Washington County, Ohio

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Washington County is a county located in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Ohio. As of the 2020 census, the population was 59,711.<ref name="2020 census">2020 census</ref> Its county seat is Marietta.<ref name="GR6">Template:Cite web</ref> The county, the oldest in the state, is named for George Washington.<ref name="osuedc">Template:Cite web</ref> Washington County comprises the Marietta, OH Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Parkersburg-Marietta-Vienna, WV-OH Combined Statistical Area.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of Template:Convert, of which Template:Convert is land and Template:Convert (1.3%) is water.<ref name="GR1">Template:Cite web</ref> It is the fifth-largest county in Ohio by land area.

Washington County's southern and eastern boundary is the Ohio River. The Muskingum River, Little Muskingum River, Duck Creek, and the Little Hocking River flow through the county to the Ohio River.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Adjacent counties

Noble County (north)
Monroe County (northeast)
Tyler County, West Virginia (east)
Pleasants County, West Virginia (southeast)
Wood County, West Virginia (south)
Athens County (southwest)
Morgan County (northwest)

Major highways

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Protected areas

Wayne National Forest (part)
Boord State Nature Preserve

Demographics

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2000 census

As of the census<ref name="GR2">Template:Cite web</ref> of 2000, there were 63,251 people, 25,137 households, and 17,671 families living in the county. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 27,760 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the county was 97.33% White, 0.92% Black or African American, 0.24% Native American, 0.43% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.13% from other races, and 0.89% from two or more races. 0.51% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 29.5% were of German, 23.4% American, 12.3% English and 11.0% Irish ancestry according to Census 2000.

There were 25,137 households, out of which 30.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.90% were married couples living together, 9.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.70% were non-families. 25.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.50% under the age of 18, 8.80% from 18 to 24, 27.50% from 25 to 44, 25.10% from 45 to 64, and 15.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 94.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $34,275, and the median income for a family was $41,605. Males had a median income of $32,034 versus $21,346 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,082. About 8.60% of families and 11.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.70% of those under age 18 and 10.20% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 61,778 people, 25,587 households, and 17,092 families living in the county.<ref name="census-dp1">Template:Cite web</ref> The population density was Template:Convert. There were 28,367 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert.<ref name="census-density">Template:Cite web</ref> The racial makeup of the county was 96.5% white, 1.1% black or African American, 0.6% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.7% of the population.<ref name="census-dp1"/> In terms of ancestry, 29.3% were German, 16.7% were Irish, 11.8% were English, and 10.7% were American.<ref name="census-dp2">Template:Cite web</ref>

Of the 25,587 households, 28.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.5% were married couples living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 33.2% were non-families, and 28.1% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.84. The median age was 43.0 years.<ref name="census-dp1"/>

The median income for a household in the county was $41,654 and the median income for a family was $53,131. Males had a median income of $42,460 versus $28,828 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,786. About 10.8% of families and 15.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.5% of those under age 18 and 10.0% of those age 65 or over.<ref name="census-dp3">Template:Cite web</ref>

Government

Washington County has a 3-member Board of County Commissioners that oversee the various County departments, similar to all but 2 of the 88 Ohio counties. Washington County's elected commissioners are: Eddie Place (R), James Booth (R), and Charlie Schilling (R).<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Politics

File:Marietta2020.svg

Results from the 2020 Presidential Election in Marietta, the county's largest city.

Education

There are six high schools that serve the people of Washington County (as of 2016).

Belpre Golden Eagles
Beverly Fort Frye Cadets
New Matamoras Frontier Cougars
Marietta Tigers
Vincent Warren Warriors
Waterford Wildcats

There is also the Washington County Career Center, a tech school, Washington State College of Ohio, a two-year college, and Marietta College, a four-year college. All are located in Marietta.