Ohio

Basic Information

Ohio, located in the Midwest region of the United States, is known for its diverse landscapes from Lake Erie shores to Appalachian foothills, industrial heritage, and significant role in American history and politics.

Capital

• Columbus

Largest City

• Columbus

Area

• 44,825 sq mi

Population

• 11.8 million (2020)

Demographics

Ohio has a diverse population distributed across several major metropolitan areas and numerous smaller communities throughout the state.

Ethnic Composition

• White:78.4%
• African American:13.1%
• Hispanic:4.4%
• Asian:2.7%
• Other:1.4%

Languages

• English:93.3%
• Spanish:2.2%
• Other Indo-European:2.0%
• Asian and Pacific Islander:1.1%
• Other Languages:1.4%

Age Distribution

• Under 18:22.1%
• 18-64:59.7%
• 65+:18.2%

Population Growth

• Annual Rate:0.3%
• Natural Increase:Positive but slowing
• Migration:Mixed (domestic outflow, international inflow)

Economy

Ohio has a diverse economy transitioning from its industrial manufacturing base to include healthcare, education, financial services, and technology sectors.

GDP

• $683 billion (2022)

Major Industries

• Manufacturing (automotive, aerospace, appliances)
• Healthcare
• Financial Services
• Agriculture
• Food Processing
• Energy Production

Employment Rate

• Employed:96.2%
• Unemployment:3.8%

Major Companies

• Procter & Gamble
• Kroger
• Cardinal Health
• Progressive Insurance
• Nationwide Insurance
• Sherwin-Williams

Climate

Ohio has a humid continental climate with four distinct seasons, influenced by Lake Erie in the north and the Ohio River valley in the south.

Northern (Lake Erie) Region

• Avg. Summer:80°F
• Avg. Winter:28°F
• Rainfall:35-40 inches/year
• Lake Effect Snow:60+ inches in northeast "Snow Belt"

Central Region

• Avg. Summer:84°F
• Avg. Winter:30°F
• Rainfall:38-40 inches/year
• Snowfall:25-30 inches/year

Southern Region

• Avg. Summer:86°F
• Avg. Winter:32°F
• Rainfall:40-42 inches/year
• Snowfall:15-20 inches/year

Weather Patterns

• Spring Thunderstorms
• Occasional Tornadoes
• Winter Snow Storms
• Summer Humidity
• Autumn Foliage Season

Visiting Ohio

Ohio offers visitors diverse experiences from vibrant cities to natural areas, with strong cultural, historical, and recreational attractions.

Best Time to Visit

• Spring:April-May (blooming season, moderate temperatures)
• Summer:June-August (festival season, outdoor activities)
• Fall:September-October (foliage, harvest festivals)
• Winter:December-February (winter sports, holiday events)

Transportation

• Major Airports:Cleveland Hopkins International, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International, John Glenn Columbus International
• Interstate Highways:I-70, I-71, I-75, I-76, I-77, I-80/90 (Ohio Turnpike)
• Public Transportation:Urban transit systems in larger cities
• Amtrak Service:Through Cleveland, Toledo, Cincinnati

Accommodation

• Hotels:Major chains and boutique options in cities
• Bed & Breakfasts:Common in historical areas and Amish Country
• Cabins:State parks and Hocking Hills region
• Campgrounds:Throughout state parks
• Lake Erie Resorts:Especially Sandusky/Cedar Point area

Tourist Information

• Welcome Centers:Located along interstate highways
• Tourism Website:Ohio. Find It Here.
• Regional Tourism Offices
• State Park Visitor Centers

Popular Attractions

Ohio features diverse attractions from world-class museums and theme parks to natural wonders and historical sites.

Theme Parks & Entertainment

• Cedar Point (Sandusky)
• Kings Island (Mason)
• Coney Island (Cincinnati)
• African Safari Wildlife Park (Port Clinton)
• Great Wolf Lodge Resorts

Museums & Cultural Sites

• Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (Cleveland)
• National Museum of the US Air Force (Dayton)
• Pro Football Hall of Fame (Canton)
• Cleveland Museum of Art
• Center of Science and Industry (COSI, Columbus)
• Cincinnati Museum Center

Natural Attractions

• Hocking Hills State Park
• Cuyahoga Valley National Park
• Lake Erie Islands (Put-in-Bay, Kelleys Island)
• Wayne National Forest
• Mohican State Park
• The Wilds Conservation Center

Historical Sites

• Ohio Statehouse (Columbus)
• German Village (Columbus)
• Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens (Akron)
• Perry's Victory & International Peace Memorial (Put-in-Bay)
• National Underground Railroad Freedom Center (Cincinnati)
• Amish Country (Holmes County)

History

Ohio's rich history spans from ancient indigenous cultures through pioneering settlement, industrial development, and its emergence as a crucial political and cultural influence.

Early History

• Indigenous Peoples:Adena, Hopewell, Fort Ancient cultures
• Later Tribes:Shawnee, Miami, Wyandot, Delaware
• European Contact:French explorers, 1670s
• Northwest Territory:Established 1787

19th Century

• Statehood:March 1, 1803 (17th state)
• War of 1812:Important battleground
• National Road Construction:1825-1838
• Ohio & Erie Canal:Completed 1832
• Underground Railroad:Key transit state
• Civil War:Contributed 320,000+ soldiers to Union

Industrial Era

• Industrial Growth:1870s-1950s
• Standard Oil Founded by John D. Rockefeller:1870
• Thomas Edison Born in Milan:1847
• Wright Brothers (Dayton):Early 1900s
• Labor Movement Growth
• Great Depression Impact

Modern Era

• Manufacturing Decline:1970s-1980s
• Economic Diversification
• Technology and Service Sector Growth
• Urban Revitalization Efforts
• Continued Political Influence as "Bellwether State"

State Symbols

Ohio has designated various official state symbols that represent its natural heritage and cultural identity.

State Animals

• State Animal:

  White-tailed Deer
• State Bird:

  Cardinal
• State Reptile:

  Black Racer Snake
• State Insect:

  Ladybug
• State Frog:

  Bullfrog

State Plants

• State Flower:

  Scarlet Carnation
• State Tree:

  Ohio Buckeye
• State Wildflower:

  White Trillium
• State Fruit:

  Pawpaw
• State Native Fruit:

  Pawpaw

Cultural Symbols

• State Flag:

  Ohio Burgee (only non-rectangular state flag)
• State Song:

  "Beautiful Ohio"
• State Rock Song:

  "Hang On Sloopy"
• State Motto:

  "With God, All Things Are Possible"
• State Beverage:

  Tomato Juice

Other Symbols

• State Gemstone:

  Ohio Flint
• State Fossil:

  Isotelus (trilobite)
• State Soil:

  Miamian Soil Series
• State Artifact:

  Adena Pipe
• State Prehistoric Monument:

  Newark Earthworks

State Facts

Ohio holds numerous distinct records and facts that highlight its contributions to American life and culture.

Geographic Facts

• Highest Point:

  Campbell Hill (1,550 ft)
• Lowest Point:

  Ohio River (455 ft)
• Lake Erie Coastline:

  312 miles
• Largest Inland Lake:

  Grand Lake St. Marys
• Major Rivers:

  Ohio, Muskingum, Scioto, Miami, Maumee

Records & Rankings

• 7th Most Populous State
• 34th Largest State by Area
• Most Presidents Born in State After Virginia (7)
• Home to First Professional Baseball Team (Cincinnati Red Stockings)
• First State from Northwest Territory

Notable Firsts

• First Ambulance Service (Cincinnati, 1865)
• First Cash Register (Dayton, 1879)
• First Electric Traffic Signal (Cleveland, 1914)
• First Hot Dog (1900, Harry M. Stevens)
• First Police Cars (Akron, 1899)
• First Professional Fire Department (Cincinnati, 1853)

Unique Features

• Only non-rectangular state flag
• Most Library Systems Per Capita in US
• Home to Both "The Wright Brothers" and "Thomas Edison"
• Largest Amish Population (Holmes County)
• Most Ancient Earthworks in US
• Cedar Point:

  Roller Coaster Capital of the World

Government & Politics

Ohio has a significant place in American politics as a swing state that often reflects national trends, with a state government structure that includes strong local governance.

Governor

• Mike DeWine (as of 2023)

Legislature

• Bicameral:State Senate (33 members) and House of Representatives (99 members)

Political Trends

• Traditional "swing state" with urban-rural divide

National Significance

• Presidential Electoral Importance
• US Senators:Sherrod Brown and J.D. Vance
• US House Delegation:15 Representatives
• 7 Presidents Born in Ohio
• Often Considered Political Bellwether

Time Zones

Ohio is entirely within the Eastern Time Zone, with daylight saving time observed.

Standard Time

• Eastern Standard Time (EST, UTC -5)

Daylight Saving

• Eastern Daylight Time (EDT, UTC -4)

Notable Facts

• Western border abuts Central Time Zone
• No exceptions or special time arrangements within the state

Education

Ohio has a comprehensive educational system with a mix of public and private institutions at all levels.

Higher Education

• Public Universities:Ohio State University, University of Cincinnati, Ohio University, Miami University, Kent State University, and 9 others
• Private Colleges:Case Western Reserve, Oberlin, Kenyon, Denison, Xavier, and numerous others
• Community College System:23 institutions
• Ohio Technical Centers:52 adult career centers

K-12 Education

• Public School Districts:600+
• Charter Schools:300+
• Private Schools:700+
• Career-Technical Planning Districts:91
• Ohio Department of Education Oversight

Educational Initiatives

• College Credit Plus Program
• Ohio Graduation Requirements
• Third Grade Reading Guarantee
• Career-Technical Education
• School Choice Programs
• EdChoice Scholarship Program

Educational Resources

• Ohio Library Systems
• INFOhio Digital Resources
• Ohio History Connection
• OhioLINK Academic Library Consortium
• Ohio Educational Television Stations

Culture & Festivals

Ohio's cultural identity includes a rich mixture of Midwestern, Appalachian, and industrial influences, with vibrant arts communities and numerous cultural celebrations.

Major Festivals

• Ohio State Fair (Columbus)
• Cleveland International Film Festival
• Columbus Arts Festival
• Cincinnati Music Festival
• Oktoberfest Zinzinnati (Cincinnati)
• Dublin Irish Festival
• Circleville Pumpkin Show

Arts & Culture

• Cleveland Orchestra
• Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
• Columbus Museum of Art
• Toledo Museum of Art
• Cincinnati Art Museum
• Playhouse Square (Cleveland)
• Dayton Performing Arts Alliance

Regional Celebrations

• Apple Butter Festival (Roscoe Village)
• Feast of the Assumption (Cleveland)
• Milan Melon Festival
• Bucyrus Bratwurst Festival
• Germantown Pretzel Festival
• Millersport Sweet Corn Festival
• Twins Days Festival (Twinsburg)

Ethnic Traditions

• German Heritage (Cincinnati, Columbus)
• Eastern European Communities (Cleveland)
• Appalachian Culture (Southeast Ohio)
• Italian Heritage Festivals
• African American Cultural Events
• Asian Festivals (Columbus, Cleveland)
• Hispanic Heritage Celebrations

Sports & Teams

Ohio has a passionate sports culture with major professional teams and strong collegiate athletic programs.

Professional Teams

• NFL:Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns
• MLB:Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Guardians
• NBA:Cleveland Cavaliers
• NHL:Columbus Blue Jackets
• MLS:FC Cincinnati, Columbus Crew
• Minor League Teams:Multiple across various sports

College Athletics

• Ohio State Buckeyes (Big Ten Conference)
• Cincinnati Bearcats (Big 12 Conference)
• Xavier Musketeers (Big East Conference)
• Dayton Flyers (Atlantic 10 Conference)
• Miami RedHawks (Mid-American Conference)
• Ohio Bobcats (Mid-American Conference)

Sports Venues

• Ohio Stadium (Columbus)
• Progressive Field (Cleveland)
• Great American Ball Park (Cincinnati)
• Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse (Cleveland)
• TQL Stadium (Cincinnati)
• Nationwide Arena (Columbus)

Sporting Events

• The Ohio State-Michigan Football Rivalry
• Memorial Tournament (PGA Golf)
• All-American Soap Box Derby (Akron)
• Flying Pig Marathon (Cincinnati)
• Cleveland Marathon
• Motorsports at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course

Cuisine & Local Specialties

Ohio cuisine reflects its diverse cultural influences, agricultural bounty, and regional variations across the state.

Regional Specialties

• Cincinnati Chili
• Cleveland-Style Polish Boy
• Buckeyes (peanut butter and chocolate candies)
• Goetta (Cincinnati area meat-grain sausage)
• Shaker Lemon Pie
• Sauerkraut Balls (Akron)
• Cheese Coneys

Ethnic Influences

• German Food Traditions
• Italian Cuisine
• Polish and Eastern European Dishes
• Amish Country Cooking
• Southern/Appalachian Influence (southeast Ohio)
• Lebanese and Middle Eastern (especially in Toledo)

Agricultural Products

• Sweet Corn
• Tomatoes (leading producer)
• Apples and Berries
• Maple Syrup
• Dairy Products
• Soybeans and Wheat
• Pawpaws (native fruit)

Food Establishments

• Graeter's Ice Cream (Cincinnati)
• Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams (Columbus)
• Tony Packo's (Toledo)
• Schmidt's Sausage Haus (Columbus)
• Skyline Chili (Cincinnati)
• Swensons Drive-In (Akron)

Infrastructure

Ohio's central location has made it a transportation hub with extensive infrastructure networks that support its economy.

Transportation

• Interstate Highway System:I-70, I-71, I-75, I-76, I-77, I-80/90, I-270, I-275, I-675
• Ohio Turnpike:241-mile toll road across northern Ohio
• Rail Network:Extensive freight services, Amtrak passenger service
• Airports:7 commercial service airports, dozens of regional airports
• River Transportation:Ohio River, Great Lakes shipping via Port of Cleveland, Toledo

Energy Infrastructure

• Electric Power:Mix of coal, natural gas, nuclear, and renewable generation
• Natural Gas Network:Major pipeline crossroads
• Perry and Davis-Besse Nuclear Plants
• Growing Solar and Wind Development
• Oil Refineries (Toledo area)
• AEP and FirstEnergy Service Areas

Water Systems

• Lake Erie Water Supply
• Ohio River Water Resources
• Municipal Water Systems
• Extensive Dam and Reservoir Network
• Ohio and Erie Canal Historic System
• Statewide Watershed Management

Communications

• Broadband Expansion Initiatives
• Multiple Regional Telecom Providers
• Rural Connectivity Programs
• Public Broadcasting Network
• Data Centers and Tech Infrastructure

Notable Historical Figures

Ohio has produced influential individuals who shaped state, national, and global history across many fields.

U.S. Presidents

• Ulysses S. Grant
• Rutherford B. Hayes
• James A. Garfield
• Benjamin Harrison
• William McKinley
• William Howard Taft
• Warren G. Harding

Innovation & Industry

• Thomas Edison (inventor)
• Wilbur and Orville Wright (aviation pioneers)
• John D. Rockefeller (industrialist)
• Charles Kettering (inventor)
• Harvey Firestone (tire company founder)
• James Ritty (cash register inventor)

Arts & Culture

• Toni Morrison (author)
• Paul Laurence Dunbar (poet)
• Steven Spielberg (filmmaker)
• Clark Gable (actor)
• Halle Berry (actress)
• Dean Martin (entertainer)
• Roy Rogers (actor)

Sports & Entertainment

• Jesse Owens (Olympic athlete)
• Jack Nicklaus (golfer)
• LeBron James (basketball)
• Annie Oakley (sharpshooter)
• Paul Brown (football coach)
• Bob Hope (comedian)
• John Legend (musician)

State Government Services

Ohio's state government provides various services to residents through different departments and agencies.

Health & Human Services

• Department of Health
• Department of Job and Family Services
• Department of Developmental Disabilities
• Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services
• Department of Aging
• Department of Medicaid

Public Safety & Justice

• State Highway Patrol
• Department of Public Safety
• Emergency Management Agency
• Department of Rehabilitation and Correction
• Bureau of Criminal Investigation
• Department of Youth Services

Natural Resources

• Department of Natural Resources
• Environmental Protection Agency
• Department of Agriculture
• Division of Wildlife
• Division of State Parks and Watercraft
• Division of Forestry

Economic Development

• Development Services Agency
• JobsOhio
• Department of Commerce
• Bureau of Workers' Compensation
• Department of Transportation
• Tourism Ohio

Key Historical Documents & Landmarks

Ohio's rich history is preserved through significant documents and historic sites throughout the state.

State Constitution

• Ohio Constitution of 1803
• Current Constitution (1851, with amendments)
• Northwest Ordinance (1787)
• Enabling Act (1802)

Historical Landmarks

• Ohio Statehouse (Columbus)
• William Howard Taft National Historic Site (Cincinnati)
• James A. Garfield National Historic Site (Mentor)
• Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park
• Hopewell Culture National Historical Park
• Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial

Archival Collections

• Ohio History Connection Archives/Library
• Ohio State Archives
• Western Reserve Historical Society
• Cincinnati History Library and Archives
• Ohio Memory (digital collections)
• Presidential Libraries (Hayes, Garfield)

Historic Sites

• Serpent Mound
• Flint Ridge
• Fort Ancient
• Campus Martius Museum
• National Road/Zane Grey Museum
• Zoar Village

Environmental Initiatives

Ohio addresses environmental challenges related to its industrial past while working toward conservation and sustainability.

Conservation Programs

• Division of Natural Areas and Preserves
• H2Ohio Initiative
• Clean Ohio Fund
• Division of Wildlife Conservation Programs
• State Nature Preserves System
• Land and Water Conservation Fund Projects

Water Quality Efforts

• Lake Erie Protection Programs
• Ohio River Restoration
• Water Quality Monitoring Network
• Harmful Algal Bloom Research
• Watershed Management
• Source Water Protection

Pollution Reduction

• Air Quality Improvement Programs
• Brownfield Remediation
• E-Check Program (vehicle emissions)
• Clean Energy Development
• Industrial Compliance Initiatives
• Solid Waste Management

Sustainable Practices

• Green Energy Ohio
• Farmland Preservation Program
• Sustainable Agriculture Initiatives
• Urban Forestry Program
• Environmental Education Programs
• Scenic Rivers Program

Major Events & Conferences

Ohio hosts numerous conferences, trade shows, and events centered around its key industries, educational institutions, and cultural interests.

Business & Industry

• Ohio Manufacturing Summit
• Ohio Energy Conference
• Ohio Healthcare Conference
• Great Lakes Expo (agriculture)
• Farm Science Review
• Columbus Auto Show

Technology & Innovation

• Ohio Tech Summit
• TechOhio Events
• Blockland Cleveland Conference
• Columbus Startup Week
• Medical Innovation Summit (Cleveland)
• Manufacturing & Technology Conference

Education & Research

• Ohio Educational Technology Conference
• Ohio School Boards Association Conference
• Research Shows (university-based)
• Ohio Library Council Convention
• Education Conferences at Major Universities
• Ohio STEM Learning Network Events

Arts & Culture

• Comic Cons (multiple cities)
• Book Festivals (Cincinnati, Ohioana)
• FilmDayton Festival
• Ohio Theatre Alliance Conference
• Writers' Conferences
• Art Exhibitions and Shows