Scioto County
Scioto County is a county located along the Ohio River in the south central region of the U.S. state of Ohio. As of the 2010 census, the population was 79,499. Its county seat is Portsmouth.
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On March 24, 1803, the State of Ohio authorized the creation of Scioto County. Local residents took the county's name from a Native American word referring to the deer that were plentiful in the area.
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Located at the intersection of the Ohio River and the Scioto River, the county grew quickly because of increasing river traffic. Scioto County continued to prosper with the construction of the Ohio and Erie Canal during the 1820s and the 1830s.
Scioto County is a picturesque community located at the confluence of the Scioto and Ohio Rivers in South Central Ohio. Irregular in shape and excompassing a total area of 611 square miles or 391,040 acres, its greatest east-west distance is 33 miles and its greatest north-south distance is 28 miles.
The elevation ranges from 464 feet above mean dea level at the low-water mar along the Ohio River at the Adams County line to slightly more than 1,300 feet southeast of Mount Joy, giving a range in relief of more than 800 feet.
The County is rich in history, full of river lore and Native American influences, which is matched only by its natural beauty. Its pioneer heritage has created a strong and proud work ethic among its citizens who are renowned for their honesty and loyalty and also their craftsmanship and professionalism. These proud people consistently turn their productivity into profitability for businesses located within this region.
Once a thriving river port and steel town, Portsmouth, the county seat, is revitalizing its economy through technological advances, improved educational opportunities and tourism. State-of-the-art companies in varying industries such as plastics, vinyl windows and welding, are starting to find a home in our rural setting. Companies who have been located here for a long time are finding expansion opportunities, including Sunoco Chemicals (formerly Aristech) and OSCO Industries. Ohio's youngest university, Shawnee State, is expanding quickly. The beautiful campus and excellent degree programs offer students a positive outlook for the future. From breath-taking murals painted on the floodwall to Shawnee State Forest, there are many tourist attractions within the county. A proposed interstate, along with our current air, rail, water and highway transportation networks offer businesses excellent outlets to markets around the world.
A necessary ingredient for any business is a good environment for its people. The rich quality of life present in south central Ohio makes it an attractive place to work, live and raise a family. The hills, valleys and rolling plains are blessed with an abundance of natural resources for relaxation and recreation. We invite you to explore the opportunities present in Scioto County. We are open for business!
County Seat
Portsmouth
Portsmouth was platted in 1803, but it's history extends back to the establishment of a community called Alexandria on the west bank of the Scioto River, an Indian word meaning "fresh water". Repeated flooding of the lowlands on which Alexandria was built prompted Major Henry Massie to lay out a new community on the higher east bank. He named it Portsmouth to honor his former home, Portsmouth, Virginia. The floods eventually destroyed Alexandria, but Portsmouth grew.
Villages
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New Boston
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Rarden
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Otway
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South Webster