Editing Vinton County, Ohio

{{short description|County in Ohio, United States}}
{{Distinguish|Vinton, Ohio}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Vinton County
 | state                = Ohio
 | ex image             = Vinton County Courthouse from northeast.jpg
 | ex image size        = 300px
 | ex image cap         = Vinton County Courthouse in [[McArthur, Ohio|McArthur]]
 | image_flag           = Flag of Vinton County, Ohio.svg
 | seal                 = Seal of Vinton County Ohio.svg
 | founded year         = 1850<ref name="odod">{{cite web|url=http://www.odod.state.oh.us/research/FILES/S0/Vinton.pdf|title=Ohio County Profiles: Vinton County|access-date=April 28, 2007|publisher=Ohio Department of Development|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070621234232/http://www.odod.state.oh.us/research/FILES/S0/Vinton.pdf|archive-date=June 21, 2007}}</ref>
 | founded date         = March 23
 | seat wl              = McArthur
 | city type            = village
 | largest city wl      = McArthur
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 415
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 412
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 2.6
 | area percentage      = 0.6
 | census yr            = 2020
 | pop                  = 12800
 | pop_est_as_of        = 2023
 | population_est       = 12474 {{decrease}}
 | density_sq_mi        = auto
 | time zone            = Eastern
 | website              = http://www.vintoncounty.com/
 | named for            = [[Samuel Finley Vinton]]
 | district             = 2nd
}}

'''Vinton 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 12,800,<ref name=QF>{{cite web |title=U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Hamilton County, Ohio |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/vintoncountyohio/PST045221 |website=www.census.gov |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=June 26, 2022 |language=en}}</ref> making it the [[List of counties in Ohio|least populous county of Ohio]]. Its [[county seat]] is [[McArthur, Ohio|McArthur]].<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=June 7, 2011 |title=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=May 31, 2011 }}</ref> The county is [[List of Ohio county name etymologies|named]] for [[Samuel Finley Vinton]], [[United States House of Representatives|US Representative]] from Ohio (1823–37, 1843–51).<ref name="osuedc">{{cite web |url=http://www.osuedc.org/profiles/profile_entrance.php?fips=39163&sid=0 |title=Vinton County data |access-date=April 28, 2007 |publisher=[[Ohio State University]] Extension Data Center }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

==History==
In the 1800s, Vinton County had at least three iron furnaces producing iron. In 1926, Maude Collins became the first woman sheriff in Ohio.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 11, 2005 |title=Iron production in Vinton County. |url=http://www.vintoncountytravel.com/the_past.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050411060632/http://www.vintoncountytravel.com/the_past.htm |archive-date=April 11, 2005 |access-date=August 14, 2024 |website=vintoncountytravel.com}}</ref>

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|415|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|412|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|2.6|sqmi}} (0.6%) is water.<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_39.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=February 11, 2015|date=August 22, 2012|title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140504223453/http://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_39.txt|archive-date=May 4, 2014}}</ref>

===Waterways===
Most of Vinton County is in the [[Raccoon Creek (Ohio)|Raccoon Creek]] watershed. Most of the rest of the county, to the west, is in the Salt Creek watershed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://metadataexplorer.gis.state.oh.us/metadataexplorer/|title=State of Ohio GIS Databases|access-date=March 6, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110821200635/http://metadataexplorer.gis.state.oh.us/metadataexplorer/|archive-date=August 21, 2011}}</ref>

===Adjacent counties===
* [[Hocking County, Ohio|Hocking County]] (north)
* [[Athens County, Ohio|Athens County]] (northeast)
* [[Meigs County, Ohio|Meigs County]] (east)
* [[Gallia County, Ohio|Gallia County]] (southeast)
* [[Jackson County, Ohio|Jackson County]] (south)
* [[Ross County, Ohio|Ross County]] (west)

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1850= 9353
|1860= 13631
|1870= 15027
|1880= 17223
|1890= 16045
|1900= 15330
|1910= 13096
|1920= 12075
|1930= 10287
|1940= 11573
|1950= 10759
|1960= 10274
|1970= 9420
|1980= 11584
|1990= 11098
|2000= 12806
|2010= 13435
|2020= 12800
|estyear=2021
|estimate=12696
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2021">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-counties-total.html|title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2021|access-date=June 26, 2022}}</ref>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=February 11, 2015}}</ref><br />1790-1960<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=February 11, 2015}}</ref> 1900-1990<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/oh190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|editor-last=Forstall|editor-first=Richard L.|date=March 27, 1995|access-date=February 11, 2015}}</ref><br />1990-2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327165705/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=March 27, 2010 |url-status=live|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|date=April 2, 2001|access-date=February 11, 2015}}</ref> 2010-2020<ref name="2020 census">[https://www.census.gov/library/visualizations/interactive/2020-population-and-housing-state-data.html 2020 census]</ref>
}}

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> of 2000, there were 12,806 people, 4,892 households, and 3,551 families residing in the county. The [[population density]] was {{convert|31|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people|}}. There were 5,653 housing units at an average density of {{convert|14|/mi2|/km2|adj=pre|units&nbsp;}}. The racial makeup of the county was 98.08% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 0.35% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.45% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.09% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.08% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.95% from two or more races. 0.47% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.

There were 4,892 households, out of which 34.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.20% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 10.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.40% were non-families. 23.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.90% under the age of 18, 8.80% from 18 to 24, 29.00% from 25 to 44, 23.10% from 45 to 64, and 12.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 99.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $29,465, and the median income for a family was $34,371. Males had a median income of $30,936 versus $21,257 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $13,731. About 15.10% of families and 20.00% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 27.60% of those under age 18 and 13.50% of those age 65 or over.

===2010 census===
As of the [[2010 United States Census]], there were 13,435&nbsp;people, 5,260&nbsp;households, and 3,640&nbsp;families residing in the county.<ref name="census-dp1">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US39163
  |title=DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data
  |access-date=December 27, 2015
  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213035041/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US39163
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
  |url-status=dead
  }}</ref> The population density was {{convert|32.6|PD/sqmi}}. There were 6,291 housing units at an average density of {{convert|15.3|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}.<ref name="census-density">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US39163
  |access-date=December 27, 2015
  |title=Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County
  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213185347/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US39163
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
  |url-status=dead
  }}</ref> The racial makeup of the county was 97.9% white, 0.4% American Indian, 0.3% black or African American, 0.2% Asian, 0.1% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.5% of the population.<ref name="census-dp1"/> In terms of ancestry, 17.0% were [[Germans|German]], 16.2% were [[Americans|American]], 14.2% were [[Irish people|Irish]], and 7.5% were [[English people|English]].<ref name="census-dp2">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US39163
  |title=DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
  |access-date=December 27, 2015
  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213032849/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US39163
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
  |url-status=dead
  }}</ref>

Of the 5,260&nbsp;households, 32.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.0% were married couples living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 30.8% were non-families, and 26.1% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.03. The median age was 39.6 years.<ref name="census-dp1"/>

The median income for a household in the county was $34,242 and the median income for a family was $37,409. Males had a median income of $36,598 versus $28,226 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,736. About 17.3% of families and 19.5% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 25.8% of those under age 18 and 13.3% of those age 65 or over.<ref name="census-dp3">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US39163
  |title=DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
  |access-date=December 27, 2015
  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213031623/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US39163
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
  |url-status=dead
  }}</ref>

==Politics==
Vinton County is typically a Republican county in presidential elections, having picked the GOP candidate in 12 of the last 16 elections.

{{PresHead|place=Vinton County, Ohio|source=<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|last=Leip|first=David|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=May 3, 2018}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|4,531|1,169|66|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|4,632|1,331|75|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|3,883|1,351|306|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|2,856|2,436|198|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|3,021|2,463|162|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|3,249|2,651|28|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|2,720|2,037|189|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|1,673|2,350|788|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|1,975|2,308|1,080|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|2,652|2,385|44|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|3,041|1,990|54|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|2,484|2,381|199|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|2,148|2,629|69|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|2,725|1,537|74|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|2,219|1,608|415|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|1,919|2,618|0|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|3,043|2,031|0|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|2,998|1,916|0|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|2,903|2,029|0|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|1948|Republican|2,323|2,016|16|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|1944|Republican|2,719|1,826|0|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|1940|Republican|3,190|2,404|0|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|1936|Republican|3,056|2,902|16|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|1932|Republican|2,715|2,655|49|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|2,810|1,559|39|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|1924|Republican|2,244|1,838|244|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|2,559|2,124|51|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|1,420|1,433|60|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|952|1,228|807|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|1908|Republican|1,916|1,496|65|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|1904|Republican|1,994|1,286|61|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|1900|Republican|2,141|1,648|30|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|1896|Republican|2,035|1,821|25|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|1892|Democratic|1,710|1,743|96|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|1888|Democratic|1,832|1,865|47|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|1884|Democratic|1,725|1,852|21|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|1880|Democratic|1,700|1,992|5|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|1876|Democratic|1,533|1,817|13|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|1872|Democratic|1,314|1,340|11|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|1868|Democratic|1,499|1,554|0|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|1864|Democratic|1,212|1,344|0|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|1860|Republican|1,246|1,231|46|Ohio}}
{{PresRow|1856|Democratic|932|1,174|51|Ohio}}
|}

==Government and infrastructure==
Vinton County has a three-member Board of County Commissioners that administers and oversees the various county departments, similar to all but two of the 88 Ohio counties. The elected commissioners serve four-year terms. The elected commissioners are Tim Eberts, Mark Fout, and William Wellman.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.vintoncounty.com/government-a-to-z.html|title=County Commissioners |work=Vinton County Ohio Homepage|access-date=May 4, 2014}}</ref>

===Emergency services===
The following emergency services, with their locations, serve the county:<ref>{{cite web|title=Vinton County: Emergency Services|url=http://www.vintoncounty.com/vinton-county-emergency-services.html|access-date=July 23, 2014}}</ref>
* '''[[Ohio State Highway Patrol]]'''
* '''Vinton County Sheriff's Department'''
** 31835 OH-93, McArthur<ref name="thetelegramnews.com">{{cite web | url=https://www.thetelegramnews.com/articles/vinton-county-sheriffs-office-in-process-of-moving-to-new-location/ | title=Vinton County Sheriff's Office in process of moving to new location - the Telegram News | date=November 22, 2022 }}</ref>
* '''McArthur Police Department'''
** 124 West Main Street, McArthur
* '''Vinton County Emergency Medical Services'''
** 31931 State Route 93, McArthur
* '''Vinton County Emergency Management Agency'''
** 31835 OH-93, McArthur<ref name="thetelegramnews.com"/>
* '''MedFlight 3'''
** 110 West Second Street, [[Wellston, Ohio]] 45692
* '''LifeAir'''
** 1843 River Road, [[Chillicothe, Ohio]]
* '''[[McArthur, Ohio|McArthur]] Fire Department'''
** 303 West High Street, McArthur
* '''[[Hamden, Ohio|Hamden]] Fire Department'''
** 100 Wilkesville Street, [[Hamden, Ohio|Hamden]]
* '''[[Wilkesville, Ohio|Wilkesville]] Fire Department'''
** 161 Main Street, [[Wilkesville, Ohio|Wilkesville]]
* '''[[Zaleski, Ohio|Zaleski]] Fire Department'''
** State Route 278, [[Zaleski, Ohio|Zaleski]]
* '''[[Harrison Township, Vinton County, Ohio|Harrison Township]] Fire Department'''
** 51560 Old Route 50, [[Londonderry, Ross County, Ohio|Londonderry]]

===Post Offices===
There are post offices in the following Vinton County communities:<ref>{{cite web|title=Vinton County: Postal Offices- Zip Codes|url=http://www.vintoncounty.com/vinton-county-postoffices-zipcodes.html|access-date=July 23, 2014}}</ref>
* [[Hamden, Ohio|Hamden]]
* [[McArthur, Ohio|McArthur]]
* [[New Plymouth, Ohio|New Plymouth]]
* [[Ray, Ohio|Ray]]
* [[Wilkesville, Ohio|Wilkesville]]
* [[Zaleski, Ohio|Zaleski]]
* [[Wellston, Ohio|Wellston]]
* [[Jackson Township, Vinton County, Ohio|Jackson]]

===Utilities===
The following utilities serve Vinton County:<ref>{{cite web|title=Vinton County: Utilities|url=http://www.vintoncounty.com/vinton-county-utilities.html|access-date=July 23, 2014}}</ref>

====Phone, Internet and cable====
* Horizon Telephone
* Ohio Hills
* Frognet
* [[Verizon Communications|Verizon]]
* First Communications
* [[Time Warner Cable]]
Frontier

====Gas and electricity====
* [[NiSource|Columbia Gas of Ohio]]
* South Central Power Company
* [[American Electric Power]]
* Buckeye Rural Electric Co-Op

====Water and garbage disposal====
* [[Ross County, Ohio|Ross County]] Water Company
* [[Jackson County, Ohio|Jackson County]] Water Company
* Leax Water Company
* [[McArthur, Ohio|McArthur]] Water Department
* Rumpke
* Waste Management

==Education==
The entire county is served by the Vinton County Local School District which operates the following schools:<ref>{{cite web|title=Vinton County: Local Schools and Higher Education|url=http://www.vintoncounty.com/vinton-county-education.html|access-date=July 23, 2014}}</ref>
* '''West Elementary'''
** 57750 US Highway 50, [[Allensville, Ohio]] 45651
* '''South Elementary'''
** 38234 State Route 93, [[Hamden, Ohio]] 45634
* '''Central Elementary'''
** 507 Jefferson Avenue, [[McArthur, Ohio]] 45651
* '''Vinton County Middle School'''
** 63780 Locker Plant Road, [[McArthur, Ohio]] 45651
* '''[[Vinton County High School]]'''
** 63910 US Highway 50, [[McArthur, Ohio]] 45651

==Transportation==

===Highways===
{{div col|colwidth=18em}}
* [[File:US 50.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 50 in Ohio|U.S. Route 50]]
* [[File:OH-32.svg|20px]] [[Ohio State Route 32|State Route 32]]
* [[File:OH-56.svg|20px]] [[Ohio State Route 56|State Route 56]]
* [[File:OH-93.svg|20px]] [[Ohio State Route 93|State Route 93]]
* [[File:OH-124.svg|20px]] [[Ohio State Route 124|State Route 124]]
* [[File:OH-160.svg|20px]] [[Ohio State Route 160|State Route 160]]
* [[File:OH-278.svg|20px]] [[Ohio State Route 278|State Route 278]]
* [[File:OH-324.svg|20px]] [[Ohio State Route 324|State Route 324]]
* [[File:OH-327.svg|20px]] [[Ohio State Route 327|State Route 327]]
* [[File:OH-328.svg|20px]] [[Ohio State Route 328|State Route 328]]
* [[File:OH-356.svg|20px]] [[Ohio State Route 356|State Route 356]]
* [[File:OH-671.svg|20px]] [[Ohio State Route 671|State Route 671]]
* [[File:OH-677.svg|20px]] [[Ohio State Route 677|State Route 677]]
* [[File:OH-683.svg|20px]] [[Ohio State Route 683|State Route 683]]
* [[File:OH-689.svg|20px]] [[Ohio State Route 689|State Route 689]]
{{div col end}}

===Airports===
Vinton County has one public airport, the Vinton County Airport (K22I/22I). The runway is a 3725' x 75' asphalt, east–west (09/27) runway with a single intersecting taxiway. Navigation and radio equipment includes a two-light [[Precision Approach Path Indicator|PAPI]] for runway 27, [[Pilot Controlled Lighting]] and [[UNICOM]].<ref name="Airnav-k22i">{{cite web|url = http://www.airnav.com/airport/22I |title = AirNav: 22I - Vinton County Airport |access-date = May 12, 2015 |publisher = AirNav, LLC }}</ref>

The airport is leased to the Vinton County Pilots & Booster Association by the county, who raise funds to maintain and update the airport. {{As of|2015}}, the boosters are raising funds to finance a 2000-foot runway extension and resurfacing project. The airport is equipped to provide basic service to piston-engined general aviation aircraft. Flight instruction services are also available.<ref name="VintonCountyAirport.com">{{cite web |url = http://www.vintoncountyairport.com/index.php?q=node/2 |title = About Us: Vinton County Airport |access-date = May 12, 2015 |publisher = Vintoncountyairport.com |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160111121027/http://www.vintoncountyairport.com/index.php?q=node%2F2 |archive-date = January 11, 2016 |url-status = dead }}</ref>

==Media==
Vinton County is served by one local newspaper outlet, ''The Courier'', a print newspaper and website.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.vintonjacksoncourier.com/ |title=Vinton Jackson Courier |access-date=September 9, 2020 |archive-date=September 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200915225542/https://www.vintonjacksoncourier.com/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Tourism==

===Covered bridges===
[[File:Mt. Olive Road Covered Bridge.jpg|thumb|Mt. Olive Covered Bridge]]
[[File:PONN HUMPBACK COVERED BRIDGE.jpg|thumb|Ponn Covered Bridge prior to arson]]
There are four covered bridges located around Vinton County. The most famous bridge was the [[Ponn Humpback Covered Bridge|Ponn Bridge]], also known as the Humpback Bridge due to its shape. It was built in 1874 and was the longest one in the county. This bridge was burned down in June 2013 by arsonists.<ref>{{cite web|title=Covered Bridges|url=http://www.vintoncountytravel.com/covered_bridges.htm|website=Vinton County: Convention & Visitors' Bureau|access-date=July 28, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140731115133/http://www.vintoncountytravel.com/covered_bridges.htm|archive-date=July 31, 2014}}</ref>
In 1875, the [[Mt. Olive Road Covered Bridge|Mt. Olive Bridge]] was built by a Civil War veteran named George Washington Pilcher. This bridge is open to foot traffic and goes over the Middle Fork Salt Creek. 
The Bay Bridge is located on the Vinton County Fairgrounds. It was moved to the fairgrounds in 1967 and is still open to pedestrians. The Cox Bridge was built in 1884. The bridge is open to foot traffic and has a picnic area near it. The Arbaugh Bridge was built in 1871, making it the oldest covered bridge in the county. This bridge is the only one in the county open to vehicles thanks to a grant that allowed for renovations.

===State Parks and Recreation Areas===
[[File:Lake hope.JPG|thumb|Lake Hope State Park]]
There are eight recreation areas in Vinton County. The state parks consist of Lake Alma State Park located in [[Wellston, Ohio]] and [[Lake Hope State Park]] located in [[McArthur, Ohio]]. There are also four state forests consisting of [[Richland Furnace State Forest]], [[Tar Hollow State Forest]], [[Vinton Furnace State Experimental Forest|Vinton Furnace State Forest]], and [[Zaleski State Forest]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://ohiodnr.gov/wps/portal/gov/odnr/home |title=Department of Natural Resources {{!}} Ohio.gov |access-date=September 8, 2020 |archive-date=September 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919180837/https://ohiodnr.gov/wps/portal/gov/odnr/home |url-status=dead }}</ref> Along with these, there is the [[Wayne National Forest]], which covers many other counties in Ohio besides Vinton County, Raccoon Ecological Management Area located on State Route 160, and the Wellston Wildlife Area and Lake Rupert located on State Route 683. There are also many more public areas within a short distance of Vinton County.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ohio State Parks and Public Recreation Areas in Vinton County, Ohio|url=http://www.vintoncountytravel.com/the_outdoors.htm|website=Vinton County: Conventrion & Visitors' Bureau|access-date=July 30, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812211136/http://www.vintoncountytravel.com/the_outdoors.htm|archive-date=August 12, 2014}}</ref> Vinton county is more than 70 percent wooded.

<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.hockinghills.com/members/Vinton_County_CVB.html|title=Vinton County CVB - Hocking Hills Visitor Information Centers|last=Walker|first=T.|website=Hocking Hills|language=en-us|access-date=January 9, 2020}}</ref>

=== Hocking Hills Region ===
The Hocking Hills Region is located north of Vinton County. Due to the Hocking Hills’ mainstream popularity, visitors often choose to book lodging in Vinton County to avoid the crowds.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://vintoncountytravel.com/parks-and-recreation/hocking-hills-region/|title=Hocking Hills Region|website=Vinton County CVB|language=en-US|access-date=January 9, 2020}}</ref>

===Lake Hope Bike Trails===
[[Lake Hope State Park]] is located in Vinton and [[Athens County, Ohio|Athens]] Counties. There are five loop trails in the park ranging from 4.5 miles to 16 miles. The Hope Furnace Trail loop is the shortest of the trails at 4.5 miles. The Sidewinder Loop is 5.5 miles, the Copperhead Loop is 10 miles, and the New Big Loop is 15 miles. The longest of the trails in the Old Big Loop at 16 miles.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lake Hope Mountain Bike Trail|url=http://www.vintoncountytravel.com/lake_hope_bike_trail.htm|website=Vinton County: Convention & Visitors' Bureau|access-date=July 28, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812213446/http://www.vintoncountytravel.com/lake_hope_bike_trail.htm|archive-date=August 12, 2014}}</ref>

===Zaleski Backpack Trails===
{{main|Zaleski State Forest}}
There are two trails in [[Zaleski State Forest]], a trail of 23.5 miles and a day trail of 10 miles.<ref>{{cite web|title=Zaleski Backpack Trail|url=http://www.vintoncountytravel.com/zaleski_backpack_trail.htm|website=Vinton County: Convention & Visitors' Bureau|access-date=July 30, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812213637/http://www.vintoncountytravel.com/zaleski_backpack_trail.htm|archive-date=August 12, 2014}}</ref>

===Moonville Rail-Trail===
[[Moonville Rail-Trail]] is a 16-mile rail trail that follows an abandoned [[Baltimore and Ohio Railroad|B&O]] railroad line from [[Mineral, Ohio|Mineral]] to [[Zaleski, Ohio|Zaleski]]. It gets its name from the ghost town of [[Moonville, Ohio|Moonville]] and passes through a brick railroad tunnel at Moonville and a wooden railroad tunnel at [[King’s Hollow, Ohio|King’s Hollow]]. The trail cuts through [[Zaleski State Forest]] and goes through many woodlands and wetlands. The Moonville Rail Trail Association, a local nonprofit organization established in April 2001, is currently working to make the trail more accessible by replacing bridges that were removed when the railroad was abandoned in the 1980s. The association meets at 6:30&nbsp;p.m. every third Tuesday of the month at Hope Schoolhouse on Wheelabout Road.<ref>{{cite web |title=Moonville Rail Trail - Vinton County CVB |url=https://vintoncountytravel.com/parks-and-recreation/moonville-rail-trail/ |website=vintoncountytravel.com}}</ref>

===Quilt barns===
Throughout Vinton County, 27 quilt barns are scattered by the roadways. They are located on Vinton County's [[Quilt Trail]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Quilt Barns|url=http://www.vintoncountytravel.com/quilt_barns.htm|website=Vinton County: Convention & Visitors' Bureau|access-date=July 30, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140822191108/http://www.vintoncountytravel.com/quilt_barns.htm|archive-date=August 22, 2014}}</ref>
{|
|----- valign="top"
|
* Liberty Star Basket
* Basket Weave
* A Pig's Tail
* Christmas Star
* Country Farm
* On Wings of Eagles
* Corn and Beans
|
* Turkey Tracks
* Maple Leaf
* Mountains
* Ohio Star
* The Fan
* Follow the Drinking Gourd
* Summer Winds
|
* There's No Place Like Home
* Pine Tree
* Mosaic
* Autumn Sojourn
* Whirlygig
* Airplane
* Cross and Crowns
|
* Schoolhouse
* Farm Friendliness
* Anvil
* Shortcut to School
* Horse Squares
* V-Block
|}

===Events===

====Wild Turkey Festival====
The Wild Turkey Festival is a music festival held in [[McArthur, Ohio]], on the first weekend of May, beginning on the Thursday evening and concluding on the Sunday afternoon. A parade runs through the town on the Saturday night.<ref>{{cite web|title=Vinton County Wild Turkey Festival|url=http://www.vintoncountytravel.com/turkeyfestival.htm|website=Vinton County: Convention & Visitors' Bureau|access-date=July 30, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140719073926/http://www.vintoncountytravel.com/turkeyfestival.htm|archive-date=July 19, 2014}}</ref>

====Ridgetop Music Festival====
Every August, the Ridgetop Music Festival is held at the Vinton County Airport which offers music and airplane rides throughout the festival.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ridgetop Music Festival|url=http://www.vintoncountytravel.com/ridge_top_festival.htm|website=Vinton County: Convention & Visitors' Bureau|access-date=July 30, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812223500/http://www.vintoncountytravel.com/ridge_top_festival.htm|archive-date=August 12, 2014}}</ref>

====Vinton County Air Show====
The air show is held on the third Sunday in September. The show is the biggest free air show in Ohio and includes food and aerial acts.<ref>{{cite web|title=Vinton County Air Show|url=http://www.vintoncountytravel.com/vinton_county_air_show.htm|website=Vinton County: Convention & Visitors' Bureau|access-date=July 30, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140626104234/http://www.vintoncountytravel.com/vinton_county_air_show.htm|archive-date=June 26, 2014}}</ref>

====Midnight At Moonville====
Midnight at Moonville is one-day Halloween-themed festival featuring dramatic storytelling, wagon rides, regional craft vendors, souvenirs, historical presentations, and music performances located at the [[Moonville, Ohio|Moonville]] Tunnel.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://vintoncountytravel.com/midnight-at-moonville/|title=Midnight at Moonville 2020|publisher=Vinton County Convention And Visitors Bureau|access-date=September 8, 2020}}</ref> The 2020 edition of Midnight at Moonville was cancelled due to COVID-19.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.vintonjacksoncourier.com/community/midnight-at-moonville-canceled-this-year/article_4d0bd397-5f28-5889-816a-aba98ca2a5d7.html|title= Midnight at Moonville canceled this year|publisher=Adams Publishing Group|date=June 17, 2020|website=The Courier|access-date=September 8, 2020}}</ref>

==Communities==
[[File:Map of Vinton County Ohio With Municipal and Township Labels.PNG|thumb|275px|Map of Vinton County, Ohio with municipal and township labels]]

===Villages===
* [[Hamden, Ohio|Hamden]]
* [[McArthur, Ohio|McArthur]] (county seat)
* [[Wilkesville, Ohio|Wilkesville]]
* [[Zaleski, Ohio|Zaleski]]

===Townships===
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
* [[Brown Township, Vinton County, Ohio|Brown]]
* [[Clinton Township, Vinton County, Ohio|Clinton]]
* [[Eagle Township, Vinton County, Ohio|Eagle]]
* [[Elk Township, Vinton County, Ohio|Elk]]
* [[Harrison Township, Vinton County, Ohio|Harrison]]
* [[Jackson Township, Vinton County, Ohio|Jackson]]
* [[Knox Township, Vinton County, Ohio|Knox]]
* [[Madison Township, Vinton County, Ohio|Madison]]
* [[Richland Township, Vinton County, Ohio|Richland]]
* [[Swan Township, Vinton County, Ohio|Swan]]
* [[Vinton Township, Vinton County, Ohio|Vinton]]
* [[Wilkesville Township, Vinton County, Ohio|Wilkesville]]
{{div col end}}
<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.usgenwebsites.org/OHVinton/twpmaps.htm|title=Vinton County Township Maps|access-date=September 8, 2020}}{{Dead link|date=February 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

===Unincorporated communities===
{{div col}}
* [[Allensville, Ohio|Allensville]]
* [[Creola, Ohio|Creola]]
* [[Dundas, Ohio|Dundas]]
* [[Eagle Mills, Ohio|Eagle Mills]]
* [[Hawks, Ohio|Hawks]]
* [[Hope, Ohio|Hope]]
* [[Hue, Ohio|Hue]]
* [[Jimtown, Ohio|Jimtown]]
* [[Knox, Vinton County, Ohio|Knox]]
* [[Minerton, Ohio|Minerton]]
* [[New Plymouth, Ohio|New Plymouth]]
* [[Orland, Ohio|Orland]]
* [[Prattsville, Ohio|Prattsville]]
* [[Puritan, Ohio|Puritan]]
* [[Radcliff, Ohio|Radcliff]]
* [[Ratcliffburg, Ohio|Ratcliffburg]]
* [[Ray, Ohio|Ray]]
* [[Siverly, Ohio|Siverly]]
* [[Stella, Ohio|Stella]]
* [[Vales Mills, Ohio|Vales Mills]]
* Tiffin, Ohio
{{div col end}}

===Ghost towns===
* [[Ingham, Ohio|Ingham]]
* [[Moonville, Ohio|Moonville]]
* [[Oreton, Ohio|Oreton]]
* [[Richland, Ohio|Richland]]
* [[Vinton Furnace, Ohio|Vinton Furnace]]

==See also==
* [[Covered bridges of southeast Ohio]]
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Vinton County, Ohio]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.vintoncounty.com/ Vinton County Government Website]
* [http://www.vintoncountytravel.com Vinton County Convention and Visitors Bureau]
* [http://www.vintoncountypublic.lib.oh.us Herbert Wescoat Memorial Library serving Vinton County]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20071202060416/http://www.athenstrails.org/maps/vinton.jpg Public Lands Map of Vinton County]
* [https://www.discovervintoncounty.com Vinton County official tourism website]

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Vinton County, Ohio
|North     = [[Hocking County, Ohio|Hocking County]]
|Northeast = [[Athens County, Ohio|Athens County]]
|East      = [[Meigs County, Ohio|Meigs County]]
|Southeast = [[Gallia County, Ohio|Gallia County]]
|South     = [[Jackson County, Ohio|Jackson County]]
|Southwest =
|West      = [[Ross County, Ohio|Ross County]]
|Northwest =
}}
{{Vinton County, Ohio}}
{{Ohio}}

{{coord|39.25|-82.49|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-OH_source:UScensus1990}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Vinton County, Ohio| ]]
[[Category:Appalachian Ohio]]
[[Category:1850 establishments in Ohio]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1850]]