# Adams County, Ohio

Adams County is a county in the U.S. state of Ohio. As of the 2020 census, the population was 27,477. Its county seat and largest village is West Union. The county is named after John Adams, the second President of the United States.

## Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of 586 square miles (1,520 km$^2$), of which 584 square miles (1,510 km$^2$) is land and 2.4 square miles (6.2 km$^2$) (0.4%) is water. It includes many parks and preserves, including one of Ohio's greatest archeological wonders, the Serpent Mound at the Serpent Mound State Memorial in Locust Grove. Serpent Mound lends its name to the Serpent Mound crater, the eroded remnant of a huge ancient meteorite impact crater. Other areas of note include parks and natural areas like The Edge of Appalachia Preserve, Shawnee State Park, Adams Lake State Park, and Robert H. Whipple State Nature Preserve.

### Adjacent counties

* Highland County (north)
* Pike County (northeast)
* Scioto County (east)
* Lewis County, Kentucky (south)
* Mason County, Kentucky (southwest)
* Brown County (west)

### State protected areas

* Adams Lake State Park
* Chaparral Prairie State Nature Preserve
* Davis Memorial State Nature Preserve
* Johnson Ridge State Nature Preserve
* Lynx Prairie
* Shoemaker State Nature Preserve
* Whipple State Nature Preserve

## Demographics
### 2000 census

As of the 2000 United States census, 27,330 people, 10,501 households, and 7,613 families resided in the county. The population density was 47 people per square mile (18 people/km$^2$). There were 11,822 housing units at an average density of 20 per square mile (7.7/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the county was 97.77% White, 0.18% Black or African American, 0.68% Native American, 0.12% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.11% from other races, and 1.10% from two or more races. 0.64% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 38.5% were of American, 19.8% German, 11.7% Irish and 8.9% English ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 10,501 households, out of which 34.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.10% were married couples living together, 10.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.50% were non-families. 24.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.03.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.40% under the age of 18, 8.70% from 18 to 24, 28.20% from 25 to 44, 23.40% from 45 to 64, and 13.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 96.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.80 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $29,315, and the median income for a family was $34,714. Males had a median income of $30,000 versus $20,433 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,515. About 12.80% of families and 17.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.30% of those under age 18 and 16.00% of those age 65 or over.

### 2010 census

As of the 2010 United States census, 28,550 people, 11,147 households, and 7,793 families resided in the county. The population density was 48.9 inhabitants per square mile (18.9/km$^2$). There were 12,978 housing units at an average density of 22.2 per square mile (8.6/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the county was 97.7% white, 0.4% American Indian, 0.3% black or African American, 0.1% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.3% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.9% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 17.6% were German, 16.5% were American, 15.3% were Irish, and 9.8% were English.
Of the 11,147 households, 33.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.2% were married couples living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 30.1% were non-families, and 25.9% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.01. The median age was 39.6 years.
The median income for a household in the county was $32,791 and the median income for a family was $40,305. Males had a median income of $37,277 versus $25,746 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,693. About 18.8% of families and 23.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.0% of those under age 18 and 16.8% of those age 65 or over.

### 2020 census

As of the 2020 United States census, 27,477 people, 10,175 households, and 7,483 families resided in the county.

## Economy

The economy of Adams County employs 10,100 people. Its largest industries are manufacturing (1,774 people), retail trade (1,618 people), and health care and social assistance (1,599 people), and the highest paying industries are utilities ($69,063), and finance and insurance ($56,938). A 2019 report identified Adams County as the poorest in Ohio with a 23.8% poverty rate and median household income of $36,320 ($16,000 less than the state average). The county also has the state's highest unemployment rate at 6.8%. Poor economic conditions led to a 2.1% decrease in the county's population during the previous five years.

## Politics

Prior to 1936, Adams County was a swing county in presidential elections, holding bellwether status from 1896 to 1932. From 1936 on, the county has become strongly Republican and failed to back Republican candidates only in 1964 and 1976 since then, which also enabled it to regain bellwether status from 1964 to 1988.
United States presidential election results for Adams County, Ohio :
| Year | Republican | Republican | Democratic | Democratic | Third party(ies) | Third party(ies) |
| Year | No. | % | No. | % | No. | % |
| 2024 | 10,269 | 82.62% | 2,098 | 16.88% | 62 | 0.50% |
| 2020 | 9,870 | 81.27% | 2,156 | 17.75% | 119 | 0.98% |
| 2016 | 8,659 | 75.88% | 2,326 | 20.38% | 427 | 3.74% |
| 2012 | 6,865 | 61.75% | 3,976 | 35.76% | 277 | 2.49% |
| 2008 | 6,914 | 60.57% | 4,170 | 36.53% | 330 | 2.89% |
| 2004 | 7,653 | 63.78% | 4,281 | 35.67% | 66 | 0.55% |
| 2000 | 6,380 | 62.34% | 3,581 | 34.99% | 274 | 2.68% |
| 1996 | 4,763 | 45.88% | 4,317 | 41.59% | 1,301 | 12.53% |
| 1992 | 4,722 | 43.89% | 3,998 | 37.16% | 2,038 | 18.94% |
| 1988 | 5,916 | 60.71% | 3,740 | 38.38% | 88 | 0.90% |
| 1984 | 6,113 | 62.83% | 3,534 | 36.32% | 82 | 0.84% |
| 1980 | 5,336 | 53.75% | 4,161 | 41.91% | 431 | 4.34% |
| 1976 | 4,197 | 47.80% | 4,450 | 50.68% | 133 | 1.51% |
| 1972 | 4,980 | 63.18% | 2,709 | 34.37% | 193 | 2.45% |
| 1968 | 3,973 | 51.54% | 2,685 | 34.83% | 1,050 | 13.62% |
| 1964 | 3,702 | 42.52% | 5,005 | 57.48% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 5,996 | 60.59% | 3,900 | 39.41% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1956 | 5,637 | 59.14% | 3,894 | 40.86% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1952 | 5,648 | 58.93% | 3,937 | 41.07% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1948 | 5,103 | 54.24% | 4,293 | 45.63% | 12 | 0.13% |
| 1944 | 5,590 | 58.30% | 3,998 | 41.70% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1940 | 6,180 | 55.24% | 5,007 | 44.76% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1936 | 5,910 | 50.21% | 5,832 | 49.55% | 28 | 0.24% |
| 1932 | 4,857 | 44.43% | 5,909 | 54.06% | 165 | 1.51% |
| 1928 | 5,665 | 65.23% | 3,000 | 34.54% | 20 | 0.23% |
| 1924 | 4,315 | 52.46% | 3,762 | 45.73% | 149 | 1.81% |
| 1920 | 4,974 | 54.07% | 4,194 | 45.59% | 31 | 0.34% |
| 1916 | 2,819 | 48.21% | 2,887 | 49.38% | 141 | 2.41% |
| 1912 | 1,863 | 38.03% | 2,279 | 46.52% | 757 | 15.45% |
| 1908 | 3,432 | 52.11% | 3,048 | 46.28% | 106 | 1.61% |
| 1904 | 3,252 | 51.98% | 2,796 | 44.69% | 208 | 3.32% |
| 1900 | 3,535 | 51.81% | 3,169 | 46.45% | 119 | 1.74% |
| 1896 | 3,338 | 50.13% | 3,248 | 48.78% | 73 | 1.10% |
| 1892 | 2,903 | 48.44% | 2,832 | 47.26% | 258 | 4.31% |
| 1888 | 2,870 | 47.71% | 3,022 | 50.24% | 123 | 2.04% |
| 1884 | 2,833 | 49.05% | 2,886 | 49.97% | 57 | 0.99% |
| 1880 | 2,563 | 48.39% | 2,725 | 51.44% | 9 | 0.17% |
| 1876 | 2,141 | 45.47% | 2,546 | 54.07% | 22 | 0.47% |
| 1872 | 1,877 | 48.63% | 1,972 | 51.09% | 11 | 0.28% |
| 1868 | 2,044 | 47.63% | 2,247 | 52.37% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1864 | 2,094 | 51.99% | 1,934 | 48.01% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1860 | 1,667 | 43.33% | 2,010 | 52.25% | 170 | 4.42% |
| 1856 | 1,407 | 40.49% | 1,790 | 51.51% | 278 | 8.00% |

## Government

Adams County has a three-member Board of County Commissioners who manage the various County departments. Adams County's elected commissioners are: Ty Pell, Diane Ward, and Barbara Moore.

## Library

The Adams County Public Library serves the communities of Adams County, Ohio from its administrative location in Peebles and branches in Manchester, West Union, and Seaman.
In 2005, the library system loaned more than 264,000 items to its 14,000 cardholders. Total holdings (as of 2005) were over 101,000 volumes with over 250 periodical subscriptions.
* Peebles Library
* Manchester Library
* West Union Library
* Seaman Library

## Hospital

Adams County is served by the Adams County Regional Medical Center near Seaman. The hospital was previously known as Adams County Hospital, and was in West Union. It was renamed and relocated to Seaman, and is easily accessible from the Appalachian Highway.

## Communities
### Villages

* Manchester
* Peebles
* Rome
* Seaman
* West Union (county seat)
* Winchester

### Townships

* Bratton
* Brush Creek
* Franklin
* Green
* Jefferson
* Liberty
* Manchester
* Meigs
* Monroe
* Oliver
* Scott
* Sprigg
* Tiffin
* Wayne
* Winchester

### Census-designated places

* Bentonville
* Cherry Fork

### Other unincorporated communities

* Bacon Flat
* Beasley Fork
* Beaver Pond
* Blue Creek
* Bradysville
* Catbird
* Cedar Mills
* Clayton
* Dunkinsville
* Eckmansville
* Emerald
* Fairview
* Fawcett
* Grooms
* Harshaville
* Jacksonville
* Jaybird
* Jessup
* Jones Corner
* Lawshe
* Locust Grove
* Louden
* Louisville
* Lynx
* Marble Furnace
* May Hill
* Mineral Springs
* Panhandle
* Pine Gap
* Rockville
* Sandy Springs
* Scrub Ridge
* Smoky Corners
* Squirreltown
* Selig
* Steam Furnace
* Sunshine
* Tranquility
* Tulip
* Unity
* Wamsley
* Wheat Ridge
* Whippoorwill
* Wrightsville
* Youngsville

## Places of interest

* Great Serpent Mound
* Counterfeit House in the Manchester, OH area, the only home constructed for the purposes of counterfeiting U.S. currency
* Brushcreek Motorsports Complex
* Serpent Mound
* Counterfeit House
* Brushcreek Motorsports Complex

## Notable people

* Afroman, rapper.
* Cowboy Copas, country music singer
* Joseph Darlinton, brigadier general during the War of 1812, represented Adams County in the Ohio Senate.
* John Glasgow Kerr, noted physician and medical missionary; founder of the first hospital for the insane in China
* Thomas Kirker, 2nd Governor of Ohio.
* John P. Leedom, United States congressman from Ohio and Sergeant at Arms of the United States House of Representatives
* Philip Lewis Sr., an early pioneer of Adams County and a prominent politician.
* Daniel McCann, sold the eagle Old Abe to the 8th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment
* William H. Reddick, received the Medal of Honor for service in the 33rd Ohio Infantry.
* Jack Roush, founder, CEO, and co-owner of Roush Fenway Racing