Belmont County, Ohio | |
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 Flag  Seal | |
| Motto: | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofOhio | |
 Ohio's location within theU.S. | |
| Coordinates:40°01′N80°59′W / 40.02°N 80.99°W /40.02; -80.99 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Ohio |
| Founded | September 7, 1801 (created) November 7, 1801 (organized) |
| Named after | "beautiful mountain" inFrench |
| Seat | St. Clairsville |
| Largest city | Martins Ferry |
| Area | |
• Total | 541.27 sq mi (1,401.9 km2) |
| • Land | 532.13 sq mi (1,378.2 km2) |
| • Water | 9.14 sq mi (23.7 km2) 1.7% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 66,497 |
| • Density | 120/sq mi (46/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional district | 6th |
| Website | www |
Belmont County is acounty located in the eastern end of theU.S. state ofOhio. As of the2020 United States census, the population was 66,497.[2] Itscounty seat isSt. Clairsville, while its largest city isMartins Ferry. The county was created on September 7, 1801, and organized on November 7, 1801.[3] It takes itsname from theFrench for "beautiful mountain".[4]
Belmont County is part of theWheeling metropolitan area.
Belmont County was authorized in September 1801 by theNorthwest Territorial legislature, with area partitioned fromJefferson andWashington counties.[3] The county would be organized two months later withSt. Clairsville being named as the county seat in 1803. Its area was reduced in 1810 when area was ceded for the formation ofGuernsey County and again in 1813 for the formation ofMonroe County. It has retained its boundaries unchanged since 1813.Belmont is the Frenchtoponym meaning "beautiful mountain". Settlers migrating westward followedZane's Trace through the county. Later, theNational Road was built through the county.Quakers were among the county's first settlers. Many of these people would become outspokencritics of slavery, including famous abolitionistBenjamin Lundy.
Belmont County is located in the Ohio coal belt.[5] At one time, steamships traveling down theOhio River knew the county's community of Bellaire as the last stop for coal until Cincinnati.[6] In 1866, the county had railroad service from theBaltimore and Ohio Railroad and the Toledo & Ohio Railroad. The National Road also ran through Bellaire.[7] Given the county's transportation resources, fuel resource, and experienced workforce in nearby Wheeling, West Virginia, the county was an excellent location for a glass manufacturing plant. The county's first glass works was the Excelsior Glass Works, which was organized in 1849. In 1866Belmont Glass Company became Bellaire's first of many glass plants, and the second in Belmont County.[8] Some of the founders of this glass works later started another glass factory in Bellaire: theBellaire Goblet Company. In 1880, the state of Ohio ranked fourth in the country in glass production, and Belmont County ranked sixth among the nation's counties.[9] By 1881, Bellaire had 15 glass factories, and was known as "Glass City".[10] At the beginning of the next decade, the state of Ohio was ranked second in the nation in glass production based on the value of the product.[11]
Belmont County was the venue for the world-famousJamboree in the Hills outdoor country music festival from 1977 to 2018. In 1986, the syndicatedPaul Harvey Show featured a special election being held in Belmont County for purposes of selecting a new official county seal and flag, created by then-county resident Michael Massa.[12]
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Belmont County lies on the east side of Ohio. Its east border abuts the west border ofWest Virginia (across theOhio River). The Ohio flows southward along the county's east line. Captina Creek flows eastward through the lower part of the county, discharging into the Ohio atPowhatan Point, andMcMahon Creek also flows eastward through the center of the county, discharging into the Ohio atBellaire. The county terrain consists of low rolling hills, etched with drainages. All available area is devoted to agriculture.[13] The terrain slopes to the east,[14] with its highest point, Galloway Knob (1,396' or 426m ASL) at 1.2 miles (1.9 km) southeast ofLamira.[15] The county has a total area of 541.27 sqmi (1492 km2), of which 532.13 sqmi (1378 km2) is land and 9.14 sqmi (23.69 km2) (1.7%) is water.[16]
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1810 | 11,097 | — | |
| 1820 | 20,329 | 83.2% | |
| 1830 | 28,627 | 40.8% | |
| 1840 | 30,901 | 7.9% | |
| 1850 | 34,600 | 12.0% | |
| 1860 | 36,398 | 5.2% | |
| 1870 | 39,714 | 9.1% | |
| 1880 | 49,638 | 25.0% | |
| 1890 | 57,413 | 15.7% | |
| 1900 | 60,875 | 6.0% | |
| 1910 | 76,856 | 26.3% | |
| 1920 | 93,193 | 21.3% | |
| 1930 | 94,719 | 1.6% | |
| 1940 | 95,614 | 0.9% | |
| 1950 | 87,740 | −8.2% | |
| 1960 | 83,864 | −4.4% | |
| 1970 | 80,917 | −3.5% | |
| 1980 | 82,569 | 2.0% | |
| 1990 | 71,074 | −13.9% | |
| 2000 | 70,226 | −1.2% | |
| 2010 | 70,400 | 0.2% | |
| 2020 | 66,497 | −5.5% | |
| US Decennial Census[17] 1790–1960[18] 1900–1990[19] 1990–2000[20] 2020[2] | |||
| Race / Ethnicity(NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 1980[23] | Pop 1990[24] | Pop 2000[25] | Pop 2010[26] | Pop 2020[27] | % 1980 | % 1990 | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 80,419 | 69,357 | 66,512 | 65,902 | 60,536 | 97.40% | 97.58% | 94.71% | 93.61% | 91.04% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 1,590 | 1,290 | 2,547 | 2,815 | 2,071 | 1.93% | 1.82% | 3.63% | 4.00% | 3.11% |
| Native American orAlaska Native alone (NH) | 42 | 75 | 92 | 85 | 83 | 0.05% | 0.11% | 0.13% | 0.12% | 0.12% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 170 | 127 | 209 | 257 | 265 | 0.21% | 0.18% | 0.30% | 0.37% | 0.40% |
| Native Hawaiian orPacific Islander alone (NH) | x[28] | x[29] | 13 | 6 | 11 | x | x | 0.02% | 0.01% | 0.02% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 64 | 31 | 65 | 46 | 130 | 0.08% | 0.04% | 0.09% | 0.07% | 0.20% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | x[30] | x[31] | 514 | 860 | 2,577 | x | x | 0.73% | 1.22% | 3.88% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 284 | 194 | 274 | 429 | 824 | 0.34% | 0.27% | 0.39% | 0.61% | 1.24% |
| Total | 82,569 | 71,074 | 70,226 | 70,400 | 66,497 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
As of the2010 United States census, there were 70,400 people, 28,679 households, and 18,761 families in the county.[32] The population density was 132.3 people per square mile (51.1 people/km2). There were 32,452 housing units at an average density of 61.0 units per square mile (23.6/km2).[33] The racial makeup of the county was 94.0% white, 4.0% black or African American, 0.4% Asian, 0.1% American Indian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.3% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.6% of the population.[32] In terms of ancestry, 26.0% wereGerman, 17.9% wereIrish, 12.4% wereEnglish, 10.1% wereItalian, 9.0% werePolish, and 6.2% wereAmerican.[34]
Of the 28,679 households, 27.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.2% were married couples living together, 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 34.6% were non-families, and 29.9% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.85. The median age was 43.4 years.[32]
The median income for a household in the county was $38,320 and the median income for a family was $47,214. Males had a median income of $42,022 versus $26,926 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,266. About 12.1% of families and 15.2% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 24.4% of those under age 18 and 9.1% of those age 65 or over.[35]
As of the2000 United States census,[36] there were 70,226 people, 28,309 households, and 19,250 families in the county. Thepopulation density was 132.0 per square mile (51.0/km2). There were 31,236 housing units at an average density of 58.7 units per square mile (22.7/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 94.98%White, 3.64%Black orAfrican American, 0.14%Native American, 0.30%Asian, 0.02%Pacific Islander, 0.16% fromother races, and 0.77% from two or more races. 0.39% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race. 20.2% were ofGerman, 12.5%Irish, 12.0%American, 10.3%English, 10.2%Italian and 9.0%Polish ancestry according tothe 2000 census.
There were 28,309 households, out of which 28.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.10% weremarried couples living together, 11.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.00% were non-families. 28.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.90.
The county population contained 21.80% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 27.40% from 25 to 44, 24.90% from 45 to 64, and 18.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 96.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.60 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $29,714, and the median income for a family was $37,538. Males had a median income of $31,211 versus $19,890 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $16,221. About 11.70% of families and 14.60% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 20.40% of those under age 18 and 9.80% of those age 65 or over.
Belmont County is anAppalachian county in Southern Ohio, and as with many counties in this region was solidly Democratic from theFranklin D. Roosevelt administration through the 1990s. Back in the 19th century, the county frequently voted Republican, including voting forAbraham Lincoln in the 1860 election.[37] Similar to counties in neighboringWest Virginia andKentucky, in Appalachia, the Democratic margins began to shrink in the 2000s, and the county became reliably Republican by 2012.
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2024 | 22,758 | 73.30% | 8,080 | 26.02% | 211 | 0.68% |
| 2020 | 23,560 | 71.09% | 9,138 | 27.57% | 443 | 1.34% |
| 2016 | 21,108 | 67.37% | 8,785 | 28.04% | 1,438 | 4.59% |
| 2012 | 16,758 | 52.88% | 14,156 | 44.67% | 774 | 2.44% |
| 2008 | 15,422 | 47.40% | 16,302 | 50.10% | 812 | 2.50% |
| 2004 | 15,589 | 46.78% | 17,576 | 52.75% | 157 | 0.47% |
| 2000 | 12,625 | 41.89% | 15,980 | 53.02% | 1,536 | 5.10% |
| 1996 | 8,213 | 26.81% | 17,705 | 57.79% | 4,721 | 15.41% |
| 1992 | 8,614 | 25.77% | 18,527 | 55.44% | 6,280 | 18.79% |
| 1988 | 12,214 | 38.20% | 19,515 | 61.04% | 244 | 0.76% |
| 1984 | 15,170 | 43.52% | 19,458 | 55.82% | 228 | 0.65% |
| 1980 | 13,601 | 42.47% | 16,653 | 52.00% | 1,770 | 5.53% |
| 1976 | 13,550 | 38.47% | 21,162 | 60.09% | 507 | 1.44% |
| 1972 | 17,628 | 53.62% | 14,800 | 45.01% | 450 | 1.37% |
| 1968 | 11,512 | 31.94% | 22,056 | 61.19% | 2,478 | 6.87% |
| 1964 | 9,693 | 25.59% | 28,180 | 74.41% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 18,146 | 43.26% | 23,805 | 56.74% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1956 | 19,230 | 50.31% | 18,991 | 49.69% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1952 | 17,693 | 41.68% | 24,759 | 58.32% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1948 | 13,283 | 35.76% | 23,217 | 62.51% | 643 | 1.73% |
| 1944 | 15,485 | 39.13% | 24,093 | 60.87% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1940 | 17,705 | 38.22% | 28,618 | 61.78% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1936 | 14,511 | 31.91% | 30,545 | 67.16% | 425 | 0.93% |
| 1932 | 15,029 | 40.75% | 20,291 | 55.01% | 1,565 | 4.24% |
| 1928 | 20,969 | 60.84% | 12,807 | 37.16% | 692 | 2.01% |
| 1924 | 16,378 | 54.53% | 8,074 | 26.88% | 5,583 | 18.59% |
| 1920 | 14,761 | 50.55% | 13,347 | 45.71% | 1,093 | 3.74% |
| 1916 | 7,526 | 44.15% | 7,911 | 46.41% | 1,609 | 9.44% |
| 1912 | 5,267 | 34.00% | 5,412 | 34.94% | 4,812 | 31.06% |
| 1908 | 8,193 | 48.02% | 7,750 | 45.42% | 1,120 | 6.56% |
| 1904 | 8,170 | 56.75% | 4,801 | 33.35% | 1,425 | 9.90% |
| 1900 | 8,217 | 55.33% | 6,251 | 42.09% | 384 | 2.59% |
| 1896 | 7,699 | 53.66% | 6,413 | 44.70% | 236 | 1.64% |
| 1892 | 6,329 | 48.28% | 6,123 | 46.71% | 657 | 5.01% |
| 1888 | 6,615 | 51.55% | 5,778 | 45.02% | 440 | 3.43% |
| 1884 | 6,186 | 50.79% | 5,763 | 47.32% | 231 | 1.90% |
| 1880 | 5,539 | 50.08% | 5,379 | 48.63% | 143 | 1.29% |
| 1876 | 4,976 | 49.56% | 5,024 | 50.03% | 41 | 0.41% |
| 1872 | 4,267 | 53.77% | 3,647 | 45.96% | 22 | 0.28% |
| 1868 | 3,893 | 50.20% | 3,862 | 49.80% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1864 | 3,379 | 49.10% | 3,503 | 50.90% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1860 | 2,675 | 41.00% | 1,450 | 22.22% | 2,400 | 36.78% |
| 1856 | 1,817 | 28.48% | 2,810 | 44.04% | 1,753 | 27.48% |
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2024 | 20,146 | 65.51% | 9,476 | 30.82% | 1,129 | 3.67% |
Most of the county's government offices are located in the Belmont County Courthouse.[40] Belmont County has a three-member board of county commissioners who administer and oversee the various county departments, similar to all but two of the 88 Ohio counties. The elected commissioners serve staggered four-year terms. As of 2019, Belmont County's elected commissioners are: Jerry Echemann (R), J. P. Dutton (R), and Josh Meyer (R).[41]
Belmont County is served by several detention centers located aroundSt. Clairsville. The Belmont Correctional Institution is located on 158 acres (0.64 km2) between St. Clairsville and Bannock onState Route 331. The facility houses 2,698 inmates as of 2009.[42] The Belmont County Jail in St. Clairsville is located near Belmont College and Ohio University Eastern Campus. The facility contains 144 beds and also houses the county sheriff's offices.[43] The county is also served bySargus Juvenile Detention Center, a 17-bed facility that also serves surrounding counties.[44] Sargus Center is located next to the county jail.
Belmont County is served by these local schools:
Media related toBelmont County, Ohio at Wikimedia Commons
Places adjacent to Belmont County, Ohio | |
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Municipalities and communities ofBelmont County, Ohio,United States | ||
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| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
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