Lorain, Ohio
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
, about 30 miles west of Cleveland
.
As of the 2010 Census
, the city had a total population of 64,097, making it Ohio's 10th largest city. It was first settled in 1807 and was originally named Charleston.
Ford Motor Company
had the Lorain Assembly Plant
in the city, mostly known for assembling the Ford Econoline (E-series) van, Ford Torino
and Mercury Montego, and beginning in 1975 the Ford Thunderbird
and Mercury Cougar
(through 1997); the plant ceased all 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.
metropolitan area
, is located at 41°26′54"N 82°10′8"W (41.448241, -82.168862).
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 24.2 square miles (62.7 km²), of which, 24 square miles (62.2 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square mile (0.517997622 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 in the City of Lorain have traditionally been closely tied to the local Democratic Party. However, through the years Republicans occasionally have been able to win offices. Since the late 1990s Lorain has elected all Democrats to city council, but in 1999 a Republican - Craig Foltin - was elected mayor. In 2003, the voters re-elected 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 with until recently 3 at-large seats and 9 wards. The 9th ward was removed because of loss in population but may return after the next census.
As of the 2008 General Election, the number of residents registered to a political party were:
The city is home to the Lorain Municipal Court, which serves the cities of Lorain and Sheffield Lake as well as Sheffield Township.
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 per square mile (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.
which opened in 1928 and continues to operate today. One of the highlights of the summer season is the Lorain International Festival.
Lorain County, Ohio
Lorain County is a county located in the U.S. state of Ohio, and is considered to be a part of what is locally referred to as Greater Cleveland. As of the 2010 census, its population was 301,356. an increase from 284,664 in 2000...
, 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. The municipality is located in northeastern Ohio on Lake Erie
Lake Erie
Lake Erie is the fourth largest lake of the five Great Lakes in North America, and the tenth largest globally. It is the southernmost, shallowest, and smallest by volume of the Great Lakes and therefore also has the shortest average water residence time. It is bounded on the north by the...
, at the mouth of the Black River
Black River (Ohio)
The Black River is a tributary of Lake Erie, about 12 mi long, in northern Ohio in the United States. Via Lake Erie, the Niagara River and Lake Ontario, it is part of the watershed of the St. Lawrence River, which flows to the Atlantic Ocean...
, about 30 miles west of Cleveland
Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state. The city is located in northeastern Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, approximately west of the Pennsylvania border...
.
As of the 2010 Census
United States Census, 2010
The Twenty-third United States Census, known as Census 2010 or the 2010 Census, is the current national census of the United States. National Census Day was April 1, 2010 and is the reference date used in enumerating individuals...
, the city had a total population of 64,097, making it Ohio's 10th largest city. It was first settled in 1807 and was originally named Charleston.
Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK...
had the Lorain Assembly Plant
Lorain Assembly
Lorain Assembly was a Ford Motor Company factory in Lorain, Ohio. The plant opened in 1958 and closed in 2005, having produced approximately 7,500,000 vehicles under 12 model names...
in the city, mostly known for assembling the Ford Econoline (E-series) van, Ford Torino
Ford Torino
The Ford Torino is an intermediate automobile produced by the Ford Motor Company for the North American market between 1968 and 1976. The car was named after the city of Turin , which is considered the Detroit of Italy...
and Mercury Montego, and beginning in 1975 the Ford Thunderbird
Ford Thunderbird
The Thunderbird , is an automobile manufactured by the Ford Motor Company in the United States over eleven model generations from 1955 through 2005...
and Mercury Cougar
Mercury Cougar
The Mercury Cougar is an automobile which was sold under the Mercury brand of the Ford Motor Company's Lincoln-Mercury Division from 1967 to 2002. The name was first used in 1967 and was carried by a diverse series of cars over the next three decades. As is common with Mercury vehicles, the Cougar...
(through 1997); the plant ceased all production on December 14, 2005. The sprawling United States Steel Mills, portions recently acquired by Republic Steel
Republic Steel
Republic Steel was once the third largest steel producer in the United States.The Republic Iron and Steel Company was founded in Youngstown, Ohio in 1899....
, 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–MentorGreater Cleveland
Greater Cleveland is a nickname for the metropolitan area surrounding Cleveland, Ohio and is part of what used to be the Connecticut Western Reserve.Northeast Ohio refers to a similar but substantially larger area as described below...
metropolitan area
United States metropolitan area
In the United States a metropolitan statistical area is a geographical region with a relatively high population density at its core and close economic ties throughout the area. Such regions are not legally incorporated as a city or town would be, nor are they legal administrative divisions like...
, is located at 41°26′54"N 82°10′8"W (41.448241, -82.168862).
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 24.2 square miles (62.7 km²), of which, 24 square miles (62.2 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square mile (0.517997622 km²) of it (0.95%) is water.
The Charles Berry Bridge
Charles Berry Bridge
The Charles Berry Bridge, in Lorain, Ohio along U.S. Route 6, is the second-largest bascule bridge in the world. It was dedicated on Veterans Day in 1988. The bridge had been built in the late 1930s and in use for roughly 48 years before extensive rehabilitation was finished and the bridge was...
is located in Lorain, which is the 2nd largest bascule bridge in the world.
Politics
Mayors of LorainPolitics in the City of Lorain have traditionally been closely tied to the local Democratic Party. However, through the years Republicans occasionally have been able to win offices. Since the late 1990s Lorain has elected all Democrats to city council, but in 1999 a Republican - Craig Foltin - was elected mayor. In 2003, the voters re-elected Craig L. Foltin
Craig L. Foltin
L. Craig Foltin is a Republican politician who served as mayor of Lorain, Ohio from 2000 to 2007. At the age of 32, Foltin upset incumbent Joe Koziura 51.5% to 48.5% in 1999 to win the Mayoral seat in the City of Lorain where Democrats outnumber Republicans five to one. Kozuira had previously won...
.
Lorain is one of the largest cities in Ohio to not have a charter
Charter
A charter is the grant of authority or rights, stating that the granter formally recognizes the prerogative of the recipient to exercise the rights specified...
. The city of Lorain functions under a Statutory government. This provides for a Mayor-Council form with until recently 3 at-large seats and 9 wards. The 9th ward was removed because of loss in population but may return after the next census.
As of the 2008 General Election, the number of residents registered to a political party were:
- 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 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 68,652 people, 26,434 households, and 17,975 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 2,858.1 people per square mile (1,103.5/km²). There were 28,231 housing units at an average density of 1,175.5 per square mile (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
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 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
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, 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
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 $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 TheatreLorain Palace Theatre
In the town of Lorain, Ohio, located just west of Cleveland, the 1,720-seat Lorain Palace Theatre first opened its doors in 1928. It was the first motion picture theater in Ohio to show a talking motion picture. The opening night film, and first talky played in Ohio was a pre-release of...
which opened in 1928 and continues to operate today. One of the highlights of the summer season is the Lorain International Festival.
Notable natives and residents
- Terry Anderson, journalist and former Lebanese hostage
- Don BardenDon H. BardenDonald Hamilton Barden was an American casino executive.Barden was the Manager, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Majestic Star Casino, LLC since its formation, with responsibility for key policy making functions...
, DetroitDetroit, MichiganDetroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River...
businessman and owner of several large U.S. based casinos, Served 2 terms as Lorain's first black city councilman. - Charles J. BerryCharles J. BerryCharles Joseph Berry was a Corporal in the Marine Corps who posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his actions during World War II....
, Corporal, winner of the Medal of HonorMedal of HonorThe Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
during World War II - Michael DirdaMichael DirdaMichael Dirda , a Fulbright Fellowship recipient, is a Pulitzer Prize–winning book critic for the Washington Post.-Career:Having studied at Oberlin College for his undergraduate degree, Dirda took a Ph.D. from Cornell University in comparative literature. In 1978 Dirda started writing for the...
, Pulitzer Prize–winning book critic - Stevan DohanosStevan DohanosStevan Dohanos was an artist and illustrator of the social realism school, best known for his Saturday Evening Post covers, and responsible for several of the Don't Talk set of World War II propaganda posters. He named Grant Wood and Edward Hopper as the greatest influences on his painting.Dohanos...
, artist - Robert GalambosRobert GalambosRobert Carl Galambos was an American neuroscientist whose pioneering research demonstrated how bats use echolocation for navigation purposes, as well as studies on how sound is processed in the brain....
(1914–2010), researcher who discovered how bats use echolocation. - Quincy Gillmore, General
- William HanleyWilliam HanleyWilliam Hanley is an American author, playwright and screenwriter. Among other works, he has written the plays Slow Dance on the Killing Ground, Whisper in my good ear, and Mrs. Dally has a Lover, and the teleplays Who'll Save Our Children?, The Long Way Home, and The Attic: The Hiding of Anne Frank...
, author - Raymont HarrisRaymont HarrisRaymont LaShawn Harris is a former college and professional American football running back. He played 6 seasons in the NFL from 1994 to 2000 for the Chicago Bears, the Green Bay Packers, the Denver Broncos and the New England Patriots.-College career:He starred at the Ohio State University, where...
- NFLNational Football LeagueThe National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
running back - Lofton Henderson, Major, a hero of the Battle of MidwayBattle of MidwayThe Battle of Midway is widely regarded as the most important naval battle of the Pacific Campaign of World War II. Between 4 and 7 June 1942, approximately one month after the Battle of the Coral Sea and six months after Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States Navy decisively defeated...
- Ernest J. King, Fleet Admiral, Chief of Naval OperationsChief of Naval OperationsThe Chief of Naval Operations is a statutory office held by a four-star admiral in the United States Navy, and is the most senior uniformed officer assigned to serve in the Department of the Navy. The office is a military adviser and deputy to the Secretary of the Navy...
and Fleet Admiral of the U.S. Atlantic FleetU.S. Atlantic FleetThe United States Fleet Forces Command is an Atlantic Ocean theater-level component command of the United States Navy that provides naval resources that are under the operational control of the United States Northern Command...
in World War II - Ray LawrenceRay Lawrence (record industry)Ray Lawrence is a former bandleader, record company executive, record producer and personal manager.-Biography:Ray's father was born in Wickhaven, Pennsylvania and his mother was born in Uzhorod, Bohemia. Ray's grandfather died in the Darr Mine Disaster of 1907 in Wickhaven. After the disaster...
, bandleader, record company executive, record producer and personal manager. - Jason Molina, singer-songwriter
- Toni MorrisonToni MorrisonToni Morrison is a Nobel Prize and Pulitzer Prize-winning American novelist, editor, and professor. Her novels are known for their epic themes, vivid dialogue, and richly detailed characters. Among her best known novels are The Bluest Eye, Song of Solomon and Beloved...
, Nobel PrizeNobel PrizeThe Nobel Prizes are annual international awards bestowed by Scandinavian committees in recognition of cultural and scientific advances. The will of the Swedish chemist Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite, established the prizes in 1895...
laureate author - Chad MuskaChad MuskaChad Muska is an American professional skateboarder, musician and DJ.-Biography:Muska is a professional skateboarder and musician, known for his part in the 1998 skateboarding video, Shorty's Fulfill The Dream....
, professional skateboarder, was born there, currently resides in the Woodland HillsWoodland Hills, Los Angeles, CaliforniaWoodland Hills is a district in the city of Los Angeles, California.Woodland Hills is located in the southwestern area of the San Fernando Valley, east of Calabasas and west of Tarzana, with Warner Center in its northern section...
, Los AngelesLos ÁngelesLos Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California - Don NovelloDon NovelloDon Novello is an American writer, film director, producer, actor, singer, and comedian. Novello is best known for his work on NBC's Saturday Night Live, from 1977 until 1980, and then 1985 until 1986, often as the character "Father Guido Sarducci". Novello has appeared as "Sarducci" on many...
, aka Father Guido SarducciFather Guido SarducciFather Guido Sarducci is a fictional character made famous by American comedian Don Novello. Sarducci, a chain-smoking priest with tinted eyeglasses, works in the United States as gossip columnist and rock critic for the Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano .-Background:Novello... - Ward Van OrmanWard Van OrmanWard Tunte Van Orman was an American engineer, inventor and balloonist. A lifelong employee of Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company credited with invention of Goodyear's inflatable life raft and self-sealing fuel tank, Van Orman set an unrecedented record of winning five annual National Balloon Races...
, three time winner of the Gordon Bennett RaceGordon Bennett Cup in ballooningThe Gordon Bennett Cup is the world's oldest gas balloon race, and is "regarded as the premier event of world balloon racing" according to the Los Angeles Times. Referred to as the "Blue Ribbon" of aeronautics, the first race started from Paris, France, on September 30, 1906... - Robert F. OvermyerRobert F. OvermyerRobert Franklyn Overmyer, Colonel, United States Marine Corps, Ret. was an American test pilot and NASA astronaut. He was born in Lorain, Ohio, but considered Westlake, Ohio his hometown.-Early life:...
, Colonel in the United States Marine CorpsUnited States Marine CorpsThe United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
, test pilotTest pilotA test pilot is an aviator who flies new and modified aircraft in specific maneuvers, known as flight test techniques or FTTs, allowing the results to be measured and the design to be evaluated....
and astronaut - Martha PiperMartha PiperMartha C. Piper, OC, OBC was the President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of British Columbia. She held the position from 1997 until 2006, and was the 11th person and the first woman to do so...
, former chancellor and president of the University of British ColumbiaUniversity of British ColumbiaThe University of British Columbia is a public research university. UBC’s two main campuses are situated in Vancouver and in Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley... - Helen Steiner RiceHelen Steiner RiceHelen Steiner Rice was an American writer of religious and inspirational poetry.Helen Steiner was born in Lorain, Ohio on May 19, 1900. Her father, a railroad worker, died in the influenza epidemic of 1918. She began work for a public utility and progressed to the position of advertising manager,...
, author and poet - Pam RobinsonPam RobinsonPam Robinson is the co-founder, with Hank Glamann, of the American Copy Editors Society. She was born at Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington, D.C. and grew up in Lorain, Ohio, a blue-collar city on Lake Erie, 27 miles west of Cleveland...
, co-founder of the American Copy Editors Society, a national journalism organization - Vince VillanucciVince VillanucciVince Villanucci is a former nose tackle in the National Football League.-Career:Villanucci played with the Green Bay Packers during the 1987 NFL season. He played at the collegiate level at Bowling Green State University.-References:...
, NFL player - General Johnnie Wilson
- Matt WilhelmMatt WilhelmMatthew Wilhelm is an American football linebacker who's currently a free agent in the National Football League. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the fourth round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
, Elyria Catholic graduate, NFL Linebacker, Ohio State National Champion and Super Bowl Champ