Ontario is a city located in Richland County, Ohio. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 5,303. Ontario is a major regional retail center serving the entire North-Central Ohio area.
Ontario is located at 40°46'8" North, 82°36'11" West (40.768906, -82.603066).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 28.3 km2 (10.9 mi2). 28.3 km2 (10.9 mi2) of it is land and none of the area is covered with water.
As of the census of 2000, there are 5,303 people, 2,186 households, and 1,554 families residing in the city. The population density is 187.5/km2 (485.7/mi2). There are 2,319 housing units at an average density of 82.0/km2 (212.4/mi2). The racial makeup of the city is 92.36% White, 4.11% African American, 0.04% Native American, 1.58% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.57% from other races, and 1.30% from two or more races. 1.07% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 2,186 households out of which 32.1% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.8% are married couples living together, 9.7% have a female householder with no husband present, and 28.9% are non-families. 25.0% of all households are made up of individuals and 10.6% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.43 and the average family size is 2.90.
In the city the population is 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 are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 39 years. For every 100 females there are 95.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 88.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $46,146, and the median income for a family is $51,201. Males have a median income of $41,053 versus $26,250 for females. The per capita income for the village is $22,016. 6.2% of the population and 6.0% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 11.6% of those under the age of 18 and 3.5% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
The original town of Ontario started as a settlement in Springfield Township between Mansfield and Bucyrus. In 1834, the settlement combined with another small settlement known as New Castle to became the village of Ontario.
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 historical Lincoln Highway which was America's first transcontinental road, connecting New York City to San Francisco. The arrival of the Lincoln Highway to Ontario was a major influence on the development of the town. Upon the advent of the federal numbered highway system in 1928, the Lincoln Highway through Ontario became U.S. Highway 30.
In 1958, General Motors built a large Fisher Body stamping plant in Ontario and the residents voted to incorporate the village.
In 1960, the new 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 School District enjoys a long and distinguished reputation for education excellence with state-of-the-art facilities.
In 1969, North-Central Ohio's first modern enclosed mall was built in Ontario, the Richland Mall, which was anchored by the prestigious Lazarus Department Store (based in Columbus), by the O'Neils Department Store (based in Akron) and by Sears. The Lazarus store was the first Lazarus built outside of Columbus. The store's unique "high-hat" entrance tower remains visible for miles along U.S. Highway 30. Today, the renamed Westfield Richland Shoppingtown Mall is home to almost 70 stores and is anchored by Macy's (the old Lazarus store), Kaufmann's (the old O'Neils store), Sears, and JCPenney (a later addition to the mall). See "Commerce" below.
The arrival of both General Motors and the Richland Mall to Ontario was the beginning of the eventual shift of commerce and industry from the adjacent rust belt city of Mansfield to the new suburbia of Ontario.
Several annexations 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. 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.
As of 2000, with a population of 5,303, Ontario became a city.
Since the 1960's, Ontario has been a location of choice for residential development, with its progressive civic administration, an excellent school system, and a healthy tax base from significant commercial and industrial development.
Source:
OntarioOhio.com
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