Pickaway County, Ohio

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 507 square miles (1,310 km²), of which 501 square miles (1,300 km²) is land and 5.2 square miles (13 km²) (1.0%) is water.

Adjacent counties

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 52,727 people, 17,599 households, and 13,287 families residing in the county. The population density was 105 people per square mile (41/km²). There were 18,596 housing units at an average density of 37 per square mile (14/km²). 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.

In the county, the population was spread out with 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.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 55,698 people, 19,624 households, and 14,286 families residing in the county. The population density was 111.1 inhabitants per square mile (42.9/km²). There were 21,275 housing units at an average density of 42.4 per square mile (16.4/km²). 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.

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.

A GE Lighting plant opened here in 1948; it recently expanded to produce energy-efficient compact fluorescent lamps, and employs more than 200 people. Other manufacturing concerns in Circleville or surrounding Pickaway County include Aleris, a producer of rolled and extruded aluminum products, and Florida Production Engineering, Inc. (FPE), producing plastic injection molded components for the automotive industry. The former Jefferson-Smurfit paper mill, a 300-acre site, is being redeveloped. Georgia-Pacific, a manufacturer of paperboard containers and other paper products, has a plant located south of town. The PPG Industries Circleville plant is the company's center for polymer resin production, primarily for automotive applications.GE is scheduled to close in 2017.

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.

Teays Valley Local School District

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

Teays Valley has the largest number of students in the county.

Circleville City Schools

A new middle school is currently under construction to replace Everts Middle School.

Logan Elm Local Schools

Logan Elm consists of the area in Southeastern Pickaway County.

Westfall Local Schools

Westfall lies in the Western part of the county.

Pickaway-Ross Career & Technology Center

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

City

Census-designated places

Notable residents