Morrow County, OH
35,339 residents · 406 sq mi · 87.0/sq mi · 100% rural
About Morrow County
Morrow County is a county located in the central portion of the U.S. state of Ohio. As of the 2020 census, the population was 34,950. Its county seat is Mount Gilead. The county was organized in 1848 from parts of four neighboring counties and named for Jeremiah Morrow who was the Governor of Ohio from 1822 to 1826. Shawnee people used the area for hunting purposes before white settlers arrived in the early 19th century. Morrow County is included in the Columbus, OH Metropolitan Statistical Area. In 2010, the center of population of Ohio was located in Morrow County, near the village of Marengo. Morrow County's historic World War I Victory Shaft, unique in the United States, is located in the center of downtown Mount Gilead. Other areas interesting to the tourist include: Mount Gilead State Park; Amish farms and businesses near Johnsville and Chesterville; the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course near Steam Corners; the rolling Allegheny foothills of eastern Morrow County; the site of the birthplace of President Warren G. Harding near Blooming Grove; the site of the former Ohio Central College in Iberia; the early 19th-century architecture of buildings in Chesterville, Ohio; the Revolutionary War Soldiers' Memorial in Mount Gilead; the Civil War monument in Cardington; and the mid-19th-century architecture of the Morrow County Courthouse and Old Jail in Mount Gilead.
Prepper Assessment
Living in this area offers a predominantly rural lifestyle with a population density of 87.0 people per square mile, allowing for ample space and privacy. The climate features an annual mean temperature of 50.3°F, with a growing season suitable for USDA zone 7b, making it conducive for gardening and small-scale farming. The average annual rainfall of 41.7 inches supports water needs for crops, although the humid climate may require good drainage management for optimal agricultural success.
Natural hazards are a consideration, with significant risks including ice storms (FEMA rank 69) and hail (rank 61), which may impact infrastructure and crop viability. The area has a lower violence percentile at 13/100, indicating a relatively safe environment, but the disaster percentile of 24/100 suggests some vulnerability to weather-related events. Additionally, the median home price of $185,800, while manageable, may be a barrier for some aspiring homesteaders, especially when combined with an effective property tax rate of 1.18%.
This county is likely a good fit for individuals or families seeking a quiet, rural lifestyle with a focus on self-sufficiency and gardening. Those who thrive here would appreciate the space and lower violence rates. However, individuals unprepared for the risks associated with ice storms or those needing high-speed internet may find challenges. The hidden gem for homesteaders is the ample growing conditions, while the dealbreaker could be the potential for severe winter weather impacts on daily life.