Hocking County, Ohio

Hocking County
County
Hocking County Courthouse
Flag Seal
Location within the U.S. state of Ohio
Ohio's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 39°30′N82°29′W / 39.50°N 82.48°W / 39.50; -82.48
Country	United States
State	Ohio
Founded	March 1, 1818 [1]
Named for	Hocking River, perhaps from the Lenape language for "bottle river"
Seat	Logan
Largest city	Logan
Area
• Total	424 sq mi (1,100 km2)
• Land	421 sq mi (1,090 km2)
• Water	2.3 sq mi (6 km2)  0.5%
Population  (2020)
• Total	28,050
• Density	66/sq mi (25/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district	2nd
Website	www.co.hocking.oh.us

Hocking County is a county located in the U.S. state of Ohio. As of the 2020 census, the population was 28,050. ^[2] Its county seat is Logan. ^[3] The county was organized on March 1, 1818, from land given by Athens, Fairfield, and Ross counties. ^[4] Its name is from the Hocking River, the origins of which are disputed but is said to be a Delaware Indian word meaning "bottle river". ^[5] Hocking County is included in the Columbus, OH Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 424 square miles (1,100 km²), of which 421 square miles (1,090 km²) is land and 2.3 square miles (6.0 km²) (0.5%) is water. ^[6]

Waterways

The major waterway of Hocking County is the Hocking River, which flows roughly from WNW to ESE, arising in Fairfield County and flowing from Hocking County into Athens County. This river drains about half the county. To the southwest, much of the rest of the county is drained by Salt Creek, which flows from there into Vinton County. A small part of the southeastern county is drained by Raccoon Creek, which also flows into Vinton County. The easternmost area of the county is within the Monday Creek watershed. A small area in the north of the county is drained by Rush Creek. ^[7]

Adjacent counties

• Perry County (northeast)
• Athens County (southeast)
• Vinton County (south)
• Ross County (southwest)
• Pickaway County (west)
• Fairfield County (northwest)

National protected area

• Wayne National Forest (part)

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1820	2,130		—
1830	4,008		88.2%
1840	9,741		143.0%
1850	14,119		44.9%
1860	17,057		20.8%
1870	17,925		5.1%
1880	21,126		17.9%
1890	22,658		7.3%
1900	24,398		7.7%
1910	23,650		−3.1%
1920	23,291		−1.5%
1930	20,407		−12.4%
1940	21,504		5.4%
1950	19,520		−9.2%
1960	20,168		3.3%
1970	20,322		0.8%
1980	24,304		19.6%
1990	25,533		5.1%
2000	28,241		10.6%
2010	29,380		4.0%
2020	28,050		−4.5%
U.S. Decennial Census [8] 1790-1960 [9] 1900-1990 [10] 1990-2000 [11] 2020 [2]

2000 census

As of the census ^[12] of 2000, there were 28,241 people, 10,843 households, and 7,828 families living in the county. The population density was 67 inhabitants per square mile (26/km²). There were 12,141 housing units at an average density of 29/sq mi (11/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.32% White, 0.92% Black or African American, 0.28% Native American, 0.08% Asian, 0.08% from other races, and 1.09% from two or more races. 0.68% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 10,843 households, out of which 33.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.30% were married couples living together, 9.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.80% were non-families. 23.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.50% under the age of 18, 8.10% from 18 to 24, 28.30% from 25 to 44, 25.00% from 45 to 64, and 13.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 99.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $34,261, and the median income for a family was $40,888. Males had a median income of $31,951 versus $24,123 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,095. About 10.30% of families and 13.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.80% of those under age 18 and 14.50% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 29,380 people, 11,369 households, and 7,948 families living in the county. ^[13] The population density was 69.7 inhabitants per square mile (26.9/km²). There were 13,417 housing units at an average density of 31.8 per square mile (12.3/km²). ^[14] The racial makeup of the county was 97.5% white, 0.7% black or African American, 0.3% American Indian, 0.2% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.7% of the population. ^[13] In terms of ancestry, 25.3% were German, 15.0% were American, 14.1% were Irish, and 9.0% were English. ^[15]

Of the 11,369 households, 32.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.9% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 30.1% were non-families, and 24.8% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 2.98. The median age was 40.9 years. ^[13]

The median income for a household in the county was $39,586 and the median income for a family was $48,796. Males had a median income of $39,219 versus $30,371 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,048. About 12.3% of families and 15.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.7% of those under age 18 and 10.8% of those age 65 or over. ^[16]

Politics

Hocking County has been considered to be a swing county in presidential elections as most were won by close margins. Barack Obama came within 105 votes in 2008 and 128 in 2012; Bill Clinton was the last Democrat to win it, in 1996. However, the margins of victory grew during the Donald Trump administration.

United States presidential election results for Hocking County, Ohio ^[17]

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2020	9,737	70.28%	3,880	28.00%	238	1.72%
2016	8,497	65.72%	3,775	29.20%	657	5.08%
2012	6,285	49.22%	6,157	48.22%	326	2.55%
2008	6,364	48.89%	6,259	48.09%	393	3.02%
2004	6,936	52.55%	6,175	46.78%	88	0.67%
2000	5,702	53.01%	4,474	41.60%	580	5.39%
1996	4,017	38.79%	4,646	44.86%	1,693	16.35%
1992	3,761	35.57%	3,935	37.21%	2,878	27.22%
1988	5,426	58.70%	3,706	40.10%	111	1.20%
1984	6,071	64.16%	3,280	34.66%	112	1.18%
1980	4,588	52.02%	3,765	42.69%	466	5.28%
1976	4,114	43.78%	5,126	54.56%	156	1.66%
1972	5,407	63.67%	2,874	33.84%	211	2.48%
1968	3,998	45.94%	3,701	42.53%	1,003	11.53%
1964	2,858	32.44%	5,951	67.56%	0	0.00%
1960	5,262	56.47%	4,057	43.53%	0	0.00%
1956	4,925	59.63%	3,334	40.37%	0	0.00%
1952	4,743	54.64%	3,938	45.36%	0	0.00%
1948	3,733	45.46%	4,462	54.34%	17	0.21%
1944	4,535	54.63%	3,766	45.37%	0	0.00%
1940	5,336	48.40%	5,688	51.60%	0	0.00%
1936	3,960	37.09%	6,580	61.62%	138	1.29%
1932	3,811	40.77%	5,287	56.56%	250	2.67%
1928	5,497	67.92%	2,502	30.92%	94	1.16%
1924	4,086	50.46%	2,854	35.24%	1,158	14.30%
1920	4,335	50.84%	4,082	47.87%	110	1.29%
1916	2,357	43.45%	2,907	53.59%	161	2.97%
1912	1,354	27.02%	2,295	45.79%	1,363	27.19%
1908	2,749	47.72%	2,864	49.71%	148	2.57%
1904	2,979	55.18%	2,304	42.67%	116	2.15%
1900	2,923	49.58%	2,896	49.13%	76	1.29%
1896	2,746	46.00%	3,177	53.22%	47	0.79%
1892	2,034	41.65%	2,522	51.65%	327	6.70%
1888	2,113	43.47%	2,541	52.27%	207	4.26%
1884	1,819	41.66%	2,426	55.57%	121	2.77%
1880	1,830	42.15%	2,422	55.78%	90	2.07%
1876	1,475	39.47%	2,259	60.45%	3	0.08%
1872	1,350	41.69%	1,860	57.44%	28	0.86%
1868	1,369	39.34%	2,111	60.66%	0	0.00%
1864	1,381	42.30%	1,884	57.70%	0	0.00%
1860	1,329	40.93%	1,784	54.94%	134	4.13%
1856	1,092	41.04%	1,454	54.64%	115	4.32%

Government

See also: Ohio county government

The county commissioners are Sandra Ogle, Gary Waugh, and Jeff Dickerson, ^[18] and the Hocking County Sheriff is Lanny North. ^[19]

Communities

Map of Hocking County with municipal and township boundaries

City

• Logan (county seat)

Villages

• Buchtel
• Laurelville
• Murray City

Townships

• Benton
• Falls
• Good Hope
• Green
• Laurel
• Marion
• Perry
• Salt Creek
• Starr
• Ward
• Washington

Census-designated places

• Carbon Hill
• Haydenville
• Hide-A-Way Hills
• Rockbridge
• West Logan

Unincorporated communities

• Ewing
• Ilesboro
• Sand Run
• South Bloomingville
• Union Furnace

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Hocking County, Ohio

References

1. "Ohio County Profiles: Hocking County" (PDF). Ohio Department of Development. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 21, 2007. Retrieved April 28, 2007.
2. 2020 census
3. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
4. History of Hocking Valley, Ohio. Inter-State Publishing Co. 1883. pp.  831.
5. "Hocking County data". Ohio State University Extension Data Center. Retrieved April 28, 2007.^{[ dead link ]}
6. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on May 4, 2014. Retrieved February 8, 2015.
7. "State of Ohio GIS Databases". Archived from the original on August 21, 2011. Retrieved March 6, 2011.
8. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 8, 2015.
9. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved February 8, 2015.
10. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 8, 2015.
11. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved February 8, 2015.
12. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
13. "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
14. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
15. "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
16. "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
17. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
18. "Commissioners | Hocking County Government". www.co.hocking.oh.us. Retrieved May 2, 2018.
19. Proud to Serve the Citizens of Hocking County, Hocking County Sheriff's Office. Accessed February 28, 2009.

External links

• Hocking County government's website