On the surface, Lorain, Ohio, embodies the challenges facing cities across the nation’s Rust Belt. Once home to large companies like the American Ship Building Company and Ford Motor Company, today, the largest employers of city workers are Mercy Health, the Lorain City School District and Lorain Tubular. After unresolved labor disputes forced the shutdown of American Ship Building Company’s Lorain plant in the 1980s, the city’s population fell into decline, from a peak of 78,000 in 1970 to 65,138 in 2022. Yet, as the birthplace of the great American writer Toni Morrison and homeplace of a thriving arts and culture scene, the city is working to outshine its industrial past with an eye towards the future.
A neighborhood in Sheffield Lake overlooks the Sheffield Ford Assembly plant.
Houses wind along sleepy streets in Sheffield Village.
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From suburban homes to lakeside manors
Lorain sits on the banks of Lake Erie, so homes can be found on the lake or along suburban streets with tall oaks and neatly trimmed lawns. Colonial revival homes are popular throughout the city, but Lorain’s housing selection includes ranch-style homes, split-levels, modern craftsman homes and lakeside townhomes. Small single-family homes can sell for as little as $50,000, and large lakeside homes can sell for more than $1 million. Condos and townhomes typically sell between $75,000 and $310,000. When asked why people choose Lorain over surrounding areas, Russell Real Estate Services real estate agent Steve Lawson says affordability plays a big part. “It could be the lake,” Lawson says. “But taxes are cheaper and property values are cheaper.”
Cape Cod inspired new construction homes are popular in the new developments in Columbia Station
Ranch style home with a tidy lawn in Oberlin.
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Lorain City School District
The Lorain City School District earns an overall grade of C-minus on Niche and hosts 10 elementary schools – including Toni Morrison Elementary School – three middle schools and one high school. The district has nearly 6,000 students, earning a student-teacher ratio of 16:1, and has a graduation rate of 71%. Private options include St. Anthony of Padua, which feeds to nearby Elyria Catholic High School, and Lorain Preparatory Academy and High School. Post-secondary educational options include nearby Lorain County Community College and Oberlin College, a private college known for its music programs.
Kids can participate in a variety of competitive athletic programs at Oberlin Elementary.
Kids are challenged to excel at Oberlin High School.
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Lakeview Beach, Foxcreek Golf Course and other green spaces
The Parks and Recreation department manages 56 parks, offering over 800 acres of green space. The park system provides 22 playgrounds, 19 baseball fields and 16 basketball courts. Other amenities include tennis courts, picnic facilities and wooded bike trails. Residents can enjoy the lake at Lakeview Beach, and the city is home to numerous marinas where boaters can dock or launch. The city’s championship golf course, Foxcreek Golf and Racquet Club, offers an 18-hole course along a tributary of Lake Erie.
Indoor recreation is often centered around the Lorain Public Library, home to the Toni Morrison Reading Room. Dedicated in 1995, this room honors the Nobel laureate who worked at the library early in her life. It includes original literary works and artwork donated by the author as well as artifacts from across her life. The library also hosts an annual Toni Morrison Day with poetry and essay contests.
Play a round of golf at Echo Valley Golf Course in Wellington.
Wellington Community Park has baseball fields and open green spaces.
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Shopping and dining in downtown Lorain
Located just off the banks of Lake Eerie and the Black River, downtown Lorain runs along Broadway, offering locally owned antique shops, tattoo studios, jewelry stores and The Lorain Palace Theatre, which hosts live music, movies and theater performances. “It’s not the biggest shopping area in the city, but downtown Lorain has a lot of history to it,” says Jamal, the assistant administrator at The Lorain Palace Theater. “The theater’s restoration happened in 1928, and the business has been explosive ever since.” Local eateries options range from rustic coffee shops and artisan bakeries to Mexican, American and Italian restaurants. There are also a few large shopping centers around the city, holding national chains like Walmart, Home Depot and Meijer.
Locals are served up tasty food at Nancy’s Main Street Diner.
Locals in Grafton are always welcome to stop in for a delicious meal at Check Please Restaurant
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Woollybear and fish festivals
Festivities abound year-round in Lorain, and its events celebrate its varied historical and cultural roots. In the summer, the FireFish Art Festival and the Vermilion Festival of the Fish celebrate the city’s freshwater connections with art, dance, theater, music, local food vendors and the Queen and Princess pageant. Started in 1973, the fall Woollybear Festival pays homage to folklore that says Isabella tiger moth larva—known as banded woolly bears—forecast the severity of the upcoming winter with the amount of black fur they are born with. Other festivals include Rockin' on the River and the Lorain International Festival.
Interstate 90 and the Cleveland Hopkins International Airport
Running along Lake Erie's shores, the Grand Army of the Republic Highway puts downtown Cleveland just about 26 miles east of Lorain. Drivers can connect to the nation’s network of interstates by way of Interstate 90, roughly 6 miles south. The interstate also puts the Cleveland Hopkins International Airport 24 miles away. Lorain County Transit operates two bus routes through the city, both of which connect downtown Lorain to Elyria.
Higher risk of violent crime
Data from the FBI indicates Lorain’s property crime rates mostly follow national averages, but the city’s violent crime rates consistently trend higher than Ohio state and U.S. national averages. Environmental data indicates that some properties close to the Black River may experience some impact from flooding over the next 30 years, but the risk is mainly limited to roads. While the city does experience a full four seasons, its winters can be harsh due to the lake effect. On average, the city sees about 40 inches of snow per year.
Written By
Konrad Solberg
Video By
David Fritzson
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GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Lorain, OH sell after 39 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Lorain, OH over the last 12 months is $155,000, up 5% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Well-maintained duplex featuring two 2 bed / 1 bath units in a desirable location. Each unit has a private laundry room, open kitchen/dining and a attached garage with added storage area. Overall updates include: roof 2013, hot water tanks 2008 and 2010 (upper unit), vinyl windows 2018 (upper unit) 2021 (lower unit), entry doors 2016 and 2018. The lower unit has been fully renovated,
Built less than two years ago by Ryan Homes, this stunning 5-bedroom, 2.5-bath colonial blends modern comfort with timeless design. Step inside to find a bright, open floor plan with spacious living areas perfect for both everyday living and entertaining. With gorgeous pops of color and detail throughout, you'll feel at home instantly. The gourmet kitchen flows seamlessly into the dining and
When choosing to live in this Martins Run Dvlpmt, you're choosing one of the most desirable dvlpmts in Lorain, along with the Amherst schools, the convenience of a nearby shopping plaza, a variety of restaurants, hospitals and minutes from highways and I-90/Rte 2. This gorgeous home was one of the dvlpmt's model homes, and with some tastefully recent updates it looks like it should be in the Home
Stunning Colonial in Amherst Schools – Practically New Inside & Out!Welcome to this beautifully maintained 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath colonial that blends timeless charm with modern updates. From the moment you step inside, you’ll notice the fresh, move-in ready feel — nearly everything has been updated, including new windows, roof, carpet, trim, doors, toilets, counters, and fresh paint
Investors, Small Business Owners, Large families - Rare opportunity for a HUGE lot in Clearview School District! Situated on over half an acre (21,960 sq. ft.) with serene nature across the street. An uncommon find in this area, this spacious (2,086 sqft) property offers privacy, versatility, and incredible potential. While the property needs some serious sweat equity, it is a must-see for large
Don't miss this incredible opportunity to own a charming 3-bedroom, 1-bathroom home in a prime location near Lake Erie! This property, currently being used as a rental, is less than 3 miles from the lake and offers easy access to Lakeside Landing, Oasis Marina, and the popular Lakeview Beach. During the Summer enjoy the annual 'Rockin' on the River' summer concerts at Black River Landing, just
Tower Regency , 1-2 Bedrooms - Loraine, OH - Tower Regency Apartments offers a blend of quality and design. The leasing team is waiting to show you all that this community has to offer. Come by to see the available floorplan options. Contact us or stop by today.Water fee charge $55 depending on amount of bedrooms and occupants
302 Louisiana Ave, Lorain - Spacious 3 bed 2 bath single family home! //$ 1500 rent / $ 1500 deposit //$55 application fee per adult //1-2 pets OK in this unit. After application pre-approval, a PetScreening is required for any animals to proceed with one of our properties; a PetScreening affidavit is still required if you have no pets. (Some breed restrictions apply per HUD
Enjoy living the good life at Evergreen Village! Located in Lorain, our spacious two-bedroom townhomes were designed with your unique lifestyle in mind. With features including attached garages, private patios, and ample storage space, its easy to see why our residents love living here!With professional on-site management and maintenance, Evergreen Village lets you enjoy a convenient
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