Scioto County, Ohio#Micropolitan Statistical Area

{{short description|County in Ohio, United States}}

{{Use American English|date=June 2025}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}

{{Infobox U.S. county

| county = Scioto County

| state = Ohio

| seal = Seal of Scioto County, Ohio.svg

| flag = Flag of Scioto County, Ohio.svg

| flag border = no

| founded year = 1803{{cite web |url = http://www.odod.state.oh.us/research/FILES/S0/Scioto.pdf |title = Ohio County Profiles: Scioto County |access-date = April 28, 2007 |publisher = Ohio Department of Development |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070508184205/http://www.odod.state.oh.us/research/files/S0/Scioto.pdf |archive-date = May 8, 2007 }}

| founded date = March 24

| seat wl = Portsmouth

| largest city wl = Portsmouth

| area_total_sq_mi = 616

| area_land_sq_mi = 610

| area_water_sq_mi = 5.9

| area percentage = 1.0%

| census yr = 2020

| pop = 74008 {{decrease}}

| pop_est_as_of = 2021

| population_est =

| density_sq_mi = 120

| time zone = Eastern

| web = www.sciotocountyohio.com

| named for = Scioto River

| ex image = Scioto County Courthouse.JPG

| ex image cap = Scioto County Courthouse

| district = 2nd

}}

Scioto County is a county along the Ohio River in the south-central part of the U.S. state of Ohio. At the 2020 census, the population was 74,008.[https://www.census.gov/library/visualizations/interactive/2020-population-and-housing-state-data.html 2020 census] Its county seat is Portsmouth.{{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 }} The county was founded on March 24, 1804, from Adams County and is named for a Native American word referring to deer or deer-hunting.{{cite web|url=http://www.osuedc.org/profiles/profile_entrance.php?fips=39145&sid=0 |title=Scioto County data |access-date=April 28, 2007 |publisher=Ohio State University Extension Data Center }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} Scioto County comprises the Portsmouth, OH Micropolitan Statistical Area. It is at the confluence of the Scioto and Ohio rivers.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of {{convert|616|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|610|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|5.9|sqmi}} (1.0%) is water.{{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}} Many parts of Scioto County are heavily forested, especially in the western half of the county with Shawnee State Park.

=Adjacent counties=

=National protected area=

=Other parks=

Shawnee State Forest and Park, the state's largest with over {{convert|63000|acre|km2}},{{Cite web |title=Shawnee State Park |url=https://ohiodnr.gov/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/shawnee-state-park#:~:text=The%2063%2C000%20acres%20of%20Shawnee,trade%20in%20this%20precious%20metal. |access-date=March 21, 2024 |website=Ohio Department of Natural Resources}} covers most of western Scioto County, and Brush Creek State Forest touches part of northwestern Scioto County. The county also has numerous parks and recreational areas in each of its townships, including Earl Thomas Conley Park on U.S. 52 west of Portsmouth. Public lands in the county also include the Wayne National Forest on the Ironton Ranger District. The {{convert|241000|acre|km2|adj=on}}{{Cite web|url=https://mariettaohio.org/member/wayne-national-forest/|title=Wayne National Forest|website=Washington County CVB |access-date=January 2, 2019}} forest encompasses almost {{convert|12,000|acre|km2}} in three townships in Scioto County (Vernon {{convert|6793.50|acre|km2}}, Green township {{convert|81695|acre|km2}}, and Bloom 4,008.29 acres).

Within the city limits of Portsmouth, there are 14 parks for the residents and for community use. These parks are Alexandria Park (Ohio and Scioto River confluence), Allard Park (Bonser Avenue in Sciotoville), Bannon Park (near Farley Square), Branch Rickey Park (on Williams Street near levee), Buckeye Park (near Branch Rickey Park), Cyndee Secrest Park (Sciotoville), Dr. Hartlage Park (Rose Street in Sciotoville), Labold Park (near Spartan Stadium), Larry Hisle Park (23rd Street and Thomas Avenue), Mound Park (17th and Hutchins Streets), York Park (riverfront), Spartan Stadium, Tracy Park (Chillicothe and Gay Streets), and Weghorst Park (Fourth and Jefferson Streets).{{cite news|title=Portsmouth Area Resource Guide 2007-2008|publisher=The Community Common|date=July 29, 2007|page=4}}

Demographics

{{US Census population

|1810= 3399

|1820= 5750

|1830= 8740

|1840= 11192

|1850= 18428

|1860= 24297

|1870= 29302

|1880= 33511

|1890= 35377

|1900= 40981

|1910= 48463

|1920= 62850

|1930= 81221

|1940= 86565

|1950= 82910

|1960= 84216

|1970= 76951

|1980= 84545

|1990= 80327

|2000= 79195

|2010= 79499

|2020= 74008

|estyear=

|estimate=

|estref=

|align-fn=center

|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census{{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}}
1790-1960{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=February 11, 2015}} 1900-1990{{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}}
1990-2000{{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}} 2020 [https://www.census.gov/library/visualizations/interactive/2020-population-and-housing-state-data.html 2020 census]

}}

=2000 census=

At the 2000 census,{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }} 79,195 people, 30,871 households, and 21,362 families resided in the county. The population density was {{convert|129|/sqmi}}. There were 34,054 housing units at an average density of {{convert|56|/sqmi}}. The county's racial makeup was 94.88% White, 2.73% Black or African American, 0.63% Native American, 0.24% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.18% from other races, and 1.31% from two or more races. 0.60% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 30,871 households, of which 31.80% had children under 18 living with them, 52.30% were married couples living together, 13.10% had a female householder with no husband present and 30.80% were non-families. 26.90% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.50% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.96.

24.40% of the population were under the age of 18, 9.60% from 18 to 24, 28.30% from 25 to 44, 22.70% from 45 to 64, and 14.90% were 65 or older. The median age was 37. For every 100 females, there were 95.3 males. For every 100 females 18 and over, there were 91.2 males.

The median household income was $28,008 and the median family income was $34,691. Males had a median income of $32,063 and females $21,562. The per capita income was $15,408. About 15.2% of families and 19.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.4% of those under 18 and 12.8% of those 65 or over.

=2010 census=

At the 2010 United States Census, 79,499 people, 30,870 households, and 20,911 families resided in the county.{{cite web |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US39145 |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/20200213013320/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US39145 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |url-status=dead }} The population density was {{convert|130.3|/sqmi}}. There were 34,142 housing units at an average density of {{convert|56.0|/sqmi}}.{{cite web |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US39145 |access-date=December 27, 2015 |title=Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County |publisher=United States Census Bureau |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213234550/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US39145 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |url-status=dead }} The county's racial makeup was 94.4% white, 2.7% black or African American, 0.5% American Indian, 0.3% Asian, 0.3% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.1% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 22.9% were German, 15.0% were Irish, 12.1% were American, and 10.1% were English.{{cite web |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US39145 |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/20200213013800/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US39145 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |url-status=dead }}

Of the 30,870 households, 32.2% had children under 18 living with them, 48.8% were married couples living together, 13.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 32.3% were non-families and 27.4% were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.96. The median age was 38.8.

The median household income was $32,812 and the median family income was $44,122. Males had a median income of $40,876 and females $29,675. The per capita income was $17,778. About 16.4% of families and 20.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.4% of those under 18 and 11.8% of those 65 or over.{{cite web |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US39145 |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/20200213020727/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US39145 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |url-status=dead }}

Politics

The county was recently a swing county, as most presidential elections before 2016 were won by close margins. Additionally, it voted for the nationwide winner in each election between 1964 and 2004. Donald Trump won 66% of the county's vote in 2016, 71% in 2020, and 74% in 2024.

{{PresHead|place=Scioto County, Ohio|source={{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}}}}

{{PresRow|2024|Republican|22,978|8,021|226|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|2020|Republican|22,609|9,080|362|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|2016|Republican|20,550|9,132|1,321|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|2012|Republican|15,492|15,077|693|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|2008|Republican|16,994|14,926|803|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|2004|Republican|18,259|16,827|117|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|2000|Republican|15,022|13,997|926|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|11,679|15,041|4,608|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|11,931|14,715|6,978|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|1988|Republican|16,029|14,442|289|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|1984|Republican|18,818|14,120|281|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|1980|Republican|15,881|15,552|1,135|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|13,021|18,019|448|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|1972|Republican|19,998|11,008|673|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|1968|Republican|15,310|13,836|3,171|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|13,465|21,559|0|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|1960|Republican|21,771|16,647|0|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|1956|Republican|22,110|14,985|0|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|1952|Republican|20,403|18,145|0|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|16,800|17,923|129|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|1944|Republican|17,489|17,134|0|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|19,462|21,926|0|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|17,860|22,243|277|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|1932|Republican|17,225|15,817|548|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|1928|Republican|20,997|7,425|108|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|1924|Republican|12,189|5,532|1,680|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|1920|Republican|11,871|7,682|582|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|1916|Republican|6,356|4,808|645|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|1912|Republican|3,609|3,508|3,430|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|1908|Republican|5,790|4,310|718|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|1904|Republican|5,540|2,420|895|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|1900|Republican|5,756|3,629|185|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|1896|Republican|5,492|3,658|90|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|1892|Republican|4,268|3,181|190|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|1888|Republican|4,070|3,075|252|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|1884|Republican|4,155|2,990|88|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|1880|Republican|3,639|2,912|62|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|1876|Republican|3,359|3,025|8|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|1872|Republican|2,888|2,091|41|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|1868|Republican|2,904|2,191|0|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|1864|Republican|2,806|2,050|0|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|1860|Republican|2,186|1,750|392|Ohio}}

{{PresRow|1856|Democratic|546|1,634|1,321|Ohio}}

|}

{{U.S. SenHead|place=Scioto County, Ohio|Seat=1|source={{cite news |title=2024 Senate Election (Official Returns) |website=Commonwealth of Texas by county |date=November 5, 2024 |access-date=December 5, 2024 |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-elections/ohio-senate-results}}}}

{{U.S. SenRow|2024|Republican|20,509|8,935|1,075|Ohio}}

{{U.S. SenFoot}}

Government

{{See also|Ohio county government}}

Portsmouth is Scioto County's county seat. The county courthouse is at the corner of Sixth and Court streets. It was designed by John Scudder Adkins and constructed in 1936 as a public works project. The county jail, once in the courthouse, is now in a new facility at the site of the former Norfolk and Western rail depot, near U.S. 23. It was constructed in 2006.

The current Scioto County Commissioners are Bryan Davis, Cathy Coleman, and Scottie Powell.{{cite web |url=https://www.sciotocountyoh.com/commissioners |website=Scioto County, Ohio official website |title=Scioto County Commissioners }}

The current Scioto County Recorder is Gary Jenkins, a Republican.{{cite web |url=https://www.sciotorecorder.com |website=Scioto County Recorder's Office - official website |publisher=Scioto County, Ohio |access-date=20 May 2025}}

Scioto County is the site of the state's Southern Ohio Correctional Facility, in Lucasville. It is Ohio's only maximum security prison and the site of Ohio's death house, where death row inmates are executed.

The county maintenance garage is also in Lucasville.

Economy

{{unreferenced section|date=November 2010}}

Scioto County's economy has been strongly based on that of Portsmouth after heavy industry replaced agriculture and river trade as most important. Through the early 20th century and until the 1970s, heavy industry such as steel mills and shoe factories drove the county's economy. Since these factories closed, Scioto County has lost jobs and revenue.

In the early 21st century, the service industry and healthcare, such as the Southern Ohio Medical Center (SOMC), is the county's largest employer. Scioto County is home to Ohio's newest state university, Shawnee State University, which enrolls between 3,300 and 4,000 students and grants associate, baccalaureate and master's degrees. Much of the recent economic growth and change in the county is related to SOMC and Shawnee State University. Recently Infra-Metals announced the development of a new steel shipping/fabrication site in New Boston, Ohio in the Bob Walton Industrial Park. The plant is under construction and will have access to both barge and rail loading facilities.

In November 2002, the Portsmouth Uranium Enrichment Plant in nearby Piketon was recognized as an ANS Nuclear Historic Landmark by the American Nuclear Society.{{Cite web|url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/facility/portsmouth_oh-timeline.htm|title=Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant Timeline|website=www.globalsecurity.org|access-date=January 21, 2019}} It had served a military function from 1952 until the mid-1960s, when the mission changed from enriching uranium for nuclear weapons to producing fuel for commercial nuclear power plants. The Portsmouth Uranium Enrichment Plant ended enriching operations in 2001. It began to support operational and administrative functions and perform external contract work. All uranium enrichment in the area has been taken over by a sister plant in Paducah, Kentucky. Uranium enrichment functions had been shared by the two plants. USEC interests in the area remain strong, and the American Centrifuge Plant was constructed in the first decade of the 21st century in Piketon. This commercial uranium enrichment facility was expected to employ up to 500 people and reach an initial annual production level of 3.5 million SWU by 2010.

Scioto County has also been the benefactor of Suncoke (coke (fuel) production).{{Cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/finance/stocks/companyProfile/SXC.N|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181231092714/https://www.reuters.com/finance/stocks/companyProfile/SXC.N|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 31, 2018|title=Company Profile |website=Reuters |access-date=December 31, 2018}} Sole Choice, Inc., the world's largest manufacturer of shoelaces, is in the county.{{Cite web|url=https://sciotohistorical.org/items/show/44|title=Sole Choice & the Portsmouth Shoe Industry|last1=Feight|first1=rew Lee|last2=Ph.D.|website=Scioto Historical |access-date=January 21, 2019}} Graf Brothers Flooring and Lumber, the world's largest manufacturer of rift and quartered oak products,{{Cite web|url=https://grafbro.com/|title=Graf Brothers Flooring |access-date=December 31, 2018}} has two satellite log yards in the county. Its main office is across the river in South Shore, Kentucky.{{Cite web|url=https://grafbro.com/lumber/|title=Graf Brothers Flooring |access-date=February 20, 2019}}

Education

{{unreferenced section|date=November 2010}}

=Colleges and universities=

The Ohio University Southern Campus was in Scioto County until the early 1980s, when it relocated to Lawrence County (Ironton).{{Citation needed|date=June 2019}} Shawnee State Community College used the former Ohio University buildings. The curriculum and facilities were developed to a full four-year undergraduate program and graduate studies, being established in 1986 as Shawnee State University from the former Scioto County Technical College, Ohio's 13th and newest higher education institution.

=K–12 schools=

Scioto County has ten public school districts, one career technical center, one private school system, one charter school system, and several Christian schools. These districts include Bloom-Vernon (South Webster), Clay, Green, Minford, New Boston, Northwest, Notre Dame (Catholic), Portsmouth, Scioto County Career Technical Center (serving both K–12 and post-secondary students), Sciotoville Community School/East HS (charter), Valley, Washington-Nile (Ports. West) and Wheelersburg.

See also Ohio High School Athletic Association and Southern Ohio Conference.

=Libraries=

The Portsmouth Public Library was established as a Carnegie library in 1906. It now has four branches and a bookmobile to serve the county as well. The library has branches in Lucasville, New Boston, South Webster and Wheelersburg.{{Cite web|url=https://www.yourppl.org/history/files/original/2f1243e2c96bdbe491b80b8c372c7017.pdf|title=History of the Portsmouth Public Library |publisher=Scioto County Public Library |access-date=February 8, 2019}}
- {{Cite web|url=https://www.yourppl.org/|title=Portsmouth Public Library – Your Resource For A Lifetime Of Learning |publisher=Scioto County Public Library |access-date=February 8, 2019}}

Transportation

{{unreferenced section|date=November 2010}}

Image:GrantBridge.jpg carrying U.S. 23 over the Ohio River into downtown Portsmouth from Kentucky]]

=Highways=

Scioto County is served by two major highways, the north–south U.S. 23 and the east–west U.S. 52. Other routes include SR 73, SR 104, SR 125, SR 139, SR 140, SR 335, SR 348, SR 522, SR 728, SR 776, and SR 823.

=Rail=

{{see also|South Portsmouth-South Shore (Amtrak station)}}

Norfolk Southern offers a railyard for long-distance shipping and is currently reopening the repair shops. Amtrak offers a passenger service to the Portsmouth/Scioto County area under the Cardinal route. The passenger station is located in South Shore, Kentucky, across the Ohio River.

=Air=

Scioto County offers air services with the Greater Portsmouth Regional Airport located in Minford, Ohio, which is approximately {{convert|14|mi|km}} northeast of Portsmouth on SR 335. The nearest airport with scheduled passenger service is Huntington/Tri-State Airport (HTS) in West Virginia, about {{convert|60|mi|km}} east of Portsmouth on I-64.

=Public transportation=

Public transportation for Scioto County is offered through Access Scioto County.{{Cite web|url=http://www.sciotocountydd.org/protected/ArticleView.aspx?iid=530UAI&dasi=3YYI|title=Scioto County DD News Article|website=www.sciotocountydd.org|access-date=February 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190222152032/http://www.sciotocountydd.org/protected/ArticleView.aspx?iid=530UAI&dasi=3YYI|archive-date=February 22, 2019|url-status=dead}}

Media

{{unreferenced section|date=November 2010}}

Scioto County is a dividing line of numerous television markets, which includes the Columbus, Cincinnati and Huntington-Charleston markets. Local television stations include WSAZ-NBC (channel 3.1), WZAS-myNetwork (myZtv channel 3.2), WOWK-CBS (channel 13.1), WCHS-ABC (channel 8.1) and WQCW, a CW affiliate with an office in Portsmouth and Charleston, and more recently WTZP-LD "The Zone", an America One Affiliate that offers more local programming, such as news, high school sports, community events and locally produced shows about the area. Local radio stations WIOI, WPYK, WNXT and WZZZ serve the county and surrounding areas.

The county is also served by three newspapers. The Portsmouth Daily Times is the county's only daily newspaper. The Community Common is a free biweekly newspaper, and the Scioto Voice is a weekly newspaper that is mailed to subscribers. The University Chronicle is Shawnee State University's student-led newspaper. Of these, only three are locally owned and operated (WTZP, WIOI, and The Scioto Voice).

Sports

=Professional=

Scioto County had a series of semi-pro football teams in the 1920s and 1930s, the most notable being the Portsmouth Shoe-Steels, whose roster included player-coach Jim Thorpe. From 1929 to 1933, Portsmouth was home to a professional football team, The Portsmouth Spartans. This team later became the NFL franchise Detroit Lions in 1934. The Portsmouth Spartans also competed in the first professional football night game versus the Green Bay Packers in 1930.{{cite web| url=http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/entry.php?rec=933| title=National Football League| access-date=May 16, 2007| author=Ohio Historical Society}}
- {{cite web| url=http://www.portsmouthspartans.org| title=Portsmouth Spartans Historical Society| access-date=May 16, 2007| author=Chris Murphy}}

The Portsmouth Explorers were one of the original baseball teams in the Frontier League, a non-affiliated minor league organization. The Explorers played in the league's first three seasons, from 1993 to 1995. In 1938, Portsmouth was also home to the Portsmouth Red Birds, a minor-league team owned by the St. Louis Cardinals.

=Collegiate=

Shawnee State University (SSU) is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA-Division II). It has participated in 24 national championships in 6 of 11 sponsored sports. The university's women's basketball team won an NAIA National Title in 1999 and finished in the final four in 1995.{{cite web| url=http://www.shawnee.edu/off/athl/wbb/quickfacts.html| title=SSU Women's Basketball - Quick Facts| access-date=August 2, 2007| author=SSU Athletic Department| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927132815/http://www.shawnee.edu/off/athl/wbb/quickfacts.html| archive-date=September 27, 2007}} The softball team has also had national exposure, reaching the "Sweet 16" on several occasions. The team finished 10th in 1992, 8th in 1995, 9th in 1996, and 9th in 2001.{{cite web| url=http://www.shawnee.edu/off/athl/softball/quickfacts.html| title=SSU Softball - Quick Facts| access-date=August 2, 2007| author=SSU Athletic Department| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927132713/http://www.shawnee.edu/off/athl/softball/quickfacts.html| archive-date=September 27, 2007}}

=Amateur=

The 12 local high schools, the other educational institutions, the adult leagues, and the development leagues (e.g. AAU and club organizations) generate a great deal of participation as either participants or as followers of sports teams. The teams have made 60 trips to the Ohio High School Athletic Association championships, winning 19 state titles. These have included four softball titles (Clay HS in 1980, 1981, & 1983 and Wheelersburg HS in 2016); five baseball titles (East HS in 1973, Valley HS in 1975, and Wheelersburg HS in 1996, 2012, and 2013); four football titles (two by Notre Dame HS in 1967 and 1970 and two by Wheelersburg HS in 1989 and 2017); and six boys' basketball titles (1931, 1961, 1978 and 1988 by Portsmouth HS and 2006 by South Webster HS).{{citation needed|date=April 2023}}

Culture

The Vern Riffe Arts Center, on the Shawnee State University campus, hosts many local and traveling performances, including Broadway plays and Miss Ohio pageants. Scioto County is home to the Boneyfiddle Historical District (which is on the National Register of Historic Places), SSU's Clark Planetarium, the 1810 House, Greenup Locks & Dam, the Philip Moore Stone House, Roy Rogers' Memorabilia Exhibit, the Southern Ohio Museum, and Spartan Municipal Stadium.

Events

Scioto County is best known for Portsmouth's "River Days" activities, which include a parade, a pageant associated with local high schools, boat races on the Ohio River (in the past), musical performances and a carnival. River Days occurs on Labor Day (the first Monday of September) weekend. Activities begin on Thursday evening and the parade and pageant is on Saturday.

The Scioto County Fair is held in the first full week of August of each year. It is one of the largest in the state, drawing approximately 75,000 visitors each year (the single-day record is 17,000).{{cite news|title=Gahm: Heat Doesn't Deter Fairgoers|newspaper=Portsmouth Daily Times|date=August 11, 2007|page=A1}} The first county fair was held in 1828;{{cite news|title=County fairs of yesteryear|publisher=Scioto Voice|page=A8|date=August 2, 2007}} in 1908 Lucasville became the official site when three fairs (Mount Joy, Portsmouth and Lucasville) merged into one.{{cite news|title=Fair Preview: Scioto County Fair has long history|newspaper=Portsmouth Daily Times|page=12|date=August 5, 2007|author=Scioto County Fair Board}} The Roy Rogers' Homecoming Festival is held each June.

Communities

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Notable residents

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See also

References

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