Wellington, Ohio Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Wellington, Ohio
Village
Town hall of the Village of Wellington
Location in Ohio
Location of Wellington in Lorain County
Country	United States
State	Ohio
County	Lorain
Township	Wellington
incorporated	1855
Government
• Type	Mayor-Administrator
Area
• Total	3.94 sq mi (10.19 km²)
• Land	3.64 sq mi (9.44 km²)
• Water	0.29 sq mi (0.75 km²) 7.46%
Elevation	860 ft (260 m)
Population (2020)
• Total	4,799
• Density	1,316.96/sq mi (508.45/km²)
Time zone	UTC-4 (EST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
Zip code	44090
Area code(s)	440
FIPS code	39-82642
GNIS feature ID	2400122
Website	http://www.villageofwellington.com

Wellington is a small village located in Lorain County, Ohio. In 2020, about 4,799 people lived there. It is known for its interesting history and community events.

History of Wellington Village
Geography of Wellington
Population Information
- Wellington's Population in 2010
Education in Wellington
Fun Festivals and Events
- Lorain County Fair
- Harvest of the Arts Festival
Sister City Connection
Notable People from Wellington
Images for kids
See also

History of Wellington Village

The name "Wellington" has a fun story. The chance to name the village was a prize for building a road. The first winner chose "Charlemont," but people did not like it. So, the naming rights went to William Welling. He named it "Wellington," possibly after himself or the famous Duke of Wellington. The village officially became a village in 1855.

The Oberlin-Wellington Rescue Story

In 1858, a very important event happened in Wellington. It was called the Oberlin-Wellington Rescue. A group of people, both Black and White, many from nearby Oberlin, gathered at the American House Hotel. They were there to help a runaway slave named John Price. He was being held by a U.S. Marshal who planned to send him back to his owner in Kentucky.

The abolitionists, who were against slavery, helped John Price escape. They moved him out of town and onto the Underground Railroad. This secret network helped many enslaved people reach freedom in Canada.

After the rescue, 37 men were accused of interfering with the marshal. Only two, Simeon M. Bushnell and Charles Henry Langston, were tried in federal court. Langston gave a powerful speech about slavery and unfair treatment. The judge gave them light sentences. These events and the trial became famous across the country. They helped keep the issue of slavery a big topic of discussion.

Famous Artist and Museum in Wellington

Archibald M. Willard, a well-known painter, lived in Wellington. He painted the famous American painting called Spirit of '76. This painting shows three soldiers from the American Revolutionary War. Willard is buried in Greenwood Cemetery, just outside the village.

Wellington also has the Spirit of '76 Museum. This museum celebrates Willard and the history of the village. You can even see the original drum and fife that were used as models in his famous painting.

Wellington's "Best Old House Neighborhood" Award

In 2010, This Old House Magazine named Wellington the "Best Old House Neighborhood" in Ohio. This award recognized the village for its beautiful old homes and historic charm.

Geography of Wellington

Wellington is located where two main roads meet: State Route 18 and State Route 58.

The village covers a total area of about 3.89 square miles (10.1 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, about 3.60 square miles (9.4 square kilometers). The rest, about 0.29 square miles (0.75 square kilometers), is water.

Population Information

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1860	1,029	—
1870	1,281	24.5%
1880	1,811	41.4%
1890	2,069	14.2%
1900	2,094	1.2%
1910	2,131	1.8%
1920	2,245	5.3%
1930	2,235	−0.4%
1940	2,529	13.2%
1950	2,992	18.3%
1960	3,599	20.3%
1970	4,137	14.9%
1980	4,146	0.2%
1990	4,140	−0.1%
2000	4,511	9.0%
2010	4,802	6.5%
2020	4,799	−0.1%
U.S. Decennial Census

Wellington's Population in 2010

According to the census from 2010, Wellington had 4,802 people living there. There were 1,956 households, which are groups of people living together. About 1,266 of these were families.

The village had a population density of about 1,333.9 people per square mile. Most of the people living in Wellington were White (95.8%). A smaller number were African American (1.2%), Native American (0.3%), or Asian (0.4%). About 2.0% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino.

The average age of people in Wellington was 39.5 years old. About 24.9% of residents were under 18 years old. About 17% were 65 years old or older.

Education in Wellington

McCormick Middle School, 2008

Students in Wellington attend schools in the Wellington Exempted Village School District (WEVSD). This district includes McCormick Middle School and Wellington High School.

Fun Festivals and Events

Wellington has a rich history of community events. In the past, it was known as the "Cheese Capital of the World." It even had a Heritage Cheese Festival.

Lorain County Fair

Every year, two weeks before Labor Day, the Lorain County Fair takes place. This huge county fair is one of the biggest in Ohio. It is held west of town on State Route 18 at the fairgrounds.

Harvest of the Arts Festival

Since 1983, the Friends of the Herrick Memorial Library have hosted the Harvest of the Arts. This big art festival happens every September on the town square. It brings together over 100 artists and craftspeople. The festival also features live music, fun activities for kids, and a raffle for a handmade quilt. All the money raised helps support programs at the library.