Editing Ohio County, West Virginia

{{Short description|County in West Virginia, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county          = Ohio County
 | state         = West Virginia
 | ex image             = West Virginia Independence Hall from southwest.jpg
 | ex image size        = 300px
 | ex image cap         = [[West Virginia Independence Hall]]
 | seal                 = Seal of Ohio County, West Virginia.png
 | founded date      = October 7
 | founded year         = 1776
 | seat wl            = Wheeling
 | largest city wl    = Wheeling
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 109
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 106
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 3.2
 | area percentage      = 2.9%
 | population_as_of     = 2020
 | population_total     = 42425
 | pop_est_as_of        = 2023
 | population_est       = 41194 {{loss}}
 | density_sq_mi       = auto
 | time zone           = Eastern
 | web    = www.ohiocountywv.gov
 | named for    = [[Ohio River]]
 | district             = 2nd }}

'''Ohio County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] located in the [[Northern Panhandle of West Virginia|Northern Panhandle]] of the [[U.S. state]] of [[West Virginia]], and forms part of the [[Wheeling metropolitan area]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population was 42,425.<ref name="QF">{{Cite web |title=State & County QuickFacts |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/ohiocountywestvirginia/PST045221 |access-date=February 4, 2025 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> Its [[county seat]] is [[Wheeling, West Virginia|Wheeling]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Find a County |url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=May 31, 2011 |access-date=June 7, 2011 |publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref> The county was formed in 1776 from the [[District of West Augusta]], [[Virginia]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Archived copy |url=http://www.wvculture.org/history/wvcounties.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010923185022/http://www.wvculture.org/history/wvcounties.html |archive-date=September 23, 2001 |access-date=July 23, 2013}}</ref> It was named for the [[Ohio River]], which forms its western boundary with the [[Ohio|state of Ohio]]. [[West Liberty, West Virginia|West Liberty]] (formerly Black's Cabin) was designated as the [[county seat]] in 1777, serving to 1797.

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|109|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|106|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|3.2|sqmi}} (2.9%) is water.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 22, 2012 |title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files |url=http://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/counties_list_54.txt |access-date=July 30, 2015 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> It is the third-smallest county in West Virginia by area. The highest point of elevation in Ohio County is approximately {{convert|1420|ft|m|abbr=on}} and located about {{convert|1|mi|km|adj=on}} southwest of West Alexander, Pennsylvania.<ref>[http://cohp.org/wv/Ohio_1.html Ohio County High Point Trip Report]. Cohp.org (August 20, 2000). Retrieved on December 24, 2010.</ref>
The county is drained by [[Wheeling Creek (West Virginia)|Wheeling]] and other small creeks.<ref>{{Cite AmCyc|wstitle=Ohio (county)|display=Ohio. I. A N. W. county of West Virginia}}</ref>

When Ohio County was formed in 1776, its area was much larger totaling {{convert|1432|sqmi|km2|abbr=on}} and included portions of what is now [[Washington County, Pennsylvania|Washington]] and [[Greene County, Pennsylvania|Greene]] counties in [[Pennsylvania]]. The formation of the [[Mason–Dixon line]] and resolution of border disputes between Pennsylvania and [[Virginia]] began the first in a long series of reductions in the county's size.<ref>[http://www.lindapages.com/wags-ohio/how-1.htm History of Wheeling City & Ohio County, West Virginia – Book]{{dead link|date=April 2020|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}. Lindapages.com. Retrieved on December 24, 2010.</ref>

In 1863, West Virginia's counties were divided into [[civil township]]s, with the intention of encouraging local government. This proved impractical in the heavily rural state, and in 1872 the townships were converted into [[minor civil division|magisterial districts]].<ref>Otis K. Rice & Stephen W. Brown, ''West Virginia: A History'', 2nd ed., University Press of Kentucky, Lexington (1993), p. 240.</ref> Ohio County was divided into five districts: Center,{{efn-lr|Spelled "Centre" before 1890.}} Clay, Liberty, Madison, Richland, Ritchie, Triadelphia, Union, Washington, and Webster. Centre, Clay, Madison, Union, and Webster Districts all lay within the city of Wheeling, as did part of Washington District.<ref name="Cenus Bureau MCD">[[United States Census Bureau]], [[United States Census|U.S. Decennial Census]], Tables of Minor Civil Divisions in West Virginia, 1870–2010.</ref>

By 1880, part of Ritchie District had also been subsumed by Wheeling. In the 1970s, the ten historic magisterial districts were consolidated into five new districts: Liberty Triadelphia; Madison, Union Clay, Washington District; Titchie Webster Center District, and Triadelphia. These were further consolidated in the 1980s to form District 1, District 2, and District 3.<ref name="Cenus Bureau MCD" />

===Major highways===
*{{jct|state=WV|I|70}}
*{{jct|state=WV|I|470}}
*{{jct|state=WV|US|40}}
*{{jct|state=WV|US|250}}
*{{jct|state=WV|WV|2}}
*{{jct|state=WV|WV|88}}

===Adjacent counties===
*[[Brooke County, West Virginia|Brooke County]] (north)
*[[Washington County, Pennsylvania]] (east)
*[[Marshall County, West Virginia|Marshall County]] (south)
*[[Belmont County, Ohio]] (west)
*[[Jefferson County, Ohio]] (northwest)

Ohio County is one of four counties in the United States to border a state with which it shares the same name (the other three counties are [[Nevada County, California]]; [[Texas County, Oklahoma]]; and [[Delaware County, Pennsylvania]]).

===National protected area===
*[[Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge]] (part)

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1790= 5212
|1800= 4740
|1810= 9182
|1820= 9182
|1830= 15584
|1840= 13357
|1850= 18006
|1860= 22422
|1870= 28831
|1880= 37457
|1890= 41557
|1900= 48024
|1910= 57572
|1920= 62892
|1930= 72077
|1940= 73115
|1950= 71672
|1960= 68437
|1970= 64197
|1980= 61389
|1990= 50871
|2000= 47427
|2010= 44443
|2020= 42425
|estyear=2023
|estimate=41194
|estref=<ref>{{Cite web |title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2024 |url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-counties-total.html |access-date=September 4, 2024}}</ref>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{Cite web |title=U.S. Decennial Census |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html |access-date=January 11, 2014 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref><br />1790–1960<ref>{{Cite web |title=Historical Census Browser |url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120811110448/http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu/ |archive-date=August 11, 2012 |access-date=January 11, 2014 |publisher=University of Virginia Library}}</ref> 1900–1990<ref>{{Cite web |title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990 |url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/wv190090.txt |access-date=January 11, 2014 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref><br />1990–2000<ref>{{Cite web |title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000 |url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |access-date=January 11, 2014 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> 2010–2020<ref name="QF" />
}}
=== 2020 census ===
As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], there were 42,425 people and 18,132 households residing in the county. There were 21,128 housing units in Ohio County. The racial makeup of the county was 92.5% [[White American|White]], 3.8% [[African American]], 0.8% [[Asian American|Asian]], 0.3% [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]], and 2.6% from [[Multiracial American|two or more races]]. [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanics or Latinos]] of any race were 1.7% of the population.

There were 18,132 households, of which 41.6% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 31.8% had a female householder with no spouse present, 20.8% had a male householder with no spouse present. The average household and family size was 2.86. The median age in the county was 42.8 years with 19.7% of the population under 18. The median income for a household was $57,867 and the poverty rate was 15.7%.<ref>{{Cite web |title= Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Ohio_County,_West_Virginia?g=050XX00US54069 |access-date=February 4, 2025 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref>
===2010 census===
As of the [[census]] of 2010, there were 44,443 people, 18,914 households, and 11,181 families residing in the county.<ref name="census-dp1">{{Cite web |title=DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US54069 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213033220/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US54069 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=April 3, 2016 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> The population density was {{convert|420.0|PD/sqmi}}. There were 21,172 housing units at an average density of {{convert|200.1|/sqmi}}.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US54069 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213185254/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US54069 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=April 3, 2016 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> The racial makeup of the county was 93.2% white, 3.7% black or African American, 0.8% Asian, 0.1% American Indian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.9% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.8% of the population.<ref name="census-dp1" /> In terms of ancestry, 34.0% were [[Germans|German]], 19.1% were [[Irish people|Irish]], 14.4% were [[English people|English]], 8.5% were [[Italians|Italian]], 7.2% were [[Polish people|Polish]], and 5.7% were [[Americans|American]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US54069 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213025111/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US54069 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=April 3, 2016 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>

Of the 18,914 households, 24.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.4% were married couples living together, 11.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 40.9% were non-families, and 35.3% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.86. The median age was 43.5 years.<ref name="census-dp1" />

The median income for a household in the county was $39,669 and the median income for a family was $54,909. Males had a median income of $42,213 versus $28,211 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,950. About 11.9% of families and 15.9% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 25.2% of those under age 18 and 9.0% of those age 65 or over.<ref>{{Cite web |title=DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US54069 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213032000/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US54069 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=April 3, 2016 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
===2000 census===
As of the [[census]] of 2000, there were 47,427 people, 19,733 households, and 12,155 families residing in the county. The [[population density]] was {{convert|447|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people}}. There were 22,166 housing units at an average density of {{convert|209|/mi2|/km2}}. The racial makeup of the county was 94.50% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 3.57% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.09% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.78% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.03% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.13% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.91% from two or more races. 0.50% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race. 27.0% were of [[Germans|German]], 13.7% [[Irish people|Irish]], 10.4% [[English people|English]], 8.4% [[Italians|Italian]], 8.3% [[United States|American]] and 6.7% [[Polish people|Polish]] ancestry.

There were 19,733 households, out of which 25.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.30% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 11.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.40% were non-families. 33.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 21.30% under the age of 18, 10.50% from 18 to 24, 25.10% from 25 to 44, 24.40% from 45 to 64, and 18.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 87.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,836, and the median income for a family was $41,261. Males had a median income of $31,132 versus $21,978 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $17,734. About 11.50% of families and 15.80% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 20.10% of those under age 18 and 10.40% of those age 65 or over.

==Government==
Ohio County is governed by a three-member [[county commission]]. The three county commissioners are elected from [[Single-member district|single-member]] magisterial districts and serve six-year terms, staggered so that one seat is up for election every even year. The County Commission annually chooses its own President. The Ohio County Commissioners are Commission President Randy Wharton, Zachary Abraham, and Don Nickerson. The county commission typically appoints a [[City manager|county administrator]] to oversee the daily executive duties for the commission. The current county administrator is Randy Russell. In addition to the three members of the county commission, other elected officials include a [[county clerk]], currently Michael E. Kelly, and a [[county assessor]], currently Tiffany Hoffmann.

Ohio County is part of the West Virginia's [[West Virginia Circuit Courts|First Judicial Circuit]], which also includes nearby [[Hancock County, West Virginia|Hancock]] and [[Brooke County, West Virginia|Brooke]] counties. In West Virginia, circuit judges are elected in non-partisan elections to eight-year terms. The current judges of the First Judicial Circuit are Jason A. Cuomo, Michael J. Olejasz, David Sims, and Ronald E. Wilson. The [[Clerk of court|clerk of the circuit court]] is elected in a partisan election and serves a six-year term. The current clerk of the First Judicial Circuit in Ohio County is Brenda Miller. Ohio County is part of the First Family Court Circuit of West Virginia, which covers the same three territories as the First Judicial Circuit. In West Virginia, Family Court judges have been elected to eight-year terms since 2008. The current judges of the First Family Circuit are Joyce D. Chernenko and Heather Wood.

[[Magistrate]]s are elected in non-partisan elections serving four-year terms. Vacancies occurring in unexpired terms can be filled by a respective Circuit Court judge. Unlike Circuit Court and Family Court judges, magistrates are not required to be [[Attorney at law|attorney]]s. Ohio County currently has four magistrates: Charles W. Murphy, Patricia L. Murphy, Joseph E. Roxby, and Janine L. Varner.

In West Virginia, [[prosecuting attorney]]s in each county are elected in partisan elections to four-year terms, currently Scott R. Smith. [[Sheriffs in the United States|County sheriffs]] (who also serve ''[[ex-officio]]'' as [[county treasurer]]) are elected by each county to a four-year term, currently Thomas J. Howard. They are [[Term limit|limited]] to two terms.

===Proposed metro government===
In 2006, the [[West Virginia Legislature]] adopted a new section to the West Virginia code – Chapter 7A – which provided for the consolidation of cities, cities with counties, or counties with counties.<ref>{{Cite web |title=West Virginia Code – 7A |url=http://www.legis.state.wv.us/WVCODE/07A/masterfrmFrm.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929131945/http://www.legis.state.wv.us/WVCODE/07A/masterfrmFrm.htm |archive-date=September 29, 2007}}</ref> Interest has been expressed by some Ohio County residents and officials and has become the main political endeavour of a local council of churches called "Hopeful City". As of March 2007, no official action has been taken in Ohio County on this matter. Other municipalities in West Virginia are considering consolidation including [[Beckley, West Virginia|Beckley]]-[[Raleigh County, West Virginia|Raleigh County]] and [[Fairmont, West Virginia|Fairmont]]-[[Marion County, West Virginia|Marion County]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register &#124; The Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register |url=http://www.news-register.net/community/articles.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20070813091953/http://www.news-register.net/community/articles.asp?articleID=16923%2F |archive-date=August 13, 2007 |access-date=March 17, 2007}}</ref> The most significant proposals under this legislation include a consolidation of [[Wirt County, West Virginia|Wirt County]] with [[Wood County, West Virginia|Wood County]] and a population consolidation for [[Kanawha County, West Virginia|Kanawha]]-[[Putnam County, West Virginia|Putnam]]-[[Cabell County, West Virginia|Cabell]] counties.<ref>{{Cite web |title=''Charleston Gazette'' – June 21, 2006 |url=http://www.redorbit.com/news/business/545519/mccabe_wants_cabell_kanawha_putnam_consolidation_by_2010/index.html/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120214003218/http://www.redorbit.com/news/business/545519/mccabe_wants_cabell_kanawha_putnam_consolidation_by_2010/index.html/ |archive-date=February 14, 2012}}</ref>

==Politics==
In the [[West Virginia Senate]], Ohio County is in the first Senate district, along with Hancock, Brooke, and part of Marshall counties. The district is represented by Laura Wakim Chapman (R-Wheeling) and [[Ryan Weld]] (R-Wellsburg).

In the [[West Virginia House of Delegates]], parts of Ohio County are represented by the third, fourth, and fifth House of Delegates districts. The third district is represented by Delegate Jimmy Willis (R-Brooke County). The fourth district is represented by Bill Flanigan (R-Wheeling). The fifth district is represented by Delegate [[Shawn Fluharty]] (D-Wheeling). All delegates to the state House serve two-year terms.

In the [[United States House of Representatives]], Ohio County is part of the [[West Virginia's 2nd congressional district]], which includes nearly all of the northern part of the state. The current Representative is [[Alex Mooney]], a Republican from [[Charles Town, West Virginia|Charles Town]] in Jefferson County. West Virginia's two senators, who represent the entire state, are [[Shelley Moore Capito]] and [[Joe Manchin]], a Republican from [[Charleston, West Virginia|Charleston]] and a Democrat from [[Fairmont, West Virginia|Fairmont]], respectively.

Although powerfully [[Southern Unionist|Unionist]] during the Civil War,<ref>Hinkle, Harlan H.; ''Grayback Mountaineers: The Confederate Face of Western Virginia'', p. 197 {{ISBN|0595268404}}</ref> Ohio County politics differs substantially from the two more northerly counties of the Northern Panhandle. The county was a competitive swing county for most of the period between Reconstruction and the end of the twentieth century, voting for the popular vote winner in every election except 1916, 1968 and 1976. Since 2000, like all of West Virginia, its conservative white voters have trended Republican due to a combination of declining unionization<ref>Schwartzman, Gabe; [http://www.dailyyonder.com/how-coalfields-went-gop/2015/01/13/7668/ ‘How Central Appalachia Went Right’]; ''Daily Yonder'', January 13, 2015.</ref> and differences with the Democratic Party's liberal views on social issues.<ref>Cohn, Nate; [https://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/24/upshot/southern-whites-loyalty-to-gop-nearing-that-of-blacks-to-democrats.html ‘Demographic Shift: Southern Whites’ Loyalty to G.O.P. Nearing That of Blacks to Democrats’], ''[[New York Times]]'', April 24, 2014.</ref> The trend in the county has been less extreme than in most counties of the state.
{{PresHead|place=Ohio County, West Virginia|source=<ref>{{Cite web |last=Leip |first=David |title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections |url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS |access-date=March 28, 2018 |website=uselectionatlas.org}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|11,593|6,727|448|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|12,354|7,223|323|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|11,139|5,493|1,582|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|10,768|6,786|405|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|10,694|8,593|253|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|11,694|8,543|155|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|9,607|7,653|704|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|7,267|8,781|2,158|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|7,421|9,522|3,690|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|10,341|10,121|116|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|13,447|10,163|52|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|11,414|10,973|1,486|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1976|Republican|12,476|11,817|0|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|18,435|10,491|0|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1968|Democratic|13,073|15,026|2,164|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|12,006|21,178|0|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1960|Democratic|17,367|18,423|0|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|22,165|13,191|0|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|20,575|16,546|0|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|15,757|16,995|395|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|16,165|17,445|0|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|18,073|21,713|0|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|13,743|22,899|116|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|15,836|18,625|532|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|20,064|13,132|219|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1924|Republican|14,402|8,753|3,471|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|15,735|10,278|829|West Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1916|Republican|7,349|6,074|509|West Virginia}}
{{PresFoot|1912|Democratic|3,956|5,771|4,245|West Virginia}}

==Education==
<!-- This section is linked from [[Wheeling, West Virginia]] -->

===Colleges and universities===
*[[West Liberty University]]
*[[Wheeling University]]
*[[West Virginia Northern Community College]]

===Public schools===
All public schools within Ohio County operate under the jurisdiction of Ohio County Schools with the consolidated high school housing grades 9–12, middle schools housing grades 6–8, and elementary schools housing grades K–5.

Ohio County Schools has a five-member elected Board of Education [http://boe.ohio.k12.wv.us/about-us/board-of-education/ Board of Education] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171015072420/http://boe.ohio.k12.wv.us/about-us/board-of-education/ |date=October 15, 2017}} (Molly J. Aderholt, Christine N. Carder, David Croft, Sarah C. Koegler, President Zachary T. Abraham, Superintendent Dr. Kimmberly Miller, and an Assistant Superintendent Rick Jones. In addition, the Board of Education has an Attendance Director (Wm. Jeffrey Laird).

*[[Wheeling Park High School]]
*[[Bridge Street Middle School]]
*Triadelphia Middle School
*[[Warwood Middle School]]
*[[Wheeling Middle School]]
*Bethlehem Elementary School
*Elm Grove Elementary School
*Madison Elementary School
*Middle Creek Elementary School
*Ritchie Elementary School
*Steenrod Elementary School
*Warwood Elementary School
*Warwood Middle School
*Woodsdale Elementary School

===Private and parochial schools===
The Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston operates several K–8 schools and one high school in Ohio County.
*[[Wheeling Central Catholic High School]]
*Corpus Christi Parish School
*Our Lady of Peace School (located in Marshall County but also serves Ohio County students)
*St. Michael Parish School
*St. Vincent de Paul Parish School
*Wheeling Catholic Elementary (closed)

Additionally, there are two private schools in Ohio County.
*[[Linsly School]]
*[[Wheeling Country Day School]]

==Communities==

===City===
*[[Wheeling, West Virginia|Wheeling]] (county seat; partly in [[Marshall County, West Virginia|Marshall County]])

===Towns===
*[[Triadelphia, West Virginia|Triadelphia]]
*[[West Liberty, West Virginia|West Liberty]]

===Villages===
*[[Bethlehem, West Virginia|Bethlehem]]
*[[Clearview, West Virginia|Clearview]]
*[[Valley Grove, West Virginia|Valley Grove]]

===Magisterial districts===
*District 1
*District 2
*District 3

===Unincorporated communities===
{{div col}}
*[[Betty Zane, West Virginia|Betty Zane]]
*[[Clinton, Ohio County, Virginia|Clinton]]
*[[Eden, Ohio County, West Virginia|Eden]]
*[[Elm Grove, West Virginia|Elm Grove]]
*[[Greggsville, West Virginia|Greggsville]]
*[[Mount Echo, West Virginia|Mount Echo]]
*[[Mozart, West Virginia|Mozart]]
*[[Point Mills, West Virginia|Point Mills]]
*[[Potomac, West Virginia|Potomac]]
*[[Roneys Point, West Virginia|Roneys Point]]
*[[Shannon, West Virginia|Shannon]]
*[[Twilight, West Virginia|Twilight]]
*[[Valley Camp, West Virginia|Valley Camp]]
*[[Warwood, West Virginia|Warwood]]
{{div col end}}
*[[Whitfield, West Virginia|Whitfield]]

==Public attractions==

The Ohio County Fair is held annually in October at Site 1 in [[Oglebay Park]].

===Dog races and gaming===
In 2007, the [[West Virginia Legislature]] adopted [https://web.archive.org/web/20070701211435/http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Bill_Text_HTML/2007_SESSIONS/RS/BILLS/HB2718%20Enr%20SUB.htm HB2718] which created Chapter 29-22 C of the West Virginia Code and permits county residents where racetracks are located to vote on expansion to table games. Ohio County was the first county in West Virginia to take action concerning the matter when the Ohio County Commission initiated a special election date of June 9 for the referendum. The ballot initiative successfully passed in Ohio County with 66% of the vote. The measure permits [[Wheeling Island Racetrack and Gaming Center]] to operate table games such as blackjack and poker. On June 9, [[Jefferson County, West Virginia|Jefferson County]] voters rejected their ballot measure. On June 30, [[Hancock County, West Virginia|Hancock County]] voters approved their ballot measure. [[Kanawha County, West Virginia|Kanawha County]] has scheduled a special election for August 11. While the West Virginia Family Foundation vowed to challenge the constitutionality of HB 2718,<ref>{{webarchive |date=September 27, 2007 |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927220925/http://www.dailymail.com/story/News/2007042411/Friends-and-foes-of-table-games-ramp-up-their-campaigns/}}</ref> it announced on August 7 that it would not file any appeal on the matter.<ref>[http://www.wvgazette.com/section/Breaking/000000788] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120205181645/http://www.wvgazette.com/section/Breaking/000000788|date=February 5, 2012}}</ref> According to newspaper accounts, the West Virginia Lottery Commission has set November 1, 2007, as the latest date at which table games will begin preliminary operation at Wheeling Island Racetrack and Gaming Center.<ref>[http://www.theintelligencer.net/page/content.detail/id/500300.html Nov. 1 Target For Casino Regulators. Tracks prepare to get cards shuffling for poker] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719055342/http://www.theintelligencer.net/page/content.detail/id/500300.html |date=July 19, 2011 }}, The Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register, September 28, 2007.</ref>

==Notable residents==
{{see also|List of politicians from Ohio County, West Virginia}}

*[[George W. Atkinson]] (R) – [[List of governors of West Virginia|Governor of West Virginia]] (1897–1901);
*[[Nathan B. Scott]] (R) – [[List of United States senators from West Virginia|U.S. Senator]] (1899–1911)
*[[Walter L. Fisher]] (R) – [[United States Secretary of the Interior]] (1911–1913)

==See also==
*[[Bear Rock Lakes Wildlife Management Area]]
* [[Castleman Run Lake Wildlife Management Area]]
*[[National Register of Historic Places listings in Ohio County, West Virginia]]

==Footnotes==
{{Reflist|group=lower-roman}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.cfov.org/ Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley, Inc. Website]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20160115135623/http://wphs.ohio.k12.wv.us/ocbe/ Ohio County Schools Website]
*[http://www.ohcoso.com/ Ohio County Sheriff's Department Website]
*[http://wheeling.weirton.lib.wv.us/ Ohio County Public Library Website]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110927025313/http://www.polsci.wvu.edu/wv/ohio/ Ohio County Economic Development Home Page]
*[http://www.lindapages.com/wags-ohio/index.htm Wheeling Area Genealogical Website]{{dead link|date=January 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20060615041320/http://www.rootsweb.com/~wvwags/how-main.htm ''History of Wheeling City and Ohio County, West Virginia'' compiled by the Hon. Gibson Lamb Cranmer]

{{Adjacent communities
|Centre    = Ohio County, West Virginia
|North     = [[Brooke County, West Virginia|Brooke County]]
|Northeast = 
|East      = [[Washington County, Pennsylvania]]
|Southeast = 
|South     = [[Marshall County, West Virginia|Marshall County]]
|Southwest = 
|West      = [[Belmont County, Ohio]]
|Northwest = [[Jefferson County, Ohio]]
}}

{{Ohio County, West Virginia}}
{{Northern Panhandle of West Virginia}}
{{West_Virginia}}
{{Authority control}}

{{Coord|40.10|-80.62|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-WV_source:UScensus1990}}

[[Category:Ohio County, West Virginia| ]]
[[Category:West Virginia counties on the Ohio River]]
[[Category:West Virginia placenames of Native American origin]]
[[Category:1776 establishments in Virginia]]