Meigs County, Ohio
Encyclopedia
Meigs County is a county located in the state
of Ohio
, United States
. As of the 2010 census, the population was 23,770.http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/39/39105.html Its county seat
is Pomeroy
, and it is named for Return J. Meigs, Jr.
, the 4th Governor of Ohio.
, the county has a total area of 432 square miles (1,118.9 km²).429 square miles (1,112 km²) of it is land and 3 square miles (7.8 km²) of it (0.68%) is water. The Ohio River
forms the eastern and southern boundary of the county.
Meigs County lies in the Appalachian Plateau
physiographic region of the Appalachian Mountains
. The landscape is considered to be anywhere from gently rolling to rugged, typical of a dissected plateau. Elevations range from 978 feet (298.1 m) asl (above sea level) in the northwest to about 535 feet (163.1 m) asl in the far south central part of the county along the Ohio River. The majority of Meigs County is drained by two subwatersheds of the Ohio River, Shade River
and Leading Creek
. Another stream of note is Raccoon Creek
, which flows through a small area of the northwestern corner of the county.
Coal mining
, both strip and underground, has been an important industry in Meigs County since the late 19th century, although mining of all types largely ceased by the 1990s. The effects of mining are still readily seen on the landscape today. Features such as high walls, spoil piles, and irregular topography are still prevalent. Many tributaries in the Leading Creek basin are plagued by acid mine drainage
and sedimentation.
In 2009, Gatling, Ohio LLC invested $75 million to open a new coal mine and coal prep plant near Racine. It is capable of employing 120 to 150 miners, and is capable of producing 3.5 million marketable tons of coal per year.
The Ohio River creates a microclimate
in its valley where temperatures tend to be moderated by the river, hence resulting in longer growing seasons compared to the rest of the county. Other microclimates, known as frost hollows or frost pockets, exist throughout the county in small isolated valleys. Here nocturnal temperatures are often several degrees colder than the surrounding terrain.
of 2000, there were 23,072 people, 9,234 households, and 6,574 families residing in the county. The population density
was 54 people per square mile (21/km²). There were 10,782 housing units at an average density of 25 per square mile (10/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.73% White
, 0.69% Black
or African American
, 0.27% Native American
, 0.10% Asian
, 0.25% from other races
, and 0.96% from two or more races. 0.60% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 9,234 households out of which 31.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.90% were married couples
living together, 10.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.80% were non-families. 25.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.70% 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 2.94.
In the county, the population was spread out with 23.90% under the age of 18, 8.40% from 18 to 24, 27.70% from 25 to 44, 25.20% from 45 to 64, and 14.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 94.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.80 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $27,287, and the median income for a family was $33,071. Males had a median income of $30,821 versus $19,621 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $13,848. About 14.30% of families and 19.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.30% of those under age 18 and 14.50% of those age 65 or over.
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. As of the 2010 census, the population was 23,770.http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/39/39105.html Its county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
is Pomeroy
Pomeroy, Ohio
Pomeroy is a village in and the county seat of Meigs County, Ohio, United States, along the Ohio River. The population was 1,966 at the 2000 census. During the late 19th century, Pomeroy was an important producer of coal and salt...
, and it is named for Return J. Meigs, Jr.
Return J. Meigs, Jr.
Return Jonathan Meigs, Jr. was a Democratic-Republican politician from Ohio. He served as the fourth Governor of Ohio, fifth United States Postmaster General, and as a U.S. Senator.-Biography:...
, the 4th Governor of Ohio.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the county has a total area of 432 square miles (1,118.9 km²).429 square miles (1,112 km²) of it is land and 3 square miles (7.8 km²) of it (0.68%) is water. The Ohio River
Ohio River
The Ohio River is the largest tributary, by volume, of the Mississippi River. At the confluence, the Ohio is even bigger than the Mississippi and, thus, is hydrologically the main stream of the whole river system, including the Allegheny River further upstream...
forms the eastern and southern boundary of the county.
Meigs County lies in the Appalachian Plateau
Appalachian Plateau
The Appalachian Plateau is the western part of the Appalachian mountains, stretching from New York and Alabama. The plateau is a second level United States physiographic region....
physiographic region of the Appalachian Mountains
Appalachian Mountains
The Appalachian Mountains #Whether the stressed vowel is or ,#Whether the "ch" is pronounced as a fricative or an affricate , and#Whether the final vowel is the monophthong or the diphthong .), often called the Appalachians, are a system of mountains in eastern North America. The Appalachians...
. The landscape is considered to be anywhere from gently rolling to rugged, typical of a dissected plateau. Elevations range from 978 feet (298.1 m) asl (above sea level) in the northwest to about 535 feet (163.1 m) asl in the far south central part of the county along the Ohio River. The majority of Meigs County is drained by two subwatersheds of the Ohio River, Shade River
Shade River
The Shade River is a tributary of the Ohio River in southeastern Ohio in the United States. Via the Ohio River, it is part of the watershed of the Mississippi River, draining an area of on the unglaciated portion of the Allegheny Plateau. The Shade River is long, or including its west...
and Leading Creek
Leading Creek (Ohio)
Leading Creek is a tributary of the Ohio River, long, in southeastern Ohio in the United States. Via the Ohio River, it is part of the watershed of the Mississippi River, draining an area of on the unglaciated portion of the Allegheny Plateau...
. Another stream of note is Raccoon Creek
Raccoon Creek (Ohio)
Raccoon Creek is a stream that drains parts of five Ohio counties. It originates in Hocking County, Ohio. It flows through Vinton County and Gallia County and a corner of Meigs County. Its largest tributary, Little Raccoon Creek, arises in Jackson County. The watershed also includes part of Athens...
, which flows through a small area of the northwestern corner of the county.
Coal mining
Coal mining
The goal of coal mining is to obtain coal from the ground. Coal is valued for its energy content, and since the 1880s has been widely used to generate electricity. Steel and cement industries use coal as a fuel for extraction of iron from iron ore and for cement production. In the United States,...
, both strip and underground, has been an important industry in Meigs County since the late 19th century, although mining of all types largely ceased by the 1990s. The effects of mining are still readily seen on the landscape today. Features such as high walls, spoil piles, and irregular topography are still prevalent. Many tributaries in the Leading Creek basin are plagued by acid mine drainage
Acid mine drainage
Acid mine drainage , or acid rock drainage , refers to the outflow of acidic water from metal mines or coal mines. However, other areas where the earth has been disturbed may also contribute acid rock drainage to the environment...
and sedimentation.
In 2009, Gatling, Ohio LLC invested $75 million to open a new coal mine and coal prep plant near Racine. It is capable of employing 120 to 150 miners, and is capable of producing 3.5 million marketable tons of coal per year.
Adjacent counties
- Athens CountyAthens County, OhioAs of the census of 2000, there were 62,223 people, 22,501 households, and 12,713 families residing in the county. The population density was 123 people per square mile . There were 24,901 housing units at an average density of 49 per square mile...
(north) - Wood County, West VirginiaWood County, West VirginiaAs of the census of 2000, there were 87,986 people, 36,275 households, and 24,884 families residing in the county. The population density was 240 people per square mile . There were 39,785 housing units at an average density of 108 per square mile...
(northeast) - Jackson County, West Virginia (east)
- Mason County, West VirginiaMason County, West VirginiaAs of the census of 2000, there were 25,957 people, 10,587 households, and 7,569 families residing in the county. The population density was 60 people per square mile . There were 12,056 housing units at an average density of 28 per square mile...
(southeast) - Gallia CountyGallia County, OhioAs of the census of 2000, there were 31,069 people, 12,060 households, and 8,586 families residing in the county. The population density was 66 people per square mile . There were 13,498 housing units at an average density of 29 per square mile...
(southwest) - Vinton CountyVinton County, OhioVinton County is a county located in the state of Ohio, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 13,435. , the least populous in the state. Its county seat is McArthur. The county is named for Samuel Finley Vinton, a 19th-century United States Congressman from...
(west)
Climate
Meigs County's climate is considered humid continental, with warm to hot, humid summers and cool to cold, wet winters. Precipitation averages 41" annually, spread evenly throughout the year. High July temperatures average in the upper 80s F, while lows average in the low to mid 60s F. Temperatures above 90* F in the summer are common. January highs average about 40* F, with lows in the lower 20s. Temperatures around or even below 0* F occur during most winters. Snowfall averages 20–25", falling between late November and the first week of April.The Ohio River creates a microclimate
Microclimate
A microclimate is a local atmospheric zone where the climate differs from the surrounding area. The term may refer to areas as small as a few square feet or as large as many square miles...
in its valley where temperatures tend to be moderated by the river, hence resulting in longer growing seasons compared to the rest of the county. Other microclimates, known as frost hollows or frost pockets, exist throughout the county in small isolated valleys. Here nocturnal temperatures are often several degrees colder than the surrounding terrain.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 23,072 people, 9,234 households, and 6,574 families residing in the county. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 54 people per square mile (21/km²). There were 10,782 housing units at an average density of 25 per square mile (10/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.73% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.69% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.27% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.10% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.25% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.96% from two or more races. 0.60% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race.
There were 9,234 households out of which 31.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.90% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 10.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.80% were non-families. 25.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.70% 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 2.94.
In the county, the population was spread out with 23.90% under the age of 18, 8.40% from 18 to 24, 27.70% from 25 to 44, 25.20% from 45 to 64, and 14.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 94.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.80 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $27,287, and the median income for a family was $33,071. Males had a median income of $30,821 versus $19,621 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the county was $13,848. About 14.30% of families and 19.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.30% of those under age 18 and 14.50% of those age 65 or over.
Education
Meigs county schools include:- Meigs Elementary School
- Meigs Middle School
- Meigs High SchoolMeigs High SchoolMeigs High School is a public high school in Pomeroy, Ohio, United States. It is one of three high schools in the Meigs Local School District. The school mascot is the Marauders.-Athletics:...
- Eastern High SchoolEastern High School (Reedsville, Ohio)Eastern High School is a public high school in Reedsville, Ohio, United States. It is the only high school in the Eastern Local School District...
- Southern High SchoolSouthern High School (Racine, Ohio)Southern High School is a public high school in Racing, , Ohio, United States. It is the only high school in the Southern Local School District...
Communities
Villages
|
Rutland, Ohio Rutland is a village in Meigs County, Ohio, United States. The population was 401 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Rutland is located at . The village lies in the Appalachian Plateau physiographic region... Syracuse, Ohio Syracuse is a village in Meigs County, Ohio, United States, along the Ohio River. The population was 879 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Syracuse is located at .... |
Townships
|
Letart Township, Meigs County, Ohio Letart Township is one of the twelve townships of Meigs County, Ohio, United States. The 2000 census found 641 people in the township.-Geography:Located in the southeastern part of the county along the Ohio River, it borders the following townships:... Olive Township, Meigs County, Ohio Olive Township is one of the twelve townships of Meigs County, Ohio, United States. The 2000 census found 1,874 people in the township.-Geography:Located in the northeastern corner of the county, it borders the following townships:... Orange Township, Meigs County, Ohio Orange Township is one of the twelve townships of Meigs County, Ohio, United States. The 2000 census found 934 people in the township.-Geography:Located in the northern part of the county, it borders the following townships:... Rutland Township, Meigs County, Ohio Rutland Township is one of the twelve townships of Meigs County, Ohio, United States. The 2000 census found 2,347 people in the township, 1,946 of whom lived in the unincorporated portions of the township.-Geography:... |
Salem Township, Meigs County, Ohio Salem Township is one of the twelve townships of Meigs County, Ohio, United States. The 2000 census found 944 people in the township.-Geography:Located in the southwestern corner of the county, it borders the following townships:*Columbia Township - north... Salisbury Township, Meigs County, Ohio Salisbury Township is one of the twelve townships of Meigs County, Ohio, United States. The 2000 census found 6,441 people in the township, 1,950 of whom lived in the unincorporated portions of the township.-Geography:... Scipio Township, Meigs County, Ohio Scipio Township is one of the twelve townships of Meigs County, Ohio, United States. The 2000 census found 1,050 people in the township.-Geography:Located in the northwestern part of the county, it borders the following townships:... Sutton Township, Meigs County, Ohio Sutton Township is one of the twelve townships of Meigs County, Ohio, United States. The 2000 census found 3,250 people in the township, 1,625 of whom lived in the unincorporated portions of the township.-Geography:... |
Unincorporated communities
|
Portland, Ohio Portland is an unincorporated community in eastern Lebanon Township, Meigs County, Ohio, United States. Although it is unincorporated, it has a post office, with the ZIP code of 45770.It lies on the Ohio River, located below Long Bottom and above Racine.... Reedsville, Ohio Reedsville is an unincorporated community in eastern Olive Township, Meigs County, Ohio, United States. Although it is unincorporated, it has a post office, with the ZIP code of 45772.It lies along the Ohio River, below Hockingport and above Long Bottom.... Tuppers Plains, Ohio Tuppers Plains is an unincorporated community on the boundary of the Olive and Orange Townships of Meigs County, Ohio, United States. Although it is unincorporated, it has a post office, with the ZIP code of 45783... |
Notable natives and residents
- Mike BartrumMike BartrumMike Weldon Bartrum is a former American football long snapper and tight end in the National Football League who spent the last seven years of his career with the Philadelphia Eagles. He was considered one of the best long snappers while he was playing...
, an NFL long snapperLong snapperIn American football and Canadian football, the term long snapper refers to a player who is a specialized center during punts, field goals, and extra point attempts. His job is to snap the ball as quickly and accurately as possible....
/tight endTight endThe tight end is a position in American football on the offense. The tight end is often seen as a hybrid position with the characteristics and roles of both an offensive lineman and a wide receiver. Like offensive linemen, they are usually lined up on the offensive line and are large enough to be... - Ambrose BierceAmbrose BierceAmbrose Gwinnett Bierce was an American editorialist, journalist, short story writer, fabulist and satirist...
, an American editorialEditorialAn opinion piece is an article, published in a newspaper or magazine, that mainly reflects the author's opinion about the subject. Opinion pieces are featured in many periodicals.-Editorials:...
ist, journalistJournalistA journalist collects and distributes news and other information. A journalist's work is referred to as journalism.A reporter is a type of journalist who researchs, writes, and reports on information to be presented in mass media, including print media , electronic media , and digital media A...
, short storyShort storyA short story is a work of fiction that is usually written in prose, often in narrative format. This format tends to be more pointed than longer works of fiction, such as novellas and novels. Short story definitions based on length differ somewhat, even among professional writers, in part because...
writer, fabulistFableA fable is a succinct fictional story, in prose or verse, that features animals, mythical creatures, plants, inanimate objects or forces of nature which are anthropomorphized , and that illustrates a moral lesson , which may at the end be expressed explicitly in a pithy maxim.A fable differs from...
and satirist best known for his short story "An Occurrence at Owl Creek BridgeAn Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge"An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" is a short story by Ambrose Bierce. It was originally published in 1890, and first collected in Bierce's 1891 book Tales of Soldiers and Civilians...
". - James Edwin CampbellJames Edwin Campbell (poet)James Edwin Campbell was an African American poet, editor, short story writer and educator. He was born in 1867 in Pomeroy, Ohio, and died there in 1896....
, a poetPoetA poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
, writerWriterA writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
and educator - Norman "Kid" ElberfeldKid ElberfeldNorman Arthur "Kid" Elberfeld , nicknamed "The Tabasco Kid," was a shortstop in Major League Baseball for the Philadelphia Phillies , Cincinnati Reds , Detroit Tigers , New York Highlanders , Washington Senators , and Brooklyn Robins...
, a Major League BaseballMajor League BaseballMajor League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
shortstopShortstopShortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
and manager - Samuel Dana HortonSamuel Dana HortonSamuel Dana Horton , American writer on bimetallism, was born in Pomeroy, Ohio.He graduated at Harvard in 1864, and at the Harvard Law School in 1868, studied Roman law in Berlin in 1869, and in 1871 was admitted to the Ohio bar...
, a bimetallismBimetallismIn economics, bimetallism is a monetary standard in which the value of the monetary unit is defined as equivalent both to a certain quantity of gold and to a certain quantity of silver; such a system establishes a fixed rate of exchange between the two metals...
writer - Reverend Fr. John Joseph JessingJoseph JessingJohn Joseph Jessing a German-American immigrant, who became a Catholic priest in the United States, and was a pioneer in Catholic orphanage work and Catholic education...
, founder of the Pontifical College JosephinumPontifical College JosephinumThe Pontifical College Josephinum is a four-year, Roman Catholic liberal arts college and graduate school of theology founded by Monsignor Joseph Jessing in 1888 and located in Columbus, Ohio, USA. The seminary prepares its students to become priests in the Roman Catholic Church. Students come...
in Columbus, OhioColumbus, OhioColumbus is the capital of and the largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio. The broader metropolitan area encompasses several counties and is the third largest in Ohio behind those of Cleveland and Cincinnati. Columbus is the third largest city in the American Midwest, and the fifteenth largest city... - Benny KauffBenny KauffBenjamin Michael Kauff was a professional baseball player, who played centerfield and batted and threw left-handed. Kauff was known as the “Ty Cobb of the Feds.” He is the only player to be permanently banned from baseball for reasons other than gambling...
, Major League Baseball player - Cy MorganCy MorganHarry Richard Morgan born in Pomeroy, Ohio was a pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the St. Louis Browns , Boston Red Sox , Philadelphia Athletics , and Cincinnati Reds ....
, a Major League BaseballMajor League BaseballMajor League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
pitcherPitcherIn baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the... - David L. "Dave" DilesDavid L. "Dave" DilesDavid L. "Dave" Diles was a former American sports broadcaster and journalist, as well as an author. He was a broadcaster for ABC sports and hosted the “Prudential College Football Scoreboard Show”.-Early Life:...
, a former American sports broadcaster and journalist