Ohio

Ohio State Facts

Entered Union: March 1, 1803 (17th State)
Present constitution adopted: 1851

Fun Facts

State abbreviation/Postal code: Ohio/OH
Nicknames: Buckeye State
Slogan: "Ohio—Birthplace of Aviation"
Origin of name: From a Seneca word meaning "great river"
Motto: "With God all things are possible"
State symbols:
Amphibian: Spotted salamander (2010)
Bird: Cardinal (1933)
Frog: American bullfrog (2010)
Insect: 7-spot ladybug (1976)
Reptile: Black racer (1995)
Wild animal: White-tailed deer (1988)
Cultivated Flower: Scarlet carnation (1904)
Fruit: Tomato (2009)
Native Fruit: Pawpaw (2009)
Tree: Ohio buckeye (1953)
Wildflower: Large white trillium (1985)
Fossil: Trilobite (1985)
Gem: Ohio flint (1965)
Colors: Red, white, and blue (from state flag)
Drink: Tomato juice (1965)
Groundhog: Buckeye Chuck 
Muffin: Corn muffin (1986)
Prehistoric Monument: Newark Earthworks (2006)
Ship: USS Ohio
Song: "Beautiful Ohio" (1989)
Rock Song: "Hang on Sloopy" by Wes Farrell and Bert Russell (1985)

Government

Capital: Columbus
Governor: Mike DeWine, R (to Jan. 2023)
Lieut. Governor: John Husted, R (to Jan. 2023)
Secy. of State: Frank LaRose, R
Treasurer: Robert Sprague, R
Atty. General: Dave Yost, R
U.S. Representatives: 16
Senators: Sherrod Brown, D (to Jan. 2025); Rob Portman, R (to Jan. 2023)

See Also: Historical biographies of Ohio Congress members

Population

Residents: Ohioan or Buckeye
2015 resident population: 11,613,423 (7th Largest State, 2015)
10 largest cities (2012):Columbus, 787,033; Cleveland, 396,8158; Cincinnati, 296,943; Toledo, 287,208; Akron, 199,110; Dayton, 141,527; Parma, 81,601; Youngstown, 66,982; Canton, 73,007; Lorain, 64,097
Race/Ethnicity: White (82.7%); Black (12.2%); American Indian (0.2%); Asian (1.7%); Other race (1.1%); Two or more races (2.1%); Hispanic/Latino: (3.1%).
Religion: Catholic (34%); Unaffiliated (32%); Protestant (21%); Jewish (3%); 
Sex: Male (48.6%%); Female (51.4%).
Age: Under 18 (22.7%); 18-64 (62.2%); 65 and over (14.1%). Median Age: 38.8

See Also: Additional Ohio Census Data

Economy

GDP: 649 billion dollars (7th in U.S., 2017)
Unemployment: 5.0% (2017)
Overview: Ohio has one of the nation's most industrial economies, with nearly 19% of the state's GDP coming from the manufacturing sector. Ohio has the third largest manufacturing population in the country, behind the much larger states of California and Texas. The state leads the nation in producing plastics, rubber, and manufactured metals. 

Geography

Land area: 44,825 sq mi (116,096 km²)
Geographic center: In Delaware Co., 25 mi. NNE of Columbus.
Number of counties: 88
Largest county by population and area: Cuyahoga, 1,280,122 (2010); Ashtabula, 703 sq mi.
State forests: 20 (more than 183,000 ac.)
State parks: 74 (more than 204,000 ac.)
Area codes
Tourism office

See more on Ohio:
Encyclopedia: Ohio
Encyclopedia: Geography
Encyclopedia: Economy
Encyclopedia: Government
Encyclopedia: History
Monthly Temperature Extremes

Printable Outline Maps

Map of Ohio

Ohio State History

First explored for France by Robert Cavelier, Sieur de la Salle, in 1669, the Ohio region became British property after the French and Indian Wars. Ohio was acquired by the U.S. after the Revolutionary War in 1783. In 1788, the first permanent settlement was established at Marietta, capital of the Northwest Territory.

The 1790s saw severe fighting with the Indians in Ohio; a major battle was won by Maj. Gen. Anthony Wayne at Fallen Timbers in 1794. In the War of 1812, Commodore Oliver H. Perry defeated the British in the Battle of Lake Erie on Sept. 10, 1813.

Ohio is one of the nation's industrial leaders, ranking third in manufacturing employment nationwide. Important manufacturing centers are located in or near Ohio's major cities. Akron is known for rubber; Canton for roller bearings; Cincinnati for jet engines and machine tools; Cleveland for auto assembly, auto parts, and steel; Dayton for office machines, refrigeration, and heating and auto equipment; Youngstown and Steubenville for steel; and Toledo for glass and auto parts.

The state's fertile soil produces soybeans, corn, oats, greenhouse and nursery products, wheat, hay, and fruit, including apples, peaches, strawberries, and grapes. More than half of Ohio's farm receipts come from dairy farming and sheep and hog raising. Ohio ranks fourth among the states in lime production and also ranks high in sand and gravel and crushed stone production.

Tourism is a valuable revenue producer, bringing in $36 billion in 2009. Attractions include the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Indian burial grounds at Mound City Group National Monument, Perry's Victory International Peace Memorial, the Pro Football Hall of Fame at Canton, and the homes of presidents Grant, Taft, Hayes, Harding, and Garfield.

After the 2000 U.S. Census, Ohio lost one congressional district for the U.S. House of Representatives. The state lost two more districts after the 2010 Census giving Ohio 18 electoral votes for the 2012, 2016, and 2020 presidential elections.