Pataskala, Ohio facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Pataskala, Ohio
City
Banking company in Pataskala
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Location of Pataskala in Licking County
Pataskala, Ohio Location in Ohio Show map of Ohio Pataskala, Ohio Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Country	United States
State	Ohio
County	Licking
Area
• Total	29.06 sq mi (75.26 km2)
• Land	28.96 sq mi (75.01 km2)
• Water	0.10 sq mi (0.25 km2)
Elevation	1,027 ft (313 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	17,886
• Density	617.57/sq mi (238.45/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code	43062
Area codes	740, 614
FIPS code	39-61112
GNIS feature ID	1086476

Pataskala (pronounced pə-TAS-kə-lə) is a city in Licking County, Ohio, United States. It is located about 19 miles (30 km) east of Columbus, Ohio. In 2020, the city had a population of 17,886 people. Pataskala was a small community for a long time. However, in 1996, the village of Pataskala merged with Lima Township. This merger made the city much larger in size and population.

Discovering Pataskala's Past

Pataskala was first planned out in 1851. This happened when the railroad was built to reach that area. The name "Pataskala" comes from the Delaware language. A post office has been open in Pataskala since 1852.

Early Settlers and Town Naming

Pataskala was first called Conine Town. It was named after an early settler, Richard Conine. He and his wife, Sarah, moved to the area in 1821. They bought over 2,000 acres of land in Lima Township. By 1850, Conine had sold most of his land. In 1851, he created the first plots for Conine Town. Another early settler, Jess Stoneman Green, also bought and sold land here in 1852. The town's name was changed to Pataskala in 1852.

Exploring Pataskala's Location

Pataskala is located along the South Fork of the Licking River. This is in the southwestern part of Licking County. The city is home to two school districts. These are Southwest Licking Local Schools and Licking Heights Local Schools. The Licking Heights district also serves nearby areas. These include parts of Reynoldsburg and Jefferson Township. It also serves the area known as Blacklick.

City Size and Water Areas

The United States Census Bureau states that Pataskala covers a total area of about 28.72 square miles (74.38 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 28.62 square miles (74.12 square kilometers), is land. The remaining 0.10 square miles (0.26 square kilometers) is water.

Pataskala's Growing Population

Pataskala has grown a lot over the years. Here's how its population has changed:

Understanding the 2010 Census

In 2010, there were 14,962 people living in Pataskala. There were 5,588 households and 4,132 families. The city had about 522.8 people per square mile (201.9 people per square kilometer). Most residents, 90.0%, were White. About 6.0% were African American.

Many households, 39.9%, had children under 18 living with them. About 56.3% were married couples. The average household had 2.66 people. The average family had 3.07 people. The median age in the city was 35.8 years. About 27.6% of residents were under 18.

Learning and Fun in Pataskala

Pataskala offers many opportunities for education and recreation.

Schools and Learning Centers

The Southwest Licking Local School District has one high school, Watkins Memorial High School. It also has one middle school, Watkins Middle School. There are three elementary schools: Etna, Kirkersville, and Pataskala.

The Licking Heights Local School District also has a high school, a middle school, an intermediate school, and two elementary schools. For private education, Liberty Christian Academy is in the area.

Higher Education Opportunities

Central Ohio Technical College has a branch campus located within the city. This provides options for students to continue their education after high school.

Community Libraries

The Pataskala Public Library serves the community. The current library building opened in 1969. It cost over $119,000 to build. The library has over 12,000 cardholders. It also has more than 70,000 items, like books and movies. Each year, over 250,000 items are borrowed.

Parks and Outdoor Activities

Pataskala has 127 acres (0.51 square kilometers) of parkland. These parks are spread across seven different locations. They feature wooded areas and river frontage. Many parks are located along the South Fork of the Licking River. Several parks also have athletic fields for sports.

Thomas J. Evans Foundation Park

The Thomas J. Evans Foundation Park is the largest park in the city. It covers 78 acres (0.32 square kilometers). About 22 acres of this park are wooded. There is a 1.4-mile (2.2 km) trail that runs through the park.

Municipal Park

Municipal Park is a 15-acre (61,000 square meter) park. It has the city's swimming pool, which is managed by the Pataskala Recreation Association. The park also features athletic fields and wooded areas.

Golf Courses for Fun

Pataskala has two golf courses within its city limits. These are Broadview Golf Course and Willow Run Golf Course Inc. There are also 47 other golf courses within 20 miles (32 km) of Pataskala. One of these is Cumberland Trail Golf Club, which is very close to Pataskala.

Historic Places in Pataskala

Eleven buildings in Pataskala are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These buildings were chosen by the U.S. Department of Interior in 1983 because of their historical importance.

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  Bethel Baptist Church

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  Casterton House

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  Elliot House

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  Warren F. Kauber Funeral Home

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  Mead House

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  Pataskala Banking Company

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  Pataskala Elementary School

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  Pataskala Jail

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  Pataskala Presbyterian Church

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  Pataskala Town Hall

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  Pataskala United Methodist Church

Famous People from Pataskala

Many interesting people have connections to Pataskala:

• Jeaniene Frost – A New York Times-bestselling author.
• John Reuben – A Christian rap artist who grew up here.
• Robert Smith – A professional ten-pin bowler.
• Chalmers Wylie – A congressman who served thirteen terms in the United States House of Representatives.
• Eleanor Youmans – A children's author who won an Ohioana Award in 1945.

See also

In Spanish: Pataskala (Ohio) para niños