Morgan County is a county in Ohio, United States, on the east-central side of the state along the Muskingum River. It had a population of 13,802 at the 2020 census and covers 422 square miles (1,090 km2) centred near 39°37′N 81°51′W.
McConnelsville is the county seat, and its postal code is 43756. The county has four incorporated villages and about a dozen smaller unincorporated communities spread across 14 townships. It observes Eastern time and sits in Ohio’s 12th congressional district.
Towns & Villages in Morgan County
Morgan County has four incorporated villages — Chesterhill, Malta, McConnelsville and Stockport — plus a wide scatter of unincorporated communities and rural crossroads. “Unincorp.” marks places with no municipal government of their own; most take mail through one of the county’s four ZIP codes rather than having a post office of their own.
| Place | Type | Township | Pop. | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| McConnelsville | Village · seat | Bristol | — | 43756 |
| Malta | Village | Malta | — | 43758 |
| Stockport | Village | Windsor | — | 43787 |
| Chesterhill | Village | Bloom | — | 43728 |
| Bishopville | Unincorp. | — | — | — |
| Bristol | Unincorp. | Bristol | — | — |
| Deavertown | Unincorp. | Homer | — | — |
| Eagleport | Unincorp. | Windsor | — | — |
| Hooksburg | Unincorp. | — | — | — |
| Joy | Unincorp. | — | — | — |
| Morganville | Unincorp. | Morgan | — | — |
| Moscow Mills | Unincorp. | — | — | — |
| Pennsville | Unincorp. | Penn | — | — |
| Plantsville | Unincorp. | — | — | — |
| Reinersville | Unincorp. | — | — | — |
| Ringgold | Unincorp. | — | — | — |
| Rokeby Lock | Unincorp. | Windsor | — | — |
| Rosseau | Unincorp. | — | — | — |
| Roxbury | Unincorp. | — | — | — |
| Todds | Unincorp. | — | — | — |
| Triadelphia | Unincorp. | — | — | — |
| Unionville | Unincorp. | Union | — | — |
Eagleport and Rokeby Lock both sit on the Muskingum River in Windsor Township and are frequently confused — Eagleport is the older river landing, Rokeby Lock takes its name from a 19th-century Muskingum River lock and dam a short distance downstream.
Townships
| Township | Pop. (2020) | Main settlements |
|---|---|---|
| Bristol | — | McConnelsville, Bristol |
| Union | — | Unionville |
| Windsor | — | Stockport, Eagleport, Rokeby Lock |
| Bloom | — | Chesterhill |
| Malta | — | Malta |
| Homer | — | Deavertown |
| Penn | — | Pennsville |
| Morgan | — | Morganville |
| Center | — | — |
| Deerfield | — | — |
| Manchester | — | — |
| Marion | — | — |
| Meigsville | — | — |
| York | — | — |
ZIP Codes
- 43756 — McConnelsville (also serves the surrounding Bristol Township area)
- 43758 — Malta
- 43787 — Stockport
- 43728 — Chesterhill
The county’s four ZIP codes cover the entire county; smaller unincorporated communities pick up mail through whichever of the four post office towns is closest.
Geography
Morgan County lies in the unglaciated Appalachian Plateau of east-central Ohio, a landscape of steep wooded hills and narrow river bottoms. The Muskingum River crosses the county north to south through McConnelsville and Malta, and Burr Oak State Park and reservoir occupy the county’s southern end. Parts of the Wayne National Forest extend into the county as well. Of its 422 square miles, 416 are land and 5.4 are water.
Morgan County borders Muskingum County to the north, Noble County to the northeast, Washington County to the southeast, Athens County to the southwest and Perry County to the west.
Demographics
Morgan County had a population of 13,802 at the 2020 census, the third-least populous county in Ohio. McConnelsville and Malta are the county’s two largest communities. Median household income runs well below the Ohio median of $67,769, reflecting the county’s rural, sparsely developed economy. Population density is roughly 33 people per square mile of land, among the lowest in the state.
Economy & Local Life
Agriculture, timber and light manufacturing anchor the local economy, alongside county and school-district government employment centred in McConnelsville. Burr Oak State Park draws seasonal tourism, and the Muskingum River’s historic lock system remains a draw for boaters. The county fairgrounds in McConnelsville host the annual Morgan County Fair, a longstanding late-summer fixture.
History
Morgan County was organized on December 29, 1817, from parts of Muskingum, Washington and Guernsey counties, and became fully functional as a county in 1819. It is named for Daniel Morgan, a Revolutionary War general known for his victory at the Battle of Cowpens. McConnelsville, platted on the Muskingum River, was chosen as the county seat for its river access, and the river later carried the county’s timber, salt and coal trade downstream to Marietta and beyond.
Getting There
State Route 60 follows the Muskingum River through McConnelsville and Malta, and State Route 78 crosses the county east–west connecting to Caldwell in Noble County. Nearby anchor towns:
- Zanesville — 25 miles northwest
- Marietta — 30 miles southeast
- Cambridge — 30 miles north
- Athens — 35 miles southwest
The nearest commercial airport is John Glenn Columbus International Airport, about 75 miles west.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Morgan County, Ohio?
It is in east-central Ohio along the Muskingum River, between Zanesville and Marietta.
What is the population of Morgan County?
13,802 at the 2020 census, the third-least populous county in Ohio.
How big is Morgan County?
422 square miles (1,090 km2), of which 416 square miles is land.
What is the county seat of Morgan County?
McConnelsville is the county seat.
How many towns and villages are in Morgan County?
Four incorporated villages — Chesterhill, Malta, McConnelsville and Stockport — plus about 17 unincorporated communities across 14 townships.
What ZIP codes are in Morgan County?
43756 (McConnelsville), 43758 (Malta), 43787 (Stockport) and 43728 (Chesterhill).
What river runs through Morgan County?
The Muskingum River, which crosses the county through McConnelsville and Malta and once carried the county’s timber and coal trade.
More counties in this state: Towns and villages in Ohio.