Celina has vacation vibes in a small-town community
Celina is a cozy waterfront community along Grand Lake. The discovery of oil in the late 1800s brought manufacturing companies to the area, increasing the population and supporting the city's deeply rooted agricultural scene, which remains a major industry. In 1994, Celina Aluminum Precision Technology, another top employer, opened. By 2000, it had gained the highest population in Mercer County, with over 10,000 residents.
Celina's small-town atmosphere distinguishes it from surrounding areas: it has a lively downtown, attracting many visitors, but residents enjoy quiet streets and friendly neighbors, according to Stacy Beougher, executive director of the Celina Mercer Chamber of Commerce. "We're becoming a destination for vacations, but there's still so much more that makes it home. Local restaurants, supportive businesses and outstanding parks are just a taste of what makes us so fortunate to live in Celina," she says.
The city of Celina is surrounded by rural farmlands.
Celina Aluminum Precision Technology in Celina specializes in engine and frame component manufacturing.
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Grand Lake provides recreation on the water
Celina's greatest pride is its location along Grand Lake. People spend their days boating, fishing and swimming in the water. Lakeshore Park has 15 courtesy docks and a boat ramp, while The Bryson Park District offers longer-term rental docks. The district also hosts concerts from its amphitheater while kids play on the playground, splash pad and zip lines. Eastview Park may be inland, but visitors can still swim in the park's 11-acre pond. The park is also a favorite for baseball, with batting cages and dirt diamonds. The Celina/Coldwater Bike Path offers over 4 miles of tree-lined trail built for bike riding, rollerblading and hiking.
Grand lake in Celina is the largest inland lake in Ohio and is great for boating, swimming and fishing.
Bryson Park in Celina offers boat dock rentals for the summer months.
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Boardwalk Village cottages are up for sale
Many people are longtime residents, so newer subdivisions built in 2024 and developing construction help to accommodate newcomers. Lawns sprawl around custom, New Traditional and contemporary homes on large lots. Ranch-style homes and bungalows are throughout the rest of the city. Median home prices are around $216,000, about half the national median.
Boardwalk Village is the city's lakeside cottage community. What began as a vacation rental plot has become a shared space for homeowners, seasonal renters and visitors. Colorful multi-story homes have access to private pools, rentable docks and walking paths leading to restaurants, shops and a state-of-the-art sports complex.
Bungalow homes are a popular option for the residents of Celina.
Houses in Celina.
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Pre-employment opportunities at WSU Lake Campus
Almost 3,000 students attend Celina City School District, which has a B-minus score on Niche. The district is consolidating its schools into one prekindergarten through sixth-grade school and one combined middle and high school. The C-rated Wright State University Lake Campus is also inside the city. The university sponsors the Pre-employment Training Program, a nearly three-month course designed to prepare students to work in local industries.
Celina Middle School is a public school in Celina housing students grades 6-8.
The Wright State University Celina campus is a public research university.
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Farmers market at Mercer County Fairgrounds
Downtown is full of local restaurants and mom-and-pop shops within walking distance. A large Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area allows people to explore the city while enjoying alcoholic beverages. Several economic incentive programs invite new businesses to the city by uplifting rising entrepreneurs. Less than 1 mile away, people can visit the farmers market at Mercer County Fairgrounds. Local farmers sell fresh produce and baked goods every Saturday morning from May through September.
Shandy's Grill and Bar in Celina is a great spot for friends and family to gather for dinner and drinks.
The Mercer County Fairgrounds in Celina is to the Celina Farmer's Market which is open every Saturday April through October.
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The Grand Lake Festival and the Nelson the Sasquatch
The Grand Lake Festival is the city's most anticipated event. The festival celebrates Ohio's largest inland lake with amphicars, vehicles produced in the 1960s capable of transitioning from land to water travel, a boat poker run, and a fireworks spectacular. The festival also includes a kids' fishing derby, merchant sidewalk sales and art shows. In July, Main Street closes down for The Taste of Celina, and local restaurants unveil new dishes and offer wine tastings.
Lounging one big foot against a boulder, Nelson the giant wooden sasquatch welcomes visitors to The Mercer County Fairgrounds. The space holds activities year-round, from the annual fair to camping events and a seasonal Christmas lights display.
Celina has minimal through traffic, but R.J. Corman Western Ohio Line runs through the city
The city's streets can feel very rural, with low traffic and minimal public transportation. Highway 127 and State Route 29 are the city's primary thoroughfares. The R.J. Corman Western Ohio Line railway runs through the city, transferring manufacturing and agricultural products between Lima, Elgin and Fort Recovery. Lima Memorial Medical Center and Celina Medical Center address most needs, but Mercer County Community Hospital is also 8 miles away. The closest airport is Dayton International Airport, roughly 72 miles away.
Floodwall protections and crime information
Year-round rain can cause significant flooding along the shallow Grand Lake, so floodwalls substantially protect Celina's infrastructure from water damage. The city has some risk of tornadoes, with the last major windstorm hitting in 2019.
Crime data for the city of Celina is currently unavailable.
Written By
Isabel Butler
Photography Contributed By
Jennifer Rehkopf
Video By
Joshua Kassabian
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
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an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Celina, OH sell after 53 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Celina, OH over the last 12 months is $223,500, up 12% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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