Ohio - The Buckeye State
Capital: Columbus | Abbreviation: OH | Region: Midwest | Population: 11.8 million
Quick Facts
| Population | 11,799,448 |
| Area | 44,826 sq mi (116,098 km²) |
| Population Rank | 7th |
| Area Rank | 34th |
| Capital | Columbus |
| Largest City | Columbus (905K) |
| Statehood | March 1, 1803 (17th state) |
| Time Zone | Eastern (UTC-5 / UTC-4) |
| Nickname | The Buckeye State |
Interactive Map
🔴 Columbus (Capital)
About Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state located in the Great Lakes region with a population of nearly 12 million, making it the seventh-most populous state. The state capital and largest city is Columbus, with a population exceeding 905,000 and a metropolitan area of 2.1 million. Ohio's name comes from the Iroquois word "ohi-yo," meaning "great river," referring to the Ohio River that forms the state's southern border.
Ohio has played a crucial role in American history and development. Known as the "Mother of Presidents," Ohio is the birthplace of eight US presidents, more than any other state except Virginia. The state was also pivotal in the abolition movement, serving as a key route on the Underground Railroad. Ohio's central location and access to waterways made it an early industrial powerhouse, particularly in manufacturing, steel production, and rubber products.
Today, Ohio has a diverse economy ranking 7th nationally in GDP. Major industries include advanced manufacturing, healthcare, finance, aerospace, and logistics. The state is home to 20 Fortune 500 companies including Procter & Gamble, Kroger, Cardinal Health, and Goodyear. Ohio is also famous for being a political bellwether state, often predicting presidential election outcomes. The state's rich aviation history includes the Wright Brothers, who invented and built the world's first successful airplane in Ohio.
Geography & Climate
Ohio features diverse geography across its 44,800 square miles:
- Lake Erie: 312 miles of coastline along southern shore of Great Lake
- Ohio River: 451-mile southern border, major commercial waterway
- Till Plains: Western region with flat, fertile agricultural land
- Appalachian Plateau: Eastern hilly region with forests and coal deposits
- Glaciated Allegheny Plateau: Northeast region with varied terrain
- Climate: Humid continental with four distinct seasons, cold winters, warm summers
Major Cities
Columbus
Population: 905,748
Metro: 2.1M
Known For: State capital, Ohio State University, diverse economy, research hub, fastest-growing major city in Midwest
Cleveland
Population: 372,624
Metro: 2.2M
Known For: Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, healthcare (Cleveland Clinic), Lake Erie port, manufacturing heritage
Cincinnati
Population: 309,317
Metro: 2.3M
Known For: Procter & Gamble headquarters, riverfront, chili culture, professional sports teams
Toledo
Population: 270,871
Known For: Glass industry, Lake Erie port, Jeep manufacturing, Museum of Art
Akron
Population: 190,469
Known For: Rubber capital (Goodyear), polymer research, birthplace of LeBron James
Dayton
Population: 137,644
Known For: Aviation history, Wright Brothers, aerospace research, National Museum of the US Air Force
Aviation & Innovation Legacy
Ohio has an extraordinary history of innovation and aviation:
- Wright Brothers: Orville and Wilbur Wright invented, built, and flew the world's first successful airplane in Dayton, Ohio (1903)
- John Glenn: First American to orbit Earth, Ohio native and US Senator from Ohio
- Neil Armstrong: First person to walk on the moon, born in Wapakoneta, Ohio
- National Museum of the US Air Force: World's largest military aviation museum located in Dayton
- Aerospace Industry: Major aerospace research and manufacturing hub with NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland
- Inventions: Traffic lights, cash registers, pop-top can tabs, and many other innovations originated in Ohio
Economy & Industry
Ohio has a strong, diversified economy with key sectors:
- Manufacturing: Advanced manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, machinery - Ohio ranks 3rd nationally in manufacturing output
- Healthcare: Cleveland Clinic, major hospitals, biomedical research, health insurance
- Finance & Insurance: Major banking centers in Columbus and Cincinnati, insurance companies
- Agriculture: Corn, soybeans, dairy, greenhouse/nursery products - Ohio ranks in top 10 agricultural states
- Logistics: Central location makes Ohio a distribution hub, with extensive highway and rail networks
- Energy: Coal, natural gas, nuclear power, growing renewable energy sector
- Technology: Growing tech sector in Columbus, Cincinnati, Cleveland with startups and research institutions
Presidential History
Ohio is known as the "Mother of Presidents" with eight US presidents born in the state:
- Ulysses S. Grant (18th President, 1869-1877) - Point Pleasant
- Rutherford B. Hayes (19th President, 1877-1881) - Delaware
- James A. Garfield (20th President, 1881) - Moreland Hills
- Benjamin Harrison (23rd President, 1889-1893) - North Bend
- William McKinley (25th President, 1897-1901) - Niles
- William Howard Taft (27th President, 1909-1913) - Cincinnati
- Warren G. Harding (29th President, 1921-1923) - Blooming Grove
- Note: William Henry Harrison (9th President) lived most of his life in Ohio though born in Virginia
Interesting Facts
- Ohio's official state motto is "With God, all things are possible"
- The state nickname comes from the buckeye tree, native to Ohio
- Cedar Point in Sandusky is known as the "Roller Coaster Capital of the World"
- Pro Football Hall of Fame located in Canton, Ohio
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland honors music legends
- Ohio State University is one of the largest universities in the US
- Cincinnati-style chili is a unique regional cuisine
- Cuyahoga Valley National Park protects natural areas near Cleveland
- Ohio has over 70 state parks and 130 nature preserves
- Longaberger Basket Building is world's largest basket-shaped structure
- Ohio's license plate slogan: "Birthplace of Aviation"
- First professional baseball team (Cincinnati Red Stockings) founded in Ohio
- Serpent Mound, ancient Native American earthwork, is largest effigy mound in world
- Ohio River was major route for westward expansion and Underground Railroad
Neighboring States
Also borders: Lake Erie (North)