Hocking County

Its name is from the Hocking River, the origins of which are disputed but is said to be a Delaware Indian word meaning "bottle river". Included in the Columbus, OH Metropolitan Statistical Area.

• County — Hocking County • State — Ohio • Founded — March 1, 1818 • Seat Wl — Logan • Largest City Wl — Logan • Area Total Sq Mi — 424 • Area Land Sq Mi — 421 • Area Water Sq Mi — 2.3 • Area Water Percent — 0.5% • Population As Of — 2020 • Population Total — 28050 • Pop Est As Of — 2025 • Population Est — 27512 • Population Density Sq Mi — 66 • Time Zone — Eastern • Website — www.co.hocking.oh.us • Named For — Hocking River, perhaps from the Lenape language for "bottle river" • District — 2nd

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 424 sqmi, of which 421 sqmi is land and 2.3 sqmi (0.5%) is water.

The major waterway of Hocking County is the Hocking River, which flows roughly from WNW to ESE, arising in Fairfield County and flowing from Hocking County into Athens County. This river drains about half the county. To the southwest, much of the rest of the county is drained by Salt Creek, which flows from there into Vinton County. A small part of the southeastern county is drained by Raccoon Creek, which also flows into Vinton County. The easternmost area of the county is within the Monday Creek watershed. A small area in the north of the county is drained by Rush Creek.

• Perry County (northeast) • Athens County (southeast) • Vinton County (south) • Ross County (southwest) • Pickaway County (west) • Fairfield County (northwest)

• Wayne National Forest (part)

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 28,050. The median age was 43.6 years. 21.8% of residents were under the age of 18 and 19.5% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 97.1 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 95.3 males age 18 and over. The racial makeup of the county was 94.8% White, 0.5% Black or African American, 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.3% from some other race, and 3.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 0.8% of the population. 29.4% of residents lived in urban areas, while 70.6% lived in rural areas. There were 11,429 households in the county, of which 28.2% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 49.6% were married-couple households, 17.9% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 24.0% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 27.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. There were 12,987 housing units, of which 12.0% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 73.1% were owner-occupied and 26.9% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.0% and the rental vacancy rate was 6.8%.

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 29,380 people, 11,369 households, and 7,948 families living in the county. The population density was 69.7 PD/sqmi. There were 13,417 housing units at an average density of 31.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the county was 97.5% white, 0.7% black or African American, 0.3% American Indian, 0.2% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.7% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 25.3% were German, 15.0% were American, 14.1% were Irish, and 9.0% were English. Of the 11,369 households, 32.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.9% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 30.1% were non-families, and 24.8% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 2.98. The median age was 40.9 years. The median income for a household in the county was $39,586 and the median income for a family was $48,796. Males had a median income of $39,219 versus $30,371 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,048. About 12.3% of families and 15.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.7% of those under age 18 and 10.8% of those age 65 or over.

As of the census of 2000, there were 28,241 people, 10,843 households, and 7,828 families living in the county. The population density was 67 pd/sqmi. There were 12,141 housing units at an average density of /sqmi. The racial makeup of the county was 97.32% White, 0.92% Black or African American, 0.28% Native American, 0.08% Asian, 0.08% from other races, and 1.09% from two or more races. 0.68% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 10,843 households, out of which 33.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.30% were married couples living together, 9.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.80% were non-families. 23.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 2.98. In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.50% under the age of 18, 8.10% from 18 to 24, 28.30% from 25 to 44, 25.00% from 45 to 64, and 13.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 99.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.90 males. The median income for a household in the county was $34,261, and the median income for a family was $40,888. Males had a median income of $31,951 versus $24,123 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,095. About 10.30% of families and 13.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.80% of those under age 18 and 14.50% of those age 65 or over.

Hocking County has been considered to be a swing county in presidential elections as most were won by close margins. Barack Obama came within 105 votes in 2008 and 128 in 2012; Bill Clinton was the last Democrat to win it, in 1996. However, the margins of victory grew during the Donald Trump administration.

• Office — Officeholder — Party • Hocking County Commissioner — Michael Linton — Republican • Hocking County Commissioner — Jason Anthony Donofrio — Republican • Hocking County Commissioner — Andrew Davidson — Republican • Auditor — Christopher Donald Robers — Republican • Clerk of Courts — Rhonda Lynn Wykle — Democratic • Coroner — David Cummin — Republican • Engineer — William Shaw — Democratic • Prosecutor — Jennifer Graham — Republican • Recorder — Teresa Salizzoni — Republican • Sheriff — Lanny North — Republican • Treasurer — Blaine Davidson — Republican

• Illustration — Map of Hocking County with municipal and township boundaries

• Logan (county seat)

• Buchtel • Laurelville • Murray City

• Benton • Falls • Good Hope • Green • Laurel • Marion • Perry • Salt Creek • Starr • Ward • Washington

• Carbon Hill • Haydenville • Hide-A-Way Hills • Rockbridge • West Logan

• Ewing • Ilesboro • Sand Run • South Bloomingville • Union Furnace

• Hocking Hills State Park