kids encyclopedia robot

Dayton metropolitan area facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
This page is about the metropolitan area in Ohio. For the micropolitan area in Tennessee, see Dayton micropolitan area.
Quick facts for kids
Metro Dayton
Metropolitan Statistical Area
Dayton–Springfield–Kettering, OH
Combined Statistical Area
City of Dayton Skyline from Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum
City of Dayton Skyline from
Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum
Country Flag of United States.svg United States
State Flag of Ohio.svg Ohio
Largest city Dayton
Other cities (Suburbs)  - Kettering
 - Beavercreek
 - Huber Heights
 - Fairborn
 - Centerville
 - Miamisburg
 - West Carrollton
Area
 • Total 1,715 sq mi (4,440 km2)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 814,049
 • Rank 73rd in the U.S.
 • Density 478/sq mi (185/km2)
Time zone UTC−05:00 (Eastern Standard Time)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−04:00 (Eastern Daylight Time)

Metro Dayton, also known as the Miami Valley, is a large urban area in Ohio, USA. It's officially called the Dayton–Kettering–Beavercreek, OH Metropolitan Statistical Area. This area includes three counties in the Miami Valley region and has the city of Dayton as its main hub. In 2020, Metro Dayton was the fourth-largest metropolitan area in Ohio. It was also the 73rd largest in the entire United States, with a population of 814,049 people.

Counties in Metro Dayton

Metro Dayton is made up of three main counties:

Cities and Towns

Metro Dayton has many cities and towns, ranging from large cities to smaller communities.

Largest Cities

These cities have more than 100,000 people:

  • Dayton (the main city) – 135,944 people

Mid-sized Cities

These cities have between 25,000 and 100,000 people:

Kettering Fairmont High School
Kettering is the second largest city in Greater Dayton and a major suburb.

Smaller Cities and Towns

Many other places with fewer than 25,000 people are also part of Metro Dayton. Some of these include:

Dayton's Larger Area

The Dayton–Springfield–Kettering Combined Statistical Area (CSA) is an even larger region. It includes Metro Dayton plus other nearby areas. These areas are called Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) and Micropolitan Statistical Areas (μSAs).

Parts of the CSA

As of 2020, this larger CSA had a population of 1,086,512 people. Some people have even called the idea of Dayton and Cincinnati growing together "Daytonnati." This is because the outer parts of these two large areas are getting closer.

Population Changes

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1900 161,759 —
1910 193,496 19.6%
1920 289,181 49.5%
1930 358,041 23.8%
1940 383,975 7.2%
1950 545,723 42.1%
1960 727,121 33.2%
1970 850,266 16.9%
1980 830,070 −2.4%
1990 843,835 1.7%
2000 848,153 0.5%
2010 799,232 −5.8%
2020 814,049 1.9%
Population 1990-2010 with 2011 estimate.

The population of Metro Dayton has changed over the years. In 2010, there were about 799,232 people living here. The area is mostly White (80.40%) and African American (14.90%). About 1.90% of the population is Hispanic or Latino.

The average household income in 2010 was about $47,381. This means half of the households earned more than this, and half earned less.

From 2000 to 2010, many people moved from the main city of Dayton to its surrounding suburbs. For example, the population grew by 19% in Beavercreek and 40% in Springboro. Even though some suburbs saw small declines, many of them, like Kettering and Huber Heights, remained strong.

The way metropolitan areas are defined by the Census Bureau has changed. Because of new rules, Clark County and Preble County are no longer part of the Dayton Metropolitan Statistical Area. This is why the population numbers for the Dayton MSA look different in the 2010 census compared to earlier years.

County 2020 Census 2010 Census Change Area Density
Montgomery County 537,309 535,153 &10000000000000000402875+0.40% 464 sq mi (1,200 km2) 1,158/sq mi (447/km2)
Greene County 167,966 161,573 &10000000000000003956725+3.96% 416 sq mi (1,080 km2) 404/sq mi (156/km2)
Miami County 108,774 102,506 &10000000000000006114764+6.11% 410 sq mi (1,100 km2) 265/sq mi (102/km2)

Colleges and Universities

Dayton campus chapel
St. Mary's Hall and the Immaculate Conception Chapel at the University of Dayton.

The Dayton area is home to many colleges and universities where students can continue their education:

Largest Employers

Many large companies and organizations provide jobs in the Dayton region:

  • Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (around 30,000 employees)
  • Premier Health Partners (around 14,335 employees)
  • Kettering Health Network (around 9,500 employees)
  • Montgomery County (around 5,029 employees)
  • CareSource (around 4,500 employees)
  • The Kroger Company (around 4,100 employees)
  • Wright State University (around 3,095 employees)
  • LexisNexis (around 3,000 employees)
  • University of Dayton (around 2,978 employees)

Transportation

Global Medic 130726-F-AF679-968
Equipment is unloaded from a C-17A Globemaster III at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.

The Dayton area has several ways to get around, including airports, major highways, and public buses.

Airports

The area has international, regional, and county airports:

  • Dayton International Airport (for larger flights)
  • Dayton–Wright Brothers Airport
  • Greene County–Lewis A. Jackson Regional Airport
  • Moraine Airpark
  • Dahio Trotwood Airport
  • Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (a military air base)

Major Highways

Many important roads connect the cities and towns in Metro Dayton:

Public Transit

The Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority runs a public bus system in Montgomery County. Other bus services connect to nearby counties like Greene and Miami.

Culture and Arts

National Museum of the U.S. Air Force-Boeing VC-137C SAM 26000 (Air Force One) 02
An overhead view of aircraft at the National Museum of the United States Air Force.

Metro Dayton has a lively arts and culture scene with many museums and theaters.

Museums

Theaters and Performing Arts

The Benjamin and Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center is the largest performing arts center in the region. There are also many other theaters and groups:

Theatrical Companies

  • Dayton Ballet
  • Dayton Contemporary Dance Company
  • Dayton Opera
  • Human Race Theatre Company
  • Victoria Theatre Association

Music

Images for kids

  • Clifton Gorge P4260050

    Clifton Gorge in John Bryan State Park, near Yellow Springs.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Área metropolitana de Dayton para niños

kids search engine
All content from Kiddle encyclopedia articles (including the article images and facts) can be freely used under Attribution-ShareAlike license, unless stated otherwise. Cite this article:
Dayton metropolitan area Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.