Your Guide to Lawrence County, Ohio
Looking for trusted businesses, services and local resources in Lawrence County, Ohio? FindItOhio.com helps residents and visitors discover local companies, professionals and community information across Lawrence County, including Ironton, the county seat.
Quick answer: Lawrence County is one of Ohio’s 88 counties. Its county seat is Ironton, it was established in 1815, and it has an estimated 55,710 residents as of 2025.
At a Glance
- County seat: Ironton
- Established: Dec 21, 1815
- Formed from: Gallia and Scioto Counties
- Named for: Captain James Lawrence (1781 to 1813), naval hero in the War of 1812
- Estimated population (2025): 55,710
- Total area: 454.96 sq mi
- FIPS code: 39087
About Lawrence County
Lawrence County is the southernmost county of the U.S. state of Ohio. As of the 2020 census, the population was 58,240. Its county seat is Ironton. The county was created in 1815 and later organized in 1817. It is named for James Lawrence, the naval officer famous for the line “do not give up the ship”.
History of Lawrence County
The earliest European American settlers, Luke Kelly and his family, and May Keyser, settled at Hanging Rock along the Ohio River in 1796, having migrated from the east. Lawrence County was formed on December 20, 1816, from parts of Gallia and Scioto counties, with the county seat named as Burlington. In 1851, the county seat was moved from Burlington to Ironton. A new courthouse was built at that time. It burned in 1857. The present Lawrence County Courthouse was built in 1908.
Men from Lawrence County served in the Mexican, American War, with at least one having died during that conflict. By 1862, about 3,200 of Lawrence County’s men were soldiers in the Union Army in the American Civil War. During World War I, 2,200 of Lawrence County’s men served in the armed forces, and 99 died.
Cities and Villages in Lawrence County
Cities
Ironton â€
Villages
Athalia, Chesapeake, Coal Grove, Hanging Rock, Proctorville, South Point
Find Local Businesses in Lawrence County
Browse the FindItOhio.com business directory to find restaurants, contractors, professional services, shops and more serving Lawrence County. Own a business here? Add your free business listing so local customers can find you.
Background Checks, Process Serving and Private Investigations
Residents and employers in Lawrence County can get BCI and FBI LiveScan fingerprinting, FD-258 fingerprint cards, process serving and licensed private investigations from these Ohio providers:
- Ohio Security & Investigations, Youngstown: licensed private investigations and fingerprinting. Call (888) 341-6960 or visit ohioinvestigators.com.
- 10-8 Protective Services, Columbus: investigations, fingerprinting and process serving. Call (800) 949-8521 or visit 10-8protectiveservices.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the county seat of Lawrence County, Ohio?
Ironton is the county seat of Lawrence County, Ohio.
When was Lawrence County established?
Lawrence County was established on Dec 21, 1815. It was formed from Gallia and Scioto Counties.
Who or what is Lawrence County named for?
Lawrence County is named for Captain James Lawrence (1781 to 1813), naval hero in the War of 1812.
How many people live in Lawrence County, Ohio?
Lawrence County has an estimated population of 55,710 as of 2025.
What cities are in Lawrence County, Ohio?
Cities in Lawrence County include Ironton †.
Where can I find local businesses in Lawrence County?
Search the FindItOhio.com business directory to find local businesses and services in Lawrence County, Ohio.
How do I list my Lawrence County business on FindItOhio.com?
Visit the free business listing page on FindItOhio.com and submit your business name, address, phone number and website.
Looking for another county? Explore all 88 Ohio counties on FindItOhio.com.
County background adapted from the Wikipedia article Lawrence County, Ohio, available under the Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 4.0 license.