Where is Ironton, Ohio

Written and Fact-checked by | Updated On: August 5, 2026

Ironton is a city in southern Ohio, located in Lawrence County along the Ohio River near the West Virginia and Kentucky borders. It is about 90 miles south of Columbus and 30 miles west of Huntington, West Virginia. The city is known for its iron-making history, historic downtown, Ohio River setting, and nearby Wayne National Forest.

Location Map of Ironton, Lawrence County, Ohio

Where is Ironton Located in Lawrence County, Ohio

About Map: The map shows the location of Ironton in Lawrence County, in the U.S. state of Ohio.

Ironton Map, Ohio

About Ironton Map: The Google Map highlights the location of Ironton in Lawrence County, Ohio. Use the zoom, satellite, and street-view options to explore the city's neighborhoods, roads, and nearby places.

Where is Ironton Located?

Ironton is a city located in Lawrence County, Ohio, the United States. It lies along the Ohio River in southern Ohio, about 90 miles south of Columbus and roughly 30 miles west of Huntington, West Virginia. Ironton is close to the Kentucky border and is part of the Huntington-Ashland regional area. The city is located at approximately 38.534° North latitude and 82.683° West longitude. The 2020 Census recorded 10,175 residents. Ironton covers about 5.73 square miles, or 14.84 square kilometers. The city was founded in 1849 as a center for iron production, and its early economy was closely tied to the iron industry and river transportation. The Ohio River remains one of Ironton's defining geographic features. Nearby Lake Vesuvius and Wayne National Forest provide opportunities for hiking, boating, fishing, camping, and wildlife viewing. A unique feature of Ironton is its position at the intersection of Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia regional influences. The city also has a strong connection to the historic Hanging Rock Iron Region. U.S. Route 52 and U.S. Route 23 provide major transportation links to Portsmouth, Ashland, Huntington, and other communities along the Ohio River.

Most Viewed US Maps

USA Sttae MapUSA Region MapUSA Road Map
USA County MapWhere is USA in World Map?US ZIP Code Map
USA Time Zones MapUS State and Capitals MapUSA Physical Map
Looking for a U.S. City?
Find 4,400+ U.S. Cities by State - Explore Their Locations and Get Detailed Information

Ironton City Facts

CityIronton
StateOhio
CountyLawrence County
CountryUnited States
RegionSouthern Ohio / Ohio River Valley
Incorporated1850
Founded1849
Total Area5.73 sq mi (14.84 sq km)
Land Area5.53 sq mi (14.32 sq km)
Water Area0.20 sq mi (0.52 sq km)
ElevationAbout 560 ft (171 m)
Population (2023 estimate)About 9,900
Population (2020 Census)10,175
Population DensityAbout 1,840 people per sq mi
Time ZoneEastern Time (ET)
ZIP Codes45638
Area Code740, 220
Major HighwaysU.S. Route 52, U.S. Route 23, Ohio State Route 93
Public TransitLawrence County Transit
Major AttractionsOhio River, Lake Vesuvius, Wayne National Forest, Lawrence County Historical Society Museum
Official Websitehttps://www.cityofironton.org/

Distance from Ironton, OH to Nearby Cities

  • Ashland, KY – 8 miles (13 km)
  • South Point, OH – 8 miles (13 km)
  • Coal Grove, OH – 5 miles (8 km)
  • Huntington, WV – 30 miles (48 km)
  • Portsmouth, OH – 30 miles (48 km)
  • Gallipolis, OH – 35 miles (56 km)
  • Jackson, OH – 35 miles (56 km)
  • Russell, KY – 12 miles (19 km)
  • Grayson, KY – 25 miles (40 km)
  • Wheelersburg, OH – 25 miles (40 km)
  • Waverly, OH – 55 miles (89 km)
  • Charleston, WV – 75 miles (121 km)
  • Chillicothe, OH – 65 miles (105 km)
  • Columbus, OH – 90 miles (145 km)
  • Cincinnati, OH – 125 miles (201 km)

Top Attractions in Ironton

  • Ohio River – The river forms an important part of Ironton's geography and history, supporting boating, fishing, wildlife viewing, and scenic recreation.
  • Lawrence County Historical Society Museum – A local museum preserving artifacts and stories from Ironton, the Hanging Rock Iron Region, and Lawrence County.
  • Lake Vesuvius – A scenic lake within Wayne National Forest offering fishing, boating, hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing.
  • Wayne National Forest – A large forest area in southeastern Ohio with trails, lakes, campgrounds, hunting areas, and scenic woodland landscapes.
  • Ironton Historic District – A downtown area with historic buildings and sites connected to the city's iron, river, and commercial history.
  • Oak Ridge Golf Course – A nearby golf facility surrounded by the wooded hills and valleys of southern Ohio.
  • Hanging Rock Iron Region – A historic industrial area that preserves the story of the iron industry that helped shape Ironton and surrounding communities.
  • Tri-State Iron and Steel Museum – A regional attraction documenting the area's historic iron and steel production and industrial heritage.

Airports Near Ironton

  • Tri-State Airport (HTS) – 25 miles
  • Lawrence County Airpark (HTW) – 10 miles
  • Ashland Regional Airport (DWU) – 20 miles
  • Jackson County Airport (JXN) – 40 miles
  • Yeager Airport (CRW) – 85 miles

Sources:

Population and area data sourced from the United States Census Bureau (2020 Census). General city information referenced from the official Ironton city website and local government records.

Ohio More Maps & Info

Ohio MapOhio County MapOhio Cities Map
Ohio ZipcodesWhere is OhioWhere is Akron
Ohio Area CodesOhio Blank MapOhio River Map
Ohio Physical MapOhio Road MapWhere is Cincinnati
Where is Cleveland/a>Where is ColumbusWhere is Toledo