Ohio County, West Virginia

Ohio County is a county located in the northern panhandle of the State of West Virginia. Formed in 1776, it was named for the Ohio River, which forms its western boundary. West Liberty was the county seat from 1776 to 1797. The city of Wheeling has been the county seat since that time. As of 2000, the population is 47,427.

Geography According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 282 km² (109 mi²). 275 km² (106 mi²) of it is land and 7 km² (3 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 2.46% water.

Ohio County is bounded in the south by Marshall County, West Virginia, in the west by Belmont County, Ohio and Jefferson County, Ohio, in the north by Brooke County, West Virginia, and in the east by Washington County, Pennsylvania.

Demographics As of the census¹ of 2000, there are 47,427 people, 19,733 households, and 12,155 families residing in the county. The population density is 172/km² (447/mi²). There are 22,166 housing units at an average density of 81/km² (209/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 94.50% White, 3.57% African American, 0.09% Native American, 0.78% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.13% from other races, and 0.91% from two or more races. 0.50% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

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

In the county, the population is 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 are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 41 years. For every 100 females there are 87.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 84.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county is $30,836, and the median income for a family is $41,261. Males have a median income of $31,132 versus $21,978 for females. The per capita income for the county is $17,734. 15.80% of the population and 11.50% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 20.10% are under the age of 18 and 10.40% are 65 or older.

Cities and Towns

• Bethlehem
• Clearview
• Elm Grove[?]
• Mozart[?]
• Overbrook[?]
• Triadelphia
• Valley Grove
• Warwood[?]
• West Liberty
  • It was the county seat from 1776 to 1797
• Wheeling, West Virginia (part)