Piketon, Ohio Facts for Kids

This article is about the present-day city of Piketon in Ohio. For the city in Kentucky formerly known as Piketon, see Pikeville.

Quick facts for kids Piketon, Ohio
Village
Location of Piketon, Ohio
Detailed map of Piketon
Country	United States
State	Ohio
County	Pike
Area
• Total	2.57 sq mi (6.65 km²)
• Land	2.51 sq mi (6.51 km²)
• Water	0.05 sq mi (0.14 km²)
Elevation	581 ft (177 m)
Population (2020)
• Total	2,111
• Density	839.70/sq mi (324.17/km²)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code	45661
Area code(s)	740
FIPS code	39-62708
GNIS feature ID	2399673

Piketon is a small village located in Pike County, Ohio. It sits right along the Scioto River. Piketon is well-known for its uranium enrichment plant. This plant is one of only three like it in the entire United States. In 2020, about 2,111 people lived in Piketon.

History of Piketon
- Famous Resident: Robert Lucas
Geography of Piketon
Piketon's Economy
Piketon's Population
- Population in 2010
Education in Piketon
Culture and Events
Notable People from Piketon
Images for kids
See also

History of Piketon

Piketon was first called Jefferson. It was the main town, or county seat, of Pike County from 1815 to 1845. A rich local businessman named James Emmitt helped move the county seat to Waverly. This happened because Waverly was closer to the new Ohio & Erie Canal, which was important for trade and travel.

The Pike County Fairgrounds are in Piketon. The village is also part of the Scioto Valley School District.

Famous Resident: Robert Lucas

One of the most famous people from Piketon was Robert Lucas. He was the twelfth governor of Ohio. He also became the first governor of the Iowa Territory. Around 1824, Lucas built a large brick house called Friendly Grove. This house was two miles east of Piketon and became a hub for political discussions in the area.

Piketon has public libraries. These are the Western and Piketon branches of the Garnet A. Wilson Public Library.

Geography of Piketon

Piketon covers a total area of about 2.55 square miles (6.60 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 2.50 square miles (6.47 square kilometers), is land. The rest, about 0.05 square miles (0.13 square kilometers), is water.

Piketon's Economy

In 2005, a company called Centrus Energy Corp. started a new project in Piketon. This project used a special method called a gas centrifuge to enrich uranium. This was a big step for the United States. People hoped that Piketon would grow a lot because of a new, full-size uranium enrichment plant. This plant was planned to open by 2012.

However, in September 2015, the Department of Energy stopped the project. Ohio Senator Rob Portman said this news was a "major blow" to Piketon and the surrounding area.

Piketon's Population

The population of Piketon has changed over the years. Here's how it has grown:

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1820	275	—
1830	271	−1.5%
1840	507	87.1%
1850	690	36.1%
1860	684	−0.9%
1870	638	−6.7%
1880	665	4.2%
1890	1,022	53.7%
1900	625	−38.8%
1910	668	6.9%
1920	664	−0.6%
1930	713	7.4%
1940	736	3.2%
1950	768	4.3%
1960	1,244	62.0%
1970	1,347	8.3%
1980	1,726	28.1%
1990	1,717	−0.5%
2000	1,907	11.1%
2010	2,181	14.4%
2020	2,111	−3.2%
U.S. Decennial Census

Population in 2010

According to the census from 2010, there were 2,181 people living in Piketon. Most residents were White (97.3%). A small number were African American, Native American, or Asian. About 1.5% of people were of two or more races.

The average age in the village was about 38 years old. About 25.5% of the people were under 18.

Education in Piketon

The Scioto Valley Local School District runs Piketon High School right in the village. Piketon also has a public library. It is a branch of the Garnet A. Wilson Public Library of Pike County.

Culture and Events

Piketon hosts the Pike County Dogwood Festival every year. This festival takes place on the last full weekend in April. It started in 1971.

The festival features:

Local foods
Handmade crafts
Live bluegrass music
A parade, including a performance by the Piketon High School marching band

Many local groups also have exhibits at the Piketon Jasper United Methodist Church. These include the Pike County Historical Society, the Pike County Quilters, and displays of art by local students.