Greater Dayton

Welcome to Dayton

Photo by Jeffrey M. Smith RiverScape MetroPark in downtown Dayton

We are so glad you’re here! The Dayton metro area is home to an estimated 800,000 people. And while Dayton is conveniently located between several larger metro areas, it’s a thriving area in its own right.

Originally founded in 1796, just 20 years after the Declaration of Independence was signed, Dayton, Ohio, is the sixth largest city and fourth largest metropolitan area in Ohio. Dayton’s history has made it vibrant—from the Wright Brothers to the invention of the cash register—and the city has earned its nickname as the Birthplace of Innovation.

Maybe you’ve relocated here because of a new job. You’re not alone. The Dayton area is home to the largest Air Force base in the United States, Wright-Patterson. The base employs more than 30,000 people, both military and civilian, and is the largest employer in the state.

Perhaps you’ve heard about the low cost of living in Ohio, and in the Dayton metro area in particular. Even in these times of rising prices, Dayton still ranks more than 13% lower than the national average for cost of living.

This means families living in the Dayton metro area end up having extra income to spend on leisure activities and entertainment. And Dayton has plenty from which to choose!

Five Rivers MetroParks has a 50-year history of preserving natural resources. There are 18 parks across the region, most with hiking trails, picnic areas and a wealth of history. After the Great Flood of 1913 destroyed much of the city, the Miami Conservancy District was established and was responsible for construction of a dam system to prevent future flooding. The dams also created recreational areas for boating, canoeing and kayaking. Cyclists love the area for the network of bike trails, which are part of the Miami Valley Trails—more than 350 miles of paved trails.

Dayton is home to a variety of arts and culture and there is never a shortage of Broadway quality musicals, popular concerts, arts and crafts and theater. Venues such as the historic Victoria Theater and the Schuster Performing Arts Center play host to such events year-round. The Dayton Art Institute and the National Museum of the United States Air Force, world-class museums, offer families terrific opportunities for education and fun close to home. Theme park enthusiasts will be excited to learn that Kings Island is located right next door in Warren County.

The area is also home to some world-class local and regional dining options, as well as craft breweries—with almost 30 on the Dayton Ale Trail and many more throughout the Miami Valley.

Want to know more about your new home? Read on to learn more about the region’s communities, education, housing, health care and more.

- Beth Langefels