Oregon, Ohio


Oregon is a city in Lucas County, Ohio, United States. It is an industrial suburb of Toledo, located on Lake Erie, just east of the city. Oregon is known for refineries, power plants, and industry that border the western and northern horizon and bolster its economy. The population was 20,291 at the 2010 census.

History

Oregon, Ohio dates back to 1838, when Oregon Township was established, settled, and surveyed.
Marco's Pizza was established in Oregon in 1978.

City Officials

OfficeNameParty
MayorMichael J. SeferianIndependent
City AdministratorMichael J. Beazley
Council PresidentDennis WalendzakDemocrat
CouncilmanJames S. SeamanDemocrat
CouncilmanTerry ReevesDemocrat
CouncilwomanSandy BihnDemocrat
CouncilmanTim ZaleRepublican
CouncilmanSteve HornyakRepublican
CouncilwomanKathleen PollaufRepublican
Director of Public ServicePaul Roman, P.E.
Finance DirectorKathleen Hufford

Geography

Oregon is located at .
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of, of which is land and is water.

Demographics

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 20,291 people, 8,196 households, and 5,555 families residing in the city. The population density was. There were 8,759 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the city was 93.5% White, 1.4% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.8% Asian, 2.2% from other races, and 1.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.5% of the population.
There were 8,196 households of which 30.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.6% were married couples living together, 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 32.2% were non-families. 27.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 13% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.97.
The median age in the city was 42.3 years. 22.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.7% were from 25 to 44; 28.9% were from 45 to 64; and 17.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.1% male and 51.9% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 19,355 people, 7,708 households, and 5,318 families residing in the city. The population density was 658.8 people per square mile. There were 8,025 housing units at an average density of 273.2 per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 94.91% White, 1.00% African American, 0.14% Native American, 0.70% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.72% from other races, and 1.52% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.76% of the population.
There were 7,708 households out of which 30.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.4% were married couples living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.0% were non-families. 27.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.00.
In the city the population was spread out with 24.1% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 26.9% from 25 to 44, 24.8% from 45 to 64, and 16.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $45,777, and the median income for a family was $57,156. Males had a median income of $42,631 versus $28,897 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,619. About 3.4% of families and 4.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.6% of those under age 18 and 5.3% of those age 65 or over.

Attractions

Perhaps the most well-known attraction in Oregon is the Sundance Drive-In, one of the last in the region. Pearson Park, within the city limits, and Maumee Bay State Park, located in neighboring Jerusalem Township, have preserved or re-created sections of the original Black Swamp topography and forest. The state park also offers a waterfront resort off Lake Erie, and features a links golf course that has held numerous U.S. Open local qualifiers. Its location at the confluence of major migration routes brings birdwatchers and hunters to nearby shoreland areas. Boating and fishing on Lake Erie are popular pursuits. The city sponsors an extensive softball and baseball recreation program. The annual ethnic German American festival draws over 30,000 people each year.

Fire Department

The city of Oregon is a declining community and is the second largest city in Lucas County with approximately 20,000 citizens, covering 30 square miles. The city has mutual aid pacts with all Lucas County and Ottawa County Fire Departments. The Oregon Fire Department was organized in 1937 and has been growing ever since. The City provides a part-time Fire Department with three modern fire stations. Station 1 is located at 5002 Seaman Rd., Station 2 is located at 1102 S. Wheeling, and Station 3 is located at 4421 Bayshore Road. The Fire Administration office is located behind Number 1 Station on Seaman Road. In 2006, the Oregon Fire Department answered 209 fire calls and 1791 rescue calls.
One hundred volunteer part-time firefighters are led by a full-time Chief, full-time Assistant Fire Chief who also serves as the Chief of Fire Prevention, and three part-time District Fire Chiefs. The Fire department also employs a full-time secretary and a full-time Training Officer. The part-time firefighters' response time is a result of them living in every neighborhood in the city and responding from home, work, or leisure through a paging system. Many times they are able to control a fire in its infancy, preventing it from getting out of control.

Fire vehicles

Fire equipment includes five engines, two aerial trucks, two brush trucks, five ambulances and other auxiliary equipment including two boats used for water rescues on Lake Erie and residential ponds. The Oregon Fire Department also utilizes the Thermal Imaging Camera. This camera permits a firefighter to locate victims in the smoke charged atmosphere of a fire. The camera also allows the user to quickly locate the area of the fire that may be between walls, which leads to early extinguishment and stops the spread of fire.

Police Department

The Oregon Police Division employs 46 sworn and 14 civilian employees. The Department covers an area of approximately 20,000 residents spanning an area of 30 square miles along the Lake Erie shoreline.
The Oregon Police Division is a progressive police agency. It was established by Ordinance in 1958 and, at the time, was to consist of 12 sworn officers and 7 radio communication operators. In its history, the police division has grown to 46 officers supported by 10 dispatchers and an additional 5 non-sworn personnel. In February 2011, the police division completed an upgrade to the dispatch center. Oregon Dispatchers not only dispatch for the police division, but are also responsible for the Oregon and Jerusalem Twp. Fire Depts. In addition, the dispatchers handle after hours emergency calls for the Street Division and the Water Department.
As a medium-sized police agency, each officer is assisted in developing a wide range of skills. As is the case with all agencies, the road patrol division makes up the largest part of the police force. The patrol division is supported by the special services division, which consists of a six-officer detective bureau, police records, and the dispatch center.
In addition, the Oregon Police Division has partnered with the Oregon Board of Education in recognizing the importance of the youth. As a result, three Oregon Officers are assigned to the school system full-time as School Resources Officers and a combination SRO/DARE Officer. These Officers are teaching drug and violence prevention and are accessible to our younger residents. Oregon Officers participate in many other part-time positions in and around the City of Oregon. These would include the DEA Task Force, U.S. Marshal Service's Violent Fugitive Task Force, The Northern Border Initiative on Lake Erie, The FBI Cyber Crime Task Force, The Special Response Team, and numerous other on and off duty projects.

Education

Oregon Public Schools are part of the Oregon City School District. There are three elementary schools, one intermediate school, one junior high school, and one high school in the district. Clay High School offers students career and technology education which leads students into a better career paths and immediate employment after high school.
Oregon has a public library located on Dustin Road, a branch of the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library.