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'Ontario' is a city in Richland County in the U.S. state of Ohio. It is part of the Mansfield, Ohio Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 5,303 at the 2000 census. Ontario is a major regional retail center serving the entire North-Central Ohio area, with a shopping population of over 150,000.

Contents

Geography

Demographics

History

Transportation

External links

Geography

Ontario is located at (40.768906, -82.603066).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 28.3 km² (10.9 mi²), all land.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 5,303 people, 2,186 households, and 1,554 families residing in the city. The population density was 187.5/km² (485.7/mi²). There were 2,319 housing units at an average density of 82.0/km² (212.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 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. Hispanic or 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 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.

History

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 historic Lincoln Highway which was the first road across America, 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 [1] enjoys a long and distinguished reputation for education excellence with state-of-the-art facilities.
In 1969, the Richland Mall was built. It was the first modern enclosed mall in North Central Ohio, and was originally anchored by the prestigious Lazarus Department Store (based in Columbus), the O'Neil's 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. The Lazarus store eventually became Macy's, and then subsequently was closed in 2006 following the purchase of the May Department Store company by Federated Department Stores, parent of Macy's and the former Lazarus. The mall, which was renamed Westfield Shoppingtown Richland for a period of time, is once again called Richland Mall following a name change in 2006. It is now home to almost 70 stores and is anchored by Macy's (located in the original O'Neils store that had become Kaufmann's for a period of time), Sears, and JCPenney (a later addition to the mall).
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 suburb-satellite town 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 1960s, 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.

Transportation

Ontario is connected by four major highways:

★ U.S. Highway 30 (the Lincoln Highway), which connects Mansfield and Interstate 71 to the east with Bucyrus to the west.

★ State Route 309, which connects Mansfield to the east with Galion to the west.

★ State Route 314, which connects Shelby to the north with Chesterville to the south.

★ State Route 430 (Park Avenue West) connecting Ontario to downtown Mansfield.
Busy thoroughfares in Ontario are:

★ Park Avenue West (east-west)

★ West Fourth Street (east-west)

★ Walker Lake Road (east-west)

★ Millsboro Road (east-west)

★ Home Road (north-south) along the eastern city limits at Mansfield

★ Lexington-Springmill Road (north-south) connecting Springmill and State Route 39 to the north with Lexington to the south.
Although Ontario only has a population of about 5,300 people, it has 25 traffic lights within its city limits, including 15 alone on Lexington-Springmill Road, the major thoroughfare through the city's popular retail and restaurant district.

External links

★ City of Ontario

★ Ontario School District