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Ohio County, Indiana facts for kids

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Ohio County
Ohio County Courthouse in Rising Sun
Ohio County Courthouse in Rising Sun
Map of Indiana highlighting Ohio County
Location within the U.S. state of Indiana
Map of the United States highlighting Indiana
Indiana's location within the U.S.
Country  United States
State  Indiana
Founded 1844
Named for Ohio River
Seat Rising Sun
Largest city Rising Sun
Area
 • Total 87.43 sq mi (226.4 km2)
 • Land 86.14 sq mi (223.1 km2)
 • Water 1.29 sq mi (3.3 km2)  1.48%%
Population
 • Estimate 
(2018)
5,844
 • Density 70.7/sq mi (27.28/km2)
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district 6th
Indiana county number 58
FIPS County Code 115
Smallest county in Indiana in area
Least populated county in Indiana

Ohio County is a county located in southeastern Indiana. With a 2010 population of 6,128, and an area of just 87 square miles, Ohio County is the smallest county in Indiana by area and the least populous. The county seat and only incorporated municipality is Rising Sun. The county was officially established in 1844 and was one of the last Indiana counties to be created. Ohio County borders the state of Kentucky across the Ohio River for which it was named. It is part of the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN Metropolitan Statistical Area. The county is divided into four townships which provide local services. Three state roads pass through or into the county.

History

Dearborn County was formed as part of the Indiana Territory in 1803, and its borders were modified several times, both before and after the creation of the state of Indiana in 1816. Switzerland County was formed from part of Dearborn County in 1814. Ohio County also came out of Dearborn County, but not until much later in March 1844. It was named for the Ohio River, which defines its eastern border.

The Ohio County courthouse was built in the county seat of Rising Sun in 1845. It is a two-story Greek Revival brick building measuring about 60 feet (18 m) by 40 feet (12 m), including the portico supported by Doric pillars. This courthouse is still in use and is the oldest continuously-used courthouse in the state.

Geography

Map of Ohio County, Indiana
Map of Ohio County, showing townships and settlements

Ohio County is bordered by Dearborn County to the north, across Laughery Creek which forms the border between the two counties. A short portion of the western border, less than 2 miles (3.2 km) long, is shared with Ripley County to the northwest. Switzerland County lies to the south, and Boone County, Kentucky lies across the Ohio River to the east. According to the 2010 census, the county has a total area of 87.43 square miles (226.4 km2), of which 86.14 square miles (223.1 km2) (or 98.52%) is land and 1.29 square miles (3.3 km2) (or 1.48%) is water.

The county's sole incorporated settlement is the city of Rising Sun, which is located in the far east part of the county on the banks of the Ohio River. There are many small unincorporated communities throughout the county:

The county is divided into four townships: Cass, Pike, Randolph and Union.

Rising-sun-indiana-ohio-river--from-above
Rising Sun, on the Ohio River.

Transportation

Highways

  • US Route 50 in Dearborn County passes within 2 miles (3.2 km) of Ohio County's northern border.
  • State Road 56 enters from Switzerland County to the south and passes east along the southern border, then north through Rising Sun and along the river, continuing north to Dearborn county.
  • State Road 156 runs along the Ohio River in Switzerland County, and enters the far southeast part of Ohio County, continuing NW and north to its intersection with State Road 56, 1.5 miles inside Ohio County.
  • State Road 262 enters from Dillsboro and crosses the county in a general eastern direction, ending in Rising Sun.

Railroads

There are no active railroad lines in the county.

Climate and weather

Weather chart for Rising Sun, Indiana
J F M A M J J A S O N D
 
 
3.1
 
39
21
 
 
3
 
45
24
 
 
4.1
 
55
32
 
 
4.2
 
66
41
 
 
4.7
 
75
51
 
 
4.8
 
83
60
 
 
3.9
 
87
65
 
 
3.8
 
86
63
 
 
3.1
 
79
56
 
 
2.9
 
68
43
 
 
3.5
 
56
35
 
 
3.4
 
44
26
temperatures in °F
precipitation totals in inches
source: The Weather Channel

In recent years, average temperatures in Rising Sun have ranged from a low of 21 °F (−6 °C) in January to a high of 87 °F (31 °C) in July, although a record low of −23 °F (−31 °C) was recorded in January 1994 and a record high of 104 °F (40 °C) was recorded in July 1988. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 2.92 inches (74 mm) in October to 4.83 inches (123 mm) in June.

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1850 5,308
1860 5,462 2.9%
1870 5,837 6.9%
1880 5,563 −4.7%
1890 4,955 −10.9%
1900 4,724 −4.7%
1910 4,329 −8.4%
1920 4,024 −7.0%
1930 3,747 −6.9%
1940 3,782 0.9%
1950 4,223 11.7%
1960 4,165 −1.4%
1970 4,289 3.0%
1980 5,114 19.2%
1990 5,315 3.9%
2000 5,623 5.8%
2010 6,128 9.0%
2018 (est.) 5,844 −4.6%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790-1960 1900-1990
1990-2000 2010-2017

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 6,128 people, 2,477 households, and 1,737 families residing in the county. The population density was 71.1 inhabitants per square mile (27.5/km2). There were 2,784 housing units at an average density of 32.3 per square mile (12.5/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.1% white, 0.4% black or African American, 0.3% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.3% from other races, and 0.7% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.1% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 33.5% were German, 12.6% were Irish, 12.2% were American, and 7.3% were English.

Of the 2,477 households, 28.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.2% were married couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 29.9% were non-families, and 25.2% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.91. The median age was 43.7 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $47,697 and the median income for a family was $64,271. Males had a median income of $49,241 versus $30,536 for females. The per capita income for the county was $25,703. About 5.5% of families and 8.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.4% of those under age 18 and 8.6% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Ohio County has two schools managed by a single school corporation. The Ohio County Elementary–Middle School served a total of 636 students during the 2009–2010 school year. Rising Sun High School served a total of 264 students during the same period.

Ohio County residents are served by the Ohio County Public Library with a single branch in Rising Sun.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Condado de Ohio (Indiana) para niños

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