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Jefferson County, Ohio

Coordinates: 40°23′N 80°46′W / 40.38°N 80.76°W / 40.38; -80.76
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Not to be confused with Jefferson, Ohio.

Jefferson County
County
Jefferson County Courthouse
Jefferson County Courthouse
Flag of Jefferson County
Flag
Official seal of Jefferson County
Seal
Map of Ohio highlighting Jefferson County
Location within the U.S. state of Ohio
Map of the United States highlighting Ohio
Ohio's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 40°23′N 80°46′W / 40.38°N 80.76°W / 40.38; -80.76
Country United States
State Ohio
FoundedJuly 29, 1797[1]
Named forThomas Jefferson
SeatSteubenville
Largest citySteubenville
Area
 • Total
411 sq mi (1,060 km2)
 • Land408 sq mi (1,060 km2)
 • Water2.6 sq mi (7 km2)  0.6%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
65,249 Decrease
 • Density160/sq mi (60/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district6th
Websitewww.jeffersoncountyoh.com

Jefferson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Ohio. As of the 2020 census, the population was 65,249.[2] Its county seat is Steubenville.[3] The county is named for Thomas Jefferson, who was vice president at the time of its creation.[4]

Jefferson County is part of the Weirton–Steubenville, WV–OH Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Pittsburgh–New Castle–Weirton, PA–WV–OH Combined Statistical Area.[5]

History

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Jefferson County was organized on July 29, 1797, by proclamation of Governor Arthur St. Clair, six years before Ohio was granted statehood. Its boundaries were originally quite large, including all of northeastern Ohio east of the Cuyahoga River, but it was divided and redrawn several times before assuming its present-day boundaries in 1833, after the formation of neighboring Carroll County.

In 1786, the United States built Fort Steuben to protect the government surveyors mapping the land west of the Ohio River. When the surveyors completed their task a few years later, the fort was abandoned. In the meantime, settlers had built homes around the fort; they named their settlement La Belle. When the county was created in 1797, La Belle was selected as the County seat. The town was subsequently renamed Steubenville, in honor of the abandoned fort.

During the first half of the 19th century, Steubenville was primarily a port town, and the rest of the county consisted of small villages and farms. However, in 1856, Frazier, Kilgore and Company erected a rolling mill (the forerunner of steel mills) and the Steubenville Coal and Mining Company sank a coal shaft, resulting in Jefferson County becoming one of the leading centers of the new Industrial Revolution.

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 411 square miles (1,060 km2), of which 408 square miles (1,060 km2) is land and 2.6 square miles (6.7 km2) (0.6%) is water.[6]

Adjacent counties

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Major highways

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18008,766—
181017,26096.9%
182018,5317.4%
183022,48921.4%
184025,03011.3%
185029,13316.4%
186026,115−10.4%
187029,18811.8%
188033,01813.1%
189039,41519.4%
190044,35712.5%
191065,42347.5%
192077,58018.6%
193088,30713.8%
194098,12911.1%
195096,495−1.7%
196099,2012.8%
197096,193−3.0%
198091,564−4.8%
199080,298−12.3%
200073,894−8.0%
201069,709−5.7%
202065,249−6.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790–1960[8] 1900–1990[9]
1990–2000[10] 2020 [2]

2000 census

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As of the census[11] of 2000, there were 73,894 people, 30,417 households, and 20,592 families living in the county. The population density was 180 inhabitants per square mile (69/km2). There were 33,291 housing units at an average density of 81 units per square mile (31/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 92.49% White, 5.68% Black or African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.33% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.25% from other races, and 1.03% from two or more races. 0.62% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 96.5% spoke English, 1.1% Spanish and 1.0% Italian as their first language.

There were 30,417 households, out of which 26.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.30% were married couples living together, 11.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.30% were non-families. 28.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.88.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 21.40% under the age of 18, 8.50% from 18 to 24, 25.60% from 25 to 44, 25.90% from 45 to 64, and 18.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 91.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,853, and the median income for a family was $38,807. Males had a median income of $35,785 versus $20,375 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,476. About 11.40% of families and 15.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.30% of those under age 18 and 8.90% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

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As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 69,709 people, 29,109 households, and 18,713 families living in the county.[12] The population density was 170.7 inhabitants per square mile (65.9/km2). There were 32,826 housing units at an average density of 80.4 units per square mile (31.0 units/km2).[13] The racial makeup of the county was 91.9% white, 5.6% black or African American, 0.4% Asian, 0.1% American Indian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.1% of the population.[12] In terms of ancestry, 20.0% were German, 17.1% were Irish, 12.9% were Italian, 9.1% were English, 8.3% were Polish, and 4.6% were American.[14]

Of the 29,109 households, 26.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.0% were married couples living together, 12.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 35.7% were non-families, and 30.5% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.86. The median age was 43.9 years.[12]

The median income for a household in the county was $37,527 and the median income for a family was $47,901. Males had a median income of $43,601 versus $27,965 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,470. About 12.4% of families and 17.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.5% of those under age 18 and 7.7% of those age 65 or over.[15]

Politics

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

Like many Appalachian counties, Jefferson County was a strong Democratic county in the 20th century. However, since the turn of the 21st century, it has become much more competitive and even moved towards the Republicans during the Democratic years of 2008 and 2012. In 2012, Mitt Romney became the first Republican candidate to win the county since it voted for President Nixon in the 1972 presidential election.

United States presidential election results for Jefferson County, Ohio[16]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 22,317 71.03% 8,592 27.35% 508 1.62%
2020 22,828 68.30% 10,018 29.98% 575 1.72%
2016 21,117 65.15% 9,675 29.85% 1,619 5.00%
2012 17,034 51.34% 15,385 46.37% 758 2.28%
2008 17,559 48.68% 17,635 48.89% 877 2.43%
2004 17,185 47.25% 19,024 52.30% 163 0.45%
2000 15,038 43.42% 17,488 50.49% 2,110 6.09%
1996 10,212 29.49% 19,402 56.04% 5,009 14.47%
1992 10,764 27.74% 20,978 54.07% 7,056 18.19%
1988 14,141 38.73% 22,095 60.52% 273 0.75%
1984 17,105 42.47% 22,832 56.69% 340 0.84%
1980 15,777 40.99% 20,382 52.95% 2,332 6.06%
1976 14,839 39.23% 22,318 59.00% 668 1.77%
1972 21,531 56.25% 16,198 42.32% 545 1.42%
1968 12,949 33.53% 21,917 56.76% 3,749 9.71%
1964 11,784 26.29% 33,039 73.71% 0 0.00%
1960 21,186 44.01% 26,955 55.99% 0 0.00%
1956 22,162 50.52% 21,703 49.48% 0 0.00%
1952 19,569 41.58% 27,499 58.42% 0 0.00%
1948 14,230 37.05% 23,725 61.77% 454 1.18%
1944 15,496 38.43% 24,827 61.57% 0 0.00%
1940 16,578 35.97% 29,514 64.03% 0 0.00%
1936 13,044 31.87% 27,472 67.11% 419 1.02%
1932 14,179 44.95% 16,066 50.93% 1,299 4.12%
1928 19,175 68.09% 8,711 30.93% 275 0.98%
1924 14,929 67.97% 3,840 17.48% 3,194 14.54%
1920 13,038 59.76% 8,064 36.96% 714 3.27%
1916 6,658 53.19% 5,250 41.94% 609 4.87%
1912 4,777 41.85% 3,171 27.78% 3,467 30.37%
1908 7,310 57.21% 4,882 38.21% 585 4.58%
1904 7,337 69.11% 2,600 24.49% 680 6.40%
1900 6,470 62.25% 3,575 34.40% 348 3.35%
1896 6,185 60.61% 3,824 37.48% 195 1.91%
1892 4,793 53.28% 3,493 38.83% 710 7.89%
1888 5,106 58.08% 3,293 37.46% 392 4.46%
1884 4,834 58.09% 3,283 39.45% 204 2.45%
1880 4,434 59.41% 2,945 39.46% 85 1.14%
1876 4,067 57.84% 2,922 41.56% 42 0.60%
1872 3,776 63.78% 2,102 35.51% 42 0.71%
1868 3,394 61.59% 2,117 38.41% 0 0.00%
1864 3,407 66.32% 1,730 33.68% 0 0.00%
1860 2,682 57.96% 1,163 25.14% 782 16.90%
1856 2,424 51.86% 1,991 42.60% 259 5.54%

Government

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See also: Ohio county government

The following are the elected officials, judges, and representatives of Jefferson County as of the 2022 election cycle.[17]

County officials

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County officials[18]
Party Name Position
  R David Maple Commissioner
  R Tony Morelli Commissioner
  R Eric Timmons Commissioner
  R E.J. Conn Auditor
  R Andrew Plesich Clerk of Courts
  R Michael Scarpone Coroner
  D James F. Branagan Engineer
  D Jane Hanlin Prosecuting Attorney
  R Scott Renforth Recorder
  D Fred Abdalla Jr. Sheriff
  D Raymond M. Agresta Treasurer

Judicial representation

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Judgeships
Party Name Position
  D Joseph J. Bruzzese, Jr. Court of Common Pleas
  D Michelle G. Miller Court of Common Pleas
  D Frank W. Noble, Jr. Court of Common Pleas Probate Court
  R Lisa K. Ferguson Jefferson County Municipal Court, District I
  D Michael C. Bednar Jefferson County Municipal Court, District II
  R David J. Scarpone Jefferson County Municipal Court, District III
  D Cheryl L. Waite 7th District Court of Appeals
  R Carol Ann Robb 7th District Court of Appeals
  D David A. D’Apolito 7th District Court of Appeals
  R Mark A. Hanni 7th District Court of Appeals

Legislative representation

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Legislators
Party Name District Body
  R Ron Ferguson 96 Ohio House of Representatives
  R Frank Hoagland 33 Ohio Senate
  R Michael Rulli 6 U.S. House of Representatives
  D Sherrod Brown Statewide U.S. Senate
  R J. D. Vance Statewide U.S. Senate

Transportation

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Commercial air service is available at nearby Pittsburgh International Airport to the east via U.S. Route 22. The county is served by two general aviation fields, the Jefferson County Airpark and the Eddie Dew Memorial Airpark.

Ohio Route 7 is the main north–south highway through the county.

Education

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Colleges and universities

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Community, junior, and technical colleges

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Public school districts

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High schools

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Communities

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Map of Jefferson County, Ohio with Municipal and Township Labels

Cities

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Villages

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Townships

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[19]

Census-designated places

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Unincorporated communities

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Historical community

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Carpenter's Fort, or Carpenter's Station as it was sometimes called, was established in the summer of 1781 when John Carpenter built a fortified house above the mouth of Short Creek on the Ohio side of the Ohio River in Coshocton County, but now in Jefferson County, Ohio, near Rayland, Ohio.[20][21]

Population ranking

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The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Jefferson County.[22]

* majority of municipality in Harrison County
** minority of municipality in Belmont County
† county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Population (2010 Census) Municipal type
1 † Steubenville 18,659 City
2 Toronto 5,091 City
3 Wintersville 3,924 Village
4 Mingo Junction 3,454 Village
5 Tiltonsville 1,372 Village
6 Yorkville** 1,079 Village
7 Smithfield 869 Village
8 Adena* 759 Village
9 Dillonvale 665 Village
10 Bergholz 664 Village
11 Amsterdam 511 Village
12 Mount Pleasant 478 Village
13 Richmond 481 Village
14 Rayland 417 Village
15 Irondale 387 Village
16 Empire 299 Village
17 Stratton 294 Village
18 Pottery Addition 293 CDP
19 New Alexandria 272 Village
20 Bloomingdale 202 Village

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Ohio County Profiles: Jefferson 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. ^ "Jefferson County data". Ohio State University Extension Data Center. Retrieved April 28, 2007.[dead link‍]
  5. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Office of Management and Budget. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 21, 2017. Retrieved January 4, 2017 – via National Archives.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  6. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on May 4, 2014. Retrieved February 8, 2015.
  7. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 8, 2015.
  8. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved February 8, 2015.
  9. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 8, 2015.
  10. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved February 8, 2015.
  11. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  12. ^ 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.
  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. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved May 2, 2018.
  17. ^ "Elected Officials - Jefferson". Jefferson County Board of Elections. January 14, 2023. Retrieved January 16, 2023.
  18. ^ Carroll County Website Retrieved May 13, 2021.
  19. ^ "TOWNSHIP WEBSITES - Ohio Township Association". July 15, 2016. Archived from the original on July 15, 2016.
  20. ^ J. A. Caldwell: History of Belmont and Jefferson Counties, Ohio, Historical Publishing Co., Wheeling, W.Va., 1880, p. 605, reprinted 1983.
  21. ^ Julie Minot Overton, with Kay Ballantyne Hudson and Sunda Anderson Peters eds.: Ohio Towns and Townships to 1900: A Location Guide, The Ohio Genealogical Society, Mansfield, O. (Penobscot Press), 2000, p. 59.
  22. ^ "2010 U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 13, 2016.
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40°23′N 80°46′W / 40.38°N 80.76°W / 40.38; -80.76

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