Lorain, Ohio

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Downtown Lorain and the Black River

Lorain is a city in Lorain County, Ohio, United States. As of the 2000 Census, the city had a total population of 68,652 making it Ohio's 10th largest city. Lorain is located in Northeast Ohio, on Lake Erie, at the mouth of the Black River, west of Cleveland. 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. The Lorain Works is one of the few integrated steel mills left in the United States.

1 Geography
2 Politics
3 Demographics
4 Culture
5 Notable natives and residents
6 References
7 External links

[edit] Geography

Lorain, part of the Cleveland-Elyria-Mentor metropolitan area, is located at 41°26′54″N, 82°10′8″W (41.448241, -82.168862)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 62.8 km² (24.2 mi²). 62.2 km² (24.0 mi²) of it is land and 0.6 km² (0.2 mi²) of it (0.95%) is water.

[edit] Politics

Mayors of Lorain (Since 1952)

John C. Jaworski (D) 1952-62
Woody W. Mathna (R) 1962-72
Joseph Zahorec (D) 1972-80
William E. Parker (R) 1980-84
Joseph Zahorec (D) 1984
Alex M. Olejko (D) 1985-96
Joseph Koziura (D) 1996-00
Craig L. Foltin (R) 2000-Present

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 2003 re-elected Republican Mayor Craig L. Foltin. Mayor Craig Foltin is currently running for the U.S. Congress(13th district of Ohio)

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 2005 May Primary the number of residents registered to a party stood at:

Democrats: 11,280 Republicans: 1,971

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 68,652 people, 26,434 households, and 17,975 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,103.5/km² (2,858.6/mi²). There were 28,231 housing units at an average density of 453.8/km² (1,175.5/mi²). 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.

[edit] Culture

Over 70 different nationalities live in the Lorain area. Many were originally attracted by work in the steel mills and ship yards. One of the highlights of the summer season is the Lorain International Festival.

[edit] Notable natives and residents

Terry Anderson, journalist and former Lebanese hostage
Corporal Charles J. Berry, winner of the Medal of Honor during WW II
Stevan Dohanos, artist
General Quincy Gillmore
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
Toni Morrison, Nobel Prize laureate
Don Novello, aka Father Guido Sarducci
Actor Frank O'Connor, husband of Ayn Rand
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[1]
General Johnnie Wilson

	North: Lake Erie
West: Vermilion	Lorain	East: Sheffield Lake, Sheffield
	South: Amherst, Amherst Township, Sheffield Township, Elyria, Elyria Township