Editing Ontario, Ohio

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name            = Ontario, Ohio
|settlement_type          = [[City]]
|nickname                 = 
|motto                    = "We Serve Community Education Industry"

<!-- Images -->
|image_skyline            = Ontario Municipal Building.JPG
|imagesize                = 250px
|image_caption            = Ontario Hellinger Municipal Building
|image_flag               = Flag of Ontario, Ohio.png 
|image_seal               = Seal of Ontario, Ohio.png
|image_blank_emblem       = Logo of Ontario, Ohio.png
|blank_emblem_type        = Logo

<!-- Maps -->
|image_map                = Map of Richland County Ohio Highlighting Ontario City.png
|mapsize                  = 250px
|map_caption              = Location of Ontario in Richland County
|pushpin_map              = Ohio#USA
|pushpin_relief           = yes
|pushpin_label            = Ontario

<!-- Location -->
|subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_name         = United States
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = [[Ohio]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Ohio|County]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Richland County, Ohio|Richland]]

<!-- Government -->
|government_footnotes     = 
|government_type          = 
|leader_title             = [[Mayor]]
|leader_name              = 
|leader_title1            = 
|leader_name1             = 
|established_title        = Founded
|established_date         = 1834
|established_title2       = Incorporated
|established_date2        = 1958 (village)
|established_title3       = -
|established_date3        = 2001 (city)

<!-- Area -->
|unit_pref                = Imperial
|area_footnotes           = <ref name="TigerWebMapServer">{{cite web|title=ArcGIS REST Services Directory|url=https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/arcgis/rest/services/TIGERweb/Places_CouSub_ConCity_SubMCD/MapServer|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=September 20, 2022}}</ref>
|area_magnitude           = 
|area_total_km2           = 28.72
|area_land_km2            = 28.66
|area_water_km2           = 0.06
|area_total_sq_mi         = 11.09
|area_land_sq_mi          = 11.07
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.02

<!-- Population -->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_est           = 
|pop_est_as_of            = 
|population_footnotes     = 
|population_total         = 6656
|population_density_km2   = 232.23
|population_density_sq_mi = 601.48

<!-- General information -->
|timezone                 = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|Eastern (EST)]]
|utc_offset               = -5
|timezone_DST             = EDT
|utc_offset_DST           = -4
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
|elevation_ft             = 1371
|coordinates              = {{coord|40|46|05|N|82|36|41|W|region:US-OH|display=inline,title}}
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code              = 44906
|area_code                = [[Area code 419|419]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 39-58520<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2008-01-31|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref>
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 2396070<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2396070}}</ref>
|website                  = http://www.ontarioohio.org/
|footnotes                = 
}}
'''Ontario''' is a city in [[Richland County, Ohio]], United States. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the city had a population of 6,656.<ref name ="wwwcensusgov"/><ref name ="2020census" >{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website| url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/dashboard/ontariocityohio,US/PST045219 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2021-11-01}}</ref> It is part of the [[Mansfield metropolitan area]].

It was founded in 1834 on the western edge of the [[Allegheny Plateau]], just west of the city of [[Mansfield, Ohio|Mansfield]]. After being incorporated in 1958, Ontario became a [[Heavy industry|heavy manufacturing]] center because of the [[Erie Railroad]] line, and its proximity to Mansfield. However, its status in that regard began to decline in the late 20th century, when much of the Erie Railroad that once ran through the city was abandoned; and shifts in the manufacturing industry led to the relocation or repositioning of many factories. The city's industry has since diversified into [[Tertiary sector of industry|the service economy]], including education, finance and [[Health care in the United States|healthcare]]. The city is also a major regional [[retail]] hub serving the entire North-Central Ohio area, with a shopping population of over 150,000.

==History==
Ontario was founded by Hiram Cook, and was [[plat]]ted in December 1834 as a [[town|settlement]] in [[Springfield Township, Richland County, Ohio|Springfield Township]] near [[Mansfield, Ohio|Mansfield]].<ref name="rootsweb">{{cite web|url=http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~ohrichla/Hist-MillOntNew.htm|title=History of Millsborough, New Castle and Ontario by A. J. Baughman|access-date=2014-01-01|publisher=rootsweb.ancestry.com}}</ref> During that same month thereafter, the original settlement of Ontario merged with New Castle, another small settlement that was originally located just to the west of the Ontario settlement along the Mansfield and Bucyrus route (known today as [[Ohio State Route 309|State Route 309]]) that had just been laid out and platted.<ref name="rootsweb"/> New Castle was named for Henry Cassell, while others stated that it was named in honor of [[Newcastle upon Tyne]], a city in [[England]].<ref name="rootsweb"/> Ontario was named after [[Ontario County, New York]], the native place of the founder of the town.<ref name="rootsweb"/> In 1863, the [[Atlantic and Great Western Railroad]] (later [[Erie Railroad]] mainline) reached Ontario and a [[train station]] was built, but was later demolished after much of the railway was abandoned in the late 20th century.<ref name="rootsweb"/>

The arrival of the [[Lincoln Highway]] to Ontario in 1913 was a major influence on the development of the town.<ref name=FHWA-LH>{{cite web|last=Weingroff|first=Richard F.|url=https://highways.dot.gov/highway-history/general-highway-history/lincoln-highway|title=The Lincoln Highway|work=Highway History|publisher=[[Federal Highway Administration]]|date=April 7, 2011|access-date=January 2, 2014}}</ref> Upon the advent of the federal numbered highway system in 1928, the Lincoln Highway through Ontario became [[U.S. Route 30]].<ref name=FHWA-LH/>

In 1956, [[General Motors Corporation|General Motors]] built a large [[Fisher Body]] stamping plant in Springfield Township and on June 25, 1958, the residents voted to [[incorporation (municipal government)|incorporate]] Ontario into a village to bring the new General Motors plant into Ontario.<ref name="City of Ontario">{{cite web|publisher=City of Ontario|url=http://www.ontarioohio.org/index.php/city-of-ontario/history-statistics|title=History & Statistics|access-date=2014-01-01}}</ref> In 1960, the new [[Ontario High School (Ohio)|Ontario High School]] was built, complete with an indoor swimming pool, a theatre, 3 shops, and numerous high-tech classrooms and labs for college-preparatory studies. New school construction and renovation has continued over the years, and today the [[Ontario Local School District, Richland County, Ohio|Ontario School District]] is the main district.

The arrival of both [[General Motors]] and the [[Richland Mall (Ohio)|Richland Mall]] to Ontario was the beginning of the eventual shift of commerce and industry from the adjacent [[rust belt]] city of [[Mansfield, Ohio|Mansfield]] to the new suburb-[[satellite town]] of Ontario.<ref name="City of Ontario"/>  On June 1, 2009, General Motors filed for [[Chapter 11 bankruptcy]] protection and announced that its Ontario stamping plant (Mansfield-Ontario Metal Center) will close in June 2010.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2009/06/two_ohio_cities_parma_and_onta.html |title=Two Ohio cities, Parma and Ontario, react to news from General Motors |date=2 June 2009 |access-date=2009-06-02 |publisher=Cleveland.com }}</ref> Several [[annexation]]s have been made to Ontario since its incorporation and millions of dollars have been spent on public infrastructure including streets, water and sewer facilities, parks, schools, and new civic buildings for Administrative offices, Public Safety Departments and the Water Department.<ref name="City of Ontario"/> The city administration offices have been housed in several different locations including the "Old Library" which is now being used as a Senior Center. In 1986, the city's offices were moved to the newly constructed Charles K. Hellinger Municipal Building.<ref name="City of Ontario"/> On April 30, 2001, Ontario became a city with a population over 5,300.<ref name="City of Ontario"/>

Since the 1960s, Ontario has been a location of choice for residential development, due in part to its civic administration, its school system, and significant commercial and industrial development.

==Geography==

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|11.10|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|11.08|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.02|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{cite web|title=US Gazetteer files 2010|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2013-01-06|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125061959/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt|archive-date=2012-01-25}}</ref>

==Demographics==

=== 2020 census ===
As of the [[2020 United States census]],<ref>{{Cite web |publisher=United States Census Bureau |title=Census.gov |url=https://www.census.gov/en.html |access-date=2023-04-26 |website=Census.gov |language=EN-US}}</ref> there were 6,656 people, 2,726, and 1,817 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|601.5|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 2,726 housing units.{{US Census population
|1960= 3049
|1970= 4345
|1980= 4123
|1990= 4026
|2000= 5303
|2010= 6225
|2020= 6656
|footnote=Sources:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2011-04-26}}</ref><ref>Data in historical populations table from {{citation|title=US Census, 1970|year = 1973|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4j0YAAAAYAAJ&dq=1970%20census%20ohio%20%22heath%22&pg=SA37-PA15}}; {{citation|title=US Census, 2000|isbn = 9781428986060|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9A1ElkbD3YcC&dq=1990%20census%20ohio&pg=PA21}}; {{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2013-12-31}}</ref><ref name="2020census" />
}}

===2010 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name ="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2013-01-06}}</ref> of 2010, there were 6,225 people, 2,616 households, and 1,748 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|561.8|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 2,808 housing units at an average density of {{convert|253.4|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 90.8% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 4.0% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.3% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 2.6% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.5% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 1.8% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 1.6% of the population.

There were 2,616 households, of which 30.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.5% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 33.2% were non-families. 28.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.88.

The median age in the city was 43.1 years. 22.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.3% were from 25 to 44; 27.7% were from 45 to 64; and 20.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.1% male and 52.9% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 5,303 people, 2,186 households, and 1,554 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|485.7|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 92.36% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 4.11% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.04% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 1.58% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.04% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.57% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.30% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 1.07% of the population.

There were 2,186 households, out of which 32.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.8% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.9% were non-families. 25.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.90.

In the city the population was spread out, with 25.2% under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 28.0% from 25 to 44, 24.8% from 45 to 64, and 15.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $46,146, and the median income for a family was $51,201. Males had a median income of $41,053 versus $26,250 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $22,016. About 6.0% of families and 6.2% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 11.6% of those under age 18 and 3.5% of those age 65 or over.

==Education==
[[Image:Ontario Library Branch.JPG|thumb|Mansfield/Richland County Public Library Ontario Branch]]
[[Ontario Local School District|Ontario Public Schools]] enroll 1,820&nbsp;students in public [[primary education|primary]] and [[secondary education|secondary]] grades.<ref>{{cite web |last=greatschools |url=http://www.greatschools.org/ohio/mansfield/Ontario-Local/ |title=Ontario Local School District Profile |access-date=2013-12-04 }}</ref> The district administers 3 public schools including one elementary school, one middle school, and one high school.

===Libraries===
The Mansfield/Richland County Public Library operates a library branch in Ontario.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mrcpl.org/branches/ontario-branch |title=Ontario Branch |access-date=2011-01-08 |publisher=Mansfield/Richland County Public Library }}</ref>

==Transportation==

===Railroads===
In 1863, the [[Atlantic and Great Western Railroad]] (later [[Erie Railroad]] mainline) reaches Ontario, but was abandoned in the late 20th century. Today, only a {{convert|5|mi|km|0}} spur of the abandoned [[Erie Railroad]] remains. It leads west from the [[Norfolk Southern Railway]] in [[Mansfield, Ohio|Mansfield]] to what used to be the [[General Motors]] metal stamping plant in Ontario.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www2.dot.state.oh.us/map1/OhioRailMap/images/Ohio-Rail-Map-07-09-Fr-Lg.jpg|title=2007 - 2009 Official Ohio Rail Map|access-date=2014-01-01|publisher=[[Ohio Department of Transportation]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029192841/http://www2.dot.state.oh.us/map1/OhioRailMap/images/Ohio-Rail-Map-07-09-Fr-Lg.jpg|archive-date=2013-10-29}}</ref>

===Highways===
Ontario is located on a major east-west transportation corridor that was originally known in the early 1900s as "Ohio Market Route 3." This route was chosen in 1913 to become part of the historic [[Lincoln Highway]] which was the first road across [[United States|America]], connecting [[New York City]] to [[San Francisco]].<ref name=FHWA-LH/> Upon the advent of the federal numbered highway system in 1928, the Lincoln Highway became [[U.S. Route 30]].<ref name=FHWA-LH/> In later years, however, the northern route that ran from Ontario to [[Delphos, Ohio|Delphos]] (now the Lincoln Highway) was improved and became U.S. Route 30N, while the southern route that ran from Ontario to Delphos (now [[Ohio State Route 309|State Route 309]]) became U.S. Route 30S. In 1974, the divided routes were removed with U.S. Route 30N, becoming U.S. Route 30 and U.S. Route 30S would become State Route 309.<ref name="ODOT_1973">{{Ohio road map|year=1973|access-date=2014-01-01|link=no}}</ref><ref name="ODOT_1974">{{Ohio road map|year=1974|access-date=2014-01-01|link=no}}</ref> In 2005, the newly upgraded section of U.S. Route 30, a four-lane limited access highway between Bucyrus and Ontario open to traffic.<ref>{{cite news|title=Timeline: U.S. Route 30 construction in Ohio|url=http://www.cantonrep.com/ohio/x1775160994/Timeline-U-S-Route-30-construction-in-Ohio|work=[[The Repository]]|date=March 2, 2010|access-date=2014-01-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100529094809/http://www.cantonrep.com/ohio/x1775160994/Timeline-U-S-Route-30-construction-in-Ohio|archive-date=May 29, 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Ontario is connected by four major highways, [[U.S. Route 30 in Ohio|U.S. Route 30]], which connects [[Mansfield, Ohio|Mansfield]] and [[Interstate 71]] to the east with [[Bucyrus, Ohio|Bucyrus]] to the west, [[Ohio State Route 309|State Route 309]], which connects Mansfield to the east with [[Galion, Ohio|Galion]] to the west, [[Ohio State Route 314|State Route 314]], which connects [[Shelby, Ohio|Shelby]] to the north with [[Chesterville, Ohio|Chesterville]] to the south, and [[Ohio State Route 430|State Route 430]] (Park Avenue West) connecting Ontario to downtown Mansfield.<ref name="emma">{{cite web|publisher=Yahoo Maps|url=http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result.php?q1=Ontario%2C+OH|title=Map of Ontario, OH|access-date=2007-10-31}}</ref>

Busy thoroughfares in Ontario are; Park Avenue West (State Route 430), West Fourth Street, Walker Lake Road, Home Road (along the eastern city limits at Mansfield), and Lexington-Springmill Road, which connects Springmill and [[State Route 39 (Ohio)|State Route 39]] to the north with [[Lexington, Ohio|Lexington]] to the south.<ref name="emma" />

===Public transit===
The [[Richland County Transit]] (RCT) operates local bus service five days a week, except for Saturdays and Sundays. The RCT bus line operates 9 fixed routes within the cities of [[Mansfield, Ohio|Mansfield]] and Ontario along with fixed routes extending into the city of [[Shelby, Ohio|Shelby]] and [[Madison Township, Richland County, Ohio|Madison Township]].<ref name="RCT">{{cite web|url=http://www.rcrpc.org/RCT/|title=RCT homepage|access-date=2014-01-01|publisher=Richland County Transit|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070518122923/http://www.rcrpc.org/RCT/|archive-date=2007-05-18|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Notable people==

* [[Marc Wilkins (baseball)|Marc Wilkins]], major league baseball player
* [[Charles F. Wishart]], President of the College of Wooster from 1919 to 1944

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* [http://www.ontarioohio.org City of Ontario]
* {{Wikivoyage inline|Ontario (Ohio)|Ontario}}
{{Richland County, Ohio}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Richland County, Ohio]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1834]]
[[Category:Canadian-American culture in Ohio]]
[[Category:Cities in Ohio]]
[[Category:1834 establishments in Ohio]]