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Population11.9M
Discover • Explore • Connect
Discover Ohio. Find Your Place.
OhioFrom Lake Erie and vibrant city neighborhoods to farm towns, Appalachian hills, and Ohio River communities, Ohio rewards a closer look. Explore counties, attractions, local businesses, outdoor spaces, and practical resources for traveling, relocating, or discovering more close to home.
Ohio at a Glance
Population11.9M.webp){kind=icon}
CapitalColumbus.webp){kind=icon}
Largest CityColumbus.webp){kind=icon}
Counties88.webp){kind=icon}
Land Area40,858.9 sq mi.webp){kind=icon}
Water Area3,966.9 sq mi.webp){kind=icon}
Statehood1803.webp){kind=icon}
Highest Peak1,549 ft
Explore Ohio
Discover the Places That Shape Ohio
Ohio brings together Great Lakes shoreline, growing cities, industrial heritage, productive farmland, college towns, and Appalachian landscapes. From Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati to small communities across 88 counties, every region offers its own mix of attractions, services, culture, outdoor recreation, and local character.
Find Your County
AllenAshlandAshtabulaAuglaizeButlerClintonCoshoctonClermontCrawfordCuyahogaDarkeDefianceFultonGeaugaGreeneHamiltonHancockHenryHockingHolmesLakeLucasMahoningMedinaMiamiMuskingumPerryPortagePreblePutnamRichlandSenecaShelbyStarkSummitTrumbullTuscarawasUnionVan WertWarrenWayneWilliamsWood
Choose a county to uncover nearby communities, attractions, local services, businesses, parks, events, and the stories that make each part of Ohio distinct.
Featured Counties
Stark CountyEstablished in 1809, Stark County developed around football heritage, presidential history, manufacturing, and museums. Its county seat, Canton, remains an important civic center, while…
Allen CountyAllen County was established in 1820 and developed from Shelby County. Its name is connected to John Allen (1771/2-1813), a War of 1812 colonel.…
Fulton CountyEstablished in 1850, Fulton County developed around working communities, local history, outdoor spaces, and the character of Wauseon. Its county seat, Wauseon, remains an…
Portage CountyEstablished in 1808, Portage County developed around working communities, local history, outdoor spaces, and the character of Ravenna. Its county seat, Ravenna, remains an…
Discover More of Washington State
Stark CountyEstablished in 1809, Stark County developed around football heritage, presidential history, manufacturing, and museums. Its county seat, Canton, remains an important civic center, while…
Allen CountyAllen County was established in 1820 and developed from Shelby County. Its name is connected to John Allen (1771/2-1813), a War of 1812 colonel.…Fulton CountyEstablished in 1850, Fulton County developed around working communities, local history, outdoor spaces, and the character of Wauseon. Its county seat, Wauseon, remains an…Portage CountyEstablished in 1808, Portage County developed around working communities, local history, outdoor spaces, and the character of Ravenna. Its county seat, Ravenna, remains an…
Welcome To
OHIO
Ohio is a place where big-city energy, small-town character, outdoor adventure, and everyday community life all come together. Along Lake Erie, you’ll find waterfront destinations, historic neighborhoods, sports, museums, and some of the state’s largest cities. Travel farther south and the landscape begins to change into wooded hills, river valleys, scenic back roads, and communities with a completely different pace and personality.
That variety is a big part of what makes Ohio worth exploring. A weekend can mean hiking through Hocking Hills, discovering a neighborhood in Columbus, spending a day along the Lake Erie shoreline, visiting aviation history in Dayton, exploring Cincinnati or Cleveland, or simply finding a local restaurant, festival, park, or downtown you didn’t know was there.
And Ohio isn’t only a place to visit. For people thinking about making a move, the state offers everything from major metropolitan areas and growing suburbs to college towns, rural communities, and quiet places where life feels a little more personal. Whether you’re planning your next trip, looking for a new community to call home, or discovering more of the state you already live in, My Local Guide is here to help you find your place in Ohio.
One Nation. Endless Possibilities.
Freedom to Build
Freedom gives Ohioans room to build lives, businesses, traditions, and stronger communities.
Strength in Community
Ohio grows stronger when neighbors connect, serve locally, and support one another.
Opportunity Close to Home
Local ideas, education, and hard work create opportunity across every Ohio region.
A Future Together
Ohio moves forward when communities share resources, welcome growth, and invest locally.
The
Ohio Dispatch
Local news, statewide stories, and useful Ohio updates
WCPO 9 Ohio News
After court ruling, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine to hold Kalshi accountable for operating illegally
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine is promising to hold prediction market platform Kalshi accountable for skirting state gambling regulations…
Read the full storyToday's CoveragePresented by
Around Ohio
Stories from every corner of Ohio.
After court ruling, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine to hold Kalshi accountable for operating illegally
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine is promising to hold prediction market platform Kalshi accountable for skirting state gambling regulations…
Sep 29, 2026 • 2 min read
Ohio Senate candidates Sherrod Brown and Jon Husted discuss why they're running, their stances on issues
Democrat Sherrod Brown and Republican Jon Husted are on the ballot for Ohio's U.S. Senate seat. Both candidates…
Sep 22, 2026 • 2 min read
Ohio School Report Cards: Cincinnati Public Schools meets state standards, other district ratings
At a board meeting Monday evening, Cincinnati Public Schools shared its Ohio School Report Card rating.
Sep 15, 2026 • 2 min read
Vivek Ramaswamy and wife, Apoorva, open up about family, ambition and the Ohio governor's race
Vivek Ramaswamy and his wife, Apoorva, are opening up about their life together as the Republican candidate campaigns…
Sep 8, 2026 • 2 min read
Legislation to curb political violence continues to stall at Ohio Statehouse
There has been a rise in political violence in Ohio, but bills meant to curb these types of…
Sep 8, 2026 • 2 min readWatch & Discover
Every Place Has a Story
Every community has a story waiting to be told. From hidden gems and historic landmarks to local businesses, festivals, and unforgettable destinations, discover the people and places that make each state unique through our original video features.
State Symbols & Heritage
Nickname State Motto State Bird State Flower State Tree State Animal
The Spirit of Ohio
The symbols of Washington reflect its landscape, history, and enduring character.
The Buckeye State
Buckeye trees inspired a nickname now woven deeply into Ohio identity.
With God, All Things Are Possible
Ohio’s motto expresses faith, perseverance, and confidence when facing difficult challenges.
Cardinal
The cardinal’s bright color and familiar song are seen across Ohio.
Scarlet Carnation
The scarlet carnation honors President William McKinley, who favored the flower.
Ohio Buckeye
The native buckeye tree gave Ohioans their enduring Buckeye identity.
White-tailed Deer
White-tailed deer thrive across Ohio forests, fields, and suburban edges.
A State Unlike Any Other
Ohio packs remarkable variety into one state: Lake Erie, major cities, farmland, Appalachian scenery, aviation history, manufacturing heritage, college towns, Amish Country, and extensive parks. Its regions feel distinct while remaining closely connected.
My Local Guide
OHIO
The Buckeye StateA collection of places, moments, and views from across the state.
Our State. Our Stories.★
County Resources
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Everything You Need. All in One Place.
A collection of places, moments, and views from across the state.
Government
Use these official Ohio sources to reach state offices, elected leaders, public records, legislation, and core government services.
- Ohio.gov — State government services, agencies, forms, and resident information — Official website
- Governor of Ohio — Executive office news, priorities, appointments, and contact information — Official website
- Ohio General Assembly — State legislation, lawmakers, committees, sessions, and bill tracking — Official website
- Ohio Secretary of State — Elections, business filings, records, and statewide administrative services — Official website
- Auditor of State — Public audits, local government resources, fraud reporting, and financial oversight — Official website
- Ohio Treasurer of State — State treasury programs, financial education, investments, and public funds information — Official website
- Supreme Court of Ohio — State judicial information, court resources, opinions, forms, and services — Official website
Schools
Statewide education tools for finding schools, reviewing performance, exploring career training, and planning for college.
- Ohio Department of Education and Workforce — K-12 policy, programs, family resources, and statewide education information — Address: 25 S. Front St., Columbus, OH 43215 — 1-877-644-6338 — Official website
- Ohio School Report Cards — search district and school performance, ratings, and public data — Official website
- Ohio Educational Directory System — public district, school, organization, and education-directory data — Official website
- Career-Technical Education — career-tech programs, pathways, accountability, and workforce preparation — Official website
- Ohio Department of Higher Education — public colleges, universities, affordability, and higher-education programs — Official website
- College Credit Plus — Ohio’s dual-enrollment program for eligible middle and high school students — Official website
- Ohio College Opportunity Grant — need-based state financial aid information for eligible students — Official website
- INFOhio — free digital learning, research, and literacy resources for Ohio students and educators — Official website
Hospitals
State health agencies, provider-search tools, and major Ohio health systems for finding care and health information.
- Ohio Department of Health — statewide public-health information, programs, and local-health resources — Address: 246 N. High St., Columbus, OH 43215 — Official website
- Ohio Medicaid — Medicaid eligibility, managed care, benefits, and member information — Official website
- Ohio Medicaid Consumer Hotline — provider search and Medicaid member assistance — 1-800-324-8680 — Official website
- Medicare Care Compare — compare hospitals, nursing facilities, doctors, and other Medicare-certified providers — 1-800-633-4227 — Official website
- Cleveland Clinic — hospital, specialty, emergency, and outpatient care across Ohio — Official website
- OhioHealth — hospital locations, urgent care, specialty services, and physician resources — Official website
- UC Health — academic health-system hospitals and specialty care in southwest Ohio — Official website
- ProMedica — hospital and health services serving northwest Ohio and surrounding communities — Official website
- Premier Health — hospitals, emergency care, physicians, and services in the Dayton region — Official website
- Nationwide Children’s Hospital — pediatric hospital, specialty, urgent, and family resources — Official website
Public Safety
Official statewide resources for law enforcement, highway safety, fire prevention, investigations, and school safety.
- Ohio Department of Public Safety — statewide public-safety programs, licensing, traffic safety, and emergency services — Official website
- Ohio State Highway Patrol — highway enforcement, crash information, recruitment, and public-safety resources — Official website
- Ohio Homeland Security — homeland-security planning, intelligence coordination, and public preparedness resources — Official website
- Ohio State Fire Marshal — fire prevention, code enforcement, investigations, training, and fire-safety programs — Official website
- Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation — criminal investigations, forensic services, missing persons, and law-enforcement support — Official website
- Ohio School Safety Center — school-safety planning, threat assessment, training, and reporting resources — Official website
- Ohio Attorney General Consumer Protection — scam reporting, consumer complaints, identity-theft help, and safety information — Official website
- Ohio Traffic Safety Office — traffic-safety programs, impaired-driving prevention, grants, and public education — Official website
Emergency Services
Use 911 for immediate life-threatening emergencies. These resources support disaster preparedness, alerts, recovery, and crisis assistance.
- Ohio Emergency Management Agency — statewide disaster coordination, preparedness, mitigation, and recovery information — Address: 2855 W. Dublin-Granville Rd., Columbus, OH 43235 — (614) 889-7150 — Official website
- ReadyOhio — Ohio preparedness guidance, emergency planning, kits, and hazard information — Official website
- FEMA — federal disaster assistance, recovery, flood, and emergency-management resources — 1-800-621-3362 — Official website
- Ready.gov — federal preparedness guidance for severe weather, disasters, and household emergencies — Official website
- National Weather Service — official weather forecasts, watches, warnings, and severe-weather information — Official website
- 211 Ohio — connections to local food, housing, health, utility, and emergency-support services — Official website
- American Red Cross — Ohio — disaster relief, shelter, blood services, preparedness, and emergency assistance — Official website
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — 24/7 mental-health and crisis support by call, text, or chat — 988 — Official website
State Parks
Plan Ohio outdoor trips with official park, reservation, camping, boating, and flagship-property resources.
- Ohio Department of Natural Resources — state parks, forests, wildlife areas, boating, fishing, and outdoor programs — (614) 265-6565 — Official website
- Find an ODNR Property — search state parks, forests, preserves, wildlife areas, and recreation properties — Official website
- Ohio State Parks Reservations — camping, cabins, lodges, and reservable state-park facilities — 1-866-644-6727 — Official website
- Hocking Hills State Park — waterfalls, caves, cliffs, trails, camping, and visitor information — Official website
- Mohican State Park — forest recreation, hiking, camping, river activities, and lodge access — Official website
- Maumee Bay State Park — Lake Erie beach, trails, wetlands, golf, camping, and lodge amenities — Official website
- Salt Fork State Park — Ohio’s largest state park with lake recreation, trails, camping, and lodge facilities — Official website
- East Harbor State Park — Lake Erie shoreline, swimming, camping, wetlands, and family recreation — Official website
Trails
Find official hiking, biking, multiuse, and long-distance trail resources across Ohio.
- ODNR Trails — state-park, forest, bridle, mountain-bike, and multiuse trail information — Official website
- National Park Service — Ohio — federal parks, trails, visitor information, and historic sites across Ohio — Official website
- Cuyahoga Valley National Park Trail Maps — official hiking and recreation trail maps for Cuyahoga Valley — Official website
- Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail — official National Park Service information for the historic Towpath Trail — Official website
- Buckeye Trail Association — statewide Buckeye Trail maps, sections, events, and trail information — Official website
- Ohio to Erie Trail — cross-state trail connecting Cincinnati, Columbus, and Cleveland — Official website
- Wayne National Forest — federal hiking, backpacking, horse, and motorized trail information in southeast Ohio — Official website
- Great Miami Riverway — regional trails, river recreation, communities, and outdoor destinations in southwest Ohio — Official website
Utilities
Consumer, energy, water, broadband, and utility-assistance resources for Ohio households and businesses.
- Public Utilities Commission of Ohio — utility regulation, consumer information, complaints, and service guidance — Official website
- Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel — residential utility education, advocacy, and consumer assistance — Address: 65 E. State St., Suite 700, Columbus, OH 43215 — 1-877-742-5622 — Official website
- Energy Choice Ohio — compare certified electric and natural-gas supplier offers — Official website
- Home Energy Assistance Program — heating and energy-assistance information for income-eligible Ohio households — Official website
- PIPP Plus — income-based utility payment assistance for eligible electric and natural-gas customers — Official website
- Ohio EPA — Drinking & Ground Waters — public drinking-water systems, water quality, compliance, and consumer information — Official website
- Ohio 811 — utility-location requests before digging and safe-excavation information — 811 — Official website
- BroadbandOhio — state broadband expansion, mapping, grants, and connectivity resources — Official website
Libraries
Statewide library catalogs, databases, digital collections, learning tools, and resource-sharing networks.
- State Library of Ohio — statewide library services, government information, research, and public resources — Address: 274 E. First Ave., Columbus, OH 43201 — (614) 644-6875 — Official website
- Ohio Web Library — free statewide research databases, journals, newspapers, and learning resources — Official website
- OhioLINK — academic-library catalog, research databases, journals, and resource sharing — (614) 485-6722 — Official website
- INFOhio — digital learning, literacy, research, and classroom resources for Ohio students — Official website
- OPLIN — technology, internet, and statewide information services supporting Ohio public libraries — Official website
- SearchOhio — resource sharing and borrowing across participating Ohio public libraries — Official website
- The Ohio Digital Library — eBooks, audiobooks, magazines, and digital borrowing through participating libraries — Official website
- Ohio Library Council — public-library information, advocacy, training, and statewide library connections — Official website
Courts
Official judiciary, court-finder, case, forms, and legal-help resources for Ohio residents.
- Supreme Court of Ohio — state judicial information, opinions, rules, filings, and court administration — Address: 65 S. Front St., Columbus, OH 43215 — (614) 387-9000 — Official website
- Ohio Trial Courts — county-by-county information for common pleas, municipal, and county courts — Official website
- Ohio Courts of Appeals — district appellate-court information and links across the state — Official website
- Ohio Court of Claims — civil claims against the State of Ohio and victims-of-crime compensation appeals — Official website
- Supreme Court Case Search — search Supreme Court of Ohio case dockets and filings — Official website
- Ohio Court Forms — official Supreme Court forms and standardized court documents — Official website
- Ohio Attorney Search — verify attorney registration and public disciplinary information — Official website
- Ohio Legal Help — plain-language legal information, forms, and connections to civil legal assistance — Official website
DMV
Driver-license, ID, registration, title, records, testing, and local BMV service tools.
- Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles — driver licenses, IDs, vehicle registration, records, and BMV information — Address: 1970 W. Broad St., Columbus, OH 43223 — (844) 644-6268 — Official website
- Ohio BMV Online Services — renewals, records, registration services, and other online transactions — Official website
- BMV Locations — find deputy registrar agencies, driver-exam stations, and reinstatement offices — Official website
- Driver License & ID Cards — requirements, renewals, REAL ID, identification cards, and license information — Official website
- Vehicle Registration — registration, plates, renewals, and vehicle-service information — Official website
- Driving Records — request driver abstracts and other available driving-record services — Official website
- Driver Examination — testing requirements and information for new Ohio drivers — Official website
- Ohio Clerk of Courts Title Offices — county title-office information for motor-vehicle certificates of title — Official website
Transportation
Road, traffic, transit, rail, aviation, project, and active-transportation information for traveling across Ohio.
- Ohio Department of Transportation — state highways, projects, transportation programs, maps, and traveler resources — Official website
- OHGO — live traffic, crashes, construction, cameras, road conditions, and travel times — Official website
- ODOT Projects — major construction projects, project information, and transportation improvements — Official website
- ODOT Maps — official state highway, county, traffic, and transportation maps — Official website
- Ohio Public Transit — public-transit program information and transit-system resources — Official website
- Active Transportation — walking, bicycling, trails, safety, and complete-streets transportation resources — Official website
- DriveOhio — connected, automated, electric, and advanced-mobility transportation initiatives — Official website
- Ohio Rail Development Commission — freight and passenger rail planning, grants, safety, and rail-development information — Official website
Postal Services
Official USPS tools for finding post offices, ZIP Codes, tracking mail, managing delivery, and scheduling services.
- U.S. Postal Service — mailing, shipping, stamps, tracking, locations, and customer services — 1-800-275-8777 — Official website
- USPS ZIP Code Lookup — find ZIP Codes by street address, city, or company — Official website
- USPS Locations — find post offices, collection boxes, kiosks, and postal services — Official website
- USPS Tracking — track packages and eligible mail pieces — Official website
- Informed Delivery — preview incoming mail and manage eligible package deliveries — Official website
- Change of Address — submit an official USPS address change and mail-forwarding request — Official website
- Hold Mail — request temporary mail holding while away from home — Official website
- Schedule a Pickup — schedule eligible package pickup from a home or business — Official website
Veterans
Ohio and federal resources for veterans benefits, county assistance, health care, education, housing, and crisis support.
- Ohio Department of Veterans Services — state veterans programs, benefits guidance, and statewide service information — Official website
- County Veterans Service Offices — local assistance with benefits, claims, transportation, and emergency support — Official website
- Ohio Veterans Homes — state veterans-home services, eligibility, and residential-care information — Official website
- Ohio GI Promise — in-state tuition and higher-education information for eligible veterans and families — Official website
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs — federal benefits, claims, records, health care, and veteran services — 1-800-698-2411 — Official website
- VA Facility Locator — find VA hospitals, clinics, Vet Centers, cemeteries, and benefit offices — Official website
- VA Health Care — eligibility, enrollment, appointments, prescriptions, and veterans health services — Official website
- Veterans Crisis Line — 24/7 confidential crisis support for veterans, service members, and families — 988 — Official website
Employment
State job-search, unemployment, apprenticeship, labor-market, workplace-safety, and worker-rights resources.
- OhioMeansJobs — job listings, resumes, career planning, training, and employer services — Official website
- Ohio Department of Job and Family Services — workforce services, unemployment programs, and employment resources — Official website
- Ohio Unemployment — unemployment claims, claimant services, employer services, and program information — Official website
- Ohio Labor Market Information — employment data, wages, occupations, projections, and workforce statistics — Official website
- ApprenticeOhio — registered apprenticeship opportunities, employer programs, and career pathways — Official website
- Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation — workers’ compensation claims, safety programs, employer services, and return-to-work resources — Official website
- Ohio Wage & Hour — minimum wage, prevailing wage, minor labor, and workplace standards information — Official website
- JobsOhio — statewide economic-development, industry, business-growth, and talent resources — Official website
We're Here To Help.
Answers, contacts, and trusted local resources are always close at hand.
Helpful Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Find quick answers to common questions about living, visiting, working, and doing business locally.
Ohio is known for its Buckeye identity, Lake Erie shoreline, aviation history, major cities, manufacturing heritage, college sports, state parks, and varied landscapes. Its communities range from large urban centers to farmland, Appalachian hills, and small towns.
Columbus is Ohio’s largest city, joined by Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo, Akron, and Dayton. Hundreds of smaller cities, villages, and rural communities add distinct history and character. Exploring by county is an easy way to discover them.
Popular Ohio experiences include Lake Erie, Hocking Hills, major-city museums, Dayton’s aviation heritage, historic neighborhoods, state parks, zoos, sports, festivals, and scenic small towns. Strong trips often combine a major attraction with nearby local food and outdoor stops.
Start with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources for state parks, forests, wildlife areas, and trail information. National Park Service sites, county park districts, metro parks, and municipal trail systems add hiking, biking, and nature options throughout Ohio.
Use the U.S. Postal Service ZIP Code Lookup for a specific Ohio address, city, or post office box. Because ZIP Codes can cross local boundaries, confirm the county or municipality separately when location details matter.
Use the Ohio Department of Health for statewide health information and Medicare Care Compare to search hospitals and other certified providers. Confirm insurance-network status directly with your insurer and provider. For a medical emergency, call 911.
The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce provides school information and report cards. District boundaries do not always follow city, township, or ZIP Code lines, so verify the assigned district for a specific property before enrollment or relocation.
Ohio.gov is the main starting point for state agencies, programs, forms, and services. For a specific issue, use the responsible agency’s official website. County and municipal governments handle many local services, so the correct contact depends on location.
Search by county or community, then compare official business websites, hours, services, and current customer information. Local chambers, downtown organizations, tourism offices, and verified map listings can also help identify nearby businesses and services.
Combine statewide travel resources with county and city guides to explore Ohio’s parks, museums, historic sites, arts districts, sports venues, festivals, scenic drives, and Lake Erie destinations. Check official attraction websites for current hours, admission, accessibility, and reservations.
Your Journey Continues
Celebrating the places we call home.
Keep exploring the communities, stories, and local connections that make this state feel like home.
Celebrating the places we call home.