Editing Wellston, Ohio

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name            = Wellston, Ohio
|settlement_type          = [[City]] 
|nickname                 = 
|motto                    = "Everyone's Hometown Since 1873".

<!-- Images -->
|image_skyline            = Morgan Mansion in Wellston.jpg
|imagesize                = 250px
|image_caption            = The [[Morgan Mansion]]
|image_flag               = 
|image_seal               = Wellstonseal.jpg

<!-- Maps -->
|image_map                = Detailed map of Wellston, Ohio.png
|mapsize                  = 250px
|map_caption              = Detailed map of Wellston
|pushpin_map              = Ohio#USA
|pushpin_relief           = yes
|pushpin_label            = Wellston

<!-- Location -->
|subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_name         = United States
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = [[Ohio]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Ohio|County]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Jackson County, Ohio|Jackson]]

<!-- Government -->
|government_footnotes     = 
|government_type          = 
|leader_title             = [[Mayor]]
|leader_name              = 
|leader_title1            = President of Council
|leader_name1             = 
|established_title        = 
|established_date         =

<!-- Area -->
|unit_pref                = Imperial
|area_footnotes           = <ref name="TigerWebMapServer">{{cite web|title=ArcGIS REST Services Directory|url=https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/arcgis/rest/services/TIGERweb/Places_CouSub_ConCity_SubMCD/MapServer|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=September 20, 2022}}</ref>
|area_magnitude           = 
|area_total_km2           = 18.26
|area_land_km2            = 18.04
|area_water_km2           = 0.22
|area_total_sq_mi         = 7.05
|area_land_sq_mi          = 6.97
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.08

<!-- Population -->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_est           = 
|pop_est_as_of            = 
|population_footnotes     = 
|population_total         = 5412
|population_density_km2   = 299.92
|population_density_sq_mi = 776.80

<!-- General information -->
|timezone                 = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|Eastern (EST)]]
|utc_offset               = -5
|timezone_DST             = EDT
|utc_offset_DST           = -4
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
|elevation_ft             = 719
|coordinates              = {{coord|39|07|31|N|82|32|07|W|region:US-OH|display=inline,title}}
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code              = 45692
|area_code                = [[Area code 740|740]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 39-82712<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2008-01-31|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref>
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 1086375<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|1086375}}</ref>
|website                  = [http://www.cityofwellston.org/ cityofwellston.org]
|footnotes                = 
}}

'''Wellston''' is a city in [[Jackson County, Ohio]], United States, in the southeastern part of the state. The population was 5,412 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].

==History==
Wellston was laid out and founded in 1873 on land owned by Harvey Wells.<ref>{{cite book|last=Overman|first=William Daniel|title=Ohio Town Names|url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015015361465;view=1up;seq=156|year=1958|publisher=Atlantic Press|location=Akron, OH|page=140}}</ref>  Wells constructed a [[blast furnace]] in 1874,<ref name=Mangus>{{cite book|last1=Mangus|first1=Michael|last2=Herman|first2=Jennifer L.|title=Ohio Encyclopedia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bndxn4Qlt4EC&pg=PA572|year=2008|publisher=North American Book Dist LLC|isbn=978-1-878592-68-2|page=572}}</ref> and the town was incorporated in 1876.  Wellston flourished for several years on the furnace and local mining industry, but most of the resources have now been depleted.

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|7.05|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|6.97|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.08|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.<ref name ="Gazetteer files">{{cite web|title=US Gazetteer files 2010|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2013-01-06}}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1880= 952
|1890= 4377
|1900= 8045
|1910= 6875
|1920= 6687
|1930= 5319
|1940= 5537
|1950= 5691
|1960= 5728
|1970= 5410
|1980= 6016
|1990= 6049
|2000= 6078
|2010= 5663
|2020= 5412
|estyear=2021
|estimate=5405
|estref=
|footnote=Sources:<ref name="GR2" /><ref name=Census1880>{{cite web|title=Population of Civil Divisions Less than Counties|url=http://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1880a_v1-11.pdf|date=1880|work=Statistics of the Population of the United States at the Tenth Census|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=28 November 2013}}</ref><ref name=Census1910>{{cite web|title=Population: Ohio|url=http://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/36894832v3ch3.pdf|work=1910 U.S. Census|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=28 November 2013}}</ref><ref name=Census1930>{{cite web|title=Population: Ohio|url=http://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/03815512v1ch08.pdf|work=1930 US Census|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=28 November 2013}}</ref><ref name="Census1960">{{cite web|title=Number of Inhabitants: Ohio|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1960/population-volume-1/37749282v1p37_ch02.pdf|date=1960|work=18th Census of the United States|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=17 May 2020}}</ref><ref name="Census1990">{{cite web|title=Ohio: Population and Housing Unit Counts|url=https://www.census.gov/prod/cen1990/cph2/cph-2-37.pdf|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=22 November 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/wellstoncityohio,US/PST045221|title=Wellston city, Ohio|website=census.gov|accessdate=July 7, 2022}}</ref>
}}

===2010 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name ="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2013-01-06}}</ref> of 2010, there were 5,663 people, 2,250 households, and 1,459 families living in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|812.5|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 2,535 housing units at an average density of {{convert|363.7|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 97.7% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.2% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.4% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.2% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.1% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 1.3% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 0.7% of the population.

There were 2,250 households, of which 35.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.9% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 16.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 35.2% were non-families. 29.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.03.

The median age in the city was 36.5 years. 25.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.8% were from 25 to 44; 25.3% were from 45 to 64; and 14.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.8% male and 53.2% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 6,078 people, 2,359 households, and 1,644 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|872.4|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 2,615 housing units at an average density of {{convert|375.3|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 98.08% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.36% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.28% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.16% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.21% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.90% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 0.61% of the population.

There were 2,359 households, out of which 34.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.6% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 15.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.3% were non-families. 26.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the city the population was spread out, with 26.9% under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 26.8% from 25 to 44, 21.3% from 45 to 64, and 15.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $30,021, and the median income for a family was $34,488. Males had a median income of $28,514 versus $20,967 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $13,476. About 15.8% of families and 18.8% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 24.7% of those under age 18 and 14.6% of those age 65 or over.

==Government==
In October 2009, the Ohio state government declared the City of Wellston to be in a state of fiscal emergency "as defined by Section 118.03(A)(6) and 118.03(B) of the [[Ohio Revised Code]]" on the basis of a "treasury deficiency".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.timesjournal.com/articles/2009/10/02/news/doc4ac60eae44226340639860.txt    |title=Fiscal Emergency declared for City of Wellston|date=October 2, 2009 |work=The Jackson County Times-Journal| access-date=2009-10-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://thetelegramnews.com/main.asp?SectionID=6&SubSectionID=83&ArticleID=7823&TM=48605.41|title=Ohio State auditor places Wellston in 'Fiscal Emergency' status|last=Keller|first=Steve |date=October 10, 2009|work=The Telegram (Jackson, Ohio)|access-date=2009-10-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.auditor.state.oh.us/AuditSearch/detail.aspx?ReportID=77301|title=Report Details - City of Wellston|date=October 1, 2009|work=Auditor of State of Ohio|access-date=2009-10-10}}</ref>

==Economy==
[[General Mills]] is Wellston's largest source of employment, with roughly 900 employees. There are a number of small businesses in Wellston, alongside a few chain restaurants and stores.

In 1923, Gem Beverages opened in Wellston,<ref>{{Cite web |last=vcnbfamily |date=2019-03-21 |title=Gem Beverages: A Southern Ohio Tradition Since 1923 |url=https://vcnbfamily.me/2019/03/21/gem-beverages-a-southern-ohio-tradition-since-1923/ |access-date=2024-02-25 |website=VCNB Family |language=en}}</ref> bottling and distributing soda. Despite no longer bottling soda, the brand remains locally famous and distributes to eight nearby counties. The company's citrus soda, Ski, has earned the nickname, "Wellston Water," due to its popularity amongst the community.

==Education==
The local school district, [[Wellston City Schools]], operates the following schools:
*Bundy Elementary School
*[[Wellston High School (Ohio)|Wellston High School]]
*Wellston Intermediate School
*Wellston Middle School

Private School
* St. Peter and St. Paul Catholic School

Wellston is served by the Sylvester Memorial Public Library. In 2005, the library loaned more than 70,000 items to its 10,000 cardholders, and it had total holdings of over 31,000 volumes with over 90 periodical subscriptions.<ref name="OHLibStats2">{{cite web |url=http://winslo.state.oh.us/publib/2005_stats_by_county.xls |title=2005 Ohio Public Library Statistics:Statistics by County and Town |access-date=November 10, 2006|publisher=State Library of Ohio |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060924225241/http://winslo.state.oh.us/publib/2005_stats_by_county.xls|url-status=dead |archive-date=2006-09-24}}</ref>

==Notable people==
* [[Homer E. Abele]], Congressman 
* [[Hezekiah S. Bundy]], Congressman 
* [[John Carey (Ohio state legislator)|John Carey]], Ohio House of Representatives (1995–2002) (2011), Ohio Senate (2003–2010)
* [[Timothy Sylvester Hogan (politician)|Timothy S. Hogan]] (1864–1925), Ohio Attorney General 
* [[Timothy Sylvester Hogan (judge)|Timothy S. Hogan]] (1909–1989), Federal District Judge
* [[Jeff Montgomery (baseball)|Jeff Montgomery]], [[Major League Baseball|MLB]] player
* [[John Sylvester (admiral)|John Sylvester]], Vice Admiral United States Navy

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [http://www.cityofwellston.org City of Wellston]
* [http://www.wellstonforum.com/wellston Wellston Information]
* [http://www.wcs.k12.oh.us Wellston City Schools]
* [http://www.youseemore.com/sylvester/ Sylvester Memorial Public Library]

{{Jackson County, Ohio}}
{{Ohio}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Ohio]]
[[Category:Cities in Jackson County, Ohio]]
[[Category:1873 establishments in Ohio]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1873]]