Washington County, Ohio

Washington County is a county located in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Ohio. As of the 2020 census, the population was 59,711.[2] Its county seat is Marietta.[3] The county, the oldest in the state, is named for George Washington.[4] Washington County comprises the Marietta, OH Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Parkersburg-Marietta-Vienna, WV-OH Combined Statistical Area.

Washington County
County
Washington County Courthouse
Washington County Courthouse
Flag of Washington County
Flag
Official seal of Washington County
Seal
Map of Ohio highlighting Washington 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°28′N 81°29′W
Country United States
State Ohio
FoundedJuly 27, 1788[1]
Named forGeorge Washington
SeatMarietta
Largest cityMarietta
Area
 • Total640 sq mi (1,700 km2)
 • Land632 sq mi (1,640 km2)
 • Water8.0 sq mi (21 km2)  1.3%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total59,711 Decrease
 • Density93/sq mi (36/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district6th
Websitewww.washingtongov.org

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 640 square miles (1,700 km2), of which 632 square miles (1,640 km2) is land and 8.0 square miles (21 km2) (1.3%) is water.[5] It is the fifth-largest county in Ohio by land area.

Washington County's southern and eastern boundary is the Ohio River. The Muskingum River, Little Muskingum River, Duck Creek, and the Little Hocking River flow through the county to the Ohio River.[6]

Adjacent counties

Major highways

Protected areas

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18005,427—
18105,99110.4%
182010,42574.0%
183011,73112.5%
184020,82377.5%
185029,54041.9%
186036,26822.8%
187040,60912.0%
188043,2446.5%
189042,380−2.0%
190048,24513.8%
191045,422−5.9%
192043,049−5.2%
193042,437−1.4%
194043,5372.6%
195044,4072.0%
196051,68916.4%
197057,16010.6%
198064,26612.4%
199062,254−3.1%
200063,2511.6%
201061,778−2.3%
202059,711−3.3%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9]
1990-2000[10] 2020 [2]

2000 census

As of the census[11] of 2000, there were 63,251 people, 25,137 households, and 17,671 families living in the county. The population density was 100 inhabitants per square mile (39 inhabitants/km2). There were 27,760 housing units at an average density of 44 units per square mile (17/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.33% White, 0.92% Black or African American, 0.24% Native American, 0.43% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.13% from other races, and 0.89% from two or more races. 0.51% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 29.5% were of German, 23.4% American, 12.3% English and 11.0% Irish ancestry according to Census 2000.

There were 25,137 households, out of which 30.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.90% were married couples living together, 9.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.70% were non-families. 25.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.50% under the age of 18, 8.80% from 18 to 24, 27.50% from 25 to 44, 25.10% from 45 to 64, and 15.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 94.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $34,275, and the median income for a family was $41,605. Males had a median income of $32,034 versus $21,346 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,082. About 8.60% of families and 11.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.70% of those under age 18 and 10.20% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 61,778 people, 25,587 households, and 17,092 families living in the county.[12] The population density was 97.8 inhabitants per square mile (37.8 inhabitants/km2). There were 28,367 housing units at an average density of 44.9 units per square mile (17.3 units/km2).[13] The racial makeup of the county was 96.5% white, 1.1% black or African American, 0.6% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.7% of the population.[12] In terms of ancestry, 29.3% were German, 16.7% were Irish, 11.8% were English, and 10.7% were American.[14]

Of the 25,587 households, 28.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.5% were married couples living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 33.2% were non-families, and 28.1% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.84. The median age was 43.0 years.[12]

The median income for a household in the county was $41,654 and the median income for a family was $53,131. Males had a median income of $42,460 versus $28,828 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,786. About 10.8% of families and 15.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.5% of those under age 18 and 10.0% of those age 65 or over.[15]

Government

Washington County has a 3-member Board of County Commissioners that oversee the various County departments, similar to all but 2 of the 88 Ohio counties. Washington County's elected commissioners are: Kevin Ritter (R), James Booth (R), and Charlie Schilling (R).[16]

Politics
Results from the 2020 Presidential Election in Marietta, the county's largest city.

Washington County typically votes Republican. In 1976, it was one of only two counties on the eastern Ohio border to vote for President Gerald Ford, and in 1996, it was the only county on the eastern border to vote for Bob Dole. Only five Democratic Party presidential candidates have won the county from 1856 to the present day, the most recent being Lyndon B. Johnson in his statewide & national landslide of 1964.

United States presidential election results for Washington County, Ohio[17]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 22,307 69.53% 9,243 28.81% 531 1.66%
2016 20,514 68.07% 8,026 26.63% 1,597 5.30%
2012 17,284 58.39% 11,651 39.36% 667 2.25%
2008 17,019 56.86% 12,368 41.32% 545 1.82%
2004 17,532 58.02% 12,538 41.49% 146 0.48%
2000 15,342 57.86% 10,383 39.16% 790 2.98%
1996 11,965 46.06% 10,945 42.13% 3,067 11.81%
1992 12,204 43.47% 10,380 36.98% 5,489 19.55%
1988 14,767 59.27% 9,967 40.00% 182 0.73%
1984 16,529 66.13% 7,920 31.69% 544 2.18%
1980 14,310 59.70% 7,936 33.11% 1,725 7.20%
1976 11,513 54.57% 8,914 42.25% 669 3.17%
1972 14,023 68.63% 5,814 28.45% 597 2.92%
1968 11,888 58.25% 6,922 33.92% 1,598 7.83%
1964 8,873 44.22% 11,193 55.78% 0 0.00%
1960 14,197 64.38% 7,856 35.62% 0 0.00%
1956 13,927 69.65% 6,068 30.35% 0 0.00%
1952 13,841 65.24% 7,376 34.76% 0 0.00%
1948 10,349 57.70% 7,542 42.05% 45 0.25%
1944 11,676 62.44% 7,023 37.56% 0 0.00%
1940 13,558 61.23% 8,584 38.77% 0 0.00%
1936 10,826 50.70% 10,203 47.78% 325 1.52%
1932 9,352 47.05% 10,208 51.36% 316 1.59%
1928 12,767 73.18% 4,582 26.26% 98 0.56%
1924 8,704 57.12% 5,727 37.58% 808 5.30%
1920 9,279 58.20% 6,286 39.43% 379 2.38%
1916 4,745 45.43% 5,267 50.43% 432 4.14%
1912 3,326 33.46% 4,637 46.65% 1,978 19.90%
1908 5,648 48.66% 5,771 49.72% 188 1.62%
1904 6,522 57.55% 4,436 39.15% 374 3.30%
1900 6,542 53.91% 5,399 44.49% 195 1.61%
1896 5,949 52.99% 5,182 46.16% 95 0.85%
1892 4,845 50.08% 4,524 46.76% 306 3.16%
1888 4,921 51.24% 4,446 46.29% 237 2.47%
1884 4,790 49.93% 4,667 48.65% 136 1.42%
1880 4,711 50.64% 4,452 47.86% 140 1.50%
1876 4,361 49.08% 4,492 50.56% 32 0.36%
1872 4,231 53.27% 3,680 46.33% 32 0.40%
1868 4,258 54.20% 3,598 45.80% 0 0.00%
1864 4,102 57.35% 3,050 42.65% 0 0.00%
1860 3,169 49.38% 3,060 47.69% 188 2.93%
1856 2,783 52.36% 2,251 42.35% 281 5.29%

Education

There are six high schools that serve the people of Washington County (as of 2016).

There is also the Washington County Career Center, a tech school, Washington State Community College, a two-year college, and Marietta College, a four-year college. All are located in Marietta.

Communities
Map of Washington County, Ohio With Municipal and Township Labels
Downtown Marietta and the Muskingum River in July 2006

Cities

Villages

Townships

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

See also

References
  1. "Ohio County Profiles: Washington County" (PDF). Ohio Department of Development. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 21, 2007. Retrieved April 28, 2007.
  2. 2020 census
  3. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. "Washington County data". Ohio State University Extension Data Center. Retrieved April 28, 2007.
  5. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on May 4, 2014. Retrieved February 11, 2015.
  6. Ohio Atlas & Gazetteer. Yarmouth, Me.: DeLorme. 1991. pp. 71–73, 80–81. ISBN 0-89933-233-1.
  7. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 11, 2015.
  8. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved February 11, 2015.
  9. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 11, 2015.
  10. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved February 11, 2015.
  11. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  12. "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.
  13. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  14. "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.
  15. "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.
  16. "Washington County Board of County Commissioners". Washington County Ohio Homepage. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
  17. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
  18. "Townships". Ohio Township Association. Archived from the original on July 15, 2016. Retrieved November 3, 2019.

Further reading
  • Israel Ward Andrews, Washington County, and the Early Settlement of Ohio: Being the Centennial Historical Address, before the Citizens of Washington County. Cincinnati, OH: P.G. Thomson, 1877.
  • Martin Register Andrews and Seymour J. Hathaway, History of Marietta and Washington County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens. Chicago : Biographical Publishing Co., 1902.
  • William Dana Emerson, et al., Washington County, Ohio. Marietta, OH: Washington County Historical Society, 1976.
  • Henry Howe, History of Washington County, Ohio, 1788-1889. Knightstown, IN: Bookmark, 1977.
  • Thomas William Lewis, History of Southeastern Ohio and the Muskingum Valley, 1788-1928. In Three Volumes. Chicago: S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1928.
  • Washington County Historical Society, Washington County, Ohio, to 1980: A Collection of Topical and Family Sketches. Marietta, OH: Washington County Historical Society, 1980.
  • H.Z. Williams & Bro., History of Washington County, Ohio: With Illustrations and Biographical Sketches. Cleveland, OH: H.Z. Williams, 1881.

39.46°N 81.49°W / 39.46; -81.49

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