Appalachian Ohio is a bioregion and political unit in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of

Ohio Ohio () is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern region of the United States. Of the List of states and territories of the United States, fifty U.S. states, it is the List of U.S. states and territories by area, 34th-l ...

, characterized by the western foothills of the

Appalachian Mountains The Appalachian Mountains, often called the Appalachians, (french: Appalaches), are a system of mountains in eastern to northeastern North America. The Appalachians first formed roughly 480 million years ago during the Ordovician Period. The ...

and the Appalachian Plateau. The Appalachian Regional Commission defines the region as consisting of thirty-two counties."Counties in Appalachia"
Appalachian Regional Commission website. Retrieved 2012-Jan-13. This region roughly overlaps with the Appalachian mixed-mesophytic forests, which begin in southeast Ohio and southwest

Pennsylvania Pennsylvania (; (Pennsylvania Dutch: )), officially the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a state spanning the Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern, Appalachian, and Great Lakes regions of the United States. It borders Delaware to its southeast, Ma ...

and continue south to

Georgia Georgia most commonly refers to: * Georgia (country), a country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia * Georgia (U.S. state), a state in the Southeast United States Georgia may also refer to: Places Historical states and entities * Related to t ...

and

Alabama (We dare defend our rights) , anthem = " Alabama" , image_map = Alabama in United States.svg , seat = Montgomery , LargestCity = Huntsville , LargestCounty = Baldwin County , LargestMetro = Greater Birmingham , area_total_km2 = 135,7 ...

. The mixed-mesophytic forest is found only in Central and Southern

Appalachia Appalachia () is a cultural region in the Eastern United States that stretches from the Southern Tier of New York State to northern Alabama and Georgia. While the Appalachian Mountains stretch from Belle Isle in Newfoundland and Labrador, ...

and eastern/central China. It is one of the most biodiverse temperate forests in the world. Geologically, Appalachian Ohio corresponds closely to the terminal moraine of an ancient glacier that runs southwest to northeast through the state. Areas south and east of the moraine are characterized by rough, irregular hills and hollows, characteristic of the Allegheny Plateau and Cumberland Plateaus of the western Appalachian Plateau System. Unlike eastern Appalachia, this region does not have long fin-like ridges like those of the Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians subranges, but a network of rocky hollows and hills going in all directions. The region is considered part of "central Appalachia", a political, cultural, and bioregional classification that includes southeastern Ohio, Eastern Kentucky, most of West Virginia and Southwestern Virginia.

Counties and county seats

The Governor's Office of Appalachia subdivides the 32 counties of Appalachian Ohio into three smaller regions: East Central Ohio, South East Ohio, and Southern Ohio. The following lists include each county in the region and its county seat.

Cities

Appalachian Ohio has several cities within its borders, which as of the 2010 census included the following localities: * Youngstown Population: 66,982 Mahoning County and Trumbull County * Warren Population: 41,557 Trumbull County * Zanesville Population: 25,487

Muskingum County Muskingum County is a county located in the U.S. state of Ohio. As of the 2020 census, the population was 86,410. Its county seat is Zanesville. Nearly bisected by the Muskingum River, the county name is based on a Delaware American Indian ...

Athens Athens ( ; el, Αθήνα, Athína ; grc, Ἀθῆναι, Athênai (pl.) ) is both the capital city, capital and List of cities and towns in Greece, largest city of Greece. With a population close to four million, it is also the seventh List ...

Population: 23,832

Athens County Athens County is a County (United States), county in southeastern Ohio. As of the 2020 United States Census, 2020 census, the population was 62,431. Its county seat is Athens, Ohio, Athens. The county was formed in 1805 from Washington County, ...

* Chillicothe Population: 21,901 Ross County *

Ashtabula Ashtabula ( ) is a city in Ashtabula County, Ohio, United States, and the center of the Ashtabula micropolitan area. It is located at the mouth of the Ashtabula River on Lake Erie, northeast of Cleveland. As of the 2020 census, the city had ...

Population: 19,124

Ashtabula County Ashtabula County ( ) is the northeasternmost county in the U.S. state of Ohio. As of the 2020 census, the population was 97,574. The county seat is Jefferson. The county was created in 1808 and later organized in 1811. The name Ashtabula deriv ...

* Niles Population: 19,266 Trumbull County *

Portsmouth Portsmouth ( ) is a port and city status in the United Kingdom, city in the ceremonial county of Hampshire in southern England. The city of Portsmouth has been a Unitary authorities of England, unitary authority since 1 April 1997 and is admi ...

Population: 20,226 Scioto County * Steubenville Population: 18,659 Jefferson County * New Philadelphia Population: 17,288 Tuscarawas County * Marietta Population: 14,085 Washington County * East Liverpool Population: 11,195 Columbiana County * Conneaut Population: 12,841

Salem Salem may refer to: Places Canada Ontario * Bruce County ** Salem, Arran–Elderslie, Ontario, in the municipality of Arran–Elderslie ** Salem, South Bruce, Ontario, in the municipality of South Bruce * Salem, Dufferin County, Ontario, part ...

Population: 12,303 Mahoning County and Columbiana County *

Dover Dover () is a town and major ferry port in Kent, South East England. It faces France across the Strait of Dover, the narrowest part of the English Channel at from Cap Gris Nez in France. It lies south-east of Canterbury and east of Maidstone ...

Population: 12,826 Tuscarawas County * Struthers Population: 10,713 Mahoning County * Coshocton Population: 11,216

Coshocton County Coshocton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Ohio. As of the 2020 census, the population was 36,612. Its county seat is Coshocton. The county lies within the Appalachian region of the state. The county was formed on January 31, 18 ...

Cambridge Cambridge ( ) is a university city and the county town in Cambridgeshire, England. It is located on the River Cam approximately north of London. As of the 2021 United Kingdom census, the population of Cambridge was 145,700. Cambridge beca ...

Population: 10,635

Guernsey County Guernsey County is a county located in the U.S. state of Ohio. As of the 2020 census, the population was 38,438. Its county seat is Cambridge, and it is named for the Isle of Guernsey in the English Channel, from which many of the county's earl ...

* Ironton Population: 11,129 Lawrence County * Girard Population: 9,958 Trumbull County * Hubbard Population: 7,874 Trumbull County * Campbell Population: 8,235 Mahoning County * Canfield Population: 7,515 Mahoning County * Martins Ferry Population: 6,915

Belmont County Belmont County is a county in the U.S. state of Ohio. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 66,497. Its county seat is St. Clairsville. The county was created on September 7, 1801, and organized on November 7, 1801.McKelvey, ...

* Cortland Population: 7,104 Trumbull County * Logan Population: 7,152

Hocking County Hocking County is a County (United States), county located in the U.S. state of Ohio. As of the 2020 United States Census, 2020 census, the population was 28,050. Its county seat is Logan, Ohio, Logan. The county was organized on March 1, 1818, ...

* Belpre Population: 6,441 Washington County *

Geneva Geneva ( ; french: Genève ) frp, Genèva ; german: link=no, Genf ; it, Ginevra ; rm, Genevra is the second-most populous city in Switzerland (after Zürich) and the most populous city of Romandy, the French-speaking part of Switzerland. Situ ...

Population: 6,215

* Columbiana Population: 6,384 Mahoning County and Columbiana County * Hillsboro Population: 6,605 Highland County * Jackson Population: 6,397 Jackson County * Wellston Population: 5,663 Jackson County * Nelsonville Population: 5,392

* St. Clairsville Population: 5,184

Transportation

John Glenn Columbus International Airport, in

Columbus Columbus is a Latinized version of the Italian surname "''Colombo''". It most commonly refers to: * Christopher Columbus (1451-1506), the Italian explorer * Columbus, Ohio, capital of the U.S. state of Ohio Columbus may also refer to: Places ...

, is the largest airport and serves most of the residents in southeast Ohio. John Glenn offers primarily domestic flights. Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport to the southwest serves most of the residents of

Cincinnati Cincinnati ( ) is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Hamilton County. Settled in 1788, the city is located at the northern side of the confluence of the Licking and Ohio rivers, the latter of which marks the state lin ...

and its metropolitan area, and Cleveland Hopkins International Airport to the north is also a major hub airport.

Appalachian Regional Commission

The Appalachian Regional Commission was formed in 1965 to aid economic development in the Appalachian region, which was lagging far behind the rest of the nation on most economic indicators. The Appalachian region currently defined by the Commission includes 420 counties in 13 states, including 32 counties in Ohio. The Commission gives each county one of five possible economic designations— distressed, at-risk, transitional, competitive, or attainment— with "distressed" counties being the most economically endangered and "attainment" counties being the most economically prosperous. These designations are based primarily on three indicators— three-year average unemployment rate, market income per capita, and poverty rate.Appalachian Regional Commission Online Resource Center
. Retrieved: May 15, 2009. In 2009, Appalachian Ohio had a three-year average unemployment rate of 8.4%, compared with 7.5% statewide and 6.6% nationwide. In 2008, Appalachian Ohio had a per capita market income of $22,294, compared with $29,344 statewide and $34,004 nationwide. In 2009, Appalachian Ohio had a poverty rate of 16%, compared to 13.6% statewide and 13.5% nationwide. Seven Ohio counties—

Adams Adams may refer to: * For persons, see Adams (surname) Places United States *Adams, California *Adams, California, former name of Corte Madera, California *Adams, Decatur County, Indiana *Adams, Kentucky *Adams, Massachusetts, a New England town ...

, Meigs,

Morgan Morgan may refer to: People and fictional characters * Morgan (given name), including a list of people and fictional characters * Morgan le Fay, a powerful witch in Arthurian legend * Morgan (surname), a surname of Welsh origin * Morgan (singer), ...

, Noble, Pike and Vinton—were designated "distressed", while nine—

, Gallia, Guernsey, Harrison, Jackson, Lawrence, Monroe, Perry and Scioto—were designated "at-risk". The remaining half of Appalachian Ohio counties were designated "transitional", meaning they lagged behind the national average on one of the three key indicators. No counties in Ohio were given the "attainment" or "competitive" designations. Athens County had Appalachian Ohio's highest poverty rating, with 32.8% of its residents living below the poverty line. Clermont had Appalachian Ohio's highest per capita income ($30,515) and Holmes had the lowest unemployment rate (5.5%). Washington County has the highest high school graduation rate (84.5%), while Adams County has the lowest (68.6%). Although Holmes County has a significantly lower high school graduation rate than Adams County at 51.5%, its graduation rates are somewhat skewed compared to the rest of the region, due to the county's high population of

Amish The Amish (; pdc, Amisch; german: link=no, Amische), formally the Old Order Amish, are a group of traditionalist Anabaptist Christian church fellowships with Swiss German and Alsatian origins. They are closely related to Mennonite churches ...

, whose children do not attend school past the eighth grade.

Notable people

Notable Americans from Appalachian Ohio include: * John Glenn, former

United States Marine Corps The United States Marine Corps (USMC), also referred to as the United States Marines, is the maritime land force service branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for conducting expeditionary and amphibious operations through ...

pilot, astronaut, and United States senator. First American to orbit the Earth. * Sarah Jessica Parker, actress and producer * Nancy Zimpher, chancellor of the State University of New York system * Dean Martin, actor * Lou Groza, football placekicker and offensive tackle for Cleveland Browns and member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame * Jimmy the Greek * Clark Gable, actor * George Custer, served in the

American Civil War The American Civil War (April 12, 1861 – May 26, 1865; also known by other names) was a civil war in the United States. It was fought between the Union ("the North") and the Confederacy ("the South"), the latter formed by state ...

and was killed in the Battle of Little Big Horn * Ulysses S. Grant, 18th US President (1869–1877) * William McKinley, 25th US President (1897-1901) * Cy Young,

Major League Baseball Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball organization and the oldest major professional sports league in the world. MLB is composed of 30 total teams, divided equally between the National League (NL) and the American League (AL) ...

pitcher In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throws ("pitches") the Baseball (ball), baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of out (baseball), retiring a batter (baseball), batter, who attempts to e ...

. The Cy Young Award is given annually to the best pitcher in MLB. * Cody Garbrandt, UFC fighter * Stephen Kappes, Deputy Director of the CIA during the Bush and Obama administrations * Maya Lin, architect and designer of the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, D.C. * Katie Smith, Three-time Olympic gold medal winner with

Team USA basketball The USA Basketball Men's National Team, commonly known as the United States men's national basketball team, is the basketball team representing the United States. They are the most successful team in international competition, winning medals in ...

; two-time WNBA champion and

Ohio State University The Ohio State University, commonly called Ohio State or OSU, is a public land-grant research university in Columbus, Ohio. A member of the University System of Ohio, it has been ranked by major institutional rankings among the best pu ...

standout * Joe Burrow,

quarterback The quarterback (commonly abbreviated "QB"), colloquially known as the "signal caller", is a position in gridiron football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive platoon and mostly line up directly behind the offensive line. In modern Ame ...

for the Cincinnati Bengals, number one pick in the 2020

NFL Draft The National Football League Draft, also called the NFL Draft or (officially) the Player Selection Meeting, is an annual event which serves as the league's most common source of player recruitment. Each team is given a position in the drafting o ...

and winner of the 2019 Heisman Trophy * Jack Roush, founder, CEO, and co-owner of the NASCAR team Roush-Fenway Racing. * Ambrose Bierce, author * Mike Palagyi, Major League Baseball pitcher *

J. T. Miller Jonathan Tanner Miller (born March 14, 1993) is an American professional ice hockey forward and alternate captain for the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League (NHL). He has previously played for the New York Rangers and Tampa Bay L ...

, professional ice hockey player and alternate captain for the Vancouver Canucks

References

External links

Foundation for Appalachian Ohio
* ttp://www.appalachianstudies.org Appalachian Studies Associationbr>Center for Appalachian Studies and ServicesCenter for Appalachian StudiesAppalachian Regional Studies, Radford University
{{Use mdy dates, date=December 2018 Geography of Appalachia Allegheny Plateau Regions of Ohio