Meigs County, Ohio | |
|---|---|
 County courthouse in Pomeroy | |
 Flag  Seal | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofOhio | |
 Ohio's location within theU.S. | |
| Coordinates:39°05′N82°01′W / 39.08°N 82.02°W /39.08; -82.02 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Ohio |
| Founded | April 1, 1819[1] |
| Named after | Return J. Meigs Jr. |
| Seat | Pomeroy |
| Largest village | Middleport |
| Area | |
• Total | 433 sq mi (1,120 km2) |
| • Land | 430 sq mi (1,100 km2) |
| • Water | 2.9 sq mi (7.5 km2) 0.7% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 22,210 |
| • Density | 51/sq mi (20/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional district | 2nd |
| Website | www |
Meigs County (/ˈmɛɡz/MEGZ[2]) is acounty located in theU.S. state ofOhio. As of the2020 census, the population was 22,210.[3] Itscounty seat isPomeroy.[4] The county isnamed forReturn J. Meigs Jr., the fourthGovernor of Ohio.[5]
According to theU.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.[6] TheOhio River forms the eastern and southern boundaries of the county, the other side of which is located inWest Virginia.
Meigs County lies in theAppalachian Plateau physiographic region of theAppalachian 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 andLeading Creek. Another stream of note isRaccoon Creek, which flows through a small area of the northwestern corner of the county.[7]
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 byacid mine drainage and sedimentation.[citation needed]
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.[8][9]
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 amicroclimate 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.
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1820 | 4,480 | — | |
| 1830 | 6,158 | 37.5% | |
| 1840 | 11,452 | 86.0% | |
| 1850 | 17,971 | 56.9% | |
| 1860 | 26,534 | 47.6% | |
| 1870 | 31,465 | 18.6% | |
| 1880 | 32,325 | 2.7% | |
| 1890 | 29,813 | −7.8% | |
| 1900 | 28,620 | −4.0% | |
| 1910 | 25,594 | −10.6% | |
| 1920 | 26,189 | 2.3% | |
| 1930 | 23,961 | −8.5% | |
| 1940 | 24,104 | 0.6% | |
| 1950 | 23,227 | −3.6% | |
| 1960 | 22,159 | −4.6% | |
| 1970 | 19,799 | −10.7% | |
| 1980 | 23,641 | 19.4% | |
| 1990 | 22,987 | −2.8% | |
| 2000 | 23,072 | 0.4% | |
| 2010 | 23,770 | 3.0% | |
| 2020 | 22,210 | −6.6% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[10] 1790-1960[11] 1900-1990[12] 1990-2000[13] 2020[3] | |||
| Race / Ethnicity(NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 1980[14] | Pop 1990[15] | Pop 2000[16] | Pop 2010[17] | Pop 2020[18] | % 1980 | % 1990 | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 23,230 | 22,690 | 22,461 | 23,087 | 21,180 | 98.26% | 98.71% | 97.35% | 97.13% | 95.36% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 206 | 177 | 159 | 202 | 148 | 0.87% | 0.77% | 0.69% | 0.85% | 0.67% |
| Native American orAlaska Native alone (NH) | 27 | 41 | 58 | 50 | 49 | 0.11% | 0.18% | 0.25% | 0.21% | 0.22% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 30 | 19 | 24 | 51 | 22 | 0.13% | 0.08% | 0.10% | 0.21% | 0.10% |
| Native Hawaiian orPacific Islander alone (NH) | x[19] | x[20] | 0 | 1 | 0 | x | x | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 10 | 1 | 15 | 10 | 43 | 0.04% | 0.00% | 0.07% | 0.04% | 0.19% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | x[21] | x[22] | 217 | 254 | 596 | x | x | 0.94% | 1.07% | 2.68% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 138 | 59 | 138 | 115 | 172 | 0.58% | 0.26% | 0.60% | 0.48% | 0.77% |
| Total | 23,641 | 22,987 | 23,072 | 23,770 | 22,210 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
As of the2010 United States census, there were 23,770 people, 9,557 households, and 6,698 families living in the county.[23] 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 units per square mile (10.0 units/km2).[24] 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.[23] In terms of ancestry, 25.1% wereGerman, 14.3% wereIrish, 13.9% wereAmerican, and 9.6% wereEnglish.[25]
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.[23]
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 thepoverty line, including 31.9% of those under age 18 and 12.3% of those age 65 or over.[26]
As of the census[27] 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 people/km2). There were 10,782 housing units at an average density of 25 units per square mile (9.7/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.73%White, 0.69%Black orAfrican American, 0.27%Native American, 0.10%Asian, 0.25% fromother races, and 0.96% from two or more races. 0.60% of the population wereHispanic orLatino 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.
Owing to its history as a settlement of the YankeeOhio Company of Associates, Meigs County was reliably 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 (althoughBill Clinton who carried Meigs twice did so only with pluralities) but has become powerfully Republican again since 2000.Barack Obama reached 39% in this county despite his statewide victories in 2008 or 2012, butDonald Trump reached a record 72.8% in the county in 2016 owing to his strength in rural counties nationwide.
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2024 | 8,127 | 77.98% | 2,202 | 21.13% | 93 | 0.89% |
| 2020 | 8,316 | 75.83% | 2,492 | 22.72% | 159 | 1.45% |
| 2016 | 7,309 | 72.79% | 2,260 | 22.51% | 472 | 4.70% |
| 2012 | 5,895 | 57.69% | 4,027 | 39.41% | 296 | 2.90% |
| 2008 | 6,015 | 57.80% | 4,094 | 39.34% | 298 | 2.86% |
| 2004 | 6,272 | 58.23% | 4,438 | 41.20% | 61 | 0.57% |
| 2000 | 5,750 | 58.70% | 3,674 | 37.51% | 371 | 3.79% |
| 1996 | 3,622 | 38.27% | 4,275 | 45.17% | 1,568 | 16.57% |
| 1992 | 3,916 | 38.07% | 4,226 | 41.08% | 2,144 | 20.84% |
| 1988 | 5,486 | 59.14% | 3,699 | 39.88% | 91 | 0.98% |
| 1984 | 6,307 | 63.52% | 3,549 | 35.74% | 73 | 0.74% |
| 1980 | 4,911 | 53.56% | 3,827 | 41.73% | 432 | 4.71% |
| 1976 | 4,942 | 47.76% | 5,262 | 50.85% | 144 | 1.39% |
| 1972 | 5,961 | 70.69% | 2,335 | 27.69% | 137 | 1.62% |
| 1968 | 4,759 | 56.29% | 2,921 | 34.55% | 775 | 9.17% |
| 1964 | 3,973 | 43.63% | 5,133 | 56.37% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 6,976 | 66.77% | 3,472 | 33.23% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1956 | 6,593 | 70.32% | 2,783 | 29.68% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1952 | 6,700 | 66.76% | 3,336 | 33.24% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1948 | 5,564 | 60.52% | 3,595 | 39.11% | 34 | 0.37% |
| 1944 | 6,401 | 65.32% | 3,399 | 34.68% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1940 | 7,239 | 59.23% | 4,983 | 40.77% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1936 | 6,464 | 51.51% | 6,085 | 48.49% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1932 | 5,964 | 53.04% | 5,105 | 45.40% | 175 | 1.56% |
| 1928 | 6,580 | 70.65% | 2,661 | 28.57% | 73 | 0.78% |
| 1924 | 4,864 | 57.28% | 1,944 | 22.89% | 1,684 | 19.83% |
| 1920 | 6,541 | 63.36% | 3,606 | 34.93% | 177 | 1.71% |
| 1916 | 3,184 | 52.79% | 2,628 | 43.57% | 219 | 3.63% |
| 1912 | 2,129 | 36.39% | 1,738 | 29.71% | 1,983 | 33.90% |
| 1908 | 4,108 | 62.05% | 2,225 | 33.61% | 288 | 4.35% |
| 1904 | 4,304 | 68.45% | 1,708 | 27.16% | 276 | 4.39% |
| 1900 | 4,545 | 65.59% | 2,237 | 32.28% | 147 | 2.12% |
| 1896 | 4,696 | 64.27% | 2,536 | 34.71% | 75 | 1.03% |
| 1892 | 3,959 | 59.37% | 2,415 | 36.22% | 294 | 4.41% |
| 1888 | 3,989 | 60.41% | 2,413 | 36.54% | 201 | 3.04% |
| 1884 | 4,177 | 60.39% | 2,630 | 38.02% | 110 | 1.59% |
| 1880 | 4,103 | 59.51% | 2,749 | 39.87% | 43 | 0.62% |
| 1876 | 3,962 | 58.68% | 2,773 | 41.07% | 17 | 0.25% |
| 1872 | 3,501 | 65.81% | 1,812 | 34.06% | 7 | 0.13% |
| 1868 | 3,548 | 63.64% | 2,027 | 36.36% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1864 | 3,522 | 70.68% | 1,461 | 29.32% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1860 | 2,689 | 58.30% | 1,699 | 36.84% | 224 | 4.86% |
| 1856 | 1,998 | 50.65% | 1,603 | 40.63% | 344 | 8.72% |
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2024 | 7,385 | 72.30% | 2,456 | 24.04% | 374 | 3.66% |
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Places adjacent to Meigs County, Ohio | |
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Municipalities and communities ofMeigs County, Ohio,United States | ||
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| Villages |  | |
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| CDP | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
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