Most rural counties in Ohio
A surprising number of U.S. counties have 100% rural land-702, in fact. compiled a list of the most rural counties in Ohio using data from the . Counties are ranked by the percent of land area that is rural, as of the 2010 Census, with ties broken by residents per square mile, according to 2020 5-year population estimates.
According to the Census Bureau, rural land encompasses any land that isn't an urban area. To be considered an urban area, a place has to have a densely settled core of census tracts or blocks and count at least 2,500 people, at least 1,500 of whom must be residents of non-institutional buildings. Areas with 50,000 people or more are considered urbanized areas, while areas with between 2,500 and 50,000 people are considered urban clusters.
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#50. Auglaize County
- Rural area: 95.9% (385 square miles)
- Urban area: 4.1% (16 square miles)
- Total land area: 401 square miles
--- #79 largest county in state, #2,518 nationwide
- Population density: 113.9 people / square mile (45,709 residents)
--- #41 lowest density county in state, #2,344 nationwide
#49. Defiance County
- Rural area: 96.2% (396 square miles)
- Urban area: 3.8% (16 square miles)
- Total land area: 411 square miles
--- #62 largest county in state, #2,458 nationwide
- Population density: 92.4 people / square mile (38,024 residents)
--- #30 lowest density county in state, #2,196 nationwide
#48. Crawford County
- Rural area: 96.2% (387 square miles)
- Urban area: 3.8% (15 square miles)
- Total land area: 402 square miles
--- #78 largest county in state, #2,513 nationwide
- Population density: 103.5 people / square mile (41,603 residents)
--- #37 lowest density county in state, #2,278 nationwide
#47. Pickaway County
- Rural area: 96.5% (484 square miles)
- Urban area: 3.5% (18 square miles)
- Total land area: 501 square miles
--- #25 largest county in state, #2,075 nationwide
- Population density: 115.9 people / square mile (58,112 residents)
--- #42 lowest density county in state, #2,349 nationwide
#46. Knox County
- Rural area: 96.6% (507 square miles)
- Urban area: 3.4% (18 square miles)
- Total land area: 525 square miles
--- #21 largest county in state, #1,991 nationwide
- Population density: 117.6 people / square mile (61,776 residents)
--- #43 lowest density county in state, #2,356 nationwide
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#45. Shelby County
- Rural area: 96.6% (394 square miles)
- Urban area: 3.4% (14 square miles)
- Total land area: 408 square miles
--- #68 largest county in state, #2,482 nationwide
- Population density: 119.2 people / square mile (48,610 residents)
--- #45 lowest density county in state, #2,365 nationwide
#44. Belmont County
- Rural area: 96.6% (514 square miles)
- Urban area: 3.4% (18 square miles)
- Total land area: 532 square miles
--- #18 largest county in state, #1,964 nationwide
- Population density: 126.7 people / square mile (67,424 residents)
--- #48 lowest density county in state, #2,394 nationwide
#43. Scioto County
- Rural area: 96.9% (592 square miles)
- Urban area: 3.1% (19 square miles)
- Total land area: 610 square miles
--- #8 largest county in state, #1,587 nationwide
- Population density: 123.6 people / square mile (75,441 residents)
--- #46 lowest density county in state, #2,380 nationwide
#42. Athens County
- Rural area: 97.0% (488 square miles)
- Urban area: 3.0% (15 square miles)
- Total land area: 504 square miles
--- #24 largest county in state, #2,066 nationwide
- Population density: 130.9 people / square mile (65,945 residents)
--- #50 lowest density county in state, #2,401 nationwide
#41. Union County
- Rural area: 97.0% (419 square miles)
- Urban area: 3.0% (13 square miles)
- Total land area: 432 square miles
--- #45 largest county in state, #2,350 nationwide
- Population density: 134.0 people / square mile (57,871 residents)
--- #52 lowest density county in state, #2,410 nationwide
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#40. Huron County
- Rural area: 97.0% (477 square miles)
- Urban area: 3.0% (15 square miles)
- Total land area: 491 square miles
--- #27 largest county in state, #2,116 nationwide
- Population density: 118.6 people / square mile (58,271 residents)
--- #44 lowest density county in state, #2,361 nationwide
#39. Washington County
- Rural area: 97.1% (614 square miles)
- Urban area: 2.9% (18 square miles)
- Total land area: 632 square miles
--- #5 largest county in state, #1,515 nationwide
- Population density: 95.3 people / square mile (60,217 residents)
--- #32 lowest density county in state, #2,220 nationwide
#38. Fulton County
- Rural area: 97.2% (394 square miles)
- Urban area: 2.8% (11 square miles)
- Total land area: 405 square miles
--- #74 largest county in state, #2,498 nationwide
- Population density: 104.0 people / square mile (42,186 residents)
--- #39 lowest density county in state, #2,284 nationwide
#37. Ross County
- Rural area: 97.5% (672 square miles)
- Urban area: 2.5% (17 square miles)
- Total land area: 689 square miles
--- #2 largest county in state, #1,359 nationwide
- Population density: 111.5 people / square mile (76,816 residents)
--- #40 lowest density county in state, #2,329 nationwide
#36. Logan County
- Rural area: 97.7% (448 square miles)
- Urban area: 2.4% (11 square miles)
- Total land area: 458 square miles
--- #38 largest county in state, #2,234 nationwide
- Population density: 98.8 people / square mile (45,315 residents)
--- #34 lowest density county in state, #2,245 nationwide
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#35. Clinton County
- Rural area: 97.7% (399 square miles)
- Urban area: 2.3% (10 square miles)
- Total land area: 409 square miles
--- #64 largest county in state, #2,471 nationwide
- Population density: 102.8 people / square mile (42,000 residents)
--- #36 lowest density county in state, #2,273 nationwide
#34. Seneca County
- Rural area: 97.9% (540 square miles)
- Urban area: 2.1% (11 square miles)
- Total land area: 551 square miles
--- #16 largest county in state, #1,897 nationwide
- Population density: 100.3 people / square mile (55,251 residents)
--- #35 lowest density county in state, #2,255 nationwide
#33. Van Wert County
- Rural area: 98.0% (401 square miles)
- Urban area: 2.0% (8 square miles)
- Total land area: 409 square miles
--- #63 largest county in state, #2,468 nationwide
- Population density: 69.0 people / square mile (28,213 residents)
--- #17 lowest density county in state, #1,965 nationwide
#32. Williams County
- Rural area: 98.0% (413 square miles)
- Urban area: 2.0% (8 square miles)
- Total land area: 421 square miles
--- #53 largest county in state, #2,406 nationwide
- Population density: 87.3 people / square mile (36,760 residents)
--- #25 lowest density county in state, #2,151 nationwide
#31. Guernsey County
- Rural area: 98.1% (512 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.9% (10 square miles)
- Total land area: 522 square miles
--- #22 largest county in state, #1,998 nationwide
- Population density: 74.7 people / square mile (38,996 residents)
--- #20 lowest density county in state, #2,033 nationwide
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#30. Ashland County
- Rural area: 98.1% (415 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.9% (8 square miles)
- Total land area: 423 square miles
--- #49 largest county in state, #2,398 nationwide
- Population density: 126.6 people / square mile (53,533 residents)
--- #47 lowest density county in state, #2,391 nationwide
#29. Madison County
- Rural area: 98.2% (457 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.8% (9 square miles)
- Total land area: 466 square miles
--- #35 largest county in state, #2,210 nationwide
- Population density: 95.0 people / square mile (44,248 residents)
--- #31 lowest density county in state, #2,216 nationwide
#28. Preble County
- Rural area: 98.3% (417 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.7% (7 square miles)
- Total land area: 424 square miles
--- #48 largest county in state, #2,389 nationwide
- Population density: 96.7 people / square mile (40,995 residents)
--- #33 lowest density county in state, #2,235 nationwide
#27. Fayette County
- Rural area: 98.3% (400 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.7% (7 square miles)
- Total land area: 406 square miles
--- #71 largest county in state, #2,494 nationwide
- Population density: 70.4 people / square mile (28,609 residents)
--- #19 lowest density county in state, #1,984 nationwide
#26. Brown County
- Rural area: 98.4% (482 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.6% (8 square miles)
- Total land area: 490 square miles
--- #29 largest county in state, #2,126 nationwide
- Population density: 88.8 people / square mile (43,508 residents)
--- #28 lowest density county in state, #2,168 nationwide
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#25. Carroll County
- Rural area: 98.5% (389 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.5% (6 square miles)
- Total land area: 395 square miles
--- #84 largest county in state, #2,551 nationwide
- Population density: 68.9 people / square mile (27,195 residents)
--- #16 lowest density county in state, #1,962 nationwide
#24. Jackson County
- Rural area: 98.5% (414 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.5% (6 square miles)
- Total land area: 420 square miles
--- #54 largest county in state, #2,410 nationwide
- Population density: 77.2 people / square mile (32,440 residents)
--- #21 lowest density county in state, #2,061 nationwide
#23. Mercer County
- Rural area: 98.6% (456 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.4% (6 square miles)
- Total land area: 462 square miles
--- #36 largest county in state, #2,222 nationwide
- Population density: 88.7 people / square mile (41,034 residents)
--- #27 lowest density county in state, #2,167 nationwide
#22. Pike County
- Rural area: 98.6% (434 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.4% (6 square miles)
- Total land area: 440 square miles
--- #44 largest county in state, #2,305 nationwide
- Population density: 63.4 people / square mile (27,914 residents)
--- #10 lowest density county in state, #1,893 nationwide
#21. Champaign County
- Rural area: 98.7% (423 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.3% (6 square miles)
- Total land area: 429 square miles
--- #47 largest county in state, #2,369 nationwide
- Population density: 90.7 people / square mile (38,861 residents)
--- #29 lowest density county in state, #2,184 nationwide
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#20. Henry County
- Rural area: 98.7% (411 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.3% (5 square miles)
- Total land area: 416 square miles
--- #57 largest county in state, #2,429 nationwide
- Population density: 65.1 people / square mile (27,068 residents)
--- #13 lowest density county in state, #1,912 nationwide
#19. Darke County
- Rural area: 98.7% (591 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.3% (8 square miles)
- Total land area: 598 square miles
--- #9 largest county in state, #1,633 nationwide
- Population density: 85.9 people / square mile (51,387 residents)
--- #23 lowest density county in state, #2,143 nationwide
#18. Hardin County
- Rural area: 98.8% (465 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.2% (6 square miles)
- Total land area: 470 square miles
--- #32 largest county in state, #2,192 nationwide
- Population density: 66.7 people / square mile (31,393 residents)
--- #14 lowest density county in state, #1,934 nationwide
#17. Coshocton County
- Rural area: 98.8% (557 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.2% (7 square miles)
- Total land area: 564 square miles
--- #13 largest county in state, #1,827 nationwide
- Population density: 64.8 people / square mile (36,558 residents)
--- #12 lowest density county in state, #1,908 nationwide
#16. Wyandot County
- Rural area: 98.9% (402 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.1% (5 square miles)
- Total land area: 407 square miles
--- #69 largest county in state, #2,489 nationwide
- Population density: 53.8 people / square mile (21,907 residents)
--- #9 lowest density county in state, #1,750 nationwide
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#15. Gallia County
- Rural area: 98.9% (461 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.1% (5 square miles)
- Total land area: 467 square miles
--- #34 largest county in state, #2,207 nationwide
- Population density: 64.3 people / square mile (29,995 residents)
--- #11 lowest density county in state, #1,904 nationwide
#14. Perry County
- Rural area: 98.9% (404 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.1% (4 square miles)
- Total land area: 408 square miles
--- #67 largest county in state, #2,481 nationwide
- Population density: 88.4 people / square mile (36,076 residents)
--- #26 lowest density county in state, #2,163 nationwide
#13. Highland County
- Rural area: 98.9% (547 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.1% (6 square miles)
- Total land area: 553 square miles
--- #15 largest county in state, #1,887 nationwide
- Population density: 77.9 people / square mile (43,080 residents)
--- #22 lowest density county in state, #2,070 nationwide
#12. Putnam County
- Rural area: 99.0% (478 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.0% (5 square miles)
- Total land area: 483 square miles
--- #31 largest county in state, #2,151 nationwide
- Population density: 70.1 people / square mile (33,836 residents)
--- #18 lowest density county in state, #1,979 nationwide
#11. Hocking County
- Rural area: 99.0% (417 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.0% (4 square miles)
- Total land area: 421 square miles
--- #52 largest county in state, #2,405 nationwide
- Population density: 67.2 people / square mile (28,306 residents)
--- #15 lowest density county in state, #1,939 nationwide
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#10. Meigs County
- Rural area: 99.3% (427 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.7% (3 square miles)
- Total land area: 430 square miles
--- #46 largest county in state, #2,365 nationwide
- Population density: 53.4 people / square mile (22,974 residents)
--- #8 lowest density county in state, #1,747 nationwide
#9. Noble County
- Rural area: 99.3% (395 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.7% (3 square miles)
- Total land area: 398 square miles
--- #82 largest county in state, #2,535 nationwide
- Population density: 36.2 people / square mile (14,410 residents)
--- #4 lowest density county in state, #1,374 nationwide
#8. Morrow County
- Rural area: 99.4% (404 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.6% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 406 square miles
--- #72 largest county in state, #2,495 nationwide
- Population density: 86.6 people / square mile (35,148 residents)
--- #24 lowest density county in state, #2,147 nationwide
#7. Paulding County
- Rural area: 99.6% (415 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.5% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 416 square miles
--- #55 largest county in state, #2,425 nationwide
- Population density: 45.0 people / square mile (18,742 residents)
--- #6 lowest density county in state, #1,580 nationwide
#6. Harrison County
- Rural area: 99.6% (401 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.4% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 402 square miles
--- #77 largest county in state, #2,512 nationwide
- Population density: 37.6 people / square mile (15,132 residents)
--- #5 lowest density county in state, #1,409 nationwide
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#5. Holmes County
- Rural area: 99.6% (421 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.4% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 423 square miles
--- #50 largest county in state, #2,400 nationwide
- Population density: 104.0 people / square mile (43,954 residents)
--- #38 lowest density county in state, #2,283 nationwide
#4. Adams County
- Rural area: 99.6% (582 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.4% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 584 square miles
--- #10 largest county in state, #1,685 nationwide
- Population density: 47.4 people / square mile (27,685 residents)
--- #7 lowest density county in state, #1,635 nationwide
#3. Morgan County
- Rural area: 99.6% (415 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.4% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 416 square miles
--- #56 largest county in state, #2,426 nationwide
- Population density: 35.0 people / square mile (14,557 residents)
--- #3 lowest density county in state, #1,344 nationwide
#2. Monroe County
- Rural area: 99.8% (455 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.3% (1 square miles)
- Total land area: 456 square miles
--- #40 largest county in state, #2,249 nationwide
- Population density: 30.3 people / square mile (13,827 residents)
--- #1 lowest density county in state, #1,221 nationwide
#1. Vinton County
- Rural area: 100.0% (412 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 412 square miles
--- #60 largest county in state, #2,451 nationwide
- Population density: 31.6 people / square mile (13,045 residents)
--- #2 lowest density county in state, #1,260 nationwide
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