93 Ohio Facts And Weird Laws

By Sabrina E.
Published on

The 7th most populous state in the United States of America, Ohio, is located in the Midwest region of the United.

Ohio is the birthplace of seven Presidents and the mother of Aviation. Besides its rich history, beautiful attractions dot the state to give tourists a fun-filled adventure. 

You can explore the Amish culture, go to an amusement park, or go ice fishing on the lakes in winter.

Here are interesting facts about Ohio, including its history, politics, geography, and a list of the top attractions.

Best Fun Facts About Ohio

  • The state’s name originated from the “Ohio” river. The word Ohio is a native American name meaning great river.
  • Ohio has produced eight U.S. presidents, earning the nickname “mother of presidents” (see the full list in the FAQ) 
  • The Wright Brothers, Wilbur, and Orville were born in Ohio.
  • Ohio is home to the first hotdog, stoplight, and ambulance.
  • Ohio holds the Guinness world record for the largest basket.
  • The first European to arrive in Ohio was Robert de La Salle in 1670.
  • The Ohioans who did not fight in the Civil War were called Copperheads.
  • Ohio is the only state with a non-rectangular flag in the US.
  • Cleveland, Ohio, is the birthplace of electric signals.
Cincinnati, Ohio. Credits: Unsplash

Ohio Facts —Politics And Government 

  1. Ohio is a swing state – political battleground. George W. Bush carried the state both in 2000 and 2004 while it narrowly went to Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012. Donald Trump won Ohio in 2020 despite losing to the current president Joe Biden.
  2. Ohio State has 18 electoral votes in the electoral college.
  3. Did you know that no Republican presidential candidate has ever been elected without winning Ohio?
  4. Ohio is a bellwether state. No other state has voted the winning Presidential candidate more than Ohio. This state has gone to the winning candidate 33 times out of the 38 Presidential elections since the Civil War.
  5. Ohio is the mother of Republican presidents. Seven Republican presidents were from this state, including Warren G. Harding, Ulysses S. Grant, William McKinley, Rutherford B. Hayes, William Howard Taft, James A. Garfield, and Benjamin Harrison.
  6. The governor heads the state’s executive branch. The current governor is Mike DeWine of the Republican Party.
  7. The Republican Party enjoys a supermajority in the Senate and the House of Representatives.
  8. Ohio has a three-level court system–common pleas, district courts, and the Supreme Court. 
  9. The Supreme Court of Ohio is the top court in the state.
  10. Ohio is the 17th hardest state to vote in, according to a study in 2020.
  11. Ohio is the only state with a non-rectangular flag in the US.

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Ohio Facts —History

Credits: Unsplash
  1. Archeological evidence shows that nomadic people lived in the Ohio Valley in 13,000 BC.
  2. The Serpent Mound in Adams County is attributed to the Adena culture, which inhabited present-day Ohio from 1000 BC to 800 BC.
  3. The Mississippian culture replaced the Hopewell culture around 600 AD.
  4. The Native American tribes in Ohio include the Algonquin, Siouan, and Iroquoian.
  5. The French were the first to establish posts in Ohio. However, after the Seven Years War, Great Britain took control of this region.
  6. The Northwest Ordinance (1787) brought forth the Northwest Territory–slavery was prohibited by the US.
  7. The Ohio Company of Associates established the first settlement in this region at Marietta. The members of the company were mainly war veterans.
  8. Indiana Territory was carved out of the Old Northwest Territory before Ohio Country achieved statehood.
  9. Ohio wasn’t formally admitted into the Union as the 17th in 1803. It took Congress 150 years to realize this oversight. 
  10. Chillicothe, Zanesville, and Columbus have all served as the state capital.
  11. Ohio fought alongside the Union during the civil war.
  12. When the Civil War ended, three of the top Union generals were Ohioans, including Philip Sheridan, Ulysses S. Grant, and William Tecumseh Sherman.
  13. The state’s name originated from the name of the Ohio River. ” Ohio” is a Seneca language meaning “the Great River.”
  14. Moses Cleaveland, in 1796, established “Cleaveland” city. A newspaper shortened the name to Cleveland, and it stuck.

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Ohio Facts —Geography

Credits: Unsplash
  1.  Also known as the Buckeye State, Ohio is the 34th largest state in the United States of America. This state has an area of 44,825 square miles.
  2. Columbus is the state’s capital and the largest city.
  3. Ohio shares its borders with five states, namely Indiana, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Kentucky, and Michigan. 
  4. Lake Erie forms the northern border of this state.
  5. Ohio’s highway network ranks 10th in the country’s largest highway networks.
  6. The location of Ohio is a 24-hour drive to 50% of the country’s population.
  7. Ohio has a 502 km coastline along Lake Erie and cargo ports such as Toledo and Cleveland.

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Lake Erie. Credits: Unsplash
  1. The Ohio River defines the state’s southern border.
  2. Did you know that a larger portion of the Ohio River is in Kentucky and West Virginia?
  3. While much of the Buckeye State consists of glaciated till plains, the flat northeastern portion is known as the Great Black Swamp.
  4. Glaciated Allegheny Plateau and unglaciated Allegheny Plateau make up the eastern and southeastern portion of the glaciated region. 
  5. Campbell hill is the highest point in the state at 1,549 feet above sea level. 
  6. Although Ohio is primarily a low relief area, it has forests and rugged hills in the unglaciated Allegheny Plateau.
  7. The Congress’ Appalachian Regional Development Act of 1965 included Ohio’s 29 counties in the Appalachia.
  8. Scioto River, Maumee River,  Cuyahoga River, Muskingum River, and Great Miami River are some of the main rivers in Ohio state.
  9. While the rivers in the northern region of Ohio drain into the Atlantic Ocean (via Lake Erie and St. Lawrence River), those in the southern part drain in the Gulf of Mexico (via Ohio River and Mississippi River).
Credits: Unsplash
  1. The Great Dayton Flood of 1913 is the worst weather-related disaster in history. The entire Great Miami River watershed flooded, extending to downtown Dayton.
  2. Miami Conservancy District is the state’s and nation’s first floodplain engineering project.
  3. On its completion in 1845, Grand Lake St. Marys became the world’s largest man-made lake–covering nearly 52 km².
  4. The state’s climate is humid to hot in the summer and cool to cold in the winter. Ohio receives moderate rainfall.
  5. In 2019, governor Mike DeWine issued a state of emergency in 39 counties due to highway flooding.
  6. Even though the state is vulnerable to adverse weather, it receives fewer tornadoes than the states in the Tornado Alley.
  7. Lake Erie’s location in the Snowbelt region makes it vulnerable to lake effect snowstorms.
  8. Since 1776, over 200 earthquakes have hit the state, the deadliest being the Anna earthquake of 1937. 
  9. The Western Ohio Seismic Zone and the Great Lakes Seismic Zone are located in the Buckeye State.

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Ohio Facts —Flora, And Fauna

  1. The habitats in Ohio include forests, wetlands, prairies, and Great Lakes.
  2. Ohio has 75 state parks where you can spot the common animals in the state.
  3. Over 400 animals live in the Buckeye State, including reptiles, fish, mammals, birds, and amphibians.
  4. The most common animal species are the white-tail deer, American bullfrog, Mourning dove, snapping turtle, bobcat, black bear, and coyote.
  5. Ohio’s state symbols include state animals such as state bird (cardinal), state frog (bullfrog), state mammal (white-tail deer), state reptile (black racer snake), and state amphibian (spotted salamander).
  6. The state has dangerous, frightening, and scary animals such as the Northern Copperhead snake and the snapping turtle.
  7. The white-tailed deer is the most dangerous animal you can easily spot in Buckeye. The animals have caused more than 20,000 auto accidents in Ohio.
  8. The endangered animals found in the state include Kirtland’s warbler, Indiana bat, Scioto madtom, piping plover, and Clubshell mussels.
  9. Some of the plants in this state include the Southern Magnolia, blackjack oak, Crape Myrtle, and the needle palm.
  10. The state tree of Ohio is the Buckeye tree. 
  11. The red carnation is the state flower of Ohio.  

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Ohio Facts —Demographics

  1. Ohio has the 7th largest population in the country–over  11,799,448 people live in this state.
  2. The Buckeye state is the 10th most densely populated in the country. In Ohio, you will likely find 283 people living in a square mile area.
  3. Columbus, the capital city of Ohio, has the highest population in the state. The other major cities include Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo, and Akron.
Cincinnati. Credits: Unsplash
  1. Franklin and Cuyahoga counties are the most densely populated in the state.
  2. The median age of the Ohio population is 39.2 years. The state has about 2% more females than males.
  3. Christianity is the most dominant religion–about 73% of the population are Christians. 
  4. Whites make up over 80% of the state’s population, followed by African Americans at 12.41%.
  5. German, Irish, and English are the largest ancestry groups in the state.
  6. Around 92% of Ohioans speak only English.
  7. Nearly 32% of the Islanders live below the poverty line.

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Ohio Facts —Economy

  1. Ohio ranks 24th in Long-term fiscal stability with a strong background in Opportunity (6), Education(31), and Infrastructure(29).
  2. With about 75,000 farms, Ohio’s economy depends majorly on Agriculture.
  3. With a GDP of $683,460 million, Ohio has the seventh-largest economy in the US.
  4. Ohio is home to five of the 115 top US colleges.
  5. By GDP, Ohio’s financial and manufacturing sectors are the state’s largest industries.
  6. The state’s manufacturing sector ranks third in the nation regarding GDP.
  7. Ohio is the leading state in the green economy in the country.
  8. The state’s bioscience center is the leading in the Midwest region.
  9. Ohio produces the largest quantity of rubber, plastics, fabricated metals, electrical appliances, and equipment in the United States.
  10. The largest employers in the state are trade, transportation, healthcare, education, and utilities.
Credits: Unsplash
  1.  Ohio has its lottery, the Ohio lottery.
  2. Ohio has 228 miles of US Route 40.
  3. Wright Patterson Airforce Base is among the largest airports in the nation.
  4. Ohio is home to the ” Gum Man,” Charles Antes, who can sculpt with his mouth.
  5. The first child mail shipment happened in Ohio.
  6. Cleveland is the site for the world’s first electric signal.
  7. The Wright Brothers built their first machine in Dayton, Ohio.
  8. The Wright Brothers built and sold bikes in Dayton before they shifted to aircraft.
  9. Ohio is the birthplace of Thomas Edison–inventor and entrepreneur.
  10. Cleveland, Ohio, is the birthplace of the inventor of traffic lights and gas masks–Garret Morgan.
  11. The 9th US President, William Henry Harrison, who served for only a  month after his inauguration, was born in Ohio.
  12.  Are you twins? Twinsburg, Ohio, hosts the largest twins get-together in the world.

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Famous Locations in Ohio

Caesar Creek Lake. Credits: Unsplash
  1. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland is the perfect place to learn the history of Rock & Roll.
  2. The National Museum of the US Air Force, located in the Wright-Patterson Airforce Base, displays over 360 aerospace items. 
  3. Cedar Point Amusement Park, located on the shores of Lake Erie, is home to over 16 state-of-the-art roller coasters.
  4. Hocking Hills State Park is home to caves, cottages, hiking trails, and camping facilities for the outdoors.
  5. Amish Country. 
  6. Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is home to over 10,000 animals.
  7.  Cincinnati Museum Center is the place you would like to visit to refresh your knowledge. 
  8. Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is located in Columbus.
  9. West Side Market in Cleveland is the place you go for ingredient shopping.
West Side Market. Credits: Unsplash
  1. The Cleveland Museum of Art has an extensive American, Asian, and European art collection.
  2. Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, Akron, is the country’s 6th largest open historic home. Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company’s founder, F.A. Seiberling built this home.
  3. Toledo Museum of Art has a vast art collection, including ancient and modern pieces.
Huntington Center, Toledo. Credits: Unsplash
  1. Fountain Square, Cincinnati, lies near the Backstage District.
  2. Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Train Ride. 
  3. Voinovich Bicentennial Park in Cleveland. 
Voinovich Bicentennial Park. Credits: Unsplash

Famous People From Ohio

  1. The 8 POTUS (President of the United States): 1)William Henry Harrison, 
  2. 2) Ulysses S. Grant, 3) Rutherford B. Hayes, 4) James A. Garfield, 5) Benjamin Harrison, 6) William McKinley, 7) William H.Taft, 8) Warren G. Harding.
  3. Lebron James –Basketball player, born in Akron, Ohio.
  4. Stephen Curry –Basketball player, born in Akron.
  5. Steven Spielberg –Film director born in Cincinnati.
  6. Simone Biles–Gymnast born in Columbus.
  7. Halle Berry–Actress born in Cleveland.
  8. Doris Day (dead)–Actress & Singer born in Cincinnati.

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Common Misconceptions About Ohio

Credits: Unsplash

Ohio is cold all the time

No, the summers are humid or hot.

All Ohioans live on farms

No, many people live In Dayton, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Toledo, and other cities.

Ohioans don’t have an accent

Everyone has an accent.

Weird Laws in Ohio

Some of Ohio’s cities still have strange laws that look out of place today. Even though these laws were passed with a genuine motive, some of them just don’t fit in the world we live in today. Read the Craziest Laws in the United States, if you want more.

Here are our top 10 absurd Ohio laws.

  1. You need a license to kill a housefly when you are 160 feet from the church.
  2. Walking a cow on Lake Road is illegal in Bay Village.
  3. You need a hunting license to catch mice in Cleveland.
  4. It’s illegal to throw rice at weddings in Chillicothe.
  5. Stores in Columbus shouldn’t sell corn flakes on Sunday.
  6. Excessive honking is illegal in Fairview Park. Honking your car’s horn twice is excessive.
  7. Shaking a snake at someone is unlawful. You can throw it instead.
  8. If you leave an item on the tree lawn, it stops being yours. The object becomes the property of the city.
  9. Arrests shouldn’t be made on the 4th of July and Sundays.
  10. Leaning against a public building is a crime in Clinton County.
Image: Unsplash

Ohio Facts And Stats

CapitalColumbus
Population2020 (11,799,448)
GovernorMike DeWine ( Republican Party)
Date Of AdmissionMarch 1, 1803
U.S. SenatorsSherrod Brown(D)Rob Portman(R)
US House of Representatives16 (of 435 Seats) 
State NicknameBuckeye StateHeart of It AllMother of PresidentsBirthplace of Aviation
State MottoWith God, All Things Are Possible
State Song“Beautiful Ohio” by Mary Earl
State FlowerScarlet Carnation
State FishWalleye
State BirdCardinal
State TreeOhio Buckeye
State AnimalWhite-tail deer
State AmphibianSpotted salamander
State ReptileBlack Racer
State GemFlint Ridge
State FossilIsotelus
Neighbor StatesPennsylvania Indiana Michigan Kentucky West Virginia

Final Thoughts

Home to Thomas Edison, the Wright Brothers, John Legend, and seven US Presidents, Ohio is one of the top states in the Midwestern region.

The charm of this Buckeye state spans from its natural beauty, cultural attractions, vibrant cities to its history. We compiled a list of interesting facts to help you learn about Ohio? 

What did you love about Ohio?

Frequently Asked Questions

Who are the US presidents from Ohio?

  • 1)William Henry Harrison, 
  • 2) Ulysses S. Grant, 
  • 3) Rutherford B. Hayes, 
  • 4) James A. Garfield, 
  • 5) Benjamin Harrison, 
  • 6) William McKinley, 
  • 7) William H.Taft, 
  • 8) Warren G. Harding.

What are the things Ohio is famous for?

  • How about POTUS? President of the United States.
  • Ohio University –the first charted US University by an Act of Congress.
  • Sports – Football, Baseball, Basketball. Ohio is home to two NFL franchises, the Cincinnati Bengals and the Cleveland Browns. And, two MLB teams, the Cincinnati Reds Professional baseball team, and the Cleveland Indians team. Of course, don’t forget the Cleveland Cavaliers from the NBA.
  • Home of Neil Armstrong.
  • Corn production.
  • Cedar Point.

What are the five interesting facts about Ohio?

  • Birthplace of the American Federation of Labor.
  • Buckeye state leads in the production of greenhouse plants.
  • Canton is home to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
  • Birthplace of the first moon to walk on the moon, Neil Armstrong.
  • Cleveland had the nation’s first traffic light.

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References

[1] https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.history.com/.amp/topics/us-states/ohio

[2] https://www.accuweather.com/en/us/ohio/weather-radar

[4] https://www.jobsohio.com/media-relations/media-room/data/

[5] https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_people_from_Ohio

[6] https://www.attractionsofamerica.com/attractions/ohio.php

[7] https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ohio

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Sabrina E.
Sabrina is a former campaign manager who has decided to focus her effort to help people contact senators and get help. She leads our Editorial Team with Ronald and Lawrence to curate content and resources that help us navigate the system.

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