small area of the northwestern corner of the county.[6]

Coal mining, both strip and underground, has been an important industry in Meigs County since the late 19th century, although mining of all types largely ceased by the 1990s. The effects of mining are still readily seen on the landscape today. Features such as high walls, spoil piles, and irregular topography are still prevalent. Many tributaries in the Leading Creek basin are plagued by acid mine drainage and sedimentation.

In 2009, Gatling, Ohio LLC invested $75 million to open a new coal mine and coal prep plant near Racine. It is capable of employing 120 to 150 miners, and is capable of producing 3.5 million marketable tons of coal per year.[7][8]

Climate

Meigs County's climate is considered humid continental, with warm to hot, humid summers and cool to cold, wet winters. Precipitation averages 41" annually, spread evenly throughout the year. High July temperatures average in the upper 80s F, while lows average in the low to mid 60s F. Temperatures above 90* F in the summer are common. January highs average about 40* F, with lows in the lower 20s. Temperatures around or even below 0* F occur during most winters. Snowfall averages 20–25", falling between late November and the first week of April.

The Ohio River creates a microclimate in its valley where temperatures tend to be moderated by the river, hence resulting in longer growing seasons compared to the rest of the county. Other microclimates, known as frost hollows or frost pockets, exist throughout the county in small isolated valleys. Nocturnal temperatures are often several degrees colder than the surrounding terrain.

Adjacent counties

State protected areas

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
18204,480—
18306,15837.5%
184011,45286.0%
185017,97156.9%
186026,53447.6%
187031,46518.6%
188032,3252.7%
189029,813−7.8%
190028,620−4.0%
191025,594−10.6%
192026,1892.3%
193023,961−8.5%
194024,1040.6%
195023,227−3.6%
196022,159−4.6%
197019,799−10.7%
198023,64119.4%
199022,987−2.8%
200023,0720.4%
201023,7703.0%
2019 (est.)22,907[9]−3.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[10]
1790-1960[11] 1900-1990[12]
1990-2000[13] 2010-2019[2]

2000 census

As of the census[14] of 2000, there were 23,072 people, 9,234 households, and 6,574 families living in the county. The population density was 54 people per square mile (21/km2). There were 10,782 housing units at an average density of 25 per square mile (10/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.73% White, 0.69% Black or African American, 0.27% Native American, 0.10% Asian, 0.25% from other races, and 0.96% from two or more races. 0.60% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 9,234 households, out of which 31.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.90% were married couples living together, 10.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.80% were non-families. 25.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.90% under the age of 18, 8.40% from 18 to 24, 27.70% from 25 to 44, 25.20% from 45 to 64, and 14.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 94.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $27,287, and the median income for a family was $33,071. Males had a median income of $30,821 versus $19,621 for females. The per capita income for the county was $13,848. About 14.30% of families and 19.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.30% of those under age 18 and 14.50% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 23,770 people, 9,557 households, and 6,698 families living in the county.[15] The population density was 55.3 inhabitants per square mile (21.4/km2). There were 11,191 housing units at an average density of 26.0 per square mile (10.0/km2).[16] The racial makeup of the county was 97.4% white, 0.9% black or African American, 0.2% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.1% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.5% of the population.[15] In terms of ancestry, 25.1% were German, 14.3% were Irish, 13.9% were American, and 9.6% were English.[17]

Of the 9,557 households, 31.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.6% were married couples living together, 11.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 29.9% were non-families, and 25.3% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.91. The median age was 41.2 years.[15]

The median income for a household in the county was $33,407 and the median income for a family was $42,653. Males had a median income of $41,850 versus $27,271 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,003. About 16.7% of families and 20.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.9% of those under age 18 and 12.3% of those age 65 or over.[18]

Politics

Owing to its history as a settlement of the Yankee Ohio Company of Associates, Meigs County was rock-ribbed Republican for the first century following that party's formation. Meigs County voted Republican in every Presidential election between 1856 and 1960. It was won four times by Democrats between 1964 and 1996 (although Bill Clinton who carried Meigs twice did so only with pluralities) but has become powerfully Republican again since 2000. Barack Obama never came close to winning this county in either of his statewide victories in 2008 or 2012, but Donald Trump had a resounding, record-breaking victory (72.8%) in the county in 2016 owing to his strength in rural counties nationwide.

Presidential elections results
Presidential elections results[19][20]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2020 75.8% 8,316 22.7% 2,492 1.5% 159
2016 72.8% 7,309 22.5% 2,260 4.7% 472
2012 57.7% 5,895 39.4% 4,027 2.9% 296
2008 57.8% 6,015 39.3% 4,094 2.9% 298
2004 58.2% 6,272 41.2% 4,438 0.6% 61
2000 58.7% 5,750 37.5% 3,674 3.8% 371
1996 38.3% 3,622 45.2% 4,275 16.6% 1,568
1992 38.1% 3,916 41.1% 4,226 20.9% 2,144
1988 59.1% 5,486 39.9% 3,699 1.0% 91
1984 63.5% 6,307 35.7% 3,549 0.7% 73
1980 53.6% 4,911 41.7% 3,827 4.7% 432
1976 47.8% 4,942 50.9% 5,262 1.4% 144
1972 70.7% 5,961 27.7% 2,335 1.6% 137
1968 56.3% 4,759 34.6% 2,921 9.2% 775
1964 43.6% 3,973 56.4% 5,133
1960 66.8% 6,976 33.2% 3,472
1956 70.3% 6,593 29.7% 2,783
1952 66.8% 6,700 33.2% 3,336
1948 60.5% 5,564 39.1% 3,595 0.4% 34
1944 65.3% 6,401 34.7% 3,399
1940 59.2% 7,239 40.8% 4,983
1936 51.5% 6,464 48.5% 6,085
1932 53.0% 5,964 45.4% 5,105 1.6% 175
1928 70.7% 6,580 28.6% 2,661 0.8% 73
1924 57.3% 4,864 22.9% 1,944 19.8% 1,684
1920 63.4% 6,541 34.9% 3,606 1.7% 177
1916 52.8% 3,184 43.6% 2,628 3.6% 219
1912 36.4% 2,129 29.7% 1,738 33.9% 1,983
1908 62.1% 4,108 33.6% 2,225 4.4% 288
1904 68.5% 4,304 27.2% 1,708 4.4% 276
1900 65.6% 4,545 32.3% 2,237 2.1% 147
1896 64.3% 4,696 34.7% 2,536 1.0% 75
1892 59.4% 3,959 36.2% 2,415 4.4% 294
1888 60.4% 3,989 36.5% 2,413 3.0% 201
1884 60.4% 4,177 38.0% 2,630 1.6% 110
1880 59.5% 4,103 39.9% 2,749 0.6% 43
1876 58.7% 3,962 41.1% 2,773 0.3% 17
1872 65.8% 3,501 34.1% 1,812 0.1% 7
1868 63.6% 3,548 36.4% 2,027
1864 70.7% 3,522 29.3% 1,461
1860 58.3% 2,689 36.8% 1,699 4.9% 224
1856 50.7% 1,998 40.6% 1,603 8.7% 344

Education

Communities
Map of Meigs County, Ohio with municipal and township labels
Meigs County Courthouse

Villages

Townships

https://web.archive.org/web/20160715023447/http://www.ohiotownships.org/township-websites

Census-designated place

Other unincorporated communities

Notable people

See also

References
  1. "Ohio County Profiles: Meigs County" (PDF). Ohio Department of Development. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 21, 2007. Retrieved April 28, 2007.
  2. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved February 9, 2015.
  3. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 204.
  5. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on May 4, 2014. Retrieved February 9, 2015.
  6. Ohio Atlas & Gazetteer. Yarmouth, Me.: DeLorme. 1991. pp. 79–80, 87. ISBN 0-89933-233-1.
  7. "Pomeroy Daily Sentinel – Gatling investing million in mine facility". Mydailysentinel.com. Archived from the original on July 14, 2011. Retrieved June 1, 2010.
  8. "Coal Ties / Meigs County producing coal once again " Entangled Citizens". Spurse.org. May 18, 2009. Archived from the original on July 28, 2011. Retrieved June 1, 2010.
  9. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  10. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 9, 2015.
  11. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved February 9, 2015.
  12. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 9, 2015.
  13. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved February 9, 2015.
  14. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  15. "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  16. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  17. "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  18. "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  19. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
  20. "Ohio Historical Election Results". Retrieved January 21, 2021.
  21. "James Edwin Campbell". Remarkable Ohio. Ohio History Connection. Retrieved September 12, 2017.

Further reading
  • Thomas William Lewis, History of Southeastern Ohio and the Muskingum Valley, 1788-1928. In Three Volumes. Chicago: S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1928.

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