Ohio County is a county located in southeastern Indiana. With a 2020 population of 5,940, and an area of just 87 square miles, Ohio County is the smallest county in Indiana by area and the least populous. The county seat and only incorporated municipality is Rising Sun. The county was officially established in 1844 and was one of the last Indiana counties to be created. Ohio County borders the state of Kentucky across the Ohio River for which it was named. It is part of the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN Metropolitan Statistical Area. The county is divided into four townships which provide local services. Three state roads pass through or into the county.
History
Dearborn County was formed from Indiana Territory in 1803, and its borders were modified several times, both before and after the creation of the state of Indiana in 1816. Ohio County was created out of Dearborn County, authorized by legislative action effective January 4, 1844 to resolve a dispute of county seat between Rising Sun and Lawrenceburg. It was named for the Ohio River, which defines its eastern border.
The Ohio County courthouse was built in the county seat of Rising Sun in 1845. It is a two-story Greek Revival brick building measuring about by , including the portico supported by Doric pillars. This courthouse is still in use and is the oldest continuously used courthouse in the state.
Geography
According to the 2010 census, the county has a total area of , of which (or 98.52%) is land and (or 1.48%) is water.
Adjacent counties
Boone County, Kentucky – east
Dearborn County – north
Ripley County – northwest
Switzerland County – south
Communities
Incorporated communities
Rising Sun – on the banks of the Ohio River
Unincorporated communities
Aberdeen
Bascom Corner
Bear Branch
Blue
Buffalo
Camp Shore
Cofield Corner
Downey Corner
Hartford
Milton
North Landing
Townships
Cass
Pike
Randolph
Union
Transportation
Highways
US Route 50 in Dearborn County passes within of Ohio County's northern border. State Road 56 enters from Switzerland County to the south and passes east along the southern border, then north through Rising Sun and along the river, continuing north to Dearborn county. State Road 156 runs along the Ohio River in Switzerland County, and enters the far southeast part of Ohio County, continuing NW and north to its intersection with State Road 56, 1.5 miles inside Ohio County. State Road 262 enters from Dillsboro and crosses the county in a general eastern direction, ending in Rising Sun.
Railroads
There are no active railroad lines in the county.
Education
Ohio County has two schools managed by a single school corporation. The Ohio County Elementary–Middle School served a total of 636 students during the 2009–2010 school year. Rising Sun High School served a total of 264 students during the same period.
Ohio County residents are served by the Ohio County Public Library with a single branch in Rising Sun.
Climate and weather
In recent years, average temperatures in Rising Sun have ranged from a low of in January to a high of in July, although a record low of was recorded in January 1994 and a record high of was recorded in July 1988. Average monthly precipitation ranged from in October to in June.
Government
The county government is a constitutional body granted specific powers by the Constitution of Indiana and the Indiana Code. The county council is the legislative branch of the county government and controls all spending and revenue collection. Representatives are elected from county districts. The council members serve four-year terms and are responsible for setting salaries, the annual budget and special spending. The council also has limited authority to impose local taxes, in the form of an income and property tax that is subject to state level approval, excise taxes and service taxes.
A board of commissioners serves as the county's executive body. The commissioners are elected county–wide to staggered four–year terms. One commissioner serves as board president. The board executes the acts legislated by the council, collects revenue, and manages day-to-day functions of the county government.