Jackson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Ohio. As of the 2020 census, the population was 32,653.[2] Its county seat is Jackson.[3] The county is named for Andrew Jackson, a hero of the War of 1812 who was subsequently elected President of the United States.[4] It is known as "The Little Wales of Ohio."[5] Jackson County comprises the Jackson, OH Micropolitan Statistical Area.

Jackson County
Jackson County Courthouse
Jackson County Courthouse
Flag of Jackson County
Official seal of Jackson County
Map of Ohio highlighting Jackson 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°01′N 82°37′W / 39.02°N 82.62°W / 39.02; -82.62
Country United States
State Ohio
FoundedMarch 1, 1816[1]
Named forAndrew Jackson
SeatJackson
Largest cityJackson
Area
 • Total422 sq mi (1,090 km2)
 • Land420 sq mi (1,100 km2)
 • Water1.2 sq mi (3 km2)  0.3%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total32,653 Decrease
 • Density77/sq mi (30/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district2nd
Websitewww.jacksoncountyohio.us

History

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Jackson County is north of the Ohio River in eastern Ohio, an area that was long occupied by various tribes of Native Americans. Evidence of this era in the Ohio Valley is found in the area's large burial and ceremonial mounds and petroglyphs including the Leo Petroglyph.[6]

Tribes that inhabited the area in the Colonial period included with Mingo, Lenape, and Shawnee. Westward expansion by American pioneers displaced the Indigenous People who were killed in wars or relocated to the Great Plains and placed on reservations following the passage of the Indian Removal Act. The pioneer settlers cleared the land for farming and developed industries around which towns and cities grew.[6]

Iron ore was discovered in southern Ohio in the mid-19th century. The combination of deposits of ore and vast stands of old-growth forests made the Hanging Rock Iron Region ideally suited for the iron industry. The Jefferson Iron Furnace was constructed in 1854. It met the growing demand for iron in the developing United States of America. The importance of the furnaces in the Hanging Rock region grew tremendously during the American Civil War. Iron produced in Jackson County was sold to manufacturers under the trademark, "Anchor". This iron was used to build the USS Monitor, an ironclad warship made famous by its contest against the CSS Virginia, a Confederate ironclad sometimes known as the Merrimack, at the Battle of Hampton Roads.[6]

The era of iron production in Jackson County began to wane in the years following the Civil War. Demand for iron outstripped the resources in the Hanging Rock Iron Region. Ore deposits had been cleared and what remained was minimal and difficult to extract. Also much of the forested land had been cleared to provide charcoal to fire the furnaces. A combination of a lack of ore and charcoal helped bring about the end of the iron era. Remnants of the Jefferson Iron Furnaces are found in Jackson Lake State Park.[6]

Other industries that were in the area included coal mining and salt mining. Over a million tons of coal were mined in 1888. Jackson County was the second leading coal producing county in the state during the coal mining era. Salt mines along Salt Creek were set aside "by Congress for the use of the state to secure the salt." Indian tribes also used the area and came from great distances to gather salt.[6]

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 422 square miles (1,090 km2), of which 420 square miles (1,100 km2) is land and 1.2 square miles (3.1 km2) (0.3%) is water.[7]

Adjacent counties

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National protected areas

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note
18203,746
18305,94158.6%
18409,74464.0%
185012,71930.5%
186017,94141.1%
187021,75921.3%
188023,6868.9%
189028,40819.9%
190034,24820.6%
191030,791−10.1%
192027,342−11.2%
193025,040−8.4%
194027,0047.8%
195027,7672.8%
196029,3725.8%
197027,174−7.5%
198030,59212.6%
199030,230−1.2%
200032,6418.0%
201033,2251.8%
202032,653−1.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]
1790-1960[9] 1900-1990[10]
1990-2000[11] 2020 [2]

2000 census

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As of the census[12] of 2000, there were 32,641 people, 12,619 households, and 9,136 families living in the county. The population density was 78 people per square mile (30 people/km2). There were 13,909 housing units at an average density of 33 units per square mile (13/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.89% White, 0.59% Black or African American, 0.34% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.16% from other races, and 0.82% from two or more races. 0.60% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. In 2010 16.5% were of German, 12.9% American, 11.3% Irish, 10.4% English, 5.2% Welsh, 2.4% Scottish, and 1.6% Ulster Scot.

 
Jackson County, Ohio Airport (James A. Rhodes Airport)

There were 12,619 households, out of which 34.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.4% were married couples living together, 12.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.6% were non-families. 24.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.0% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 28.7% from 25 to 44, 23.0% from 45 to 64, and 13.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 93.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.9 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,661, and the median income for a family was $36,022. Males had a median income of $30,651 versus $21,546 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,789. About 13.6% of families and 16.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.3% of those under age 18 and 16.1% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

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As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 33,225 people, 13,010 households, and 9,028 families living in the county.[13] The population density was 79.0 inhabitants per square mile (30.5/km2). There were 14,587 housing units at an average density of 34.7 units per square mile (13.4 units/km2).[14] The racial makeup of the county was 97.1% white, 0.6% black or African American, 0.4% American Indian, 0.3% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.8% of the population.[13] In terms of ancestry, 16.1% were German, 12.3% were American, 11.6% were Irish, 10.6% were English and 4.4% were Welsh.[15]

Of the 13,010 households, 33.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.9% were married couples living together, 12.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 30.6% were non-families, and 25.9% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.01. The median age was 39.0 years.[13]

The median income for a household in the county was $34,044 and the median income for a family was $42,560. Males had a median income of $36,910 versus $28,618 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,775. About 18.1% of families and 23.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 36.5% of those under age 18 and 11.5% of those age 65 or over.[16]

Politics

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Jackson County typically leans Republican in presidential elections.

United States presidential election results for Jackson County, Ohio[17]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 11,309 76.36% 3,311 22.36% 190 1.28%
2016 9,949 72.22% 3,226 23.42% 601 4.36%
2012 7,904 58.97% 5,166 38.54% 334 2.49%
2008 8,219 58.51% 5,397 38.42% 431 3.07%
2004 8,585 59.89% 5,700 39.77% 49 0.34%
2000 6,958 55.71% 5,131 41.08% 401 3.21%
1996 4,922 40.69% 5,538 45.79% 1,635 13.52%
1992 5,422 42.09% 5,016 38.94% 2,445 18.98%
1988 6,671 59.21% 4,505 39.98% 91 0.81%
1984 7,411 62.24% 4,369 36.69% 128 1.07%
1980 5,902 55.06% 4,409 41.13% 408 3.81%
1976 5,987 46.69% 6,699 52.25% 136 1.06%
1972 7,351 67.30% 3,410 31.22% 162 1.48%
1968 5,870 53.52% 4,021 36.66% 1,077 9.82%
1964 4,949 41.22% 7,056 58.78% 0 0.00%
1960 7,973 58.96% 5,549 41.04% 0 0.00%
1956 8,106 64.65% 4,432 35.35% 0 0.00%
1952 7,223 59.18% 4,983 40.82% 0 0.00%
1948 5,782 53.17% 5,059 46.52% 33 0.30%
1944 6,786 59.26% 4,666 40.74% 0 0.00%
1940 7,551 54.20% 6,382 45.80% 0 0.00%
1936 6,853 50.04% 6,802 49.67% 39 0.28%
1932 6,932 55.06% 5,543 44.03% 115 0.91%
1928 7,129 71.40% 2,775 27.79% 81 0.81%
1924 5,977 61.45% 2,848 29.28% 902 9.27%
1920 5,949 54.43% 4,878 44.63% 102 0.93%
1916 3,116 50.23% 2,922 47.11% 165 2.66%
1912 1,860 30.06% 2,049 33.12% 2,278 36.82%
1908 4,489 55.84% 3,235 40.24% 315 3.92%
1904 5,353 69.12% 2,072 26.76% 319 4.12%
1900 4,932 58.89% 3,313 39.56% 130 1.55%
1896 4,439 53.46% 3,786 45.59% 79 0.95%
1892 3,323 51.36% 2,622 40.53% 525 8.11%
1888 3,570 53.67% 2,628 39.51% 454 6.83%
1884 3,427 55.97% 2,575 42.05% 121 1.98%
1880 2,763 57.04% 2,031 41.93% 50 1.03%
1876 2,522 56.24% 1,954 43.58% 8 0.18%
1872 2,258 58.83% 1,555 40.52% 25 0.65%
1868 2,083 56.37% 1,612 43.63% 0 0.00%
1864 1,957 59.77% 1,317 40.23% 0 0.00%
1860 1,738 53.17% 1,436 43.93% 95 2.91%
1856 938 34.27% 1,383 50.53% 416 15.20%

Government

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Jackson County has a three-member Board of County Commissioners that administers and oversees the various County departments, similar to all but two of the 88 Ohio counties.

Jackson County's elected officials are:

  • County Commissioners: Ed Armstrong (R), Jon Hensler (R), and Paul Haller (R)
  • County Auditor: Tiffany Ridgeway (R)
  • Clerk Of Courts: Seth Michael (R)
  • Common Pleas Court: Judge Christopher Regan (R)
  • County Coroner: Dr. Alice Frazier (R)
  • County Engineer: Melissa Miller, P.E., P.S. (R)
  • Juvenile Court: Judge Justin W. Skaggs
  • Municipal Court: Judge Mark T. Musick (D)
  • Probate Court: Judge Justin W. Skaggs
  • Prosecuting Attorney: Justin Lovett (R)
  • County Recorder: Rose Cherrington Walters (R)
  • County Sheriff: Tedd Frazier (R)
  • County Treasurer: B. Lee Hubbard, CPA (R)

Communities

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Map of Jackson County, Ohio with Municipal and Township Labels

Cities

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Villages

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Townships

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Unincorporated communities

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Ohio County Profiles: Jackson County" (PDF). Ohio Department of Development. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 21, 2007. Retrieved April 28, 2007.
  2. ^ a b 2020 census
  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. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 167.
  5. ^ "Welcome to the Welsh Surname Shop, Celebrating the Surnames and Names of Wales". thewelshsurnameshop.com. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
  6. ^ a b c d e "Jackson Lake State Park". Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved November 9, 2020.
  7. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on May 4, 2014. Retrieved February 8, 2015.
  8. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 8, 2015.
  9. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved February 8, 2015.
  10. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 8, 2015.
  11. ^ "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 8, 2015.
  12. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  13. ^ a b c "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.
  14. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  15. ^ "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.
  16. ^ "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.
  17. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
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39°01′N 82°37′W / 39.02°N 82.62°W / 39.02; -82.62