Nelsonville, Ohio

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Nelsonville is a city located in north-western Athens County, Ohio. The population was 5,230 at the 2000 census.

1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 Culture
4 Famous Natives
5 External links

[edit] Geography

Nelsonville is located at 39°27′19″N, 82°13′32″W (39.455167, -82.225650)^GR1. The city is on the Hocking River. One of the main streets, Canal Street, is located on top of where the old Hocking Canal once ran.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 12.9 km² (5.0 mi²), all land.

Nelsonville is located on US Highway 33. Currently, a bypass is being planned for the city.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 5,230 people, 2,036 households, and 1,060 families residing in the city. The population density was 406.3/km² (1,051.9/mi²). There were 2,273 housing units at an average density of 176.6/km² (457.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.22% White, 2.39% African American, 0.48% Native American, 0.36% Asian, 0.25% from other races, and 1.30% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.24% of the population.

There were 2,036 households out of which 23.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 33.4% were married couples living together, 13.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 47.9% were non-families. 32.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.2% 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 2.87.

In the city the population was spread out with 18.5% under the age of 18, 28.7% from 18 to 24, 24.6% from 25 to 44, 16.1% from 45 to 64, and 12.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 27 years. For every 100 females there were 112.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 114.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $20,634, and the median income for a family was $27,122. Males had a median income of $26,875 versus $16,509 for females. The per capita income for the city was $11,552. About 22.9% of families and 33.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 41.5% of those under age 18 and 16.9% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Culture

Nelsonville owes its existence to the coal mining industry. In more recent years, its main industrial base was the Rocky Shoes factory, which has since closed, but is now employing several individual in their new Rocky Gear Store and the Rocky Brands company. One of its more important employers today is Hocking College. There is also the Tri-County Vocational School located just outside Nelsonville.

Nelsonville is organized around a public square, where, every month, a "Final Friday" celebration is held, with vendors, art show openings, and often shows at the recently-renovated Stuart's Opera House, an old theater from the 1800s.

The Paul Bunyan Festival, a large tourist draw, was held annually on the Hocking College campus through 2005, most often in the first weekend of October. The Festival included lumberjacks, chain-saw carving, pole climbing, log birling, crafts, and logs skidded by horses--anything that has to do with wood or the wood products industry. As of 2006, the Ohio Forestry Service has decided to relocate the Paul Bunyan Show. Hocking College held its first annual Timber and Outdoor Show October 2006, in place of the vacant Paul Bunyan Show. The Parade of the Hills Festival is held annually in the Month of August and boasts the region's best community cultural event. It includes over 6 stages of entertainment, an Art Walk, Carnival, children's park (The First National Family Fun Park) and Library Junction.

Nelsonville has two connections to Hollywood. It is the birthplace of actress Sarah Jessica Parker, who is best known for her portrayal of Carrie Bradshaw on HBO's Sex and the City. Nelsonville is also the site of the 1985 film "Mischief" starring Kelly Preston.