Ohio County, West Virginia | |
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Location in the state of West Virginia |
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West Virginia's location in the U.S. |
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Statistics | |
Founded | 1776 |
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Seat | Wheeling |
Area - Total - Land - Water |
109 sq mi (282 km²) 3 sq mi (8 km²), 2.46% |
Population - (2000) - Density |
47,427 445/sq mi (172/km²) |
Ohio County is a county located in the northern panhandle of the U.S. state 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 has been the county seat since that time. As of 2000, the population was 47,427.
Ohio County is part of the Wheeling, WV Metropolitan Statistical Area.
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Ohio County is governed by a three member County Commission who each serve in rotating 6-year terms. The terms are designed such that one seat is up for election in even years. There can be only one person elected from each of Ohio County's three magisterial districts. The County Commission annually chooses its own President. The Ohio County Commissioners in 2007 are David Sims (D), Tim McCormick (D), and Randy Wharton (D). Mr. McCormick announced was re-elected in November 2008.
Other elected officials include Clerk of County Commission Patty Fahey (D) and Assessor Gregory Kloeppner (D). Kathie Hoffmann (D) was elected Ohio County Assessor in November 2008 and will assume the office in January 2009. The County Commission typically appoints a County Administrator to oversee the daily executive duties for the Commission. The current Ohio County Administrator is Greg Stewart.
Additionally, Ohio County is part of the First Judicial Circuit of West Virginia which also includes Hancock and Brooke Counties. In West Virginia, Circuit Judges are elected in partisan elections to eight-year terms. The current judges of the First Judicial Circuit are the Hon. Martin J. Gaughan (D), the Hon. James Mazzone (D), the Hon. Arthur M. Recht (D), and the Hon. Ronald E. Wilson (D). All four were re-elected in November 2008. The Clerk of the Circuit Court is also elected in a partisan election but only to serve a six-year term. The current Clerk of the First Judicial Circuit in Ohio County is Brenda Miller (D).
Ohio County is part of the First Family Court Circuit of West Virginia which also includes Hancock and Brooke Counties. In West Virginia, Family Court Judges were first elected to six-year terms beginning in 2002 and will be elected to eight-year terms beginning in 2008. The current judges of the First Family Court Circuit are the Hon. Joyce Chernenko and the Hon. William Sinclair whom were 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 judges or Family Court judges, magistrates are not required to be attorneys. Ohio County currently has four magistrates: Rose Humway (D), Charles W. Murphy (D), Patricia Murphy (D), and Harry Radcliffe (D). Magistrates Murphy, Murphy, and Radcliffe were re-elected in November 2008; however, Magistrate Humway was defeated and will be replaced by Joseph Roxby (R) in January 2009.
In West Virginia, a Prosecuting Attorney for each county is elected by partisan election to a four-year term. The current Prosecuting Attorney in Ohio County is Scott Smith (D). Mr. Smith was re-elected in November 2008.
A county Sheriff is likewise elected to a four-year term but is limited to serving only two terms. The Sheriff is also the ex-officio Treasurer for his/her respective county. The current Sheriff of Ohio County is Thomas Burgoyne (D) whom is term limited and will be replaced by Pat Butler (R) in January 2009 following his November 2008 election.
Ohio County is part of the First Senatorial District of West Virginia which also includes Hancock and Brooke Counties. State Senator Edwin J. Bowman (D-Hancock Co.) and State Senator Andy McKenzie (R-Ohio Co.) currently represent the First Senatorial District. Senator McKenzie was elected Mayor of Wheeling, West Virginia in May 2008 and assumed the office in July 2008. Senator McKenzie's seat was won by Jack Yost (D-Brooke Co.) in November 2008 whom will assume the office in January 2009.
Ohio County is part of both the Second and Third House of Delegates Districts. In Ohio County, the Second District is comprised by the extreme eastern end of Elm Grove as well as the towns of Triadelphia, Valley Grove, and West Liberty. The Second District is currently represented by Delegate Tim Ennis (D-Brooke Co.) and Delegate Jack Yost (D-Brooke Co.). Delegate Ennis was re-elected in November 2008 along with Roy Givens (D-Brooke Co.) The Third District is comprised by nearly all of the City of Wheeling and the Village of Bethlehem. The Third District is currently represented by Delegate Tal Hutchins (D-Ohio Co.) and Delegate Orphy Klempa (D-Ohio Co.). Both Delegates Hutchins and Klempa were re-elected in November 2008. All 100 House of Delegates seats are elected every two years.
Ohio County is part of the First Congressional District of West Virginia whose seat is currently held by Alan B. Mollohan (D-Fairmont). Similarly, Senators Robert C. Byrd (D-Sophia) and Jay Rockefeller (D-Charleston) represent West Virginia in the US Senate.
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) of it is land and 3 square miles (7 km²) of it (2.46%) is water. The highest point of elevation in Ohio County is approximately 1420 ft. and located about 1 mile southwest of West Alexander, PA.[2]
As of the census[1] 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.
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The Communities of Warwood, Woodsdale, Elm Grove, Betty Zane Addition, Greggsville, North Park, Overbrook, Edgewood and Linwood are all incorporated into the city of Wheeling
Prefixes in Ohio County, WV(1)(2)
(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.
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, Howard V. Corcoran, President Thomas Innocenti, James M. Jorden, and Erik A. Schramm), a Superintendant (Lawrence M. Miller), a Deputy Superintendant (George S. Krelis), and an Assistant Superintendant (Dianna M. Vargo).
The Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston operates several K-8 schools and one high school in Ohio County.
Additionally, there is also one highly prestigious private school in Ohio County.
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 [3], it announced on August 7 that it would not file any appeal on the matter. [4] 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. [5]
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.[2] 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.[3] 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.[4]
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.
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