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Vinton County, Ohio facts for kids

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Vinton County
Vinton County Courthouse in McArthur, Ohio
Vinton County Courthouse in McArthur, Ohio
Official seal of Vinton County
Seal
Map of Ohio highlighting Vinton County
Location within the U.S. state of Ohio
Map of the United States highlighting Ohio
Ohio's location within the U.S.
Country  United States
State  Ohio
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)
 • Total 12,800
 • Density 30.84/sq mi (11.91/km2)
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district 15th
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 in the state. Its county seat is McArthur. The county is named for Samuel Finley Vinton, US Representative from Ohio (1823–37, 1843–51).

Geography

According to the U.S. 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

Demographics

Historical population
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%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790-1960 1900-1990
1990-2000 2020

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 per square mile (5.9/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.

Transportation

Highways

  • US 50.svg U.S. Route 50
  • OH-32.svg State Route 32
  • OH-56.svg State Route 56
  • OH-93.svg State Route 93
  • OH-124.svg State Route 124
  • OH-160.svg State Route 160
  • OH-278.svg State Route 278
  • OH-324.svg State Route 324
  • OH-327.svg State Route 327
  • OH-328.svg State Route 328
  • OH-356.svg State Route 356
  • OH-671.svg State Route 671
  • OH-677.svg State Route 677
  • OH-683.svg State Route 683
  • OH-683.svg 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, 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.

Tourism

Covered bridges

Mt. Olive Road Covered Bridge
Mt. Olive Covered Bridge
PONN HUMPBACK COVERED BRIDGE
Ponn Covered Bridge prior to arson

There are four covered bridges located around Vinton County. The most famous bridge was the Ponn Bridge, also known as the Humpback Bridge. It was built in 1874 and was the longest one in the county. The bridge's name came from the shape of the bridge and there are only a few 'humpback' bridges left around the world. 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. The bridge is the only one open to vehicles thanks to a grant that allowed for renovations.

State Parks and Recreation Areas

Lake hope
Lake Hope State Park

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 three state forests consisting of Richland Furnace State Forest, Tar Hollow 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.

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.

Quilt barns

Throughout Vinton County, 27 quilt barns are scattered by the roadways. They are located on Vinton County's Quilt Trail.

  • Liberty Star Basket
  • Basket Weave
  • A Pig's Tail
  • Christmas Star
  • Country Farm
  • On Wings of Eagles
  • Corn and Beans
  • Turkey Tracks
  • Maple Leaf
  • Mountains
  • Ohio Star
  • The Fan
  • Follow the Drinking Gourd
  • Summer Winds
  • There's No Place Like Home
  • Pine Tree
  • Mosaic
  • Autumn Sojourn
  • Whirlygig
  • Airplane
  • Cross and Crowns
  • Schoolhouse
  • Farm Friendliness
  • Anvil
  • Shortcut to School
  • Horse Squares
  • V-Block

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.

Communities

Map of Vinton County Ohio With Municipal and Township Labels
Map of Vinton County, Ohio with municipal and township labels

Villages

Townships

  • Brown
  • Clinton
  • Eagle
  • Elk
  • Harrison
  • Jackson
  • Knox
  • Madison
  • Richland
  • Swan
  • Vinton
  • Wilkesville

Unincorporated communities

Ghost towns

Education

The entire county is served by the Vinton County Local School District which operates the following schools:

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Condado de Vinton para niños

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