Celina, Ohio

History

James Watson Riley established Celina in 1834. The settlement was named after Salina, New York.

Geography

Celina is located at 40°33′5″N 84°34′12″W (40.551459, -84.570057), at an elevation of 886 feet (270 m). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 5.27 square miles (13.65 km²), of which 4.98 square miles (12.90 km²) is land and 0.29 square miles (0.75 km²) is water.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 10,303 people, 4,191 households, and 2,745 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,346.9 people per square mile (906.2/km²). There were 4,466 housing units at an average density of 1,017.3/sq mi (392.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.04% White, 0.18% African American, 0.37% Native American, 0.67% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.62% from other races, and 1.10% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.14% of the population.

There were 4,191 households out of which 33.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.3% were married couples living together, 11.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.5% were non-families. 30.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the city the population was spread out with 27.2% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 26.8% from 25 to 44, 21.0% from 45 to 64, and 16.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 91.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $36,057, and the median income for a family was $44,901. Males had a median income of $35,467 versus $22,008 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,200. About 8.1% of families and 11.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.7% of those under age 18 and 10.5% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 10,400 people, 4,264 households, and 2,791 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,087.9 people per square mile (906.2/km²). There were 4,841 housing units at an average density of 1,017.3 per square mile (392.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.9% White, 0.5% African American, 0.4% Native American, 1.2% Asian, 0.4% Pacific Islander. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.8% of the population.

There were 4,329 households of which 31.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.5% were married couples living together, 13.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.5% were non-families. 30.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 27.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the city the population was spread out with 27.9% under the age of 19, 24.4% from 20 to 39, 26.2% from 40 to 59, 15.5% from 60 to 79, and 6.1% who were 80 years of age or older. The median age was 38.3 years.

Economy

Huffy Bicycle and Mersman Furniture formerly had manufacturing plants in Celina but have since closed. Companies such as Celina Aluminum Precision Technology (a Honda supplier), Crown Equipment Corporation (located in Huffy's former location), and Reynolds and Reynolds are the largest manufacturing employers. Eighth Floor, LLC, Thieman Tailgates, McKirnan Brothers, Inc. and Celina Tent Inc. are also based out of Celina. There are also lot of farms as a result of the rich soil after the draining. Celina grows mainly soybeans, corn, and wheat.

Freedom Days Picnic

Celina hosts the annual Freedom Days Picnic in early July in honor of American Independence.

Celina Lake Festival

During the last weekend in July, Celina hosts the annual Celina Lake Festival to celebrate Celina's history on Grand Lake St. Marys. The Lake Festival is host to one of the largest Amphicar gatherings in the world. The cars gather on Friday night for a "swim-in".

Mercer County Fair

During the second week in August, Celina is home to the Mercer County Fair and hosts many arts and crafts, livestock, food, rides, and the demolition derby.

Governor's Cup Regatta

Celina hosts the annual Governors Cup Regatta which features Hydroplane racing on Grand Lake St. Marys.

Public schools

Celina Public Schools belong to the Celina City School District. The district has three elementary schools, a middle school and a high school.

The district reorganized the grade locations for the 2014 school year. The schools include Celina Primary School (K-2), Celina Elementary School (3-4), Celina Intermediate Elementary School (5-6), Celina Middle School (7-8), and Celina High School (9-12). There is an alternative high school located at the Education Complex.

The Celina-Mercer County Head Start Program is for children in Pre-School. There are two locations in the Celina district where Head Start is located: The Celina City Schools Education Complex and the Celina City Schools Franklin Building.

There are Tri-Star classes located at the Celina High School, the Celina City Schools Education Complex, and the Franklin Building.

Colleges and universities

Wright State University's Lake Campus is located off State Route 703 on 600 Lake Campus Drive in Celina.

Libraries

The Mercer County District Library's main library is located at 303 North Main Street in Celina. The district library also has branches in St. Henry, Mendon, and Chickasaw.

Media

Celina is served by a daily newspaper, The Daily Standard, first published in 1848. It circulates about 10,000 copies a day.

Celina is also served by three local radio stations, WCSM AM and FM and WKKI FM. WCSM-FM broadcasts at 96.7 and plays adult contemporary music. WCSM-AM broadcasts at 1350 and features news, talk, and the Music of Your Life adult standards format. WKKI broadcasts at 94.3 and plays rock.

Notable people