Meigs County, Ohio facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Meigs County
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County courthouse in Pomeroy
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Location within the U.S. state of Ohio
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 Ohio's location within the U.S. |
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| Country |  United States |
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| State |  Ohio |
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| Founded | April 1, 1819 | ||
| Named for | 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 (8 km2) 0.7%% | ||
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 22,210  |
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| • Density | 51/sq mi (20/km2) | ||
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) | ||
| Congressional district | 2nd | ||
Meigs County (/ˈmɛɡz/ megz) is a county located in the U.S. state of Ohio. As of the 2020 census, the population was 22,210. Its county seat is Pomeroy. The county is named for Return J. Meigs Jr., the fourth Governor of Ohio.
Contents
Geography
According to the U.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. The Ohio River forms the eastern and southern boundaries of the county, the other side of which is located in West Virginia.
Meigs County lies in the Appalachian Plateau physiographic region of the Appalachian 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 and Leading Creek. Another stream of note is Raccoon Creek, which flows through a small area of the northwestern corner of the county.
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 by acid mine drainage and sedimentation.
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.
Climate
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 a microclimate 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.
Adjacent counties
- Athens County (north)
- Wood County, West Virginia (northeast)
- Jackson County, West Virginia (east)
- Mason County, West Virginia (southeast)
- Gallia County (southwest)
- Vinton County (west)
State protected areas
- Forked Run State Park
- Shade River State Forest
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 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 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2020 |
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2010 census
As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 23,770 people, 9,557 households, and 6,698 families living in the county. 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). 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. In terms of ancestry, 25.1% were German, 14.3% were Irish, 13.9% were American, and 9.6% were English.
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.
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 the poverty line, including 31.9% of those under age 18 and 12.3% of those age 65 or over.
Education
- Meigs Local School District
- Eastern Local School District
- Southern Local School District
Communities
Villages
- Middleport
- Pomeroy (county seat)
- Racine
- Rutland
- Syracuse
Townships
- Bedford
- Chester
- Columbia
- Lebanon
- Letart
- Olive
- Orange
- Rutland
- Salem
- Salisbury
- Scipio
- Sutton
Census-designated place
Unincorporated communities
Notable natives and residents
- Nelson Story Sr. was born in Burlingham, Meigs County, Ohio in 1838.
- Mike Bartrum, an NFL long snapper/tight end
- Ambrose Bierce, a journalist and short story writer, best known for "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge".
- James Edwin Campbell, a poet, writer and educator
- David L. "Dave" Diles, a former American sports broadcaster and journalist
- Norman "Kid" Elberfeld, a Major League Baseball shortstop and manager
- William P. Halliday, steamboat captain, businessman, and railroad executive.
- Ralston B. (Rollie) Hemsley, Major League Baseball catcher
- Samuel Dana Horton, a bimetallism writer
- Reverend Fr. John Joseph Jessing, founder of the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio
- Benny Kauff, Major League Baseball player
- Cy Morgan, a Major League Baseball pitcher
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Meigs (Ohio) para niños
