EAST PALESTINE, OH

East Palestine is a village in eastern Columbiana County, Ohio, United States. The population was 4,761 at the 2020 census. Located on the state's border with Pennsylvania, East Palestine is 20 miles (31 km) south of Youngstown, 40 miles (64 km) northwest of Pittsburgh, and 76 miles (122 km) southwest of Cleveland. It is a part of the Salem, OH Micropolitan Statistical Area.

East Palestine is located along the Norfolk Southern Railway, and has a freight train station. From the 1870s until the mid 1960s, East Palestine was home to a large industry in ceramics and tire manufacturing. Since then, it has relied on its close proximity to industries in the metropolitan areas of Youngstown and Pittsburgh.

History

East Palestine was founded in 1828 as Mechanicsburg, and incorporated as a village in 1875 as East Palestine. The name was changed as part of the religious nomenclature in the area, including communities such as Enon Valley and New Galilee. Palestine, Ohio was already an incorporated community. Having reached a population of 5,000, East Palestine operated as a statutory city from 1920 until 2011, when it reverted to village status due to declining population.

By the 1920s, railroad facilities of the city consisted of the four track Pennsylvania system. Switches from the Pittsburgh, Lisbon and Western Railroad within one mile of the corporation limits connected with the Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad and New York Central Railroad. The city's leading industries were the manufacture of pottery and automobile tires by the W. S. George Pottery Company and the Edwin C. McGraw Tire Company. However, factories existed that produced steel tanks, foundry work, electrical refractories, food products, electric wiring devices, wooden ventilators, fire proofing material, synthetic ice, and lumber. Around this time, East Palestine began to start an economy in orcharding, which still survives today. Large storage and preserving facilities made East Palestine the leading city for orchards in the area.

East Palestine became a qualified Tree City USA as recognized by the National Arbor Day Foundation in 2004.

Geography

East Palestine is located along the eastern boundary of Columbiana County, almost touching Darlington Township, Pennsylvania. The village is part of Unity Township.

The following highways pass through East Palestine:

According to the United States Census Bureau, East Palestine has a total area of , all land.

Demographics

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 4,721 people, 1,898 households, and 1,282 families living in the city. The population density was . There were 2,125 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 98.2% White, 0.2% African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.4% from other races, and 0.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.9% of the population.

There were 1,898 households, of which 29.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.4% were married couples living together, 13.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 32.5% were non-families. 27.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.95.

The median age in the city was 40.7 years. 23.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.3% were from 25 to 44; 28.5% were from 45 to 64; and 16.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.0% male and 51.0% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 4,917 people, 1,975 households, and 1,384 families living in the city. The population density was 1,772.1 people per square mile (685.4/km). There were 2,108 housing units at an average density of 759.7 per square mile (293.8/km). The racial makeup of the city was 98.47% White, 0.37% African American, 0.06% Native American, 0.14% Asian, 0.26% from other races, and 0.69% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.71% of the population.

There were 1,975 households, out of which 30.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.6% were married couples living together, 11.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.9% were non-families. 25.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the city the population was spread out, with 24.9% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 28.4% from 25 to 44, 22.6% from 45 to 64, and 16.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 93.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $35,738, and the median income for a family was $40,057. Males had a median income of $30,550 versus $17,237 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,243. About 5.5% of families and 10.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.0% of those under age 18 and 2.2% of those age 65 or over.

Government

East Palestine operates under a chartered council–manager government, where there are six council members elected as a legislature in addition to the mayor, who serves as the president of the council. All are elected for 4-year terms. The council employs a village manager for administration. The current mayor is Trent R. Conaway, and the current village manager is Mark McTrustry.

Education

Children in East Palestine are served by the East Palestine City School District. The district formerly operated multiple schools throughout the city; however, a new middle school and a renovated elementary campus were erected surrounding the existing high school in 1997. The current schools in the district are:

The village is home to a public library, first opened in 1920.

Notable residents