East Palestine, Ohio facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
East Palestine, Ohio
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Market Street (State Route 170)
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| Motto(s):
"Where you want to be!"
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Location of East Palestine in Columbiana County, Ohio.
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| Country | United States | ||||
| State | Ohio | ||||
| County | Columbiana | ||||
| Founded | 1828 (as Mechanicsburg) | ||||
| Incorporated | 1875 | ||||
| Named for | Palestine (region) | ||||
| Government | |||||
| • Type | Council-Manager | ||||
| Area | |||||
| • Total | 3.15 sq mi (8.16 km2) | ||||
| • Land | 3.15 sq mi (8.16 km2) | ||||
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) | ||||
| Elevation | 1,040 ft (320 m) | ||||
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 4,761 | ||||
| • Estimate
(2023)
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4,658 | ||||
| • Density | 1,510.47/sq mi (583.25/km2) | ||||
| Time zone | UTC−5 (EST) | ||||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) | ||||
| ZIP Code |
44413
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| Area code | 330, 234 | ||||
| FIPS code | 39-23940 | ||||
| GNIS ID | 2394603 | ||||
East Palestine is a village in northeastern Columbiana County, Ohio, United States. It is located right on the border with Pennsylvania. In 2020, about 4,761 people lived there.
East Palestine was once known for making ceramics (like pottery) and tires. It is also on the Norfolk Southern Railway, which means trains pass through often. In February 2023, a train derailment happened nearby. This event led to people being asked to leave their homes for a short time.
Contents
History of East Palestine
East Palestine was started in 1828 by Thomas McCalla and William Grate. It was first called Mechanicsburg. In 1833, its name was changed to Palestine, like the region in the Middle East. This was part of a trend in the area to use religious names for towns.
However, there was already another town named Palestine in Ohio. So, when the town officially became a village in 1875, it was named East Palestine. The town grew, and by 1920, it had over 5,000 people. This meant it was considered a "city" for a while. But after 2011, its population went down, and it became a village again.
Early Industries and Growth
In the 1920s, East Palestine was a busy place with many train tracks. It was a hub for different railroads. The main industries were making pottery and tires. But factories also made steel tanks, electrical parts, food products, and even synthetic ice.
Around this time, East Palestine also started growing a lot of fruit, especially apples. It became a major center for orcharding (fruit farming) in the area. This industry is still important today.
In 2004, East Palestine was recognized as a "Tree City USA" by the National Arbor Day Foundation. This means the village works hard to plant and care for trees.
2023 Train Derailment Event
On February 3, 2023, a Norfolk Southern freight train carrying chemicals went off its tracks in East Palestine. This caused an explosion and fire. The village council quickly declared a state of emergency.
To keep everyone safe, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine asked people to leave their homes. This allowed workers to safely release and burn a chemical called vinyl chloride from some of the train cars. This was done to prevent a bigger explosion. Later, some contamination was found in buildings, and some people reported health symptoms.
Geography of East Palestine
East Palestine is located in the eastern part of Columbiana County, Ohio. It is very close to the border with Pennsylvania. The village is part of Unity Township.
Several main roads pass through East Palestine:
State Route 46
State Route 165
State Route 170
State Route 558
The village covers about 3.15 square miles (8.16 square kilometers) of land. Two small streams, Leslie Run and Sulphur Run, flow through the area.
Population of East Palestine
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 1,047 | — | |
| 1890 | 1,816 | 73.4% | |
| 1900 | 2,493 | 37.3% | |
| 1910 | 3,537 | 41.9% | |
| 1920 | 5,750 | 62.6% | |
| 1930 | 5,215 | −9.3% | |
| 1940 | 5,123 | −1.8% | |
| 1950 | 5,195 | 1.4% | |
| 1960 | 5,232 | 0.7% | |
| 1970 | 5,604 | 7.1% | |
| 1980 | 5,306 | −5.3% | |
| 1990 | 5,168 | −2.6% | |
| 2000 | 4,917 | −4.9% | |
| 2010 | 4,721 | −4.0% | |
| 2020 | 4,761 | 0.8% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 4,658 | −1.3% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2010, about 4,721 people lived in East Palestine. The population density was about 1,498 people per square mile. Most residents were White.
The average age of people in the village was about 40.7 years old. About 23% of the residents were under 18 years old.
Education in East Palestine
The East Palestine City School District serves all the children in the village. The district has three main schools:
- East Palestine Elementary School (for grades K-4)
- East Palestine Middle School (for grades 5–8)
- East Palestine High School (for grades 9–12)
A new middle school and a renovated elementary school were built in 1997, next to the high school. The village also has a public library that first opened in 1920.
Notable People from East Palestine
Many interesting people have come from East Palestine, including:
- Linda Bolon, a member of the Ohio House of Representatives.
- Sarah Burgess, a singer-songwriter who was on American Idol.
- Charles Burleigh Galbreath, a writer, historian, and librarian.
- Nelson S. Dilworth, a longtime State Senator in California.
- R. S. Hamilton, who was the Speaker of the Oregon House of Representatives.
- Wynn Hawkins, a Major League Baseball pitcher.
- Martha Hill, a famous dance instructor and supporter of modern dance.
- Fred Hoaglin, a National Football League center.
- Roger M. Kyes, who was the fourth United States Deputy Secretary of Defense.
- Crystal Mackall, a doctor and expert in immunology.
- Jerry McGee, a professional golfer on the PGA Tour.
- J. T. Miller, a National Hockey League player for the Vancouver Canucks.
- George Morris, a National Football League halfback.
- Jesse R. Pitts, a sociologist.
- Volney Rogers, who started Mill Creek Park.
- R. J. Thomas, the second president of the United Automobile Workers union.
See also
In Spanish: East Palestine para niños
