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Belmont County, Ohio

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Belmont County is a county in the U.S. state of Ohio. As of the 2020 United States census, the population was 66,497.[2] Its county seat is St. Clairsville, while its largest city is Martins Ferry. The county was created on September 7, 1801, and organized on November 7, 1801.[3] It takes its name from the French for "beautiful mountain".[4]

Belmont County
County
Belmont County Courthouse
Belmont County Courthouse
Flag of Belmont County
Flag
Official seal of Belmont County
Seal
Motto(s): 
Meliorem lapsa locavit
(Latin, "He has planted one better than the one fallen")[1]
Map of Ohio highlighting Belmont County
Location within the U.S. state of Ohio
Map of the United States highlighting Ohio
Ohio's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 40°01′N 80°59′W / 40.02°N 80.99°W / 40.02; -80.99
Country United States
State Ohio
FoundedSeptember 7, 1801 (created)
November 7, 1801 (organized)
Named for"beautiful mountain" in French
SeatSt. Clairsville
Largest cityMartins Ferry
Area
 • Total
541.27 sq mi (1,401.9 km2)
 • Land532.13 sq mi (1,378.2 km2)
 • Water9.14 sq mi (23.7 km2)  1.7%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
66,497 Decrease
 • Density120/sq mi (50/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district6th
Websitewww.belmontcountyohio.org

Belmont County is part of the Wheeling metropolitan area.

History

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Dille, Ohio, also known as Dilles Bottom, was located across the Ohio River from Moundsville, West Virginia. It was founded by the sons of David Dille (b. 1718) around 1790 and was initially a fort called Fort Dille. Belmont County was authorized in September 1801 by the Northwest Territorial legislature, with area partitioned from Jefferson and Washington counties.[3] The county would be organized two months later with St. Clairsville being named as the county seat in 1803. Its area was reduced in 1810 when area was ceded for the formation of Guernsey County and again in 1813 for the formation of Monroe County. It has retained its boundaries unchanged since 1813. Belmont is the French toponym meaning "beautiful mountain". Settlers migrating westward followed Zane's Trace through the county. Later, the National Road was built through the county. Quakers were among the county's first settlers. Many of these people would become outspoken critics of slavery, including famous abolitionist Benjamin Lundy.

Belmont County is located in the Ohio coal belt.[5] At one time, steamships traveling down the Ohio River knew the county's community of Bellaire as the last stop for coal until Cincinnati.[6] In 1866, the county had railroad service from the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad and the Toledo & Ohio Railroad. The National Road also ran through Bellaire.[7] Given the county's transportation resources, fuel resource, and experienced workforce in nearby Wheeling, West Virginia, the county was an excellent location for a glass manufacturing plant. The county's first glass works was the Excelsior Glass Works, which was organized in 1849. In 1866 Belmont Glass Company became Bellaire's first of many glass plants, and the second in Belmont County.[8] Some of the founders of this glass works later started another glass factory in Bellaire: the Bellaire Goblet Company. In 1880, the state of Ohio ranked fourth in the country in glass production, and Belmont County ranked sixth among the nation's counties.[9] By 1881, Bellaire had 15 glass factories, and was known as "Glass City".[10] At the beginning of the next decade, the state of Ohio was ranked second in the nation in glass production based on the value of the product.[11]

Belmont County was the venue for the world-famous Jamboree in the Hills outdoor country music festival from 1977 to 2018. In 1986, the syndicated Paul Harvey Show featured a special election being held in Belmont County for purposes of selecting a new official county seal and flag, created by then-county resident Michael Massa.[12]

Geography

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Coal miners in Belmont County, 1923

Belmont County lies on the east side of Ohio. Its east border abuts the west border of West Virginia (across the Ohio River). The Ohio flows southward along the county's east line. Captina Creek flows eastward through the lower part of the county, discharging into the Ohio at Powhatan Point, and McMahon Creek also flows eastward through the center of the county, discharging into the Ohio at Bellaire. The county terrain consists of low rolling hills, etched with drainages. All available area is devoted to agriculture.[13] The terrain slopes to the east,[14] with its highest point, Galloway Knob (1,396' or 426m ASL) at 1.2 miles (1.9 km) southeast of Lamira.[15] The county has a total area of 541.27 sqmi (1492 km2), of which 532.13 sqmi (1378 km2) is land and 9.14 sqmi (23.69 km2) (1.7%) is water.[16]

Adjacent counties

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Major highways

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Protected areas

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Lakes

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  • Barnesville Lake
  • Barnesville Reservoir #3
  • Belmont Lake
  • Piedmont Lake (part)[13]

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
181011,097—
182020,32983.2%
183028,62740.8%
184030,9017.9%
185034,60012.0%
186036,3985.2%
187039,7149.1%
188049,63825.0%
189057,41315.7%
190060,8756.0%
191076,85626.3%
192093,19321.3%
193094,7191.6%
194095,6140.9%
195087,740−8.2%
196083,864−4.4%
197080,917−3.5%
198082,5692.0%
199071,074−13.9%
200070,226−1.2%
201070,4000.2%
202066,497−5.5%
US Decennial Census[17]
1790–1960[18] 1900–1990[19]
1990–2000[20] 2020 [2]

2010 census

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As of the 2010 United States census, there were 70,400 people, 28,679 households, and 18,761 families in the county.[23] The population density was 132.3 people per square mile (51.1 people/km2). There were 32,452 housing units at an average density of 61.0 units per square mile (23.6/km2).[24] The racial makeup of the county was 94.0% white, 4.0% black or African American, 0.4% Asian, 0.1% American Indian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.3% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.6% of the population.[23] In terms of ancestry, 26.0% were German, 17.9% were Irish, 12.4% were English, 10.1% were Italian, 9.0% were Polish, and 6.2% were American.[25]

Of the 28,679 households, 27.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.2% were married couples living together, 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 34.6% were non-families, and 29.9% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.85. The median age was 43.4 years.[23]

The median income for a household in the county was $38,320 and the median income for a family was $47,214. Males had a median income of $42,022 versus $26,926 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,266. About 12.1% of families and 15.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.4% of those under age 18 and 9.1% of those age 65 or over.[26]

2000 census

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As of the 2000 United States census,[27] there were 70,226 people, 28,309 households, and 19,250 families in the county. The population density was 132.0 per square mile (51.0/km2). There were 31,236 housing units at an average density of 58.7 units per square mile (22.7/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 94.98% White, 3.64% Black or African American, 0.14% Native American, 0.30% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.16% from other races, and 0.77% from two or more races. 0.39% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 20.2% were of German, 12.5% Irish, 12.0% American, 10.3% English, 10.2% Italian and 9.0% Polish ancestry according to the 2000 census.

There were 28,309 households, out of which 28.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.10% were married couples living together, 11.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.00% were non-families. 28.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.90.

The county population contained 21.80% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 27.40% from 25 to 44, 24.90% from 45 to 64, and 18.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 96.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $29,714, and the median income for a family was $37,538. Males had a median income of $31,211 versus $19,890 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,221. About 11.70% of families and 14.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.40% of those under age 18 and 9.80% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

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Belmont County is an Appalachian county in Southern Ohio, and as with many counties in this region was solidly Democratic from the Franklin D. Roosevelt administration through the 1990s. Back in the 19th century, the county frequently voted Republican, including voting for Abraham Lincoln in the 1860 election.[28] Similar to counties in neighboring West Virginia and Kentucky, in Appalachia, the Democratic margins began to shrink in the 2000s, and the county became reliably Republican by 2012.

United States presidential election results for Belmont County, Ohio[29]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 22,758 73.30% 8,080 26.02% 211 0.68%
2020 23,560 71.09% 9,138 27.57% 443 1.34%
2016 21,108 67.37% 8,785 28.04% 1,438 4.59%
2012 16,758 52.88% 14,156 44.67% 774 2.44%
2008 15,422 47.40% 16,302 50.10% 812 2.50%
2004 15,589 46.78% 17,576 52.75% 157 0.47%
2000 12,625 41.89% 15,980 53.02% 1,536 5.10%
1996 8,213 26.81% 17,705 57.79% 4,721 15.41%
1992 8,614 25.77% 18,527 55.44% 6,280 18.79%
1988 12,214 38.20% 19,515 61.04% 244 0.76%
1984 15,170 43.52% 19,458 55.82% 228 0.65%
1980 13,601 42.47% 16,653 52.00% 1,770 5.53%
1976 13,550 38.47% 21,162 60.09% 507 1.44%
1972 17,628 53.62% 14,800 45.01% 450 1.37%
1968 11,512 31.94% 22,056 61.19% 2,478 6.87%
1964 9,693 25.59% 28,180 74.41% 0 0.00%
1960 18,146 43.26% 23,805 56.74% 0 0.00%
1956 19,230 50.31% 18,991 49.69% 0 0.00%
1952 17,693 41.68% 24,759 58.32% 0 0.00%
1948 13,283 35.76% 23,217 62.51% 643 1.73%
1944 15,485 39.13% 24,093 60.87% 0 0.00%
1940 17,705 38.22% 28,618 61.78% 0 0.00%
1936 14,511 31.91% 30,545 67.16% 425 0.93%
1932 15,029 40.75% 20,291 55.01% 1,565 4.24%
1928 20,969 60.84% 12,807 37.16% 692 2.01%
1924 16,378 54.53% 8,074 26.88% 5,583 18.59%
1920 14,761 50.55% 13,347 45.71% 1,093 3.74%
1916 7,526 44.15% 7,911 46.41% 1,609 9.44%
1912 5,267 34.00% 5,412 34.94% 4,812 31.06%
1908 8,193 48.02% 7,750 45.42% 1,120 6.56%
1904 8,170 56.75% 4,801 33.35% 1,425 9.90%
1900 8,217 55.33% 6,251 42.09% 384 2.59%
1896 7,699 53.66% 6,413 44.70% 236 1.64%
1892 6,329 48.28% 6,123 46.71% 657 5.01%
1888 6,615 51.55% 5,778 45.02% 440 3.43%
1884 6,186 50.79% 5,763 47.32% 231 1.90%
1880 5,539 50.08% 5,379 48.63% 143 1.29%
1876 4,976 49.56% 5,024 50.03% 41 0.41%
1872 4,267 53.77% 3,647 45.96% 22 0.28%
1868 3,893 50.20% 3,862 49.80% 0 0.00%
1864 3,379 49.10% 3,503 50.90% 0 0.00%
1860 2,675 41.00% 1,450 22.22% 2,400 36.78%
1856 1,817 28.48% 2,810 44.04% 1,753 27.48%

Government

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See also: Ohio county government

Most of the county's government offices are located in the Belmont County Courthouse.[30] Belmont County has a three-member board of county commissioners who administer and oversee the various county departments, similar to all but two of the 88 Ohio counties. The elected commissioners serve staggered four-year terms. As of 2019, Belmont County's elected commissioners are: Jerry Echemann (R), J. P. Dutton (R), and Josh Meyer (R).[31]

Corrections

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Belmont County is served by several detention centers located around St. Clairsville. The Belmont Correctional Institution is located on 158 acres (0.64 km2) between St. Clairsville and Bannock on State Route 331. The facility houses 2,698 inmates as of 2009.[32] The Belmont County Jail in St. Clairsville is located near Belmont College and Ohio University Eastern Campus. The facility contains 144 beds and also houses the county sheriff's offices.[33] The county is also served by Sargus Juvenile Detention Center, a 17-bed facility that also serves surrounding counties.[34] Sargus Center is located next to the county jail.

Education

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K–12

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Belmont County is served by these local schools:

Higher education

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Communities

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Map of Belmont County, Ohio With Municipal and Township Labels

Cities

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Villages

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Census-designated places

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Unincorporated communities

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Townships

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Notable people

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  • James E. Boyd (1834–1906), mayor of Omaha and the seventh governor of Nebraska[35]
  • William Boyd (1895–1972), film and radio actor, portrayed Western character Hopalong Cassidy from 1935 to 1954
  • Don Fleming (1937–1963), a graduate of Shadyside High School, played football for the University of Florida and the Cleveland Browns.
  • Joey Galloway (1971), a graduate of Bellaire High School, played football for Ohio State and in the NFL for 15 years.
  • John Havlicek (1940–2019), a graduate of Bridgeport High School, played basketball for Ohio State and the Boston Celtics in the NBA. Elected to Hall of Fame.
  • Bushrod Johnson (1817–1880), one of the few Confederate States of America generals born in the North, was born in Belmont County.
  • Lance Mehl (born 1958), born in Bellaire. NFL football player
  • Stan Olejniczak (1912–1979), born in Neffs. NFL football player
  • Wilson Shannon (1802–1877), first native-born governor of Ohio
  • Drusilla Wilson (1815–1908), temperance leader and Quaker preacher

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Belmont County Flag". Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board. Retrieved January 26, 2015.
  2. ^ a b "2020 Population and Housing State Data". Census.gov. Retrieved July 23, 2022.
  3. ^ a b McKelvey, A. T.. Centennial history of Belmont County, Ohio, and representative citizens. pp. 46–47. Chicago, Biographical Pub. Co. (1903).
  4. ^ "Belmont County data". Ohio State University Extension Data Center. Retrieved April 28, 2007.[dead link‍]
  5. ^ McKelvey, A. T.. Centennial History of Belmont County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens. p. 79. Chicago, Biographical Pub. Co. (1903).
  6. ^ Bruno, Holly; and Ehritz, Andrew. Bellaire. p. 7. Charleston, South Carolina, Arcadia Publishing (2009).
  7. ^ McKelvey, A. T.. Centennial History of Belmont County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens. p. 68. Chicago, Biographical Pub. Co. (1903).
  8. ^ Crammer, Gibson L.; Jepson, Samuel L.; Trainer, John H.S.; Morrison, William; and Taneyhill, R.H.. History of the Upper Ohio Valley.... p.484. Madison, Wisconsin. Brant & Fuller. (1890).
  9. ^ Weeks, Joseph Dame; and United States Census Office. Report on the Manufacture of Glass. p.11. Washington. Government Printing Office. (1884)
  10. ^ Revi, Albert Christian. American Pressed Glass and Figure Bottles. p.69. New York. Nelson. (1964)
  11. ^ United States Census Office. Report on Manufacturing Industries in the United States at the Eleventh Census. p.315. Washington. Government Printing Office. (1895)
  12. ^ "County Flag". Belmont County Commissioners. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
  13. ^ a b c "Belmont County · Ohio". Google.com. Retrieved July 23, 2022.
  14. ^ ""Find an Altitude/Belmont County OH" – Google Maps (accessed June 12, 2019)". Archived from the original on May 21, 2019. Retrieved June 12, 2019.
  15. ^ "Galloway Knob". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved July 23, 2022.
  16. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on May 4, 2014. Retrieved June 12, 2019.
  17. ^ "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  18. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  19. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  20. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  21. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 19, 2020.
  22. ^ "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  23. ^ a b c "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  24. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 – County". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  25. ^ "Selected Social Characteristics in the US – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  26. ^ "Selected Economic Characteristics – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  27. ^ "U.S. Census website". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  28. ^ Denbow, Carl (December 26, 2013). "1860 Presidential Election". 78ohio. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
  29. ^ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". Uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved May 1, 2018.
  30. ^ "Ohio Secretary of State 2006 Unofficial Election Statistics". Archived from the original on April 9, 2007. Retrieved April 5, 2007.
  31. ^ "Belmont County Board of County Commissioners". Belmont County Ohio Homepage. Retrieved May 7, 2019.
  32. ^ "Belmont Correctional Institution". State.oh.us. Archived from the original on September 1, 2009. Retrieved August 20, 2009.
  33. ^ "Belmont County Sheriff's Office". Belmontsheriff.com. September 21, 2012. Retrieved July 23, 2022.
  34. ^ "Belmont County Juvenile Court". Belmontcountyjuvenilecourt.com. Archived from the original on July 7, 2011. Retrieved August 20, 2009.
  35. ^ "Kansas Governor Walter Roscoe Stubbs". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on June 14, 2012. Retrieved September 29, 2012.

Further reading

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  • Thomas William Lewis, History of Southeastern Ohio and the Muskingum Valley, 1788–1928. In Three Volumes. Chicago: S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1928.
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  Media related to Belmont County, Ohio at Wikimedia Commons

40°01′N 80°59′W / 40.02°N 80.99°W / 40.02; -80.99

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