Muskingum County, Ohio
County in Ohio, United States

County in Ohio
Muskingum County, Ohio
County
Muskingum County Courthouse
Muskingum County Courthouse
Flag of Muskingum County, Ohio
Flag
Official seal of Muskingum County, Ohio
Seal
Map of Ohio highlighting Muskingum County
Location within the U.S. state of Ohio
Coordinates: 39°58′N 81°57′W / 39.97°N 81.95°W / 39.97; -81.95
Country United States
State Ohio
FoundedMarch 1, 1804[1]
Named afterA Native American word meaning "Town by the river"
SeatZanesville
Largest cityZanesville
Area
 • Total
673 sq mi (1,740 km2)
 • Land665 sq mi (1,720 km2)
 • Water8.0 sq mi (21 km2)  1.2%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
86,410 Increase
 • Density130/sq mi (50/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district12th
Websitewww.muskingumcountyoh.gov

Muskingum County (/məˈskɪŋ(ɡ)əm/ mə-SKING-(g)əm) is a county located in the east-central portion of the U.S. state of Ohio. As of the 2020 census, the population was 86,410.[2] Its county seat is Zanesville.[3] Nearly bisected by the Muskingum River, the county name is based on a Delaware American Indian word translated as "town by the river"[4][5] or "elk's eye".[6] Muskingum County comprises the Zanesville, OH Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Columbus-Marion-Zanesville, OH Combined Statistical Area. The Zanesville Micropolitan Statistical Area is the second-largest statistical area within the Combined Statistical Area, after the Columbus Metropolitan Statistical Area. The county also comprises the entire Zanesville media market.

Name

The name Muskingum may come from the Shawnee word mshkikwam 'swampy ground'.[7] The name may also be from Lenape "Machkigen," referring to thorns, or a specific species of thorn bush.[8] Muskingum has also been taken to mean 'elk's eye' (mus wəshkinkw) by folk etymology, as in mus 'elk' [9] + wəshkinkw 'its eye'.[10] Moravian missionary David Zeisberger wrote that the Muskingum River was called Elk's Eye "because of the numbers of elk that formerly fed on its banks."[11]

Geography

The Muskingum Valley near Dresden, seen in 1923 from the "Geography of Ohio"

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 673 square miles (1,740 km2), of which 665 square miles (1,720 km2) is land and 8.0 square miles (21 km2) (1.2%) is water.[12] It is the fourth-largest county in Ohio by land area.

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
181010,036—
182017,82477.6%
183029,33464.6%
184038,74932.1%
185045,04916.3%
186044,416−1.4%
187044,8861.1%
188049,77410.9%
189051,2102.9%
190053,1853.9%
191057,4888.1%
192057,9800.9%
193067,39816.2%
194069,7953.6%
195074,5356.8%
196079,1596.2%
197077,826−1.7%
198083,3407.1%
199082,068−1.5%
200084,5853.1%
201086,0741.8%
202086,4100.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[13]
1790-1960[14] 1900-1990[15]
1990-2000[16] 2020 [2]

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 86,410. The median age was 41.0 years. 22.5% of residents were under the age of 18 and 18.9% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 94.7 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 92.6 males age 18 and over.[17]

The racial makeup of the county was 89.5% White, 3.5% Black or African American, 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.7% from some other race, and 5.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 1.2% of the population.[18]

49.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 51.0% lived in rural areas.[19]

There were 35,091 households in the county, of which 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 45.8% were married-couple households, 17.9% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 27.4% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 29.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[17]

There were 38,358 housing units, of which 8.5% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 67.4% were owner-occupied and 32.6% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.5% and the rental vacancy rate was 7.4%.[17]

Racial and ethnic composition

Muskingum County, Ohio – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 1980[20] Pop 1990[21] Pop 2000[22] Pop 2010[23] Pop 2020[24] % 1980 % 1990 % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 79,207 77,953 79,122 79,600 76,947 95.04% 94.99% 93.54% 92.48% 89.05%
Black or African American alone (NH) 3,490 3,440 3,364 3,214 2,985 4.19% 4.19% 3.98% 3.73% 3.45%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 115 208 171 169 138 0.14% 0.25% 0.20% 0.20% 0.16%
Asian alone (NH) 137 147 230 285 384 0.16% 0.18% 0.27% 0.33% 0.44%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) x [25] x [26] 17 14 8 x x 0.02% 0.02% 0.01%
Other race alone (NH) 92 73 127 131 378 0.11% 0.09% 0.15% 0.15% 0.44%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) x [27] x [28] 1,118 2,011 4,515 x x 1.32% 2.34% 5.23%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 299 247 436 650 1,055 0.36% 0.30% 0.52% 0.76% 1.22%
Total 83,340 82,068 84,585 86,074 86,410 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 86,074 people, 34,271 households, and 23,125 families living in the county.[29] The population density was 129.5 inhabitants per square mile (50.0/km2). There were 38,074 housing units at an average density of 57.3 units per square mile (22.1 units/km2).[30] The racial makeup of the county was 93.0% white, 3.8% black or African American, 0.3% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.2% from other races, and 2.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.8% of the population.[29] In terms of ancestry, 25.2% were German, 15.5% were Irish, 11.1% were American, and 10.9% were English.[31]

Of the 34,271 households, 32.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.1% were married couples living together, 13.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 32.5% were non-families, and 26.9% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.95. The median age was 39.5 years.[29]

The median income for a household in the county was $39,538 and the median income for a family was $48,425. Males had a median income of $40,183 versus $28,668 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,561. About 13.0% of families and 16.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.6% of those under age 18 and 9.3% of those age 65 or over.[32]

2000 census

As of the census[33] of 2000, there were 84,585 people, 32,518 households, and 22,860 families living in the county. The population density was 127 inhabitants per square mile (49/km2). There were 35,163 housing units at an average density of 53 units per square mile (20/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 93.91% White, 4.01% Black or African American, 0.21% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.20% from other races, and 1.37% from two or more races. 0.52% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 32,518 households, out of which 33.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.30% were married couples living together, 12.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.70% were non-families. 24.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.01.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.90% under the age of 18, 9.40% from 18 to 24, 27.70% from 25 to 44, 22.60% from 45 to 64, and 14.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,185, and the median income for a family was $41,938. Males had a median income of $31,537 versus $22,151 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,533. About 9.90% of families and 12.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.90% of those under age 18 and 10.00% of those age 65 or over.

Education

The county is served by 7 high schools: John Glenn High School in New Concord (East Muskingum Local School District), Philo High School confusingly not located in Philo but instead across the river in Duncan Falls (Franklin Local School District), Maysville High School located in South Zanesville (Maysville Local Schools), Bishop Rosecrans (Catholic high school in downtown Zanesville), Tri-Valley High School located in Dresden (Tri-Valley Local School District), West Muskingum High School located in Zanesville (West Muskingum Local School District), and Zanesville High School which, as the name implies, is in Zanesville (Zanesville City School District).

Each high school is the only high school in school districts of the same name, the exception being Roscrans as the district is referred to as Bishop Fenwick.

The county is also served by three colleges, Muskingum University, Zane State College, and a branch campus of Ohio University known as Ohio University Zanesville.

Politics

Muskingum County is a Republican stronghold county in presidential elections. The 1964 election is the most recent in which the county voted Democratic, but Bill Clinton came within 48 votes of carrying it in 1996.

United States presidential election results for Muskingum County, Ohio[34]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
№  % №  % №  %
2024 28,147 71.45% 10,874 27.60% 373 0.95%
2020 27,867 68.86% 11,971 29.58% 629 1.55%
2016 24,056 64.59% 11,123 29.86% 2,066 5.55%
2012 19,264 51.81% 17,002 45.73% 913 2.46%
2008 20,549 52.39% 17,730 45.20% 946 2.41%
2004 22,254 57.26% 16,421 42.25% 191 0.49%
2000 17,995 55.16% 13,415 41.12% 1,214 3.72%
1996 13,861 42.04% 13,813 41.89% 5,298 16.07%
1992 14,168 40.81% 11,670 33.61% 8,882 25.58%
1988 19,736 62.31% 11,691 36.91% 247 0.78%
1984 21,821 67.98% 10,037 31.27% 243 0.76%
1980 17,921 54.82% 12,584 38.50% 2,183 6.68%
1976 15,358 51.07% 14,178 47.15% 534 1.78%
1972 19,897 63.99% 10,313 33.17% 884 2.84%
1968 15,260 48.13% 13,089 41.28% 3,356 10.59%
1964 11,635 35.88% 20,792 64.12% 0 0.00%
1960 21,518 61.88% 13,254 38.12% 0 0.00%
1956 22,788 69.27% 10,110 30.73% 0 0.00%
1952 21,244 62.98% 12,490 37.02% 0 0.00%
1948 16,049 55.54% 12,765 44.18% 81 0.28%
1944 17,577 58.00% 12,729 42.00% 0 0.00%
1940 19,395 55.18% 15,753 44.82% 0 0.00%
1936 15,454 47.44% 16,265 49.93% 854 2.62%
1932 16,366 54.04% 13,378 44.17% 541 1.79%
1928 22,120 76.81% 6,507 22.60% 171 0.59%
1924 15,571 65.71% 6,709 28.31% 1,417 5.98%
1920 13,862 58.56% 9,437 39.87% 372 1.57%
1916 7,597 51.32% 6,328 42.75% 877 5.92%
1912 4,134 29.59% 5,376 38.47% 4,463 31.94%
1908 8,080 52.36% 6,576 42.62% 775 5.02%
1904 7,597 54.54% 5,511 39.57% 820 5.89%
1900 7,365 51.10% 6,667 46.25% 382 2.65%
1896 7,245 50.67% 6,871 48.05% 183 1.28%
1892 6,123 47.78% 6,230 48.62% 461 3.60%
1888 6,234 49.97% 5,884 47.17% 357 2.86%
1884 5,896 50.25% 5,696 48.54% 142 1.21%
1880 5,804 51.63% 5,336 47.46% 102 0.91%
1876 5,232 48.66% 5,457 50.75% 63 0.59%
1872 4,558 51.28% 4,304 48.42% 27 0.30%
1868 4,677 50.78% 4,534 49.22% 0 0.00%
1864 4,422 53.16% 3,896 46.84% 0 0.00%
1860 4,004 49.39% 3,550 43.79% 553 6.82%
1856 3,172 41.44% 3,391 44.30% 1,092 14.27%
United States Senate election results for Muskingum County, Ohio1[35]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
№  % №  % №  %
2024 25,408 65.25% 11,852 30.44% 1,680 4.31%

Culture

The Ohio Anti-Slavery Society was originally created as an auxiliary of the American Anti-Slavery Society[36] and held its first meeting Putnam, Ohio, in April 1835.[37] In 1872, Zanesville annexed the town of Putnam. It is now the Putnam Historic District of Zanesville.[38]

The Muskingum County Library System serves the communities of Muskingum County from its administrative offices in Zanesville, Ohio. This includes service to Dresden, Duncan Falls, New Concord, and Roseville. In 2005, the library loaned more than 918,000 items to its 73,000 cardholders. Total holding are over 328,000 volumes with over 190 periodical subscriptions.[39]

The Wilds is a 9,154 acres (37.04 km2) wildlife preserve open to visitation for a fee.

This is a historic map of Muskingum County from 1852 including all owned property and acreage.

Communities

City

Villages

Townships

Map of Muskingum County, Ohio with municipal and township labels

Census-designated places

Other unincorporated communities

Historical places

  • Irville - Former populated place in Licking Township, removed for the creation of Dillon Lake.
  • Mattingly Settlement - Named for the many members of the Mattingly family who settled in Muskingum Township.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Ohio County Profiles: Muskingum County" (PDF). Ohio Department of Development. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 16, 2004. Retrieved April 28, 2007.
  2. ^ a b 2020 census
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ^ "Muskingum County". Ohio History Central. Retrieved January 7, 2019.
  5. ^ "History of the Muskingum County". Muskingum County Website. Retrieved January 7, 2019.
  6. ^ First Explorations of Kentucky. Filson Club. 1898. p. 133. Retrieved January 7, 2019. form the muskingum.
  7. ^ Mahr, August C. (1957). "Indian River and Place Names in Ohio". Ohio History. 66 (2). Ohio Historical Society: 137–158. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  8. ^ "Lenape Dictionary" (PDF). October 2000. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 27, 2004. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
  9. ^ "mus". Lenape Talking Dictionary. Archived from the original on March 15, 2012. Retrieved May 22, 2012.
  10. ^ "wëshkinkw". Lenape Talking Dictionary. Archived from the original on February 1, 2016. Retrieved May 22, 2012.
  11. ^ David Zeisberger (1910). David Zeisberger's History of Northern American Indians. Press of F.J. Heer. p. 44.
  12. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on May 4, 2014. Retrieved February 9, 2015.
  13. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 9, 2015.
  14. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved February 9, 2015.
  15. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 9, 2015.
  16. ^ "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 9, 2015.
  17. ^ a b c "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved January 2, 2026.
  18. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved January 2, 2026.
  19. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved January 2, 2026.
  20. ^ "1980 Census of Population - General Social and Economic Characteristics - Ohio- Table 59 - Persons by Spanish Origin, Race, and Sex: 1980 AND Table 58 - Race by Sex: 1980" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. p. 49-67 and 27-47.
  21. ^ "1990 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Ohio: Table 6 - Race and Hispanic Origin" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. p. 21-95.
  22. ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Muskingum County, Ohio". United States Census Bureau.
  23. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Muskingum County, Ohio". United States Census Bureau.
  24. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Muskingum County, Ohio". United States Census Bureau.
  25. ^ included in the Asian category in the 1980 Census
  26. ^ included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census
  27. ^ not an option in the 1980 Census
  28. ^ not an option in the 1990 Census
  29. ^ a b c "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.
  30. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  31. ^ "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.
  32. ^ "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.
  33. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  34. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
  35. ^ "2024 Senate Election (Official Returns)". Commonwealth of Texas by county. November 5, 2024. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
  36. ^ "Ohio Anti-Slavery Society - Ohio History Central". www.ohiohistorycentral.org. Retrieved October 13, 2017.
  37. ^ "Narrative of Riotous Proceedings". utc.iath.virginia.edu. Retrieved October 13, 2017.
  38. ^ National Park Service. "Putnam Historic District". Archived from the original on June 14, 2019. Retrieved November 3, 2019.
  39. ^ "2005 Ohio Public Library Statistics:Statistics by County and Town". State Library of Ohio. Archived from the original on September 24, 2006. Retrieved October 30, 2006.

Further reading

  • King, John W. (1866). The Silent Dead, or Roll of Honor; Comprising the names of all Soldiers from Muskingum County, who lost their lives in battle or by disease, during the War of Rebellion. Zanesville, Ohio: Logan & Dodd. LCCN 01021599. OL 22893426M – via Internet Archive.
  • Thomas, William Lewis. (1928). History of Southeastern Ohio and the Muskingum Valley, 1788-1928. In Three Volumes. Chicago: S.J. Clarke Publishing Co.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Muskingum County, Ohio.
  • Muskingum County Library System website
  • Muskingum County Sheriff's Office

39°58′N 81°57′W / 39.97°N 81.95°W / 39.97; -81.95

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