Vinton County, Ohio facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Vinton County
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Vinton County Courthouse in McArthur
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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 | March 23, 1850 | ||
| Named for | Samuel Finley Vinton | ||
| Seat | McArthur | ||
| Largest village | McArthur | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 415 sq mi (1,070 km2) | ||
| • Land | 412 sq mi (1,070 km2) | ||
| • Water | 2.6 sq mi (7 km2) 0.6% | ||
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 12,800 | ||
| • Estimate
(2023)
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12,474  |
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| • Density | 30.84/sq mi (11.91/km2) | ||
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) | ||
| Congressional district | 2nd | ||
| Website | http://www.vintoncounty.com/ | ||
Vinton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Ohio. As of the 2020 census, the population was 12,800, making it the least populous county of Ohio. Its county seat is McArthur. The county is named for Samuel Finley Vinton, US Representative from Ohio (1823–37, 1843–51).
History
In the 1800s, Vinton County had at least three iron furnaces producing iron. In 1926, Maude Collins became the first women sheriff in Ohio.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 415 square miles (1,070 km2), of which 412 square miles (1,070 km2) is land and 2.6 square miles (6.7 km2) (0.6%) is water.
Waterways
Most of Vinton County is in the Raccoon Creek watershed. Most of the rest of the county, to the west, is in the Salt Creek watershed.
Adjacent counties
- Hocking County (north)
- Athens County (northeast)
- Meigs County (east)
- Gallia County (southeast)
- Jackson County (south)
- Ross County (west)
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1850 | 9,353 | — | |
| 1860 | 13,631 | 45.7% | |
| 1870 | 15,027 | 10.2% | |
| 1880 | 17,223 | 14.6% | |
| 1890 | 16,045 | −6.8% | |
| 1900 | 15,330 | −4.5% | |
| 1910 | 13,096 | −14.6% | |
| 1920 | 12,075 | −7.8% | |
| 1930 | 10,287 | −14.8% | |
| 1940 | 11,573 | 12.5% | |
| 1950 | 10,759 | −7.0% | |
| 1960 | 10,274 | −4.5% | |
| 1970 | 9,420 | −8.3% | |
| 1980 | 11,584 | 23.0% | |
| 1990 | 11,098 | −4.2% | |
| 2000 | 12,806 | 15.4% | |
| 2010 | 13,435 | 4.9% | |
| 2020 | 12,800 | −4.7% | |
| 2021 (est.) | 12,696 | −5.5% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010-2020 |
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2010 census
As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 13,435 people, 5,260 households, and 3,640 families residing in the county. The population density was 32.6 inhabitants per square mile (12.6/km2). There were 6,291 housing units at an average density of 15.3 units per square mile (5.9 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.9% white, 0.4% American Indian, 0.3% black or African American, 0.2% Asian, 0.1% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.5% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 17.0% were German, 16.2% were American, 14.2% were Irish, and 7.5% were English.
Of the 5,260 households, 32.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.0% were married couples living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 30.8% were non-families, and 26.1% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.03. The median age was 39.6 years.
The median income for a household in the county was $34,242 and the median income for a family was $37,409. Males had a median income of $36,598 versus $28,226 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,736. About 17.3% of families and 19.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.8% of those under age 18 and 13.3% of those age 65 or over.
Education
The entire county is served by the Vinton County Local School District which operates the following schools:
- West Elementary
- 57750 US Highway 50, Allensville, Ohio 45651
- South Elementary
- 38234 State Route 93, Hamden, Ohio 45634
- Central Elementary
- 507 Jefferson Avenue, McArthur, Ohio 45651
- Vinton County Middle School
- 63780 Locker Plant Road, McArthur, Ohio 45651
- Vinton County High School
- 63910 US Highway 50, McArthur, Ohio 45651
Transportation
Highways
U.S. Route 50
State Route 32
State Route 56
State Route 93
State Route 124
State Route 160
State Route 278
State Route 324
State Route 327
State Route 328
State Route 356
State Route 671
State Route 677
State Route 683
State Route 689
Airports
Vinton County has one public airport, the Vinton County Airport (K22I/22I). The runway is a 3725' x 75' asphalt, east–west (09/27) runway with a single intersecting taxiway. Navigation and radio equipment includes a two-light PAPI for runway 27, Pilot Controlled Lighting and UNICOM.
The airport is leased to the Vinton County Pilots & Booster Association by the county, who raise funds to maintain and update the airport. As of 2015[update], the boosters are raising funds to finance a 2000-foot runway extension and resurfacing project. The airport is equipped to provide basic service to piston-engined general aviation aircraft. Flight instruction services are also available.
Media
Vinton County is served by one local newspaper outlet, The Courier, a print newspaper and website.
Tourism
Covered bridges
There are four covered bridges located around Vinton County. The most famous bridge was the Ponn Bridge, also known as the Humpback Bridge due to its shape. It was built in 1874 and was the longest one in the county. This bridge was burned down in June 2013 by arsonists. In 1875, the Mt. Olive Bridge was built by a Civil War veteran named George Washington Pilcher. This bridge is open to foot traffic and goes over the Middle Fork Salt Creek. The Bay Bridge is located on the Vinton County Fairgrounds. It was moved to the fairgrounds in 1967 and is still open to pedestrians. The Cox Bridge was built in 1884. The bridge is open to foot traffic and has a picnic area near it. The Arbaugh Bridge was built in 1871, making it the oldest covered bridge in the county. This bridge is the only one in the county open to vehicles thanks to a grant that allowed for renovations.
State Parks and Recreation Areas
There are eight recreation areas in Vinton County. The state parks consist of Lake Alma State Park located in Wellston, Ohio and Lake Hope State Park located in McArthur, Ohio. There are also four state forests consisting of Richland Furnace State Forest, Tar Hollow State Forest, Vinton Furnace State Forest, and Zaleski State Forest. Along with these, there is the Wayne National Forest, which covers many other counties in Ohio besides Vinton County, Raccoon Ecological Management Area located on State Route 160, and the Wellston Wildlife Area and Lake Rupert located on State Route 683. There are also many more public areas within a short distance of Vinton County. Vinton county is more than 70 percent wooded.
Hocking Hills Region
The Hocking Hills Region is located north of Vinton County. Due to the Hocking Hills’ mainstream popularity, visitors often choose to book lodging in Vinton County to avoid the crowds.
Lake Hope Bike Trails
Lake Hope State Park is located in Vinton and Athens Counties. There are five loop trails in the park ranging from 4.5 miles to 16 miles. The Hope Furnace Trail loop is the shortest of the trails at 4.5 miles. The Sidewinder Loop is 5.5 miles, the Copperhead Loop is 10 miles, and the New Big Loop is 15 miles. The longest of the trails in the Old Big Loop at 16 miles.
Zaleski Backpack Trails
There are two trails in Zaleski State Forest, a trail of 23.5 miles and a day trail of 10 miles.
Moonville Rail-Trail
Moonville Rail-Trail is a 16-mile rail trail that follows an abandoned B&O railroad line from Mineral to Zaleski. It gets its name from the ghost town of Moonville and passes through a brick railroad tunnel at Moonville and a wooden railroad tunnel at King’s Hollow. The trail cuts through Zaleski State Forest and goes through many woodlands and wetlands. The Moonville Rail Trail Association, a local nonprofit organization established in April 2001, is currently working to make the trail more accessible by replacing bridges that were removed when the railroad was abandoned in the 1980s. The association meets at 6:30 p.m. every third Tuesday of the month at Hope Schoolhouse on Wheelabout Road.
Quilt barns
Throughout Vinton County, 27 quilt barns are scattered by the roadways. They are located on Vinton County's Quilt Trail.
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Events
Wild Turkey Festival
The Wild Turkey Festival is a music festival held in McArthur, Ohio, on the first weekend of May, beginning on the Thursday evening and concluding on the Sunday afternoon. A parade runs through the town on the Saturday night.
Ridgetop Music Festival
Every August, the Ridgetop Music Festival is held at the Vinton County Airport which offers music and airplane rides throughout the festival.
Vinton County Air Show
The air show is held on the third Sunday in September. The show is the biggest free air show in Ohio and includes food and aerial acts.
Midnight At Moonville
Midnight at Moonville is one-day Halloween-themed festival featuring dramatic storytelling, wagon rides, regional craft vendors, souvenirs, historical presentations, and music performances located at the Moonville Tunnel. The 2020 edition of Midnight at Moonville was cancelled due to COVID-19.
Communities
Villages
- Hamden
- McArthur (county seat)
- Wilkesville
- Zaleski
Townships
- Brown
- Clinton
- Eagle
- Elk
- Harrison
- Jackson
- Knox
- Madison
- Richland
- Swan
- Vinton
- Wilkesville
Unincorporated communities
- Allensville
- Creola
- Dundas
- Eagle Mills
- Hawks
- Hope
- Hue
- Jimtown
- Knox
- Minerton
- New Plymouth
- Orland
- Prattsville
- Puritan
- Radcliff
- Ratcliffburg
- Ray
- Siverly
- Stella
- Vales Mills
- Tiffin, Ohio
Ghost towns
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Vinton para niños
