Medina, Ohio

Medina (/mɪˈdnə/ mi-DY-nə) is a city in Medina County, Ohio approximately 33 mi (53 km) south of Cleveland and 23 mi (37 km) west of Akron. The population was 26,678 at the 2010 Census. It is the county seat of Medina County.[7]

Medina, Ohio
The historic courthouse in downtown Medina
Motto(s): 
"Preserving the Past. Forging the Future."
Location of Medina, Ohio
Location of Medina in Medina County
Coordinates: 41°8′9″N 81°51′51″W
CountryUnited States
StateOhio
CountyMedina
FoundedNovember 30, 1818 (1818-11-30)[1]
IncorporatedJanuary 31, 1835 (1835-01-31) (village)
IncorporatedMay 6, 1952 (1952-05-06) (city)
Government
  TypeMayor-Council
  MayorDennis Hanwell (R)
Area
  Total12 sq mi (31.08 km2)
  Land11.8 sq mi (30.56 km2)
  Water0.2 sq mi (0.52 km2)
Elevation1,092 ft (333 m)
Population
  Total26,678
  Estimate 
(2019)[5]
25,956
  Density2,260.85/sq mi (872.973/km2)
Demonym(s)Medinian, Medinanite
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
  Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP codes
44256, 44258
Area code(s)234, 330
FIPS code39-48790[6]
GNIS feature ID1061504[3]
Websitehttp://www.medinaoh.org

History

Medina was founded on November 30, 1818[1] as part of the Connecticut Western Reserve. It was originally named Mecca, but an unincorporated community in Ohio already had that name,[8] so the name was changed. Both Mecca and Medina are cities in Saudi Arabia and particularly significant to Islam.

Most early residents were farmers. In the 1830s, growth of the community was aided by the completion of the Ohio and Erie Canal, which helped transport agricultural products to markets.[8] On January 31, 1835, Medina was incorporated as a village and as the county seat of Medina County, Ohio.[8] By 1855, the town's quarries were producing over $200,000 worth of stone per year.[9] In 1857, many of the canal workers started a strike for higher wages; the striking workers were fired, and the four workers who started it were jailed in Albion, Ohio.[10]

In 1869, Amos Root founded the A.I. Root Company in Medina as a manufacturer of beehives and beekeeping equipment, and the town became a center for beehive manufacturing. The Root company had 97 workers in 1886, making it the town's largest employer.[8]

In the mid-1800s, two disastrous fires hit the village. The fire of April 1848 destroyed the entire business district. With no facilities for extinguishing fires, the residents attempted to put out the fire using a bucket brigade, but to no avail, as the fire burned for four hours.[11] None of the town's 1,159 residents perished from the fire,[11] but the townspeople failed to budget for the needed firefighting equipment and in April 1870, another large fire, which started in a wooden building with a barber shop, destroyed 45 buildings (all but two blocks of the business district), and nearly wiped out the entire town.[11] Despite the second calamitous fire, the town still had not organized a fire department beyond a bucket brigade. In July 1877, after repeated dire warnings, the Council finally authorized the issuance of $3,000 worth of bonds to purchase a fire engine.

Out of the disastrous fire of 1870, the town literally "rose from the ashes" like the mythical Phoenix. Much of the Medina Square, including the Town Hall and Engine House, was rebuilt under the watchful eye of onetime mayor and banker Harrison Gray Blake who owned the Phoenix Building in the same city block. Buildings like the H. G. Blake's Phoenix Block and the Town Hall and Engine House are indicative of the resilient spirit of the community and the people who settled in this area of Ohio.

After the fire of 1870, it took almost ten years to replace the buildings on the Square, thus explaining their common Victorian style. Even today, that architectural unity and historic flavor of the Town Square make Medina an appealing destination for residents, visitors and tourists. This very character is what makes the Square a recognized Historic District and spurs on the efforts of the dedicated members of the Community Design Committee and the Historic Preservation Board to preserve the city's historic look and feel.

Today, the Historic District of Medina is a nine block area that surrounds Uptown Park and hosts Candlelight Walk, the International Festival, Art in the Park and draws visitors for many other public and private events[12]

In 1950, Medina had over 5,000 residents, and on May 6, 1952 it was chartered as a city.[13]

Geography

Medina is located at 41°8′9″N 81°51′51″W (41.135899, -81.864069).[14] and includes parts of Lafayette Township, Medina Township, Montville Township and York Township in Medina County, Ohio.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 12 square miles (31.08 km2), of which 11.8 square miles (30.56 km2) is land and 0.2 square miles (0.52 km2) is water.[2]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.
1840655
18501,00954.0%
18601,23422.3%
18701,159−6.1%
18801,48428.0%
18902,07339.7%
19002,2327.7%
19102,73422.5%
19203,43025.5%
19304,07118.7%
19404,3597.1%
19505,09316.8%
19608,23561.7%
197010,91332.5%
198015,30740.3%
199019,23125.6%
200025,13930.7%
201026,6786.1%
Est. 201925,956[5]−2.7%
Sources:[6][15][16][17][18][19][20][21]

2010 census

As of the recent census[4] of 2010, there were 26,678 people, 10,382 households, and 6,991 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,260.85 people per square mile (872.973 people per square km). There were 11,152 housing units at an average density of 963.9 per square mile (372.16/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 93.3% White, 3.1% African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.9% Asian, 0.5% from other races, and 2.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.8% of the population.

There were 10,382 households of which 38.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.7% were married couples living together, 12.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 32.7% were non-families. 27.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 11% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.13.

The median age in the city was 36.4 years. 28.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 27.4% were from 25 to 44; 25.2% were from 45 to 64; and 11.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.1% male and 51.9% female.

Of the city's population over the age of 25, 34.4% held a bachelor's degree or higher.[22]

2000 census

At the 2000 census,[6] there were 25,139 people, 9,467 households and 6,683 families in the city. The population density was 2,215.7 people per square mile (855.14 people per square kilometer). There were 9,924 housing units at an average density of 891.92 inhabitants per square mile (344.37/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 94.60% White, 2.77% African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.74% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.26% from other races, and 1.41% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.00% of the population.

There were 9,467 households of which 40.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.5% were married couples living together, 57.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.4% were non-families. 25.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.15.

29.9% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 33.8% from 25 to 44, 18.8% from 45 to 64, and 10.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.2 males.

The median household income was $50,226 and the median family income was $57,435. Males had a median income of $42,437 compared with $26,893 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,709. About 5.1% of families and 5.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.1% of those under age 18 and 6.2% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

Due to Medina's location, approximately 33 miles (53 km) south of Cleveland and 23 miles (37 km) west of Akron,[23] many residents of Medina work in the Cleveland and Akron areas.[8] The median household income in Medina is $53,586, slightly above the Ohio median income.[24]

RPM International is among the companies based in Medina.

Education

The Medina City School District serves the city of Medina. One high school, two middle schools, one alternative school (for students with behavioral problems), one preschool (for children aged 3–5 with disabilities) and seven elementary schools make up the district. The newest elementary schools are Eliza Northrop and Ralph E. Waite elementary schools, both opened for the 2009–2010 school year. The schools in the Medina City School District are:

  • A.I. Root Middle School
  • Claggett Middle School
  • Eliza Northrop Elementary School
  • Ella Canavan Elementary School
  • Evolve Academy (alternative school for students with behavioral problems)
  • Garfield Elementary School
  • H.G. Blake Elementary School
  • Helping Hands Preschool (preschool for children aged 3–5 with disabilities)
  • Heritage Elementary School
  • Medina High School
  • Ralph E. Waite Elementary School
  • Sidney Fenn Elementary School

The Medina County Career Center serves most of Medina County (except Wadsworth) to provide career education for 11th and 12th graders.[25] It also offers adult and continuing education for adults.[26] Other schools in the city of Medina include St. Francis Xavier School, a Roman Catholic parochial school serving Pre-K through 8th grade,[27] and Medina Christian Academy, a non-denominational Protestant parochial school serving Pre-K through 12th grade.[28] The Medina County University Center is only a quarter-mile south of the city and offers employers a well-trained workforce with opportunity for on-going career development.[29] Medina also is home to the Walton School of Auctioneering.[30]

Medina is the location of the Medina County District Library Main Library.[31]

Media

Medina is served by a daily newspaper, The Medina County Gazette[32] which is published every day of the week except Sundays and a free weekly newspaper, The Medina Post[33] which is published every Saturday. In addition, the Akron Beacon Journal and the Cleveland Plain Dealer occasionally cover the city and Medina County. Medina is served by numerous television and radio stations from both the Greater Cleveland, Greater Akron and Greater Canton areas.

Transportation

Medina is served by the Medina Municipal Airport, which is located 4.6 miles (7.41 km) east of the city.[34][35] US-42 traverses the city. State routes include OH-3, OH-18 and OH-57. Medina is also served by the Medina Transit Authority, which runs buses to various locations around the city of Medina and Medina County.

Rail service reached Medina in the 1800s, and at one time it was served by three rail lines, the Baltimore & Ohio, the Akron, Canton & Youngstown, and the Cleveland Southwestern interurban. Today the Wheeling & Lake Erie Railroad maintains numerous sidings and spurs serving many industries, mostly on the west side of the city. Many other rights of way have been converted to hiking and biking trails.

Notable people

References

  1. "Medina Bicentennial website". City of Medina. Retrieved 2017-11-01.
  2. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 12, 2012. Retrieved 2013-01-06.
  3. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  4. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2013-01-06.
  5. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  6. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  7. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  8. "Medina, Ohio". Ohio History Central. Ohio Historical Society. July 1, 2005. Retrieved February 12, 2013.
  9. "Correspondence of the Baltimore Sun". The Baltimore Sun. September 17, 1855. p. 4. ProQuest 533447605.
  10. "Correspondence of the Baltimore Sun". New York Daily Times. April 18, 1857. p. 5. ProQuest 95916700.
  11. "Destruction of the Town of Medina, Ohio, by Fire". The New York Times. April 16, 1870. p. 1.
  12. "Historic District: City of Medina". City of Medina. 2013. Archived from the original on July 19, 2013.
  13. "Charter of the City of Medina, Ohio" (PDF). City of Medina. Retrieved 2017-11-04.
  14. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  15. "Population of Civil Divisions Less than Counties" (PDF). Statistics of the Population of the United States at the Ninth Census. U.S. Census Bureau. 1870. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  16. "Population of Civil Divisions Less than Counties" (PDF). Statistics of the Population of the United States at the Tenth Census. U.S. Census Bureau. 1880. Retrieved 28 November 2013.
  17. "Population: Ohio" (PDF). 1910 U.S. Census. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 28 November 2013.
  18. "Population: Ohio" (PDF). 1930 US Census. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 28 November 2013.
  19. "Number of Inhabitants: Ohio" (PDF). 18th Census of the United States. U.S. Census Bureau. 1960. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  20. "Ohio: Population and Housing Unit Counts" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 22 November 2013.
  21. "Incorporated Places and Minor Civil Divisions Datasets: Subcounty Population Estimates: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2012". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 11, 2013. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
  22. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2015-09-17. Retrieved 2015-09-22.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  23. Greater Medina Chamber of Commerce
  24. "Medina (city) QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau". quickfacts.census.gov. Archived from the original on 2015-09-17. Retrieved 2015-09-22.
  25. https://mcjvs.edu/
  26. https://mcjvs.edu/?page_id=29
  27. http://www.sfxmedina.com/school/
  28. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2017-08-17. Retrieved 2016-03-02.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  29. http://www.uakron.edu/mcuc/
  30. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2009-07-13. Retrieved 2009-09-15.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  31. "Locations". Medina County District Library. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
  32. http://medinagazette.northcoastnow.com/
  33. http://www.thepostnewspapers.com/medina/
  34. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-03-07. Retrieved 2016-03-02.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  35. http://www.airnav.com/airport/1g5
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