Celina, Ohio
Encyclopedia
Celina is a city in and the county seat
of Mercer County
, Ohio
, United States
. The population was 10,303 at the 2000 census. Celina is situated on the western shores of Grand Lake St. Marys
.
Celina was founded in 1834 in a swampy, wooded area that had to be drained and cleared before it could be settled. What remained was a level town surrounded by rich farm fields. When one of the town's founding fathers Josh Evers was traveling through New York
state to get the town plat lithographed, he came across the town of Salina
situated on the edge of Onondaga Lake
near Syracuse
. Noting the similarity between Salina and the newly founded settlement in Ohio, he named the new town Celina. The spelling was changed to avoid confusion at the post office, or so the story is told from past legends. Another legend has it that the spelling was changed because in Salina, NY, Main Street is oriented east-west (also Market Street is oriented north-south), where in Celina, OH, Main Street is oriented north-south (and Market Steet is oriented east-west).
Celina grew slowly after its founding in 1834. In 1880, only 1,346 people resided in the community, but over the next decade, Celina’s population nearly doubled to 2,684 inhabitants. The primary reason for this population growth was the discovery of oil and natural gas deposits during the 1880s. In 1886, Celina contained three newspaper offices, five churches, and two banks. Numerous manufacturing establishments existed in the community, most of which provided services or products to farmers in the surrounding countryside. This has held true throughout the twentieth century. In 2000, Celina was the largest municipality in Mercer County, with a population of 10,303 people.
Celina is located at 40°33′5"N 84°34′12"W (40.551459, -84.570057), at an elevation
of 886 feet (270 m).
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 4.4 square miles (11.4 km²), of which, 4.4 square miles (11.4 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²) of it (0.90%) is water.
of 2000, there were 10,303 people, 4,191 households, and 2,745 families residing in the city. The population density
was 2,346.9 people per square mile (906.2/km²). There were 4,466 housing units at an average density of 1,017.3 per square mile (392.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.04% White, 0.18% African American, 0.37% Native American, 0.67% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.62% from other races
, and 1.10% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.14% of the population
There were 4,191 households out of which 33.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.3% were married couples
living together, 11.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.5% were non-families. 30.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 3.04.
In the city the population was spread out with 27.2% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 26.8% from 25 to 44, 21.0% from 45 to 64, and 16.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 91.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $36,057, and the median income for a family was $44,901. Males had a median income of $35,467 versus $22,008 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $18,200. About 8.1% of families and 11.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.7% of those under age 18 and 10.5% of those age 65 or over.
Bicycle and Mersman Furniture formerly had manufacturing plants in Celina but have since closed. Companies such as Celina Aluminum Precision Technology—a Honda
supplier—, Crown Equipment Corporation
(located in Huffy's former location), and Reynolds and Reynolds are the largest manufacturing employers.Eighth Floor, LLC, Thieman Tailgates, McKirnan Brothers, Inc. and Celina Tent Inc.
are also based out of Celina.
During the last weekend in July, Celina hosts the annual Celina Lake Festival to celebrate Celina's history on Grand Lake St. Marys. The Lake Festival is host to one of the largest Amphicar
gatherings in the world. The cars gather on Friday night for a "swim-in".
's Lake Campus is located off State Route 703
on 600 Lake Campus Drive in Celina.
Celina is also served by three local radio stations, WCSM AM
and FM
and WKKI
FM. WCSM-FM broadcasts at 96.7 and plays adult contemporary music. WCSM-AM broadcasts at 1350 and features news, talk, and the Music of Your Life
adult standards
format. WKKI broadcasts at 94.3 and plays rock
.
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Mercer County
Mercer County, Ohio
Mercer County is a county located in the state of Ohio, United States. Its county seat is Celina and is named for Hugh Mercer, an officer in the American Revolutionary War.The Celina Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Mercer County.-Geography:...
, Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 10,303 at the 2000 census. Celina is situated on the western shores of Grand Lake St. Marys
Grand Lake St. Marys
Grand Lake Saint Marys State Park is an Ohio state park, west of St. Marys, and south-east of Celina, south-west of Lima in the north-western part of the U.S. state of Ohio.Grand Lake covers in Mercer and Auglaize counties...
.
History
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
state to get the town plat lithographed, he came across the town of Salina
Salina, New York
Salina is a town in Onondaga County, New York, United States. The population was 33,290 at the 2000 census. The name of the town is derived from the Latin word for "salt."...
situated on the edge of Onondaga Lake
Onondaga Lake
Onondaga Lake is a lake in Central New York located northwest of Syracuse, New York. The southeastern end of the lake and the southwestern shore abut industrial areas and expressways; the northeastern shore and northwestern end border a series of parks and museums. Although it is near the Finger...
near Syracuse
Syracuse, New York
Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
. Noting the similarity between Salina and the newly founded settlement in Ohio, he named the new town Celina. The spelling was changed to avoid confusion at the post office, or so the story is told from past legends. Another legend has it that the spelling was changed because in Salina, NY, Main Street is oriented east-west (also Market Street is oriented north-south), where in Celina, OH, Main Street is oriented north-south (and Market Steet is oriented east-west).
Celina grew slowly after its founding in 1834. In 1880, only 1,346 people resided in the community, but over the next decade, Celina’s population nearly doubled to 2,684 inhabitants. The primary reason for this population growth was the discovery of oil and natural gas deposits during the 1880s. In 1886, Celina contained three newspaper offices, five churches, and two banks. Numerous manufacturing establishments existed in the community, most of which provided services or products to farmers in the surrounding countryside. This has held true throughout the twentieth century. In 2000, Celina was the largest municipality in Mercer County, with a population of 10,303 people.
Geography
Elevation
The elevation of a geographic location is its height above a fixed reference point, most commonly a reference geoid, a mathematical model of the Earth's sea level as an equipotential gravitational surface ....
of 886 feet (270 m).
According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 4.4 square miles (11.4 km²), of which, 4.4 square miles (11.4 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²) of it (0.90%) is water.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 10,303 people, 4,191 households, and 2,745 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 2,346.9 people per square mile (906.2/km²). There were 4,466 housing units at an average density of 1,017.3 per square mile (392.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.04% White, 0.18% African American, 0.37% Native American, 0.67% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.62% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.10% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.14% of the population
There were 4,191 households out of which 33.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.3% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 11.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.5% were non-families. 30.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 3.04.
In the city the population was spread out with 27.2% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 26.8% from 25 to 44, 21.0% from 45 to 64, and 16.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 91.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $36,057, and the median income for a family was $44,901. Males had a median income of $35,467 versus $22,008 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $18,200. About 8.1% of families and 11.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.7% of those under age 18 and 10.5% of those age 65 or over.
Economy
HuffyHuffy
The Huffy Corporation is an American importer and manufacturer of inexpensive mass-market bicycles. It was founded in 1887 when George P. Huffman purchased the Davis Sewing Machine Company and moved its factory to Dayton, Ohio. Seven years later, in 1894, Huffman adapted the factory to...
Bicycle and Mersman Furniture formerly had manufacturing plants in Celina but have since closed. Companies such as Celina Aluminum Precision Technology—a Honda
Honda
is a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than...
supplier—, Crown Equipment Corporation
Crown Equipment Corporation
A privately held, family-owned U.S. company, Crown Equipment Corporation is the fourth largest manufacturer of powered industrial forklift trucks in the world. According to industry reports, Crown had $1.6 billion in worldwide sales revenue for fiscal year 2009. Crown has appeared at least ten...
(located in Huffy's former location), and Reynolds and Reynolds are the largest manufacturing employers.Eighth Floor, LLC, Thieman Tailgates, McKirnan Brothers, Inc. and Celina Tent Inc.
Celina Tent Inc.
A privately held, family-owned U.S. company, Celina Tent manufactures vinyl event tents,Corporate headquarters: Celina, Ohio, USA.Number of employees: 52 worldwide.Incorporated: 1996 as Celina Tent Rental Inc...
are also based out of Celina.
Events
Celina hosts the annual Freedom Days Picnic in early July in honor of American Independence.During the last weekend in July, Celina hosts the annual Celina Lake Festival to celebrate Celina's history on Grand Lake St. Marys. The Lake Festival is host to one of the largest Amphicar
Amphicar
The Amphicar is an amphibious automobile, the first such vehicle mass-produced for sale to the public starting in 1961. The German vehicle was designed by Hanns Trippel and manufactured by the Quandt Group at Lübeck and at Berlin-Borsigwalde. Its name is a portmanteau of "amphibious" and "car". The...
gatherings in the world. The cars gather on Friday night for a "swim-in".
Education
Wright State UniversityWright State University
Wright State University is a comprehensive public university with strong doctoral, research, and undergraduate programs, rated among the 260 Best National Universities listed in the annual "America's Best Colleges" rankings by U.S. News and World Report. Wright State is located in Fairborn, Ohio,...
's Lake Campus is located off State Route 703
Ohio State Route 703
Ohio State Route 703 is a state highway in western Ohio. Its western terminus is in Montezuma at State Route 219, and its eastern terminus at an intersection with State Route 29, State Route 66, and the southern terminus of State Route 116 in St. Mary's. The route primarily runs along the...
on 600 Lake Campus Drive in Celina.
Media
Celina is served by a daily newspaper,The Daily Standard, first published in 1848.Celina is also served by three local radio stations, WCSM AM
WCSM (AM)
WCSM is an American AM radio station in Celina, Ohio, broadcasting at 1350 kHz on the AM dial. The station is owned with 96.7 WCSM-FM by Hayco Broadcasting, Inc.-Brief history:...
and FM
WCSM-FM
WCSM-FM is an American FM radio station broadcasting at 96.7 MHz in Celina, Ohio. The station features a full-service Hot Adult Contemporary format with local news, weather, sports and agricultural programming...
and WKKI
WKKI
WKKI is a radio station broadcasting a Classic hits format. Licensed to Celina, Ohio, USA, the station serves the Lima area. The station is currently owned by The Sonshine Communications Corporation....
FM. WCSM-FM broadcasts at 96.7 and plays adult contemporary music. WCSM-AM broadcasts at 1350 and features news, talk, and the Music of Your Life
Music of Your Life
Music of Your Life is a satellite-delivered radio network featuring the Adult Standards music format. Created by record executive and jingle writer Al Ham, and now under the direction of Marc Angell, Music of Your Life has more than 50 AM, FM and HD-2 radio station affiliates, and has been in...
adult standards
Adult standards
Adult standards is a North American radio format heard primarily on AM or class A FM stations.Adult standards is aimed at "mature" adults, meaning mainly those persons over 50 years of age, but it is mostly targeted for senior citizens...
format. WKKI broadcasts at 94.3 and plays rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
.