Monroe County

Click here to view a map of Monroe County
Click here for the Monroe County Census Profile (2024)

Monroe County is a county in the eastern part of the state, bordering West Virginia along the Ohio River. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 13,385 people, making it the second-least populous county in Ohio. The county seat is Woodsfield, which is also the largest village in the county. Monroe County was established in 1813 and named after James Monroe, who was then the Secretary of State and later became the fifth President of the United States.

Some of the places of interest in Monroe County include the Wayne National Forest, which covers part of the county and offers hiking, camping, hunting and fishing opportunities; the Monroe County Bicentennial Commission, which organizes events and activities to celebrate the county's 200th anniversary; and the Sistersville Field, which is a historic oil and gas field that extends into West Virginia.

The largest employers in Monroe County are mainly in the health care, education and public administration sectors. Some of the major employers are Monroe County Care Center, Woodsfield Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Monroe County Board of Developmental Disabilities, Switzerland of Ohio Local School District, Monroe County Sheriff's Office and Monroe County Auditor's Office.