Ross County, Ohio | |
|---|---|
 | |
 Flag .svg) Seal | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofOhio | |
| Coordinates:39°20′N83°04′W / 39.33°N 83.06°W /39.33; -83.06 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Ohio |
| Founded | August 20, 1798[1] |
| Named after | James Ross |
| Seat | Chillicothe |
| Largest city | Chillicothe |
| Area | |
• Total | 693.03 sq mi (1,794.9 km2) |
| • Land | 689.19 sq mi (1,785.0 km2) |
| • Water | 3.84 sq mi (9.9 km2) 0.6% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 77,093 |
| • Density | 110/sq mi (42/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional district | 2nd |
| Website | www |
Ross County is acounty in the Appalachian region of theU.S. state ofOhio. As of the2020 United States census, the population was 77,093.[2] Itscounty seat isChillicothe,[3] the first and third capital of Ohio. Established on August 20, 1798, the county isnamed forFederalistSenatorJames Ross ofPennsylvania.[4]Ross County comprises theChillicothe, OHMicropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in theColumbus-Marion-Zanesville, OH Combined Statistical Area.
Ross County was formed by proclamation of GovernorSt. Clair, August 20, 1798, being the sixth county formed in theNorthwest Territory.[5]
Ross County was described byEphraim George Squier andEdwin 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-builtearthworks 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 includedSerpent Mound,Fort Ancient, Mound City, and Seip Earthworks (both now part ofHopewell Culture National Historical Park), andNewark Earthworks.[6]
TheScioto 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 ofChillicothe. 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 ofBainbridge.[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, afterAshtabula County, as well as the fifth-largest by total area.
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1800 | 8,540 | — | |
| 1810 | 15,514 | 81.7% | |
| 1820 | 20,619 | 32.9% | |
| 1830 | 24,068 | 16.7% | |
| 1840 | 27,460 | 14.1% | |
| 1850 | 32,074 | 16.8% | |
| 1860 | 35,071 | 9.3% | |
| 1870 | 37,097 | 5.8% | |
| 1880 | 40,307 | 8.7% | |
| 1890 | 39,454 | −2.1% | |
| 1900 | 40,940 | 3.8% | |
| 1910 | 40,069 | −2.1% | |
| 1920 | 41,556 | 3.7% | |
| 1930 | 45,181 | 8.7% | |
| 1940 | 52,147 | 15.4% | |
| 1950 | 54,424 | 4.4% | |
| 1960 | 61,215 | 12.5% | |
| 1970 | 61,211 | 0.0% | |
| 1980 | 65,004 | 6.2% | |
| 1990 | 69,330 | 6.7% | |
| 2000 | 73,345 | 5.8% | |
| 2010 | 78,064 | 6.4% | |
| 2020 | 77,093 | −1.2% | |
| US Decennial Census[12] 1790-1960[13] 1900-1990[14] 1990-2000[15] 2020[2] | |||
As of the2020 census, the county had a population of 77,093. The median age was 41.4 years. 21.1% of residents were under the age of 18 and 17.8% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 109.3 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 110.5 males age 18 and over.[16]
The racial makeup of the county was 88.3%White, 5.2%Black or African American, 0.3%American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Asian, <0.1%Native Hawaiian andPacific Islander, 0.5% from some other race, and 5.1% fromtwo or more races.Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 1.3% of the population.[17]
41.2% of residents lived in urban areas, while 58.8% lived in rural areas.[18]
There were 29,386 households in the county, of which 29.2% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 46.2% were married-couple households, 18.9% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 26.2% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 28.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[16]
There were 32,066 housing units, of which 8.4% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 69.5% were owner-occupied and 30.5% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.2% and the rental vacancy rate was 6.7%.[16]
| Race / Ethnicity(NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 1980[19] | Pop 1990[20] | Pop 2000[21] | Pop 2010[22] | Pop 2020[23] | % 1980 | % 1990 | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 61,003 | 64,137 | 66,991 | 70,378 | 67,705 | 93.84% | 92.51% | 91.34% | 90.15% | 87.82% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 3,404 | 4,412 | 4,534 | 4,804 | 4,005 | 5.24% | 6.36% | 6.18% | 6.15% | 5.20% |
| Native American orAlaska Native alone (NH) | 63 | 146 | 206 | 212 | 189 | 0.10% | 0.21% | 0.28% | 0.27% | 0.25% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 164 | 265 | 258 | 295 | 369 | 0.25% | 0.38% | 0.35% | 0.38% | 0.48% |
| Native Hawaiian orPacific Islander alone (NH) | x[24] | x[25] | 14 | 7 | 20 | x | x | 0.02% | 0.01% | 0.03% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 80 | 24 | 78 | 106 | 196 | 0.12% | 0.03% | 0.11% | 0.14% | 0.25% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | x[26] | x[27] | 835 | 1,514 | 3,578 | x | x | 1.14% | 1.94% | 4.64% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 290 | 346 | 429 | 748 | 1,031 | 0.45% | 0.50% | 0.58% | 0.96% | 1.34% |
| Total | 65,004 | 69,330 | 73,345 | 78,064 | 77,093 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
As of the2010 United States census, there were 78,064 people, 28,919 households, and 19,782 families in the county.[28] 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).[29] 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.[29] In terms of ancestry, 27.0% wereGerman, 15.2% wereIrish, 12.5% wereAmerican, and 10.5% wereEnglish.[30]
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.[29]
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 thepoverty line, including 24.7% of those under age 18 and 8.2% of those age 65 or over.[31]
As of the2000 United States census,[32] there were 73,345 people, 27,136 households, and 19,185 families in the county. Thepopulation 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 orAfrican American, 0.31%Native American, 0.35%Asian, 0.02%Pacific Islander, 0.19% fromother races, and 1.20% from two or more races. 0.58% of the population wereHispanic orLatino 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% weremarried 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. Theper capita income for the county was $17,569. About 9.10% of families and 12.00% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 15.10% of those under age 18 and 10.20% of those age 65 or over.
County officials are (as of October 2024):
Ross is a generally Republican county inPresidential andCongressional elections, although until recent years, Democratic candidates performed fairly well in the county. The last Democrat to win a majority in the county wasLyndon Johnson in1964, whileBill Clinton won aplurality in1996 andBarack Obama came within just 439 votes in2012.
Ross is part of Ohio's2nd congressional district, which is represented by RepublicanDavid Taylor.
| 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% |
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2024 | 20,402 | 62.42% | 11,125 | 34.03% | 1,160 | 3.55% |
School districts covering portions of Ross County include:[35]
Pickaway-Ross lies in the Northern part of the county. Students from the following affiliated Ross andPickaway county districts attend the vocational school:
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.[36]
Places adjacent to Ross County, Ohio | |
|---|---|
Municipalities and communities ofRoss County, Ohio,United States | ||
|---|---|---|
| City |  | |
| Villages | ||
| Townships | ||
| CDPs | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Ghost town | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
39°20′N83°04′W / 39.33°N 83.06°W /39.33; -83.06
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
