Kettering, Ohio
Encyclopedia : K : KE : KET : Kettering, Ohio
Kettering is a city in Montgomery County and part of Greene County in Ohio. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 57,502. The city incorporated in 1955 from the former Van Buren Township and is named for inventor Charles F. Kettering, who resided here in his home, Ridgeleigh Terrace, from 1914 until his death in 1958.
Geography
Kettering is located at (39.697326, -84.152314)[Geographic references#1GR1].
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 48.4 km² (18.7 mi²). None of the area is covered with water.
Demographics
As of the census[Geographic references#2GR2] of 2000, there were 57,502 people, 25,657 households, and 15,727 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,187.9/km² (3,077.4/mi²). There were 26,936 housing units at an average density of 556.4/km² (1,441.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.23% White, 1.66% African American, 0.18% Native American, 1.38% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.33% from other races, and 1.19% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.11% of the population.There were 25,657 households out of which 26.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.7% were married couples living together, 9.5% have a single female householder, and 38.7% were non-families. 33.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.85.
In the city the population was spread out with 22.5% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 29.4% from 25 to 44, 22.3% from 45 to 64, and 18.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 90.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $45,051, and the median income for a family was $55,849. Males had a median income of $41,558 versus $28,921 for females. The per capita income for the city was $27,009. About 3.2% of families and 4.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.3% of those under age 18 and 3.6% of those age 65 or over.
History
The earliest settler in what is now Kettering was John Patterson, a farmer who built the area's first log cabin in 1798. In 1841, an expanding population forced the creation of Van Buren Township, a name that would remain for more than 100 years.In November of 1952, voters of Van Buren Township approved the incorporation of the Village of Kettering, named for its most outstanding citizen, the famous philanthropist and inventor of the automobile self-starter, Charles. F. Kettering. A special census in 1955 recorded the village population at 38,118 qualifying it for city status.
Kettering was proclaimed a city on June 24, 1955, by the Secretary of State of Ohio. Voters approved adoption of a Home Rule Charter and Council-Manager form of government, which went into effect on January 1, 1956. Seven council representatives are elected for four-year terms on a non-partisan basis, one from each of the four districts and two at-large, plus the mayor.
A notable person to have lived in Kettering is Nancy Cartwright, voice of Bart on Matt Groening's popular television series The Simpsons.
Kettering Today
While Kettering is a suburb of Dayton, Ohio, the city hosts major employers in its own right. They city's five largest employers are:- Kettering Medical Center - a large hospital affiliated with the Seventh-day Adventist Church
- Delphi Corporation - A major auto parts supplier, currently in Chapter 11 bankruptcy
- Reynolds and Reynolds
- GE Consumer Finance - A division of General Electric.
- Intimate Brands - dba Victoria's Secret Direct
The Kettering City School District includes Fairmont High School and many middle and elementary schools. The Fairmont campus includes the new James S. Trent Arena, with seating for 3,300 for concerts and commencements and 3,650 for championship sporting events. It's the eighth largest venue in metropolitan Dayton.
Kettering is home to the Fraze Pavilion, a major outdoor entertainment venue that also hosts the summer concerts of the Dayton Philharmonic.
The world's first Skate Plaza, a 40,000 square foot skateboard park that opened in 2005, was a collaboration between the City of Kettering and Ron Dyrdek, professional skateboarder who grew up in Kettering.
Kettering is the largest city in the United States to utilize a Volunteer Fire Department.
External links
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