Pickaway County, Ohio

History

The future state of Ohio was part of the Northwest Territory, created in 1787. To begin providing local control of this area, several counties were designated, among them Washington (1788) and Wayne (1796) Counties. Portions of these counties were partitioned off to create Ross (1798), Fairfield (1800), and Franklin (1803) Counties. An act of the General Assembly of Ohio (January 12, 1810) directed that portions of Fairfield, Franklin, and Ross counties were to be partitioned off to create Pickaway County effective March 1, 1810, with Circleville named as county seat later that year (see History of Circleville).

Geography

The Scioto River flows southward through the center of Pickaway County. Big Darby Creek drains the upper western part of the county, discharging into the Scioto at Circleville, and Deer Creek drains the lower western part of the county, flowing southward into Ross County. The county terrain consists of low rolling hills carved with drainages; all available areas (87%) are devoted to agriculture. The terrain's highest point (1,090' or 332 m ASL) lies on the county's east border, 2.4 mi east-northeast of Hargus Lake. The county has a total area of 506.55 sqmi, of which 501.32 sqmi is land and 5.23 sqmi (1.0%) is water.

Adjacent counties

• Franklin County – north
• Fairfield County – east
• Hocking County – southeast
• Ross County – south
• Fayette County – southwest
• Madison County – northwest

Main highways

Protected areas

• A. W. Marion State Park
• Deer Creek State Park (part)
• Stage's Pond State Nature Preserve

Lakes

• Deer Creek Lake (part)
• Hargus Lake

Demographics

| align-fn=center 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 2020

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 58,539. The median age was 40.3 years. 22.4% of residents were under the age of 18 and 16.9% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 109.6 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 111.1 males age 18 and over.

The racial makeup of the county was 90.1% White, 3.7% Black or African American, 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% Asian,

39.5% of residents lived in urban areas, while 60.5% lived in rural areas.

There were 21,005 households in the county, of which 32.7% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 53.4% were married-couple households, 16.0% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 22.8% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 24.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 22,372 housing units, of which 6.1% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 73.6% were owner-occupied and 26.4% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.1% and the rental vacancy rate was 6.1%.

Racial and ethnic composition

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 55,698 people, 19,624 households, and 14,286 families in the county. The population density was 111.1 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 94.5% white, 3.4% black or African American, 0.4% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.3% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.1% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 27.0% were German, 16.3% were American, 14.9% were Irish, and 11.1% were English.

Of the 19,624 households, 35.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.6% were married couples living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 27.2% were non-families, and 22.2% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.03. The median age was 38.5 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $49,262 and the median income for a family was $58,811. Males had a median income of $44,224 versus $35,077 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,432. About 9.5% of families and 12.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.3% of those under age 18 and 6.8% of those age 65 or over.

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States census, there were 52,727 people, 17,599 households, and 13,287 families in the county. The population density was 105.2 /mi2. There were 18,596 housing units at an average density of 37.1 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 91.95% White, 6.43% Black or African American, 0.28% Native American, 0.22% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.15% from other races, and 0.93% from two or more races. 0.63% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 17,599 households, out of which 35.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.50% were married couples living together, 9.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.50% were non-families. 20.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.02.

The county population contained 24.30% under the age of 18, 9.00% from 18 to 24, 32.60% from 25 to 44, 23.40% from 45 to 64, and 10.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 122.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 125.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $42,832, and the median income for a family was $49,259. Males had a median income of $36,265 versus $26,086 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,478. About 7.60% of families and 9.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.40% of those under age 18 and 7.00% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

Prior to 1952, Pickaway County was strongly Democratic in presidential elections, only backing two Republican candidates for president from 1856 to 1948. Starting with the 1952 election, it has become a Republican Party stronghold, with the sole Democrat to win the county in a presidential election since then being Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964 in the midst of his statewide & national landslide victory.

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Economy

Manufacturing makes up a significant proportion of area industry and employment; in the 2010 census; 3075 county residents (13.4%) were employed in manufacturing. Circleville is home to the largest DuPont chemical plant in Ohio. Opened in the 1950s, it produces Mylar and Tedlar plastic films, the latter used extensively in the production of photovoltaic modules.

Other manufacturing concerns in Circleville or surrounding Pickaway County include Aleris, a producer of rolled and extruded aluminum products, and Florida Production Engineering (FPE), producing plastic injection molded components for the automotive industry. Georgia-Pacific, a manufacturer of paperboard containers and other paper products, has a plant located south of Circleville. The PPG Industries Circleville plant is the company's center for polymer resin production, primarily for automotive applications.

Other major employers include Berger Health System; Circleville City, Teays Valley Local and Logan Elm Local School districts; Circle Plastics/TriMold LLC; the State of Ohio; and Wal-Mart Stores.

Businesses that formerly operated include the Jefferson-Smurfit paper mill, a 300-acre site, that is being redeveloped. American Electric Power (AEP) owned the Picway Power Plant in the northern part of Pickaway County. The coal-fired power plant operated from 1926 to 2015. A GE Lighting plant opened in 1948. The plant closed in 2017. RCA/Thomson Glass operated from 1970 until its closing around 2006.

In January 2025, Anduril Industries announced plans to build its $1 billion Arsenal-1 manufacturing facility in Pickaway County, Ohio near Rickenbacker International Airport to produce weapons systems, including aerial and maritime drones.

Government

Education

A list of all school districts covering portions of the county, no matter how slight (even if the schools and administration buildings are in other counties):

• Adena Local School District
• Circleville City School District
• Logan Elm Local School District
• Miami Trace Local School District
• South-Western City School District
• Teays Valley Local School District
• Westfall Local School District

Teays Valley Local School District

Teays Valley is in the northern part of the county. Schools in this district include:

• Teays Valley High School – 1,262 students
• Teays Valley East Middle School (grades 6–8) – 523
• Teays Valley West Middle School (grades 6–8) – 534
• Ashville Elementary (grades PK-5) – 464
• Walnut Elementary (grades PK-5) – 507
• Scioto Elementary (grades PK-5) – 626
• South Bloomfield Elementary (grades PK-5) – 458 Teays Valley has the largest number of students in the county at 4,374 total students.

Circleville City Schools

• Circleville High School – 559 students
• Circleville Middle School (grades 6–8) – 487
• Circleville Elementary (grades K-5) – 1,029

Logan Elm Local Schools

Logan Elm consists of the area in Southeastern Pickaway County.

• Logan Elm High School – 559 students
• George McDowell-Exchange Middle School (grades 7–8) – 299
• Salt Creek Intermediate School (grades 5–6) – 262
• Washington Elementary (grades K-4) – 212
• Pickaway Elementary (grades K-4) – 188

Westfall Local Schools

Westfall lies in the Western part of the county.

• Westfall High School – 422 students
• Westfall Middle School (grades 6–8) – 335
• Westfall Elementary (grades K-5) – 588

Pickaway-Ross Career and Technology Center

Pickaway-Ross lies just below the county line in Ross County. Students from the following affiliated Pickaway and Ross county districts attend the vocational school:

• Circleville City School District (Pickaway County)
• Logan Elm Local School District (Pickaway County)
• Westfall Local School District (Pickaway County)
• Adena Local School District (Ross County)
• Chillicothe City School District (Ross County)
• Huntington Local School District (Ross County)
• Paint Valley Local School District (Ross County)
• Southeastern Local School District (Ross County)
• Unioto Local School District (Ross County)
• Zane Trace Local School District (Ross County)

Communities

City

• Circleville (county seat)

Villages

• Ashville
• Commercial Point
• Darbyville
• Lockbourne
• Harrisburg
• New Holland
• Orient (disincorporated 2013)
• South Bloomfield
• Tarlton
• Williamsport

Census-designated places

• Derby
• Logan Elm Village
• Orient

Unincorporated communities

• Atlanta
• Duvall
• East Ringgold
• Elmwood
• Era
• Five Points
• Fox
• Grange Hall
• Hayesville
• Kinderhook
• Leistville
• Little Chicago
• Little Walnut
• Matville
• Meade
• Millport
• Pherson
• Robtown
• Saint Paul
• Southern Point
• Stringtown
• Thacher
• Walnut
• Westfall
• Whisler
• Woodlyn

Townships

• Circleville
• Darby
• Deer Creek
• Harrison
• Jackson
• Madison
• Monroe
• Muhlenberg
• Perry
• Pickaway
• Salt Creek
• Scioto
• Walnut
• Washington
• Wayne
• Yamarick ("paper" township coextensive with the city of Circleville)

Notable residents

• Dorothy Adkins (1912–1975), psychologist, grew up in Atlanta, Pickaway County
• Dwight Radcliff, the longest serving Sheriff of Pickaway County

Other notable aspects

Pickaway County is also known for its various places with the name "Hitler", including Hitler Road, Hitler-Ludwig Road, Hitler-Ludwig Cemetery, and Hitler Park. They are not named after the German dictator Adolf Hitler, but rather they were named after a local historical family named the Hitlers, who have been described by a local paper in 2011 as "fine, upstanding citizens". The family included George Washington Hitler and his son, Gay Hitler, who worked as a local dentist between 1922 and 1946.

References

References

1. "Ohio County Profiles: Pickaway County". Ohio Department of Development.
2. [https://www.census.gov/library/visualizations/interactive/2020-population-and-housing-state-data.html 2020 census]
3. "Find a County". National Association of Counties.
4. [https://pickaway.org/about/index.html About Pickaway County (accessed 10 June 2019)]
5. [https://www.google.com/maps/place/Pickaway+County,+OH/@39.6401983,-83.1392098,11z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x883881dc008eea0f:0xdf9da478a22f3581!8m2!3d39.687828!4d-82.9931607 Pickaway County OH – Google Maps (accessed 10 June 2019)]
6. [https://www.peakbagger.com/peak.aspx?pid=23230 Pickaway County High Point – PeakBagger.com (accessed 10 June 2019)]
7. (August 22, 2012). "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau.
8. "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau.
9. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library.
10. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau.
11. (April 2, 2001). "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000". US Census Bureau.
12. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)".
13. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)".
14. (2023). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)".
15. "1980 Census of Population - General Social and Economic Characteristics - Ohio- Table 59 - Persons by Spanish Origin, Race, and Sex: 1980 AND Table 58 - Race by Sex: 1980".
16. "1990 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Ohio: Table 6 - Race and Hispanic Origin".
17. "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Pickaway County, Ohio".
18. "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Pickaway County, Ohio".
19. "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Pickaway County, Ohio".
20. included in the Asian category in the 1980 Census
21. included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census
22. not an option in the 1980 Census
23. not an option in the 1990 Census
24. "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". US Census Bureau.
25. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 – County". US Census Bureau.
26. "Selected Social Characteristics in the US – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau.
27. "Selected Economic Characteristics – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau.
28. "U.S. Census website". US Census Bureau.
29. "Pickaway County Election Results".
30. (November 5, 2024). "2024 Senate Election (Official Returns)".
31. "Demographics and Income plus other local statistics for Pickaway County P3 Ohio". Pickawayprogress.com.
32. Murphy, Kristi. (May 22, 2012). "DuPont celebrates Tedlar expansion". The Circleville Herald.
33. (January 18, 2010). "News & Events for Pickaway Progress Business Development Project Central Ohio". Pickawayprogress.com.
34. "Plastic Injection Molding from 100 tons to 3000 tons in Florida, Kentucky and Ohio". Fpe-inc.com.
35. "Circleville OH – Life at PPG – College Recruiting". Ppg.com.
36. Gaines, Sallie L.. (December 2, 1998). "Smurfit To Shutter 5 Mills, Cut 1,660 Jobs". Chicago Tribune.
37. "Projects – Green Investment Group". Greeninvgroup.com.
38. "Picway". AEP.
39. Murphy, Kristi. (August 22, 2013). "GE plant to add 50 jobs". The Circleville Herald.
40. Gearino, Dan. (April 12, 2017). "GE Lighting to close Circleville plant, costing 148 jobs". The Columbus Dispatch.
41. Press, Julie Carr Smyth, The Associated. (2025-01-16). "Anduril to build 'Arsenal-1′ autonomous weapons plant in central Ohio".
42. "2020 CENSUS – SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Pickaway County, OH". [[U.S. Census Bureau]].
43. "Enrollment Numbers".
44. [https://web.archive.org/web/20160715023447/http://www.ohiotownships.org/township-websites Ohio Townships]
45. (July 30, 2013). "Life in Ohio, a Continuing Series".
46. (September 11, 2011). "Hitlers were county pioneers".