Kettering, Ohio

Kettering is a city in Greene and Montgomery Counties in the U.S. state of Ohio. It is a suburb of nearby Dayton. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 56,163. It's the largest suburb in the Dayton Metropolitan Statistical Area. The city incorporated in 1955 from the former Van Buren Township and is named for inventor Charles F. Kettering, who resided here in his home, Ridgeleigh Terrace, from 1914 until his death in 1958.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 18.7 square miles (48.4 km²), all land.

Although the city is located in both Greene and Montgomery counties, only a very small part of the city lies in Greene County. The city is bordered by Dayton, Riverside, and Oakwood to the north; West Carrollton and Moraine to the west; Centerville and Washington Township to the south; and Beavercreek and Sugarcreek Township to the east.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 57,502 people, 25,657 households, and 15,727 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,077.4 people per square mile (1,187.9/km²). There were 26,936 housing units at an average density of 1,441.6 per square mile (556.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.23% White, 1.66% African American, 0.18% Native American, 1.38% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.33% from other races, and 1.19% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.11% of the population.

There were 25,657 households out of which 26.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.7% were married couples living together, 9.5% have a single female householder, and 38.7% were non-families. 33.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.85.

In the city the population was spread out with 22.5% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 29.4% from 25 to 44, 22.3% from 45 to 64, and 18.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 90.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $45,051, and the median income for a family was $55,849. Males had a median income of $41,558 versus $28,921 for females. The per capita income for the city was $27,009. About 3.2% of families and 4.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.3% of those under age 18 and 3.6% of those age 65 or over.

Employers
While Kettering is a suburb of Dayton, Ohio, the city hosts major employers in its own right. The city's five largest employers are:
 * Kettering Medical Center - a large hospital affiliated with the Seventh-day Adventist Church
 * GE Money - A division of General Electric.
 * Limited Brands - dba Victoria's Secret Direct
 * WilmerHale - the 22nd largest law firm in the United States.

The Berry Company, now a subsidiary of Local Insight Media, is one of the largest publishers of Yellow Pages directories and maintains its division headquarters in Kettering.

Nearby Wright Patterson Air Force Base is a major employer of Kettering's residents.

Government
The city utilizes a council-manager form of government. Seven council representatives are elected for four-year terms on a non-partisan basis, one from each of the four wards and two at-large, plus the mayor. The current Mayor is Don Patterson and the current City Manager is Mark Schwieterman. The current ward council members are: Keith Thompson, Ward 1; Joe Wannamaker, Ward 2; Tony Klepacz, Ward 3; and Bruce Duke, Ward 4. The four ward council members all have terms ending in 2011. Amy Schrimpf and Ashley Webb are the current at-large council members. The mayor and the at-large members' terms expire in 2013.

City services
The Kettering Fire Department is responsible for fire protection in the city. The department has a total of seven stations and is staffed by 52 career and 102 volunteer firefighters.

Police protection is provided by the Kettering Police Department which comprises 83 sworn officers. The police department is the only agency of its size with a dual accreditation from both the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies and the Commission on Accreditation for Corrections.

Education
The Kettering City School District includes Kettering Fairmont High School, two middle schools (Van Buren and Kettering), and 9 elementary schools (Beavertown, Greenmont, Indian Riffle, J.E. Prass, J.F. Kennedy, Oakview, Orchard Park, and Southdale).

On the 2009-10 Ohio report card, Kettering schools met all 26 state standards in testing, attendance and graduation rates earning the state’s highest category, Excellent with Distinction.

Kettering is also home to several private schools- Alexandria Montessori School, Archbishop Alter High School, Ascension School, Emmanuel Christian Academy, St Albert The Great School, and St. Charles Borromeo School.

The Kettering College of Medical Arts offers two-year and four-year degrees in several disciplines including Nursing, Sonography, Radiology Technology, Physician's Assistant, Respiratory Therapy, and Human Biology.

The School of Advertising Art offers two-year degrees in graphic design.

Recreation
Kettering has 20 parks totaling 284 acre and is home to the Fraze Pavilion, a major outdoor entertainment venue that also hosts the summer concerts of the Dayton Philharmonic.

The new James S. Trent Arena, with seating for 3,300 for concerts and commencements and 3,650 for championship sporting events is on the campus of Fairmont High School.

Skate Plaza, a 40000 sqft skateboard park that opened in 2005, was a collaboration between the City of Kettering and Rob Dyrdek, professional skateboarder who grew up in Kettering.

Rosewood Arts Center, formerly an elementary school, now hosts 100,000 visitors a year with art classes, exhibitions, an art gallery and the Art on the Commons festival.

The Town and Country Shopping Center is a small part enclosed and part open-air mall located in the heart of Kettering near the intersection of Far Hills Ave. and Stroop Rd.

Notable natives

 * Tony P. Hall, Former member of the U.S. House of Representatives and Ambassador to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization.
 * Nancy Cartwright, voice of Bart on The Simpsons.
 * John Paxson - Former NBA player and current general manager of the Chicago Bulls.
 * Jim Paxson - Former NBA player and former general manager of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
 * Rob Dyrdek - professional skateboarder and star of the MTV shows Rob & Big and Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory
 * Chris Rolfe - professional soccer player currently playing for AaB Fodbold in the Danish Superliga
 * Brooklyn Decker - Sports Illustrated model
 * Ted Rall - editorial cartoonist and columnist
 * Michael P. Fay - American teenager whose caning in Singapore caused an outcry in the United States.
 * Sherri Saum - American Daytime Emmy nominated actress
 * Gary Sandy - Professional actor; star of 1970s CBS television comedy series WKRP in Cincinnati
 * Brady Hoke- NCAA Football Div. I Head Coach, Ball State University (2008), Current Head Coach at NCAA Div. I Michigan.