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Lorain, Ohio
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Lorain is a city in Lorain County, Ohio, United States. The municipality is located in northeastern Ohio on Lake Erie, at the mouth of the Black River, west of Cleveland.
As of the 2000 Census, the city had a total population of 68,652 making it Ohio's 10th largest city. It was first settled in 1807 and was originally named Charleston.
Ford Motor Company had a plant in the city, assembling the Ford Econoline van; the plant ceased production on December 14, 2005.
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Encyclopedia
Lorain is a city in Lorain County, Ohio, United States. The municipality is located in northeastern Ohio on Lake Erie, at the mouth of the Black River, west of Cleveland.
As of the 2000 Census, the city had a total population of 68,652 making it Ohio's 10th largest city. It was first settled in 1807 and was originally named Charleston.
Ford Motor Company had a plant in the city, assembling the Ford Econoline van; the plant ceased production on December 14, 2005. The sprawling United States Steel Mills, portions recently acquired by Republic Steel, stretch for nearly 3 miles on the city's south side. These mills have operated in the city since 1895 and continue to employ thousands of local residents. The Lorain Works is one of the few integrated steel mills left in the United States.
Geography
Lorain, part of the Cleveland–Elyria–Mentor metropolitan area, is located at (41.448241, -82.168862).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 24.2 square miles (62.8 km²), of which, 24.0 square miles (62.2 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square miles (0.6 km²) of it (0.95%) is water.
The Charles Berry Bridge is located in Lorain, which is the 2nd largest bascule bridge in the world.
Politics
Politics in the City of Lorain have traditionally been closely tied to that of the local Democratic Party. However, through the years occasional Republicans have been able to win positions. Since the late 1990's Lorain has elected all Democrats to city council but in 1999, Craig Foltin (Republican) was elected Mayor. In 2003, the citizens re-elected Republican Mayor Craig L. Foltin.
Lorain is one of the largest cities in Ohio to not have a charter. The city of Lorain functions under a Statutory government. This provides for a Mayor-Council form of government with, up until recently, 3 at-large seats and 9 wards. (the 9th ward was recently removed because of loss in population, however may return come the next census)
As of the 2008 General Election, the number of residents registered to a party stood at:
- Democrats: 16,168
- Republicans: 2,346
The city is home to the Lorain Municipal Court which serves the cities of Lorain and Sheffield Lake as well as Sheffield Township.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 68,652 people, 26,434 households, and 17,975 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,858.1 people per square mile (1,103.5/km²). There were 28,231 housing units at an average density of 1,175.5/sq mi (453.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 69.70% White, 15.94% African American, 0.44% Native American, 0.33% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 9.56% from other races, and 3.99% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 21.03% of the population.
There were 26,434 households out of which 33.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.6% were married couples living together, 19.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.0% were non-families. 27.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.11.
In the city the population was spread out with 28.3% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 28.2% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 14.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 90.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $33,917, and the median income for a family was $39,454. Males had a median income of $34,120 versus $23,065 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,340. About 14.2% of families and 17.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.5% of those under age 18 and 9.2% of those age 65 or over.
Culture
Over 70 different nationalities live in the Lorain area. Many were originally attracted by work in the steel mills and ship yards. Lorain is sometimes referred to as Steel City mainly because of its well-known steel mill. Downtown Lorain was devastated by a tornado in 1924 and as part of an initiative to rebuild the downtown several historic buildings were constructed, including the Lorain Palace Theatre which opened in 1928 and continues to operate today. One of the highlights of the summer season is the Lorain International Festival.
Pictures
Notable natives and residents
- Terry Anderson, journalist and former Lebanese hostage
- Corporal Charles J. Berry, winner of the Medal of Honor during WW II
- Michael Dirda, Pulitzer Prize–winning book critic
- Stevan Dohanos, artist
- General Quincy Gillmore
- Raymont Harris - NFL running back
- Major Lofton Henderson, a hero of the Battle of Midway
- Admiral Ernest J. King, Chief of Naval Operations and Fleet Admiral of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet in WW II
- Jason Molina, singer-songwriter
- Toni Morrison, Nobel Prize laureate
- Don Novello, aka Father Guido Sarducci
- Colonel Robert F. Overmyer, United States Marine Corps, American test pilot and astronaut
- Martha Piper, former chancellor and president of the University of British Columbia
- Helen Steiner Rice, author, poet
- General Johnnie Wilson
- Chad Muska Professional skateboarder - was born here but moved around in his childhood and he currently resides in the Woodland Hills district of Los Angeles, California.
- Lewis LaCook has created a hypertextual work based on Lorain, Ohio
- John Baumgartner , Hollywood director
- Mary Harkacz Lorain Lighthouse artist/ muralist,Lorain City Hall Mural,Veteran's War Memorial Mural titled "Heroes Lorain,Ohio,USA".
- Steve C. Moldovan, world renowned horticulturist and plant hybridizer of daylilies, iris, peonies, hosta and daffodils.
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