Ohio County, West Virginia

Ohio County, West Virginia
Location in the state of West Virginia
West Virginia's location in the U.S.
Founded	1776
Seat	Wheeling
Area  - Total  - Land  - Water	109 sq mi (282 km²) 106 sq mi (275 km²) 3 sq mi (8 km²), 2.46%
Population  - (2010)  - Density	44,443 445/sq mi (172/km²)

Ohio County is a county located in the Northern Panhandle of West Virginia. Formed from the District of West Augusta, Virginia, in 1776. It was named for the Ohio River which forms its western boundary. West Liberty (formerly Black's Cabin) was the county seat from 1777 to 1797.^[1] The city of Wheeling, West Virginia has been the county seat since that time. As of 2010, the population was 44,443.

Ohio County is part of the Wheeling, West Virginia metropolitan area.

Local government

Ohio County is governed by a three-member county commission. The three county commissioners are elected from single-member magisterial districts and serve six-year terms, staggered so that one seat is up for election every even year. The County Commission annually chooses its own President. The Ohio County Commissioners in 2009 are David Sims, Tim McCormick, and Randy Wharton, all Democrats. Mr. McCormick was re-elected in November 2008. The county commission typically appoints a county administrator to oversee the daily executive duties for the Commission. The current county administrator is Greg Stewart. In addition to the three members of the county commission, other elected officials include a county clerk, currently Patty Fahey, and a county assessor, currently Kathie Hoffmann. Both are Democrats.

Ohio County is part of the West Virginia's First Judicial Circuit, which also includes nearby Hancock and Brooke cuties. In West Virginia, circuit judges are elected in partisan elections to eight-year terms. The current judges of the First Judicial Circuit are the Martin J. Gaughan, James Mazzone, Arthur M. Recht, and Ronald E. Wilson. All are Democrats and were re-elected in November 2008. The clerk of the circuit court is also elected in a partisan election and serves a six-year term. The current clerk of the First Judicial Circuit in Ohio County is Democrat Brenda Miller. Ohio County is part of the First Family Court Circuit of West Virginia, which covers the same three territories as the First Judicial Circuit. In West Virginia, Family Court judges began to be elected to eight-year terms beginning in 2008. The current judges are the Joyce Chernenko and William Sinclair, both elected to eight-year terms in November 2008.

Magistrates are elected in partisan elections serving four-year terms. Vacancies occurring in unexpired terms can be filled by a respective Circuit Court judge. Unlike Circuit Court and Family Court judges, magistrates are not required to be attorneys. Ohio County currently has four magistrates: Charles W. Murphy, Patricia Murphy, and Harry Radcliffe (Democrats) and Joseph Roxby (a Republican).

In West Virginia, prosecuting attorneys in each county are elected in partisan elections to four-year terms. The current prosecuting attorney in Ohio County is Scott Smith, a Democrat, re-elected in November 2008. County sheriffs (who also serve ex-officio as county treasurer) are also elected by each county to a four-year term, although unlike prosecuting attorneys, sheriffs are limited to serving only two terms. The current Ohio County sheriff is Pat Butler, a Republican.

State and federal legislative delegations

All the members of Ohio County's delegation to the West Virginia Legislature and United States Congress are Democrats.

In the West Virginia Senate, most of Ohio County is part of the first Senate district along with Hancock and Brooke counties. The current State Senators for the first district are Edwin J. Bowman from Hancock County and Jack Yost from Brooke County. State Senate seats are elected in staggered four-year terms. Bowman's seat is up for election in 2010 and Yost's seat is up for election in 2012. Portions of Wheeling Island, Downtown Wheeling, and South Wheeling are segmented in the second Senate district. The current States Senators for the second district are Jeffrey V. Kessler and Scott Varner who are both from Marshall County.

In the West Virginia House of Delegates, parts of Ohio County are represented by the second House of Delegates district, while others by the third House of Delegates district. In Ohio County, the extreme eastern end of Elm Grove and the towns of Triadelphia, Valley Grove, and West Liberty are part of the second district, currently represented by Delegates Tim Ennis and Roy Givens, both from Brooke County. The Third District, comprised by nearly all of the City of Wheeling and the Village of Bethlehem, is currently represented by Delegates Tal Hutchins and Orphy Klempa, both from Ohio County. All Delegates to the state House serve two-year terms.

In the United States House of Representatives, Ohio County is part of the West Virginia's 1st congressional district, which includes nearly all of the northern part of the state. The current Representative is David McKinley, a Republican from Wheeling in Ohio County. West Virginia's two Senators, who represent the entire state, are Jay Rockefeller and Joe Manchin, both Democrats from Charleston and Fairmont, respectively.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 109 square miles (282 km²), of which 106 square miles (275 km²) is land and 3 square miles (7 km²) (2.46%) is water. The highest point of elevation in Ohio County is approximately 1,420 ft (430 m) and located about 1-mile (1.6 km) southwest of West Alexander, PA.^[2]

Major highways

See also: List of County Routes in Ohio County, West Virginia

• I-70
• I-470
• U.S. Highway 40 – National Road
• U.S. Highway 250
• West Virginia Route 2
• West Virginia Route 88

Adjacent counties

• Brooke County (north)
• Washington County, Pennsylvania (east)
• Marshall County (south)
• Belmont County, Ohio (west)
• Jefferson County, Ohio (northwest)

Ohio County is one of four US counties to border the state with whom it shares its name (the others are Nevada County, California, Texas County, Oklahoma, and Delaware County, Pennsylvania).

National protected area

• Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge (part)

Demographics

Historical populations
Census	Pop.		%±
1790	5,212		—
1800	4,740		−9.1%
1810	9,182		93.7%
1820	9,182		0%
1830	15,584		69.7%
1840	13,357		−14.3%
1850	18,006		34.8%
1860	22,422		24.5%
1870	28,831		28.6%
1880	37,457		29.9%
1890	41,557		10.9%
1900	48,024		15.6%
1910	57,572		19.9%
1920	62,892		9.2%
1930	72,077		14.6%
1940	73,115		1.4%
1950	71,672		−2.0%
1960	68,437		−4.5%
1970	64,197		−6.2%
1980	61,389		−4.4%
1990	50,871		−17.1%
2000	47,427		−6.8%
2010	44,443		−6.3%

As of the census^[3] of 2000, there were 47,427 people, 19,733 households, and 12,155 families residing in the county. The population density was 447 people per square mile (172/km²). There were 22,166 housing units at an average density of 209 per square mile (81/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 94.50% White, 3.57% Black or 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 were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 27.0% were of German, 13.7% Irish, 10.4% English, 8.4% Italian, 8.3% American and 6.7% Polish ancestry according to Census 2000.

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

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

The median income for a household in the county was $30,836, and the median income for a family was $41,261. Males had a median income of $31,132 versus $21,978 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,734. About 11.50% of families and 15.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.10% of those under age 18 and 10.40% of those age 65 or over.

Cities, towns, and villages

Incorporated communities

Village of Bethlehem Village of Clearview Town of Triadelphia

Village of Valley Grove Town of West Liberty City of Wheeling (partly in Marshall County)

Unincorporated communities

Betty Zane Clinton Eden Elm Grove Greggsville

Mount Echo Mozart Point Mills Roneys Point Warwood

The Communities of Warwood, Woodsdale, Elm Grove, Betty Zane Addition, Greggsville, North Park, Overbrook, Edgwood and Linwood are all incorporated into the city of Wheeling

Magisterial districts

• Liberty District (1)
• Richland District (2)
• Triadelphia District (3)

Zip codes

• 26003 – Wheeling (including Bethlehem and Clearview)
• 26059 – Triadelphia
• 26060 – Valley Grove
• 26074 – West Liberty

Telephone information

Prefixes in Ohio County, WV⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾

• Wheeling Zone 1
  • Wheeling Citywide – 215, 218, 230, 280, 281, 312, 331, 551, 639, 650, 780, 830, 905, 907
  • Downtown/Bethlehem – 214, 231, 243, 242, 232, 233, 234, 559,
  • Elm Grove – 238, 242, 243, 966
  • Warwood – 277
• Wheeling Zone 2
  • West Liberty – 217, 336
• Wheeling Zone 3
  • Triadelphia/Valley Grove – 219, 547, 909

^{(1) Source: West Virginia Public Service Commission
(2) Due to Local Number Portability there is no longer a difference between Land-Line, Coaxial, and Wireless exchanges or prefixes. They are now interchangeable when a customer takes their number with them to a different telephone service provider.}

Education

Colleges and universities

• West Liberty University
• Wheeling Jesuit University
• West Virginia Northern Community College
• West Virginia Business College

Public schools K-12

All public schools within Ohio County operate under the jurisdiction of Ohio County Schools with the consolidated high school housing grades 9–12, middle schools housing grades 6–8, and elementary schools housing grades K-5. Ohio County Schools has a five member elected Board of Education (Sam Andy, Christine Carder, James M. Jorden, Shane Mallett, and President Erik A. Schramm), a Superintendent (George S. Krelis), and a Deputy Superintendent (Dianna Vargo), In addition the Board of Education has an Attendance Director (William J. Laird).

• Wheeling Park High School
• Bridge Street Middle School
• Triadelphia Middle School
• Warwood Middle School
• Wheeling Middle School
• Bethlehem Elementary School
• Elm Grove Elementary School
• Madison Elementary School
• Middle Creek Elementary School
• Ritchie Elementary School
• Steenrod Elementary School
• Warwood Grade School
• Woodsdale Elementary School
• Rose Bell Public School
• S.D Inter College gzb.

Private and parochial schools

The Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston operates several K-8 schools and one high school in Ohio County.

• Wheeling Central Catholic High School
• Corpus Christi Parish School
• Our Lady of Peace School (Located in Marshall County,but serves Ohio County students also)
• St. Michael Parish School
• St. Vincent de Paul Parish School
• Wheeling Catholic Elementary

Additionally, there is also one highly prestigious private school in Ohio County.

• Linsly School

Miscellaneous information

Dog Races and Gaming

In 2007, the West Virginia Legislature adopted HB2718 which created Chapter 29-22 C of the West Virginia Code and permits county residents where racetracks are located to vote on expansion to table games. Ohio County was the first county in West Virginia to take action concerning the matter when the Ohio County Commission initiated a special election date of June 9 for the referendum. The ballot initiative successfully passed in Ohio County with 66% of the vote. The measure permits Wheeling Island Racetrack and Gaming Center to operate table games such as blackjack and poker. On June 9, Jefferson County voters rejected their ballot measure. On June 30, Hancock County voters approved their ballot measure. Kanawha County has scheduled a special election for August 11. While the West Virginia Family Foundation vowed to challenge the constitutionality of HB 2718,^[4] it announced on August 7 that it would not file any appeal on the matter.^[5] According to newspaper accounts, the West Virginia Lottery Commission has set November 1, 2007 as the latest date at which table games will begin preliminary operation at Wheeling Island Racetrack and Gaming Center.^[6]

Metro government

In 2006, the West Virginia Legislature adopted a new section to the West Virginia code – Chapter 7A – which provided for the consolidation of cities, cities with counties, or counties with counties.^[7] Interest has been expressed by some Ohio County residents and officials and has become the main political endeavour of a local council of churches called "Hopeful City". As of March 2007, no official action has been taken in Ohio County on this matter. Other municipalities in West Virginia are considering consolidation including Beckley-Raleigh County and Fairmont-Marion County.^[8] The most significant proposals under this legislation include a consolidation of Wirt County with Wood County and a population consolidation for Kanawha-Putnam-Cabell counties.^[9]

Historic politicians from Ohio County

Main article: Historic Politicians from Ohio County, West Virginia

Prominent historic politicians from Ohio County include nine U.S. Congressmen, one U.S. Senator, one Governor of West Virginia, four justices of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia, two Presidents of the West Virginia Senate, and four Speakers of the West Virginia House of Delegates.

• George W. Atkinson (R) – Governor of West Virginia (1897–1901);
• Nathan B. Scott (R) – U.S. Senator (1899–1911)
• Walter L. Fisher (R) – United States Secretary of the Interior (1911–1913)

Other Topics

• The Ohio County Fair is held annually in October at Site 1 in Oglebay Park.
• When Ohio County was formed in 1776, its area was much larger totaling 1,432 sq mi (3,710 km²) and included portions of what is now Washington and Greene Counties in Pennsylvania. The formation of the Mason-Dixon Line and resolution of border disputes between Pennsylvania and Virginia began the first in a long series of reductions in the county's size.^[10]

See also

• Bear Rock Lakes Wildlife Management Area
• Castleman Run Lake Wildlife Management Area
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Ohio County, West Virginia
• List of County Routes in Ohio County, West Virginia

References

1. ^ [1]^{[dead link]}
2. ^ Ohio County High Point Trip Report. Cohp.org (2000-08-20). Retrieved on 2010-12-24.
3. ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
4. ^ [2]^{[dead link]}
5. ^ [3]^{[dead link]}
6. ^ Nov. 1 Target For Casino Regulators. Tracks prepare to get cards shuffling for poker, The Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register, September 28, 2007
7. ^ West Virginia Code – 7A
8. ^ Wheeling Intellgencer – March 4, 2007^{[dead link]}
9. ^ Charleston Gazette – June 21, 2006^{[dead link]}
10. ^ History of Wheeling City & Ohio County, West Virginia – Book. Lindapages.com. Retrieved on 2010-12-24.

External links

• Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley, Inc. Website
• Ohio County Schools Website
• Ohio County Sheriff's Department Website
• Ohio County Public Library Website
• Ohio County Economic Development Home Page
• Wheeling Area Genealogical Website
• History of Wheeling City and Ohio County, West Virginia compiled by the Hon. Gibson Lamb Cranmer

Coordinates: 40°06′N 80°37′W / 40.10°N 80.62°W / 40.10; -80.62