The Dayton Arcade - Image courtesy of the Greater Ohio Policy Center.

Dayton is one of the largest cities in all of Ohio, with a population of about 136,000 as of 2022. This 56.55 sq mi city has history dating all the way back to 1796, when it was founded by the Thompson Party. The Thompson Party consisted of 12 settlers who traveled all the way up the Great Miami River by boat from Cincinnati, landing at what is now named the historical St. Clair Street. 

Historical Landmarks

Dayton prides itself on its history, and you can expect there to be some interesting places to visit! Check out some of the popular historical landmarks the city has to offer.

Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park

Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park is a National Historical Park that exists in honor of three very important historical figures - Wilbur Wright, Orville Wright, and Paul Laurence Dunbar. Wilbur and Orville Wright are brothers that were the first people to invent powered flight. By continuing to study the art of aviation, the brothers ended up creating the world’s first ever sustained flight. 

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Paul Laurence Dunbar is a nationally and internationally acclaimed author who produced a variety of different works including novels, lyrics, plays, short stories, and poems. During a time where the literary world was dominated by whites, Dunbar was able to reflect on his African American Experience which helped to grow social consciousness for the African American community as a whole. Dunbar’s work went down in history, and was used as an influence in later historical movements such as the Harlem Renaissance. 

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Carillon Historical Park (Dayton History)

Along with the Aviation Heritage Historical Park, Dayton is also home to other historical landmarks which show off a different part of the city’s history. The Carillon Historical Park of Dayton offers visitors the chance to explore the history of technology and some other history about the past of Dayton’s residents. In 2005, the Carillon Park merged with the Montgomery County Historical Society to form what is known as Dayton History today, even though it is still commonly referred to by many Dayton residents as the Carillon Historical Park. 

What County is Dayton Apart of? 

Dayton is home to Montgomery County, in the southwestern portion of Ohio. At about 507 sq mi, this Ohio county is home to a little over a million people overall. The average household income of Montgomery County is among the top in the entire United States, with 30% of residents over the age of 25 holding post graduate degrees. The county lies inside the Piedmont Plateau, with elevations ranging from near sea level to almost 900 feet. 

What Cities are Classified as Montgomery County?

Montgomery County is home to 19 different cities aside from Dayton. Check out these top cities you can visit nearby!

Vandalia

Population: 15,000 as of 2020

Size: 12.39 sq mi

Vandalia is a city in Montgomery county and a suburb of Dayton. The city was originally created in 1838, settling near what we know today as the U.S. Route 40. Vandalia also did a great job of attracting lots of travelers, and is a major hub of business to this day. The median income of a family living in Vandalia is approximately $44,463.

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Miamisburg 

Population: 20,000 as of 2020

Size: 12.38 sq mi

This next Montgomery city is the location of a prehistoric Indian burial mound known as tumulus. The mound is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the entire state of Ohio, and was built by Adena culture about 1000 to 200 B.C.E. This city is also known for its more unique climate, with hot and muggy summers to cold and very dry winters. The median income of a family living in Miamisburg is approximately $48,316. 

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Englewood 

Population: 13,474 as of 2020

Size: 6.6 sq mi

This beautiful city of Montgomery county is found right alongside the Stillwater River, bordering other cities such as Clayton and Union. The average income of a family living in Englewood is a little bit higher than many other Ohio cities at about $46,920. 

Germantown

Population: 5,500 as of 2020

Size: 4.22 sq mi

Germantown is most noted for their variety of different economic changes throughout the years. These changes include the industries of cigars and distilleries both coming and going. In 1847, the world renowned Mudlick Distillery was established in Germantown with an output of 30 barrels of whiskey a day. This distillery was one of the largest in the country for years. The median income for a family living in Germantown is approximately $47,149. 

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New Lebanon

Population: 3,995 as of 2020

Size: 2.04 sq mi

New Lebanon is a small, quiet village located in Montgomery County, OH. The town was first built in 1843 and eventually incorporated into a village around 1878. The median income for a family living in New Lebanon is approximately $40,801.

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Centerville 

Population: 24,240

Size: 11.03 sq mi

Centerville is a suburb in Montgomery County, OH, known for its top school districts in the entire state. A fun fact about Centerville is that they have the largest collection of early stone houses in the whole state of Ohio. The median income for a family living in Centerville is approximately $68,580. 

Farmersville 

Population: 1,000 as of 2020

Size: 0.71 sq mi

If small towns are something you’re more comfortable with, Farmersville could be the perfect place for you to move around the Dayton, OH area. This quaint village is a farming district originally established back in 1833!

West Carrollton

Population: 13,000 as of 2020

Size: 6.66 sq mi

The Great Miami River runs through this Montgomery County town, forming most of the northern border. The median income for a family living in West Carrollton is $48,000.

Moraine 

Population: 6,000 as of 2020

Size: 9.52 sq mi

The city of Moraine belonged to a part of Van Buren Township originally. After much of Kettering's portion separated from the city in 1953, a new township formed, known as the Kettering Village. In 1957, the township became a village, and in 1965, it was incorporated as a city. After it had taken over portions of Miami Township, the city later expanded by taking over parts of Jefferson Township. The median income for a family living in Moraine is approximately $40,000. 

Best School Districts in the Dayton Area

Here is a list of some of the top schools in the Dayton area. 

Centerville City School District 

111 Virginia Avenue, Centerville, OH, 45458 

Current student population: 7,895

General information about the school district

• 18:1 student-teacher ratio 
• #7 in terms of best school districts in Ohio for student athletes
• #30 of 608 best places to teach in Ohio

Proficiency:

• Reading: 79%
• Math: 74%

Oakwood City School District 

20 Rubicon Road, Dayton, OH, 45409

Current student population: 2,005

General information about this school district 

• #2 of 608 districts with the best teachers in Ohio
• #8 of 608 best places to teach in Ohio
• #12 of 608 best school districts in Ohio 

Proficiency:

• Reading: 90%
• Math: 90%

There is also a $84,000 annual teacher salary for this school district, with a student-teacher ratio of 17:1. 

Bellbrook-Sugarcreek Local School District 

“Very good” is the most common ranking of this school district according to Niche.  

3757 Upper Bellbrook Road, Bellbrook, OH, 45305

Current student population: 2,651

General information about this school district:

• #82 safest school in Ohio of 608 other districts 
• #58 of 608 best school districts in Ohio
• #46 of 608 districts with the best teachers in Ohio

Proficiency:

• Reading: 82%
• Math: 85%

Image courtesy of Niche, where you can find rankings for different school districts around Dayton and all over the United States. 

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Future Home?

Now that you know a bit more about Dayton, OH, and some surrounding cities, consider this lovely city as an option for you someday!

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