View source for Springfield, Ohio

{{Short description|City in the United States}}
{{Distinguish|text=several places called [[Springfield Township, Ohio (disambiguation)|Springfield Township, Ohio]]}}
{{Use American English|date=April 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
<!-- Basic info  -->
|name                     = Springfield, Ohio
|settlement_type          = [[City]]
|nickname                 = The Home City, The Rose City (City of Roses), The Champion City, The Field

<!-- Images -->
|image_skyline            = Downtown Springfield, Ohio 2021.jpg
|image_caption            = Downtown Springfield in 2021
|image_flag               = Flag of Springfield, Ohio.png
|image_seal               = SpringfieldOhioSeal.png
|image_blank_emblem       = Logo of Springfield, Ohio.png
|blank_emblem_type        = Logo

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<!-- Location -->
|coordinates_footnotes    = <ref name=gnis/>
|coordinates              = {{coord|39|55|12|N|83|46|15|W|region:US-OH|display=inline,title}}
|subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_name         = United States
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = [[Ohio]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Ohio|County]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Clark County, Ohio|Clark]]

<!-- Established -->
|established_title        = Founded
|established_date         = 1801
|established_title1       = [[Platted]]
|established_date1        =
|established_title2       = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
|established_date2        = 1827 (village)<br /> 1850 (city)
|named_for                =

<!-- Government -->
|government_footnotes     =
|government_type          = [[Council–manager government|Council–manager]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://springfieldohio.gov/government/|title=Government|publisher=City of Springfield, Ohio|access-date=December 18, 2019|archive-date=April 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200409143745/https://springfieldohio.gov/government/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|leader_title             = [[Mayor]]
|leader_name              = [[Rob Rue]] ([[Republican Party (United States)|R]])

<!-- Area -->
|area_footnotes           = <ref name="TigerWebMapServer">{{cite web|title=ArcGIS REST Services Directory|url=https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/arcgis/rest/services/TIGERweb/Places_CouSub_ConCity_SubMCD/MapServer|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=September 20, 2022|archive-date=January 19, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220119173812/https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/arcgis/rest/services/TIGERweb/Places_CouSub_ConCity_SubMCD/MapServer|url-status=live}}</ref>|area_total_sq_mi         = 26.36
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<!-- Population -->
|population_footnotes     =
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_total         = 58662
|pop_est_footnotes        =
|pop_est_as_of            =
|population_est           =
|population_density_sq_mi = auto
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|population_metro         = 136,001

<!-- General information -->
|timezone                 = [[Eastern Time Zone|EST]]
|utc_offset               = −5
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|utc_offset_DST           = −4
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP Code]]s
|postal_code              = 45501–45506
|area_code_type           = [[North American Numbering Plan|Area code]]
|area_code                = [[Area codes 937 and 326|937 & 326]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 39-74118<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/ |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website |archive-date=December 18, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141218204847/http://www.census.gov/popest/data/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS ID]]
|blank1_info              = 1085859<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|1085859}}</ref>
|website                  = {{URL|https://springfieldohio.gov/|springfieldohio.gov}}
}}

'''Springfield''' is a city in [[Clark County, Ohio]], United States, and its [[county seat]].<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=June 7, 2011|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties|archive-date=May 31, 2011|archive-url=https://archive.today/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> It is located in southwestern Ohio along the [[Mad River (Ohio)|Mad River]], Buck Creek, and Beaver Creek, about {{convert|45|mi|km}} west of [[Columbus, Ohio|Columbus]] and {{convert|25|mi|km}} northeast of [[Dayton, Ohio|Dayton]]. The city had a total population of 58,662 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], while the [[Springfield, Ohio metropolitan area|Springfield metropolitan area]] had 136,001 residents.

Springfield is home to [[Wittenberg University]], a liberal arts college, and [[Clark State College]], a community college. The [[Little Miami Scenic Trail]], a paved [[rail-trail]] that is nearly {{convert|80|mi|km|round=5|abbr=off|sp=us}} long, extends from the Buck Creek Scenic Trail head in Springfield south to [[Newtown, Ohio]]. [[Buck Creek State Park]] and its [[Clarence J. Brown]] [[reservoir]] are located at the city limits.

==History==
===Before European settlement===

The original pre-contact inhabitants of Springfield were the [[Shawnee|Shawnee people]].

During the 18th century, the [[Ohio Country]] saw warfare, waves of migration and displacement, and imposition of claims by rivaling colonial powers [[New France|France]] and [[British America|Britain]]. With the end of the [[French and Indian War]] in 1763, the British became the sole European claimants of the region.

The area was home to the major [[Shawnee]] village in the region, called Peckuwe or Piqua. It belonged to the Shawnee septs (sub-clans) of [[Pekowi]] and [[Kispoko]] and had a population of about 3,000.<ref>{{Cite web | title = Peckuwe Shawnee Memorial Marker | work = HNdb.org, The Historical Marker Database | access-date = February 17, 2013 | url = http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=35274 | archive-date = March 5, 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130305133206/http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=35274 | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>Hand, Tom (April 4, 2024). Americana corner: The battle of Piqua. Bryan County News - Bryan County News. [https://www.bryancountynews.com/opinion/americana-corner-battle-piqua/] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240411031940/https://www.bryancountynews.com/opinion/americana-corner-battle-piqua/|date=April 11, 2024}}</ref> It stood at 39° 54.5′ N, 83° 54.68′ W, less than four miles southwest of the current city of Springfield and less than six miles from its center.

During the [[Western theater of the American Revolutionary War]], the area saw a major battle that pitted the Americans against the Shawnee and their indigenous allies. The Shawnees had formed an alliance with the British and the [[Lenape]], the [[Wyandot people|Wyandot]], and the [[Mingo]], refugees from warfare and displacements elsewhere, and had been raiding into Kentucky with the aim of driving out American settlers.<ref name="sudgen"/> On August 8, 1780, Piqua was attacked by American soldiers under the command of General [[George Rogers Clark]]. It was a ferocious battle that ended with the destruction of the Shawnee village and the exodus of its inhabitants. Clark's men spent two days burning as much as 500 acres of corn surrounding the village.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=2SBCAAAAIAAJ&q=451&pg=PA656 George Rogers Clark Papers 1771-1779 p.451-454 account of the battle]</ref><ref>Lodge, D. (1997). Shawnee Indians A monument commemorates their departure in Hardin. Shelby County Historical Society. [https://www.shelbycountyhistory.org/schs/indians/shawnee.htm]</ref>

[[Tecumseh]], the Shawnee chief and warrior who later took part in the war of resistance against the U.S. and its expansionist settlement policy, lived in Piqua from 1777 until 1780.<ref name="sudgen">{{cite book |last=Sugden |first=John |title=Tecumseh: A Life |location=New York |publisher=Henry Holt and Company |year=1997 |isbn=0-8050-4138-9|pages=30–31}}</ref>

The Springfield area was officially ceded to the United States by the Shawnee and their indigenous allies under the [[Treaty of Greenville]] on 1795, six years before the city was founded.<ref>{{cite book |last=Gaff |first=Alan D. |title=Bayonets in the Wilderness. Anthony Waynes Legion in the Old Northwest. |publisher=University of Oklahoma Press |location=Norman |year=2004 |isbn=0-8061-3585-9 |page=366 }}</ref>

===Early settlement===
Springfield was founded in 1801 by European-American James Demint, a former teamster from [[Kentucky]] who named it for [[Springfield, Massachusetts]]. When [[Clark County, Ohio|Clark County]] was created in 1818 from parts of [[Champaign County, Ohio|Champaign]], [[Madison County, Ohio|Madison]], and [[Greene County, Ohio|Greene]] counties, Springfield was chosen by the legislature over the village of New Boston as the county seat, winning by two votes.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.springfieldohio.net/history/ghost-towns/new-boston.php |title=History of Clark County: New Boston |department=Ghost Towns |publisher=The Network of Springfield, Ohio |date=2008 |access-date=March 27, 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130115115802/http://www.springfieldohio.net/history/ghost-towns/new-boston.php |archive-date=January 15, 2013 }}</ref><ref name="bicentennial">{{cite web |last1=Rowe |first1=Keisha |title=5 fascinating things to know about Clark County's history as it celebrates its bicentennial |url=https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/local/fascinating-things-know-about-clark-county-history-celebrates-its-bicentennial/YVkHijPeZbAc9AHpzagsGM/ |website=Springfield News-Sun |access-date=September 20, 2024 |date=April 24, 2018}}</ref>

Early growth in Springfield was stimulated by federal construction of the [[National Road]], which was extended to the city in 1838. For about a decade thereafter, Springfield served as the western terminus while politicians wrangled over its future route. Representatives of [[Dayton]] and [[Eaton, Ohio|Eaton]] wanted the road to veer south after Springfield, but President [[Andrew Jackson]], who took office in 1829, decided to push the road straight west to [[Richmond, Indiana]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Raitz|first1=Karl B.|last2=Thompson|first2=George F.|title=The National Road|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_XSoga0PSd0C&pg=PA166|year=1996|publisher=JHU Press|isbn=978-0-8018-5155-1|page=166}}</ref>

===Industrial development===
During the mid-and-late 19th century, the [[manufacturing]] industry began to flourish in Springfield. Industrialists included Oliver S. Kelly, James Leffel, P. P. Mast, [[Benjamin H. Warder]], and [[Asa S. Bushnell (Ohio)|Asa S. Bushnell]], who built the self-named Bushnell Building.<ref>[http://www.bushnellbuilding.com/history.htm History of the Bushnell Building] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150409095022/http://www.bushnellbuilding.com/history.htm |date=April 9, 2015 }}</ref> Springfield became known as "The Champion City", a reference to the Champion Farm Equipment brand.<ref name="bicentennial"/>
Champion was manufactured by the Warder, Bushnell & Glessner Company, absorbed into International Harvester in 1902.

[[International Harvester]], a manufacturer of farm machinery and later trucks, became the leading local industry after 1856, when Springfield native William Whiteley invented a self-raking reaper and mower. In 1877, P. P. Mast started ''[[Farm & Fireside]]'' magazine to promote the products of his agricultural equipment company. His publishing company, known as Mast, Crowell, and Kirkpatrick, eventually developed as the [[Crowell-Collier Publishing Company]], best known for publishing ''[[Collier's Weekly]].'' International Harvester and Crowell-Collier Publishing would be the city's major employers throughout most of the next century.

In 1894, [[The Kelly Springfield Tire Company]] was founded in the city. [[Harry Aubrey Toulmin, Sr.]], patent attorney to the [[Wright Brothers]], wrote the 1904 [[patent]] to their [[invention of the airplane]] at the Bushnell Building, eventually granted to the brothers in 1906.<ref name="bicentennial"/>

At the turn of the 20th century, Springfield became known as the "Home City". It was a period of high activity by fraternal organizations, and such lodges as the [[Masonic Lodge]], [[Knights of Pythias]], and [[Independent Order of Odd Fellows|Odd Fellows]] built homes for orphans and aged members of their orders.

[[File:SpringfieldOH 4-H Club Sculpture.jpg|thumb|A statue depicting [[AB Graham]] and the first [[4-H]] club]]
That same year, A.B. Graham, then the superintendent of schools for Springfield Township in Clark County, established a "Boys' and Girls' Agricultural Club". About 85 children, 10 to 15 years of age, attended the first meeting on January 15, 1902, in Springfield, in the basement of the Clark County Courthouse. This was the start of what would soon be called the "[[4-H|4-H Club]]"; it expanded to become a nationwide organization at a time when agriculture was a mainstay of the economy in many regions.<ref>[http://www.national4-hheadquarters.gov/about/4h_history.htm "4-H History"]. National4-hheadquarters.gov. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081009054014/http://www.national4-hheadquarters.gov/about/4h_history.htm |date=October 9, 2008 }}</ref> The first projects included food preservation, gardening, and elementary agriculture. Today, a historical marker exists at the Clark County courthouse, and the [[Library of Congress]] officially recognized the birthplace in 2023.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Orozco |first1=Jesse |title=Clark County now recognized by Library of Congress as birthplace of 4-H |url=https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/clark-county-now-recognized-by-library-of-congress-as-birthplace-of-4-h/V46KJWYMXRCVXMK3R3UDQRY2W4/ |website=Springfield News-Sun |access-date=September 7, 2024 |date=September 13, 2023 |archive-date=October 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004192505/https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/clark-county-now-recognized-by-library-of-congress-as-birthplace-of-4-h/V46KJWYMXRCVXMK3R3UDQRY2W4/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

On March 7, 1904, over a thousand white residents formed a [[Lynching|lynch mob]], stormed the jail, and removed prisoner Richard Dixon, a black man accused of killing police officer Charles B. Collis. Dixon was shot to death and then hanged from a pole on the corner of Fountain and Main Street, where the mob shot his body numerous times. From there, the mob rioted through the town, destroying and burning much of the black area. The events were covered by national newspapers and provoked outrage.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9B01E6D9103BE631A2575BC0A9659C946597D6CF&scp=4&sq=springfield+ohio&st=p|title=Mob in Ohio Shoots...|date=March 8, 1904|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=February 13, 2017|archive-date=March 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305004816/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9B01E6D9103BE631A2575BC0A9659C946597D6CF&scp=4&sq=springfield+ohio&st=p|url-status=live}}</ref> On February 26, 1906, an altercation between a white man and a black man resulted in another riot. The rioters burned down much of the Levee, a predominantly black neighborhood located in a flood-prone area near the river. Nearly 100 people were left homeless.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ohiohistorycentral.org |url=http://ohiohistorycentral.org/entry.php?rec=2100&nm=Springfield-Ohio-Racial-Conflicts |access-date=November 10, 2008 |archive-date=August 28, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828174933/http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/entry.php?rec=2100&nm=Springfield-Ohio-Racial-Conflicts |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite thesis |last=Carter |first=Darnell |date=1993 |title=The 1904, 1906, and 1921 race riots in Springfield, Ohio and the Hoodlum theory |url=http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1375275114 |access-date=June 22, 2020 |website=OhioLINK |publisher=The Ohio State University |archive-date=September 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918034620/https://etd.ohiolink.edu/acprod/odb_etd/etd/r/1501/10?clear=10&p10_accession_num=osu1375275114 |url-status=live }}</ref> The final riot took place in 1921. ''[[The New York Times]]'' reported that 14 people were killed during the unrest.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Fourteen Negroes Shot in Race Riot; Fight Pitched Battle With Whites Near Midnight in Springfield, Ohio. Troops Rushed to City, Outbreak Follows Wounding of Policeman – Climax of Negro Assault on White Girl|work=The New York Times|url=http://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1921/03/12/103559394.html?zoom=16.05|access-date=June 22, 2020|language=en|archive-date=September 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918034619/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1921/03/12/103559394.html?zoom=16.05|url-status=live}}</ref>

From 1916 to 1926, 10 [[automobile]] companies operated in Springfield. Among them were the Bramwell, Brenning, Foos, Frayer-Miller, Kelly Steam, Russell-Springfield, and Westcott. The Westcott, known as "the car built to last", was a six-cylinder four-door sedan manufactured by Burton J. Westcott of the [[Westcott Automobile|Westcott Motor Car Company]].

[[File:Westcott House Springfield 06.jpg|thumb|[[Westcott House (Springfield, Ohio)|Westcott House]] by [[Frank Lloyd Wright]]]]
In 1908, Westcott and his wife Orpha commissioned architect [[Frank Lloyd Wright]] to design their home at 1340 East High Street. The [[Westcott House (Springfield, Ohio)|Westcott House]], a sprawling two-story stucco and concrete house, has all the features of Wright's "prairie style", including horizontal lines, low-pitched roof, and broad eaves. Wright became world-renowned, and this is his only prairie-style house in the state of Ohio.<ref name="CR">{{cite web |last1=Armstrong |first1=Phil |title=There's a Frank Lloyd Wright-Designed Home Just 80 Miles North of Cincy |url=https://cincinnatirefined.com/arts-design/westcott-house-designed-in-prairie-style-by-famous-architect-frank-lloyd-wright-in-springfield-ohio |website=Cincinnati Refined |access-date=May 23, 2021 |date=July 24, 2018 |archive-date=May 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210523193028/https://cincinnatirefined.com/arts-design/westcott-house-designed-in-prairie-style-by-famous-architect-frank-lloyd-wright-in-springfield-ohio |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2000, the property was purchased by the [[Chicago]]-based Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy. As part of a prearranged plan, the house was sold to the Westcott House Foundation, a newly formed group that managed an extensive 5-year, $5.8 million restoration, completed in October 2005.<ref name="CR"/> The house is now open to the public for guided tours.

===Late 20th century to present===
Crowell-Collier Publishing, a longtime pillar of local employment, closed its magazines in 1957 and sold its Springfield printing plant.<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 21, 1957 |title=Collier Holders Back Plant Sale; Debts Put at $9,000,000 – '56 Net of Book Business Given as $5,000,000, $3,600,000 Needed |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1957/03/21/archives/collier-holders-back-plant-sale-debts-put-at-9000000-56-net-of-book.html |access-date=May 30, 2019 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=September 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918034618/https://www.nytimes.com/1957/03/21/archives/collier-holders-back-plant-sale-debts-put-at-9000000-56-net-of-book.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The city population peaked at more than 82,000 in the 1960 census.

In 1966, [[Robert C. Henry]] was appointed by the city commission as [[mayor]], making him the first [[African Americans|black]] mayor of an Ohio city.<ref>{{cite book |last=Knepper |first=George W. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-X2j44h3d8IC&pg=PA392 |title=Ohio and Its People |date=2003 |publisher=Kent State University Press |isbn=978-0-87338-791-0 |page=392}}</ref>

In 1983, ''[[Newsweek]]'' called Springfield one of America's "dream cities". But the issue, which marked the magazine's 50th anniversary issue, concluded that "The American Dream" was in decline.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Borden |first1=Jeremy |date=September 19, 2016 |title=Newsweek took stock of the American Dream in Springfield, Ohio, in 1983. A taste of what things look like today. |url=https://medium.com/the-untold-story/newsweek-took-stock-of-the-american-dream-in-springfield-ohio-in-1983-e46ee2257ee1 |access-date=August 4, 2024 |website=The Untold Story |publisher=Medium |archive-date=August 4, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240804161942/https://medium.com/the-untold-story/newsweek-took-stock-of-the-american-dream-in-springfield-ohio-in-1983-e46ee2257ee1 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The [[Deindustrialization|decline in manufacturing]] and other [[Blue-collar worker|blue-collar]] industries in the United States in the late 20th and early 21st centuries hit Springfield especially hard. In 2011, [[Gallup, Inc.|Gallup]] called Springfield the "unhappiest city" in the country.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Martin |first1=Patrick |date=October 14, 2012 |title=Welcome to Springfield, Ohio, the 'unhappiest city' in the U.S. |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/welcome-to-springfield-ohio-the-unhappiest-city-in-the-us/article4612263/ |work=[[The Globe and Mail]] |access-date=September 12, 2024 |archive-date=September 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240913185054/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/welcome-to-springfield-ohio-the-unhappiest-city-in-the-us/article4612263/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Its 27% decrease in [[median income]] between 1999 and 2014 was the largest of any [[metropolitan area]] in the country.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Berliner |first1=Uri |title=Springfield, Ohio: A Shrinking City Faces A Tough Economic Future |url=https://www.npr.org/2016/09/19/493920060/springfield-ohio-a-shrinking-city-faces-a-tough-economic-future |publisher=NPR |access-date=April 4, 2019 |date=September 19, 2016 |archive-date=April 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404073918/https://www.npr.org/2016/09/19/493920060/springfield-ohio-a-shrinking-city-faces-a-tough-economic-future |url-status=live }}</ref> By 2020, the population had declined to 58,662, down more than one-quarter from its peak.<ref name="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov/|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=January 6, 2013|archive-date=December 18, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141218204847/http://www.census.gov/popest/data/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

By the mid-2010s, city leaders began revitalization of the downtown area, including residential housing, a parking garage and demolition of decayed structures.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wdtn.com/news/local-news/springfield-to-build-new-townhomes-downtown/1665375123|title=Springfield to build new townhomes downtown|date=December 19, 2018|publisher=WDTN|language=en-US|access-date=May 30, 2019|archive-date=May 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190530060521/https://www.wdtn.com/news/local-news/springfield-to-build-new-townhomes-downtown/1665375123|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/local/springfield-breaks-ground-new-downtown-parking-garage/N72KdGJRS7EcVhIf22wHxJ/|title=Springfield breaks ground on new downtown parking garage|last=Riley Newton|first=Staff Writer|website=Springfield News-Sun|language=en|date=June 28, 2019|access-date=August 28, 2019|archive-date=August 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190828123948/https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/local/springfield-breaks-ground-new-downtown-parking-garage/N72KdGJRS7EcVhIf22wHxJ/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Newton |first1=Riley |title=Demolition on Crowell-Collier picks up steam |url=https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/local/demolition-crowell-collier-picks-steam/fEnYNirbRcyBXPFElWtGoK/ |website=Springfield News-Sun |access-date=May 16, 2021 |date=October 29, 2019 |archive-date=May 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516203933/https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/local/demolition-crowell-collier-picks-steam/fEnYNirbRcyBXPFElWtGoK/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/local/historic-downtown-arcue-building-demolished/6PzTQA6rLEkbnmc3gVjSQK/|title=Historic downtown Arcue Building demolished|first=Staff Writer|last=Mark McGregor|website=Springfield News-Sun |access-date=October 6, 2019|archive-date=October 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191006021755/https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/local/historic-downtown-arcue-building-demolished/6PzTQA6rLEkbnmc3gVjSQK/|url-status=live}}</ref> New downtown structures built since 2000 include the Ohio Valley Surgical Hospital, Springfield Regional Medical Center, Mother Stewart's Brewing Company, and the Chiller Ice Arena.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/local/city-long-delayed-ice-arena-ready-open/Qrn7uGH0V6negqd3fz0gQM/|title=City's long-delayed ice arena ready to open|first=Staff Writer|last=Michael Cooper|website=Springfield News-Sun |access-date=October 6, 2019|archive-date=October 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191006021826/https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/local/city-long-delayed-ice-arena-ready-open/Qrn7uGH0V6negqd3fz0gQM/|url-status=live}}</ref> As of 2018, the economic recovery enjoyed by larger cities since the [[Great Recession]] had not included Springfield, despite efforts by local politicians and business organizations.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sanctis |first1=Matt |date=June 10, 2018 |title=Springfield among the small cities economic recovery is bypassing, report says |url=https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/local/springfield-among-the-small-cities-economic-recovery-bypassing-report-says/SiCmpEWgYjcFwOKcI1B8QO/ |access-date=April 4, 2019 |website=Springfield News-Sun |archive-date=April 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404073920/https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/local/springfield-among-the-small-cities-economic-recovery-bypassing-report-says/SiCmpEWgYjcFwOKcI1B8QO/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2021, the [[Upper Valley Mall]], which had operated as the city's [[retail]] hub since 1971, permanently closed.<ref>{{cite web |title=Upper Valley Mall to close in June |url=https://www.wdtn.com/news/local-news/upper-valley-mall-to-close-in-june/ |publisher=WDTN |access-date=May 16, 2021 |date=April 15, 2021 |archive-date=May 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516204302/https://www.wdtn.com/news/local-news/upper-valley-mall-to-close-in-june/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

====Immigrant influx====
In 2014, the city began the "Welcome Springfield" initiative to attract immigrants in an attempt to improve the local economy.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Starr |first1=Stephen |title=How a child's death caused an Ohio city to turn on its Haitian community |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2023/12/12/how-a-childs-death-caused-an-ohio-city-to-turn-on-its-haitian-community |access-date=September 15, 2024 |publisher=[[Al Jazeera English]] |date=December 12, 2023 |archive-date=September 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918034644/https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2023/12/12/how-a-childs-death-caused-an-ohio-city-to-turn-on-its-haitian-community |url-status=live }}</ref> About four years later, [[Haitians|Haitian]] immigrants fleeing their country's [[Haitian crisis (2018–present)|deepening crisis]] began to arrive.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Brangham |first1=William |last2=Fecteau |first2=Mary |title=Ohio city with Haitian migrant influx thrust into political spotlight |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/ohio-city-with-haitian-migrant-influx-thrust-into-political-spotlight |access-date=September 15, 2024 |work=[[PBS NewsHour]] |date=September 9, 2024 |archive-date=September 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918034619/https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/ohio-city-with-haitian-migrant-influx-thrust-into-political-spotlight |url-status=live }}</ref>

By 2024, an estimated 15,000 to 20,000 Haitian immigrants had settled in the city. The vast majority later received [[temporary protected status]], which allows them to work without the fear of deportation, due to the [[Haitian crisis (2018–present)|crisis in Haiti]].<ref name="Turner">{{Cite web |title=Thousands of Haitian immigrants now in Springfield: 5 takeaways from our reporting |url=https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/thousands-of-haitian-immigrants-now-in-springfield-5-takeaways-from-our-reporting/QQFDZR6JAVCBNC6TGZGAEKE2JU/ |access-date=July 16, 2024 |website=Springfield News-Sun |language=en |archive-date=July 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240716212329/https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/thousands-of-haitian-immigrants-now-in-springfield-5-takeaways-from-our-reporting/QQFDZR6JAVCBNC6TGZGAEKE2JU/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Jordan |first=Miriam |title=Why Thousands of Haitians Have Settled in Springfield, Ohio |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/14/us/haitian-migrants-springfield-ohio.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=September 17, 2024 |archive-date=September 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918034742/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/14/us/haitian-migrants-springfield-ohio.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Many were drawn by jobs with Springfield's growing [[manufacturing]] sector, which includes companies such as [[Topre]], Silfex, and McGregor Metal.<ref name="NYT-Jordan" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Matt Sanctis |first=Staff Writer |title=Topre to expand, add 200 jobs, invest $73M in Springfield |url=https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/business/employment/topre-expand-add-200-jobs-invest-73m-springfield/yOchiR72VfIKqTD8X7nJxO/ |website=Springfield News-Sun |access-date=October 6, 2019 |archive-date=March 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200311162942/https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/business/employment/topre-expand-add-200-jobs-invest-73m-springfield/yOchiR72VfIKqTD8X7nJxO/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Riley Newton |first=Staff Writer |title=New Silfex plant operating in Springfield; more hiring planned |url=https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/business/new-silfex-plant-operating-springfield-more-hiring-planned/CR4RxF0xjmfCro217SilyJ/ |website=Springfield News-Sun |access-date=October 6, 2019 |archive-date=October 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191006021810/https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/business/new-silfex-plant-operating-springfield-more-hiring-planned/CR4RxF0xjmfCro217SilyJ/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The influx of Haitians triggered an increase in anti-immigrant sentiment among existing residents. In August 2023, tensions were aggravated when an improperly licensed Haitian driver crashed into a school bus, killing one child and injuring 23 others.<ref name="NYT-Jordan" /> In mid-2024, local politicians asked for federal assistance to fund an unexpected increased use of city services and to help with housing issues caused by the population increase.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Orozco |first1=Jessica |title=Springfield leaders talk growing Haitian population with federal government |url=https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/springfield-leaders-discuss-growing-haitian-population-with-federal-government/EJWXEEGK2ZFN7N66GWPOPMDP2A/ |website=Springfield News-Sun |access-date=August 3, 2024 |date=April 12, 2024}}</ref><ref name="NYT-Jordan">{{cite web |last1=Jordan |first1=Miriam |title=How an Ohio Town Landed in the Middle of the Immigration Debate |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/03/us/springfield-ohio-school-bus-crash-haiti-immigrants.html |website=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=September 7, 2024 |date=September 3, 2024 |archive-date=September 14, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240914191557/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/03/us/springfield-ohio-school-bus-crash-haiti-immigrants.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Community organizations have hired significant numbers of [[Haitian Creole]] translators.<ref name="NYT-Jordan" />

==== National attention ====
{{Main article|Springfield pet-eating hoax}}

In 2024, the city drew international attention over [[Springfield pet-eating hoax|baseless claims about local Haitian immigrants]], leading to dozens of bomb threats that forced school evacuations, government office closures, and other disruptions.<ref name=":52">{{Cite web |last1=Rozzelle |first1=Josephine |last2=Breuninger |first2=Kevin |date=September 16, 2024 |title=Ohio GOP Gov. DeWine says 'at least 33' bomb threats prompt Springfield to begin daily school sweeps |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2024/09/16/springfield-bomb-threats-ohio-republican.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240917123730/https://www.cnbc.com/2024/09/16/springfield-bomb-threats-ohio-republican.html |archive-date=September 17, 2024 |access-date=September 17, 2024 |publisher=CNBC |language=en}}</ref> On August 26, police received a report of Haitians stealing geese, for which neither law enforcement officials nor the [[Ohio Department of Natural Resources]] found any evidence or suspects.<ref name="ORO">{{cite news | last = Orozco | first = Jessica | date = September 11, 2024 | title = County: No evidence of August claim that Haitians took geese at Springfield park | url = https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/county-no-evidence-of-august-claim-that-haitians-took-geese-at-springfield-park/NFRGJNURHREGHB32HBC6UKZJWQ/ | work = Springfield News-Sun | access-date = September 11, 2024 | archive-date = September 11, 2024 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240911220949/https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/county-no-evidence-of-august-claim-that-haitians-took-geese-at-springfield-park/NFRGJNURHREGHB32HBC6UKZJWQ/ | url-status = live }}</ref><ref name="CDR">{{cite web | title = Call Detail Report | publisher = Clark County Communication Center | date = August 26, 2024 | url = https://www.scribd.com/embeds/767911174/content?start_page=1&view_mode=scroll&access_key=key-FgAt6C3w3O2whVVHFZHL | access-date = September 11, 2024 | archive-date = September 11, 2024 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240911121712/https://www.scribd.com/embeds/767911174/content?start_page=1&view_mode=scroll&access_key=key-FgAt6C3w3O2whVVHFZHL | url-status = live }}</ref> Soon thereafter, a rumor about Haitian immigrants abducting and eating pets in Springfield went viral. Springfield authorities debunked the rumor.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bernal |first1=Rafael |date=September 9, 2024 |title=Vance pushes false accusations of Haitians eating pets |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4869901-vance-haitians-eating-pets-ohio-trump/ |access-date=September 11, 2024 |work=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]] |archive-date=September 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240910201726/https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4869901-vance-haitians-eating-pets-ohio-trump/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The claims were amplified by [[JD Vance]], a U.S. senator from Ohio and Republican vice-president, other Republican politicians, and right-wing commentators.<ref>{{cite news|last=Ferris|first=Layla|date=September 10, 2024|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/baseless-claim-haiti-immigrants-cats-springfield-ohio/|title=JD Vance repeats baseless claim Haitian immigrants are eating pets as Ohio officials say there is no evidence|publisher=[[CBS News]]|access-date=September 10, 2024|archive-date=September 14, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240914192054/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/baseless-claim-haiti-immigrants-cats-springfield-ohio/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Maher|first=Kit|date=September 10, 2024|url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/10/politics/jd-vance-haitian-immigrants/index.html|title=Vance says false claim he spread against Haitian migrants may not be true but urges followers to keep posting 'cat memes'|publisher=[[CNN]]|access-date=September 10, 2024|archive-date=September 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240910185039/https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/10/politics/jd-vance-haitian-immigrants/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Ingram|first=David|date=September 9, 2024|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/misinformation/jd-vance-ohio-police-no-reports-haitian-immigrants-harming-pets-rcna170271|title=Ohio police have 'no credible reports' of Haitian immigrants harming pets, contradicting JD Vance's claim|publisher=[[NBC News]]|access-date=September 10, 2024|archive-date=September 11, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240911215439/https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/misinformation/jd-vance-ohio-police-no-reports-haitian-immigrants-harming-pets-rcna170271|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Demissie|first=Hannah|date=September 9, 2024|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/vance-magnifies-false-claims-haitian-immigrants-eating-pets/story?id=113534220|title=Vance magnifies false claims about Haitian immigrants eating pets in Ohio|publisher=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]|access-date=September 10, 2024|archive-date=September 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240910020622/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/vance-magnifies-false-claims-haitian-immigrants-eating-pets/story?id=113534220|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="clevelandarticle">{{cite web |date=September 13, 2024 |title=Some Springfield locals say top Republicans are lying about Haitian immigrants in town |url=https://www.cleveland.com/open/2024/09/some-springfield-locals-say-top-republicans-are-lying-about-haitian-immigrants-in-town.html?outputType=amp |accessdate=September 13, 2024 |website=The Plain Dealer}}</ref> On September 10, Republican presidential candidate [[Donald Trump]] amplified the claims during [[2024 United States presidential debates#September 10: Second presidential debate (ABC, Philadelphia)|his presidential debate]] with [[Kamala Harris]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Arkin|first1=Daniel|last2=Ingram|first2=David|date=September 10, 2024|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/trump-pushes-baseless-claim-immigrants-eating-pets-rcna170537|title=Trump pushes baseless claim about immigrants 'eating the pets'|publisher=[[NBC News]]|access-date=September 10, 2024|archive-date=September 11, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240911015459/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/trump-pushes-baseless-claim-immigrants-eating-pets-rcna170537|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Reinstein|first1=Julia|last2=Demissie|first2=Hannah|date=September 10, 2024|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-pushes-false-claim-haitian-migrants-stealing-eating/story?id=113570407|title=Trump pushes false claim that Haitian migrants are stealing and eating pets|publisher=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]|access-date=September 10, 2024|archive-date=September 11, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240911030634/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-pushes-false-claim-haitian-migrants-stealing-eating/story?id=113570407|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Baio|first=Ariana|date=September 10, 2024|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-ohio-pets-springfield-debate-fact-check-b2610589.html|title=Trump repeats false pet-eating claims leaving Harris dumbfounded as Republican nominee goes off rails|work=[[The Independent]]|access-date=September 10, 2024|archive-date=September 11, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240911030623/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-ohio-pets-springfield-debate-fact-check-b2610589.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Over the following week, Trump repeated and embellished his lies,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Trump got back on track with the border. Then he started talking about the dogs (and geese). |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2024/09/12/trump-immigration-border-dogs-geese-00179017 |website=Politico |date=September 12, 2024 |access-date=September 15, 2024 |archive-date=September 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240913223725/https://www.politico.com/news/2024/09/12/trump-immigration-border-dogs-geese-00179017 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=September 13, 2024 |title=Trump drags new animal into false claims Haitian migrants are eating pets in Ohio |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-eating-pets-migrants-ohio-geese-b2612259.html |access-date=September 13, 2024 |website=The Independent |language=en |archive-date=September 14, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240914043722/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-eating-pets-migrants-ohio-geese-b2612259.html |url-status=live }}</ref> adding a vow to mass-deport "migrants" from Springfield.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Trump vows mass deportation of migrants in Springfield, dismisses threats to town |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-vows-mass-deportation-migrants-springfield-dismisses-threats/story?id=113661663 |access-date=September 13, 2024 |publisher=ABC News |language=en |archive-date=September 15, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240915135417/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-vows-mass-deportation-migrants-springfield-dismisses-threats/story?id=113661663 |url-status=live }}</ref> Meanwhile, unknown perpetrators began making dozens of [[bomb threat]]s to Springfield schools, city officials and employees, and municipal offices, forcing several days of evacuations, lockdowns, closures, and cancellations.<ref name=":52"/><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Lozano |first1=Alicia |last2=Li |first2=David |date=September 14, 2024 |title=Bomb threats force second consecutive day of school closures in Springfield, Ohio |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/bomb-threats-force-second-consecutive-day-school-closures-springfield-rcna171043 |access-date=September 14, 2024 |publisher=NBC News |language=en |archive-date=September 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240913172645/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/bomb-threats-force-second-consecutive-day-school-closures-springfield-rcna171043 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":1">{{cite news |last1=Orozco |first1=Jessia |last2=Kelley |first2=Jeremy |date=September 13, 2024 |title=Springfield City Hall, schools, county hit by bomb threat tied to Haitian issues |url=https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/springfield-city-hall-evacuated-due-to-unspecified-threat/LEJGCXXHZRHT3HH3HYHABRZGT4/ |access-date=September 15, 2024 |work=[[Springfield News-Sun]] |archive-date=September 12, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240912170953/https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/springfield-city-hall-evacuated-due-to-unspecified-threat/LEJGCXXHZRHT3HH3HYHABRZGT4/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Helmore |first1=Edward |date=September 14, 2024 |title=More bomb threats hit Springfield, Ohio, after Trump elevates false claims about Haitians |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/sep/14/more-bomb-threats-hit-springfield-ohio-after-trump-elevates-false-claims-about-haitians |access-date=September 15, 2024 |work=[[The Guardian]] |archive-date=September 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918034619/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/sep/14/more-bomb-threats-hit-springfield-ohio-after-trump-elevates-false-claims-about-haitians |url-status=live }}</ref> Five schools were evacuated during their school days, and two more closed for a day. [[Springfield City Hall (Ohio)|City Hall]] and several municipal<ref>{{Cite web |last=Taylor |first=Lydia |date=September 13, 2024 |title=More Springfield schools evacuated after threats, officials say |url=https://spectrumnews1.com/oh/columbus/news/2024/09/13/springfield-ohio-threats-schools |access-date=September 17, 2024 |website=Spectrum News 1 |language=en |archive-date=September 14, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240914013604/https://spectrumnews1.com/oh/columbus/news/2024/09/13/springfield-ohio-threats-schools |url-status=live }}</ref> and county buildings<ref name=":1" /> were closed for one or more days. Two hospitals were locked down for part of a day.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=4 days of threats in Springfield: What happened from Thursday to today |url=https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/local/4-days-of-threats-in-springfield-what-happened-from-thursday-to-today/GYIMMNNO5NECTKYSWJB3BNEQDU/ |access-date=September 17, 2024 |website=Springfield News-Sun |language=en |archive-date=September 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916215322/https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/local/4-days-of-threats-in-springfield-what-happened-from-thursday-to-today/GYIMMNNO5NECTKYSWJB3BNEQDU/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Two local colleges moved classes online for one or more days.<ref name=":4" /> The episode drew national and international attention to Springfield.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Donald Trump repeats baseless claim about Haitian immigrants eating cats and dogs in Springfield, Ohio |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c77l28myezko |access-date=September 18, 2024 |publisher=BBC News |language=en-GB |archive-date=September 14, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240914180635/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c77l28myezko |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Germany rejects Trump's energy claim, mocks him over pets – DW – 09/11/2024 |url=https://www.dw.com/en/germany-rejects-trumps-energy-claim-mocks-him-over-pets/a-70190020 |access-date=September 18, 2024 |publisher=Deutshe Welle |language=en |archive-date=September 14, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240914181330/https://www.dw.com/en/germany-rejects-trumps-energy-claim-mocks-him-over-pets/a-70190020 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=September 14, 2024 |title=Haitian immigrant pet-eating row: Ohio woman accused of eating cat is US citizen, video is not from Springfield |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/haitian-immigrant-pet-eating-row-ohio-woman-accused-of-eating-cat-is-us-citizen-video-is-from-canton-not-springfield/articleshow/113320756.cms |access-date=September 18, 2024 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257 |archive-date=September 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918035121/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/haitian-immigrant-pet-eating-row-ohio-woman-accused-of-eating-cat-is-us-citizen-video-is-from-canton-not-springfield/articleshow/113320756.cms |url-status=live }}</ref>

Haitian Americans in Springfield have faced race-based attacks due to these claims.<ref name="HaitianTimes2024">{{cite web |date=September 11, 2024 |title=Haitian Immigrants in Ohio Under Racist Attacks |url=https://haitiantimes.com/2024/09/11/haitian-immigrants-in-ohio-under-racist-attacks/ |access-date=September 13, 2024 |website=The Haitian Times |archive-date=September 14, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240914192701/https://haitiantimes.com/2024/09/11/haitian-immigrants-in-ohio-under-racist-attacks/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Reuters2024">{{cite web |date=September 11, 2024 |title=Haitian Americans Fear for Their Safety After Trump Repeats False Claims |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/haitian-americans-fear-their-safety-after-trump-repeats-false-claims-about-2024-09-11/ |access-date=September 13, 2024 |publisher=Reuters}}</ref><ref name="BinNews2024">{{cite web |date=September 12, 2024 |title=Springfield Haitians Face Racist Attacks Following Trump, Vance Comments |url=https://twincities.binnews.com/content/2024-09-12-springfield-haitians-face-racist-attacks-following-trump-vance-comments/ |access-date=September 13, 2024 |website=Bin News |archive-date=September 14, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240914181149/https://twincities.binnews.com/content/2024-09-12-springfield-haitians-face-racist-attacks-following-trump-vance-comments/ |url-status=live }}</ref> After [[Donald Trump]] won the [[2024 United States presidential election]], some Haitians expressed an interest in moving out of Springfield.<ref>{{cite web|last=Starr|first=Stephen|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/nov/17/haitian-immigrants-springfield-ohio-trump-election|title=Haitian immigrants flee Springfield, Ohio, in droves after Trump election win|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|date=November 17, 2024|access-date=November 17, 2024}}</ref>

==Geography==
[[File:South Fountain Avenue HD.jpg|thumb|[[South Fountain Avenue Historic District]]]]

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|25.50|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which, {{convert|25.29|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.21|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{cite web|title=US Gazetteer files 2010|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=January 6, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112090031/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt|archive-date=January 12, 2012}}</ref> The Clarence J. Brown Reservoir is located on the northeast outskirts of Springfield.

===Climate===
Springfield experiences a [[humid continental climate]] with cold winters and hot summers.
{{Weather box
 | width       = auto
 | collapsed   = yes
 | single line = yes
 | location    = Springfield, Ohio (Springfield Water Treatment Plant) (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1969–present)
 | Jan record high F  = 68
 | Feb record high F  = 76
 | Mar record high F  = 85
 | Apr record high F  = 93
 | May record high F  = 92
 | Jun record high F  = 98
 | Jul record high F  = 99
 | Aug record high F  = 100
 | Sep record high F  = 97
 | Oct record high F  = 90
 | Nov record high F  = 79
 | Dec record high F  = 72
 | year record high F =

|Jan avg record high F = 58.8
|Feb avg record high F = 62.7
|Mar avg record high F = 71.8
|Apr avg record high F = 80.3
|May avg record high F = 86.2
|Jun avg record high F = 90.8
|Jul avg record high F = 91.7
|Aug avg record high F = 91.2
|Sep avg record high F = 89.7
|Oct avg record high F = 82.0
|Nov avg record high F = 70.1
|Dec avg record high F = 61.7
|year avg record high F = 93.3

 | Jan high F = 35.9
 | Feb high F = 39.5
 | Mar high F = 49.6
 | Apr high F = 62.6
 | May high F = 72.6
 | Jun high F = 81.2
 | Jul high F = 83.9
 | Aug high F = 83.1
 | Sep high F = 77.7
 | Oct high F = 65.3
 | Nov high F = 51.8
 | Dec high F = 40.7
 | year high F = 62.0
 | Jan mean F = 27.2
 | Feb mean F = 29.9
 | Mar mean F = 39.0
 | Apr mean F = 50.4
 | May mean F = 61.0
 | Jun mean F = 70.0
 | Jul mean F = 72.9
 | Aug mean F = 71.4
 | Sep mean F = 64.9
 | Oct mean F = 53.3
 | Nov mean F = 41.6
 | Dec mean F = 32.5
 | year mean F = 51.2
 | Jan low F = 18.5
 | Feb low F = 20.2
 | Mar low F = 28.4
 | Apr low F = 38.2
 | May low F = 49.4
 | Jun low F = 58.8
 | Jul low F = 61.8
 | Aug low F = 59.8
 | Sep low F = 52.2
 | Oct low F = 41.3
 | Nov low F = 31.4
 | Dec low F = 24.2
 | year low F = 40.4

|Jan avg record low F = -2.9
|Feb avg record low F = 1.7
|Mar avg record low F = 11.1
|Apr avg record low F = 23.6
|May avg record low F = 35.0
|Jun avg record low F = 46.0
|Jul avg record low F = 52.0
|Aug avg record low F = 49.6
|Sep avg record low F = 39.4
|Oct avg record low F = 28.2
|Nov avg record low F = 17.8
|Dec avg record low F = 6.9
|year avg record low F = -6.3

 | Jan record low F  = -26
 | Feb record low F  = -18
 | Mar record low F  = -13
 | Apr record low F  = 14
 | May record low F  = 26
 | Jun record low F  = 34
 | Jul record low F  = 43
 | Aug record low F  = 39
 | Sep record low F  = 29
 | Oct record low F  = 15
 | Nov record low F  = 3
 | Dec record low F  = -26
 | year record low F =
 | precipitation colour   = green
 | Jan precipitation inch = 2.69
 | Feb precipitation inch = 2.10
 | Mar precipitation inch = 2.94
 | Apr precipitation inch = 3.96
 | May precipitation inch = 4.59
 | Jun precipitation inch = 4.48
 | Jul precipitation inch = 4.55
 | Aug precipitation inch = 3.28
 | Sep precipitation inch = 3.39
 | Oct precipitation inch = 2.83
 | Nov precipitation inch = 2.80
 | Dec precipitation inch = 2.64
 | year precipitation inch = 40.25
 | unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
 | Jan precipitation days  = 11.8
 | Feb precipitation days  = 9.3
 | Mar precipitation days  = 10.1
 | Apr precipitation days  = 12.8
 | May precipitation days  = 14.4
 | Jun precipitation days  = 12.7
 | Jul precipitation days  = 10.9
 | Aug precipitation days  = 8.9
 | Sep precipitation days  = 9.0
 | Oct precipitation days  = 9.6
 | Nov precipitation days  = 9.6
 | Dec precipitation days  = 11.4
 | year precipitation days = 130.5
 | source = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|NOAA]]<ref name="NOWData">{{cite web
|url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/Climate?wfo=iln
|title = NOWData – NOAA Online Weather Data
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|access-date = November 15, 2023
|archive-date = February 18, 2022
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220218193033/https://www.weather.gov/wrh/Climate?wfo=iln
|url-status = live
}}</ref><ref name="NCEI">{{cite web
|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00337935&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL
|title = Summary of Monthly Normals 1991–2020
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|access-date = November 15, 2023
|archive-date = September 18, 2024
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240918035244/https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00337935&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL
|url-status = live
}}</ref>
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1810= 593
|1820= 1868
|1830= 1080
|1840= 2062
|1850= 5108
|1860= 7002
|1870= 12652
|1880= 20730
|1890= 31895
|1900= 38253
|1910= 46921
|1920= 60840
|1930= 68743
|1940= 70662
|1950= 78508
|1960= 82723
|1970= 81926
|1980= 72563
|1990= 70487
|2000= 65358
|2010= 60608
|2020= 58662
|estyear=2023
|estimate=58082
|estref=
|footnote=<ref name="GR2" /><ref name=Census1930>{{cite web|title=Population: Ohio|url=http://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/03815512v1ch08.pdf|work=1930 US Census|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=May 17, 2020|archive-date=June 9, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110609134342/http://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/03815512v1ch08.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Census1960">{{cite web|title=Number of Inhabitants: Ohio|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1960/population-volume-1/37749282v1p37_ch02.pdf|date=1960|work=18th Census of the United States|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=May 17, 2020|archive-date=March 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308120550/https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1960/population-volume-1/37749282v1p37_ch02.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Census1990">{{cite web|title=Ohio: Population and Housing Unit Counts|url=https://www.census.gov/prod/cen1990/cph2/cph-2-37.pdf|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=May 17, 2020|archive-date=January 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190116175623/https://www.census.gov/prod/cen1990/cph2/cph-2-37.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/springfieldcityohio,US/PST045221|title=Springfield city, Ohio|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |accessdate=July 6, 2022|archive-date=September 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918035257/https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/springfieldcityohio,US/PST045221|url-status=live}}</ref>
}}

As of the 2000 census,<ref name="GR2" /> the median income for a household in the city was $32,193, and the median income for a family was $39,890. Males had a median income of $32,027 versus $23,155 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $16,660. 16.9% of the population and 13.5% of families were below the [[poverty line]]. Out of the total population, 23.9% of those under the age of 18 and 9.6% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+'''Springfield city, Ohio – Racial and ethnic composition'''<br><small>{{nobold|''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.''}}</small>
!Race / Ethnicity <small>(''NH = Non-Hispanic'')</small>
!Pop 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>{{Cite web |title=P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Springfield city, Ohio |url=https://data.census.gov/table?g=160XX00US3974118&tid=DECENNIALSF12000.P004 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= |archive-date=September 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918035125/https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALSF12000.P004?g=160XX00US3974118 |url-status=live }}</ref>
!Pop 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>{{Cite web |title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Springfield city, Ohio |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=160XX00US3974118&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= |archive-date=September 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918035258/https://data.census.gov/akam/13/316d667d |url-status=live }}</ref>
!{{partial|Pop 2020}}<ref name=2020CensusP2>{{Cite web |title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Springfield city, Ohio |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=160XX00US3974118&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= |archive-date=September 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918035134/https://data.census.gov/assets/codes-6d06e20f.svg |url-status=live }}</ref>
!% 2000
!% 2010
!{{partial|% 2020}}
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] alone (NH)
|50,663
|44,946
|style='background: #ffffe6; |40,107
|77.52%
|74.16%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |68.37%
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] alone (NH)
|11,832
|10,876
|style='background: #ffffe6; |10,913
|18.10%
|17.94%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |18.60%
|-
|[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] alone (NH)
|193
|167
|style='background: #ffffe6; |160
|0.30%
|0.28%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.27%
|-
|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] alone (NH)
|446
|446
|style='background: #ffffe6; |472
|0.68%
|0.74%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.80%
|-
|[[Native Hawaiian]] or [[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] alone (NH)
|14
|21
|style='background: #ffffe6; |44
|0.02%
|0.03%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.08%
|-
|[[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|Other Race]] alone (NH)
|138
|169
|style='background: #ffffe6; |335
|0.21%
|0.28%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.57%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed race or Multiracial]] (NH)
|1,302
|2,159
|style='background: #ffffe6; |3,766
|1.99%
|3.56%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |6.42%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race)
|770
|1,824
|style='background: #ffffe6; |2,865
|1.18%
|3.01%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |4.88%
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''65,358'''
|'''60,608'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''58,662'''
|'''100.00%'''
|'''100.00%'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''100.00%'''
|}

===2010 census===
As of the [[2010 United States Census|2010 census]],<ref name="American FactFinder2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/|title=U.S. Census website|access-date=March 20, 2010|archive-date=December 18, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141218204847/http://www.census.gov/popest/data/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> there were 60,608 people, 24,459 households, and 14,399 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|2,693.7|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 28,437 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1,263.9|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 75.2% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 18.1% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.3% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.8% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], nil% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], and 4.0% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 3.0% of the population.

There were 24,459 households, of which 26.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.4% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 18.6% had a female householder with no spouse present, 5.9% had a male householder with no spouse present, and 41.1% were non-families. Of all households, 34.1% were made up of individuals, and 13.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38, and the average family size was 3.01.

In the population was spread out, with 24.4% under the age of 18, 11.5% from 18 to 24, 24.2% from 25 to 44, 24.6% from 45 to 64, and 15.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.2 males.

===Crime===
From 2012 through 2014, the city experienced a 21% increase in violent crime; from 618 per 100,000 persons to 750. Also during those years, occurrences of murder and non-negligent manslaughter steadily increased; from 5 to 7.<ref>{{cite web|title=Crime in the United States by Metropolitan Statistical Area, 2012|url=https://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/crime-in-the-u.s/2012/crime-in-the-u.s.-2012/tables/6tabledatadecpdf/table-6|publisher=FBI}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Crime in the United States by Metropolitan Statistical Area, 2013|url=https://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/crime-in-the-u.s/2013/crime-in-the-u.s.-2013/tables/6tabledatadecpdf/table-6|publisher=FBI}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Crime in the United States by Metropolitan Statistical Area, 2014|url=https://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/crime-in-the-u.s/2014/crime-in-the-u.s.-2014/tables/table-6|publisher=FBI|access-date=October 30, 2015|archive-date=November 27, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151127080717/https://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/crime-in-the-u.s/2014/crime-in-the-u.s.-2014/tables/table-6|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2015, Springfield's violent crime reached a 14-year high,<ref>{{cite news|last1=Wedell|first1=Katie|title=Violent crime in Springfield at 14-year high|url=http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/news/crime-law/violent-crime-in-springfield-at-14-year-high/nqqbQ/|work=[[Springfield News-Sun]]|date=March 22, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Wichie|first1=Allison|title=Springfield residents fed up with crime, ready to fight back|url=http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/news/crime-law/springfield-residents-fed-up-with-crime-ready-to-f/nrGCt/|work=[[Springfield News-Sun]]|access-date=May 3, 2016}}</ref> but this rate has since decreased.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Perry|first1=Parker|title=Most crime rates drop in Springfield in 2018, homicides rise|url=https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/crime--law/most-crime-rates-drop-springfield-2018-homicides-rise/DfGvip8dRj1zI3eHCXoe8H/|work=[[Springfield News-Sun]]|date=March 24, 2019|access-date=August 28, 2019|archive-date=August 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190828124400/https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/crime--law/most-crime-rates-drop-springfield-2018-homicides-rise/DfGvip8dRj1zI3eHCXoe8H/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Economy==
Springfield has a notably weakened economy due to many factors, but a key cause for degradation of the economy in Springfield has been the decline in manufacturing jobs. Between 1999 and 2014, Springfield saw the median income decrease by 27 percent, compared to just 8 percent across the country. In the 1990s, Springfield lost 22,000 [[Blue-collar worker|blue collar]] jobs, which were the backbone of the city economy.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/2016/09/19/493920060/springfield-ohio-a-shrinking-city-faces-a-tough-economic-future|title=Springfield, Ohio: A Shrinking City Faces A Tough Economic Future|publisher=NPR |access-date=April 4, 2019|archive-date=April 4, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404073918/https://www.npr.org/2016/09/19/493920060/springfield-ohio-a-shrinking-city-faces-a-tough-economic-future|url-status=live}}</ref> Today, Springfield largely relies on healthcare, manufacturing, transportation, leisure, education, financial institutions, and retail for employment.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bls.gov/eag/eag.oh_springfield_msa.htm|title=Springfield, OH Economy at a Glance|publisher=Bureau of Labor Statistics |access-date=October 6, 2019|archive-date=October 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191006025207/https://www.bls.gov/eag/eag.oh_springfield_msa.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Government==
{{see also|List of mayors of Springfield, Ohio}}
The current mayor of Springfield is [[Rob Rue]], who was sworn in January 2024.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Forrest |first=Vicky |date=January 4, 2024 |title=New faces, new roles in Springfield: Mayor says city must stand united |url=https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/new-faces-new-roles-in-springfield-mayor-says-city-must-stand-united/HN74ARKKQ5A4DJVSC4OJFQTTLM/ |access-date=September 15, 2024 |website=Springfield News-Sun |language=en |archive-date=September 15, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240915214949/https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/new-faces-new-roles-in-springfield-mayor-says-city-must-stand-united/HN74ARKKQ5A4DJVSC4OJFQTTLM/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He succeeded Warren Copeland, who had been mayor of the city since 1998.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Orozco |first1=Jessica |title=Former Springfield Mayor Warren Copeland: 'He led with his heart' |url=https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/former-springfield-mayor-warren-copeland-he-led-with-his-heart/EC2AES6XXFCQRJQSVJCK22FDWQ/ |website=Springfield News-Sun |access-date=September 17, 2024 |date=January 22, 2024 |archive-date=September 11, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240911125232/https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/former-springfield-mayor-warren-copeland-he-led-with-his-heart/EC2AES6XXFCQRJQSVJCK22FDWQ/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The City of Springfield operates as a council-manager form of government, with an elected City Commission operating with an appointed City Manager. The Springfield City Commission is composed of the mayor and four city commissioners, all serving four-year terms. Commissioners must be residents of the city both one year prior and during their terms.<ref name=Commission>{{cite web |title=City of Springfield, Ohio Commission |date=November 29, 2022 |url=https://springfieldohio.gov/city-of-springfield-ohio-commission/ |publisher=City of Springfield |access-date=September 15, 2024 |archive-date=September 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918035649/https://springfieldohio.gov/city-of-springfield-ohio-commission/ |url-status=live }}</ref> As of 2024, the commissioners are David Estrop, Krystal Brown, Bridget Houston and Tracy Tackett.<ref name=Commission/>

==Education==
[[Image:Wittenberg Ward St En 11-23-08.jpg|thumb|[[Wittenberg University]]]]
Most of Springfield's residents are served by the [[Springfield City School District]]<!--UNI 04481-->,<ref name=CensusSDMap2020>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st39_oh/schooldistrict_maps/c39023_clark/DC20SD_C39023.pdf|title=2020 Census – School District Reference Map: Clark County, OH|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|access-date=September 11, 2024|archive-date=September 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918035647/https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st39_oh/schooldistrict_maps/c39023_clark/DC20SD_C39023.pdf|url-status=live}} – [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st39_oh/schooldistrict_maps/c39023_clark/DC20SD_C39023_SD2MS.txt Text list] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918035649/https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st39_oh/schooldistrict_maps/c39023_clark/DC20SD_C39023_SD2MS.txt |date=September 18, 2024 }}</ref> which enrolls about 7,000 students in public [[primary education|elementary]] and [[secondary education|secondary]] schools.{{NCES District ID|3904481 |district_name=Springfield City School District |access_date=2022-03-05 |do_not_render=yes}} The district operates 14 schools—ten elementary, three middle, and one high school, [[Springfield High School (Springfield, Ohio)|Springfield High School]]—and one alternative school.

Other schools in Springfield include the Global Impact STEM Academy, an early-college middle school and high school certified in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics curriculum founded in 2013.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Global Impact STEM Academy |url=http://www.globalimpactacademy.org/ |access-date=May 8, 2018 |archive-date=May 8, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180508121643/http://www.globalimpactacademy.org/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Parts of northern Springfield are served by in Northeastern Local School District<!--UNI 04625--> and Northwestern Local School District<!--UNI 04626-->. Portions to the west, south, and southeast are in Clark-Shawnee Local School District.<!--UNI 04628--><ref name=CensusSDMap2020/>

[[File:Springfield HS Springfield OH USA.JPG|thumb|left|[[Springfield High School (Springfield, Ohio)|Springfield High School]]]]
[[Wittenberg University]] is a [[Private university|private]] [[Liberal arts colleges in the United States|liberal arts college]] founded in Springfield in 1845. Associated with the [[Evangelical Lutheran Church in America]], its student body consists of roughly 1,300 full-time students.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wittenberg.edu/ |title=Facts You Should Know |publisher=Wittenberg University, Springfield, Ohio |access-date=March 30, 2022 |archive-date=March 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220329204742/https://www.wittenberg.edu/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The university has a 114-acre campus and offers more than seventy majors. Wittenberg has more than 150 campus organizations, which include ten national fraternities and sororities. The [[WUSO]] radio station is operated on the campus.

The city is also home to [[Clark State College]], which offers associate's and bachelor's degrees.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Means |first1=Laurie |title=Clark State Approved for Second Bachelor's Degree (Press Release) |url=https://www.clarkstate.edu/about-clark-state/news/clark-state-approved-for-second-bachelor-s-degree/ |accessdate=April 18, 2019 |publisher=Clark State Community College |date=November 28, 2018}}</ref> The Springfield and Clark County Technical Education Program opened in 1962 and began to offer technical training for residents of Springfield and surrounding communities, and was chartered as the Clark County Technical Institute on February 18, 1966, Ohio's first technical college sanctioned by the [[Ohio Board of Regents]].

The [[Clark County Public Library]] operates three public libraries within the city of Springfield.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://ccplohio.org/locations/ | title=Library branches | publisher=Clark County Public Library | access-date=February 25, 2018 | archive-date=September 18, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918035839/https://ccplohio.bibliocommons.com/v2/locations | url-status=live }}</ref>

==Media==
[[Image:SpringfieldOH News-Sun.jpg|thumb|''[[Springfield News-Sun]]'' former headquarters]]
The city is served by one daily newspaper, the ''[[Springfield News-Sun]].'' ''The Wittenberg Torch'' is the newspaper of Wittenberg University. [[WEEC|WEEC-FM]] radio, featuring [[Christianity|Christian]]-based programming, is located in the city. Two AM radio stations are licensed to Springfield—[[WIZE]] 1340, owned by [[IHeartMedia|iHeart Media]], and [[WULM|WULM 1600]], licensed to [[Radio Maria]]—but neither is locally operated or programmed. WIZE broadcasts iHeart's [[Black Information Network]]; WULM, Catholic programming from [[KJMJ|KJMJ-AM]] in Alexandria, Louisiana.

==Transportation==
[[Ohio State Route 72]] runs north–south through downtown Springfield. [[U.S. Highway 40]] runs east–west through the downtown. [[U.S. Highway 68]] runs north–south on the west edge of the city. [[Interstate 70 in Ohio|Interstate 70]] runs east–west to the south of the city.

[[Springfield–Beckley Municipal Airport]], a civil-military airport, is 6.6 miles south of Springfield, between US 68 and Ohio Route 72. The closest airport with commercial passenger flights is [[Dayton International Airport]], 27.2 miles to the west.

Springfield was once served by passenger railroads: the [[New York Central]] at its [[Big Four Depot (Springfield, Ohio)|Big Four Depot]], with trains for Cincinnati, Detroit, Cleveland and New York City,<ref>New York Central timetable, December 7, 1948, Tables 26, 27, 28 https://streamlinermemories.info/NYC/NYC47-12TT.pdf {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220609004814/https://streamlinermemories.info/NYC/NYC47-12TT.pdf |date=June 9, 2022 }}</ref> demolished in 1969; and the [[Pennsylvania Railroad]] at its station, with trains for Richmond, Indiana, and Chicago.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Pennsylvania Railroad, Table 201 |journal=Official Guide of the Railways |publisher=National Railway Publication Company |volume= 74 |issue= 1 |date=June 1941}}</ref> The last train from Springfield left on April 30, 1971: an unnamed remnant of the New York Central's ''[[Ohio State Limited]],'' run by [[Penn Central]] on the Cincinnati–Columbus–Cleveland route.<ref>Passenger trains operating on the eve of Amtrak http://ctr.trains.com/~/media/import/files/pdf/f/7/7/passenger_trains_operating_on_the_eve_of_amtrak.pdf {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120826050444/http://ctr.trains.com/~/media/import/files/pdf/f/7/7/passenger_trains_operating_on_the_eve_of_amtrak.pdf |date=August 26, 2012 }}</ref>

==Notable people==<!--consensus reached to standardize this heading per WP:WikiProject Cities/US Guideline -->
<!-- NOTICE * * * NOTICE * * * NOTICE * * * * * * * * * * * *NOTICE * * * NOTICE * * * NOTICE
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The following are notable people born and/or raised in Springfield:
{{div col}}
* [[Berenice Abbott]], photographer<ref>{{cite web |title=Berenice Abbott {{!}} American photographer {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Berenice-Abbott |website=Britannica |access-date=September 7, 2022 |language=en |archive-date=August 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230818062704/https://www.britannica.com/biography/Berenice-Abbott |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Randy Ayers]], head coach of [[Ohio State Buckeyes men's basketball|Ohio State]] men's basketball and the [[Philadelphia 76ers]]
* [[Minnie Willis Baines Miller]], author
* [[Leslie Greene Bowman]], president of the [[Thomas Jefferson Foundation]]
* [[Bobby Bowsher]], racing driver
* [[J. T. Brubaker]], baseball player
* [[Edward Lyon Buchwalter]], first president of the Citizens National Bank of Springfield; U.S. Civil War captain.
* [[Dave Burba]], professional baseball player
* [[William R. Burnett]], novelist and screenwriter
* [[Ron Burton]], professional football player
* [[Garvin Bushell]], musician
* [[Butch Carter]], [[NBA]] player and coach
* [[Justin Chambers]], actor (Alex Karev, ''[[Grey's Anatomy]]'') and former model
* [[Jia Cobb]], federal judge
* [[Call Cobbs, Jr.]], jazz pianist
* [[Jason Collier]], professional basketball player
* [[Trey DePriest]], linebacker of the [[Baltimore Ravens]], 2-time NCAA National Champion with the [[Alabama Crimson Tide football]] team.
* [[Mike DeWine]], 70th Governor of Ohio
* [[Marsha Dietlein]], actress
* [[Joe Dunn (baseball)|Joe Dunn]], major league baseball player and manager for the [[Springfield Dunnmen]] and [[Springfield Reapers]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=dunn--001jos|title=Joe Dunn Minor & Independent Leagues Statistics|website=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=December 27, 2023|archive-date=April 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200409065742/https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=dunn--001jos|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Adam Eaton (outfielder)|Adam Eaton]], professional baseball player
* [[Nathan Ebner]] -  professional football player for [[New England Patriots]]
* [[Wayne Embry]], professional basketball player
* [[Dorothy Gish]], actress from the [[silent film]] era and after; younger sister of Lillian
* [[Lillian Gish]], actress from the [[silent film]] era and after
* [[Luther Alexander Gotwald]], tried for and acquitted of Lutheran heresy at Wittenberg College in 1893
* [[Albert Belmont Graham]], founder of [[4-H]]
* [[Anais Granofsky]], actress, screenwriter, producer and director
* [[Harvey Haddix]], professional baseball player
* [[Robert C. Henry]], first African American mayor in Ohio
* [[Dustin Hermanson]], professional baseball player
* [[Dave Hobson]], U.S. Congressman for Ohio's Seventh District
* [[Alice Hohlmayer]], All-American Girls Professional Baseball League player
* [[Griffin House (musician)|Griffin House]], singer-songwriter
* [[Quentin Jackson]], jazz trombonist
* [[Jimmy Journell]], professional baseball player
* [[Taito Kantonen]], academic and theologian
* [[J. Warren Keifer]], Civil War general and Speaker of the House
* [[Bradley Kincaid]], America's first country music star
* [[David Ward King]], inventor of the [[King road drag]]
* [[Brooks Lawrence]], professional baseball player
* [[John Legend]], singer, musician, R&B and neo-soul pianist
* [[Lois Lenski]], author and illustrator of children's fiction, including ''[[Strawberry Girl]]''
* [[Deborah Loewer]], U.S. Navy admiral
* [[Johnny Lytle]], jazz musician
* [[John Mahoney (Ohio politician)|John Mahoney]], Ohio state senator<ref>{{Cite web |author=Staff Writer |title=Former legislator advocated for cities |url=https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/2011/04/06/former-legislator-advocated-for-cities/23708782007/ |access-date=September 11, 2022 |website=The Columbus Dispatch |language=en-US |archive-date=November 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231117172040/https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/2011/04/06/former-legislator-advocated-for-cities/23708782007/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Will McEnaney]], professional baseball player, pitcher for the [[Cincinnati Reds]]
* [[Jeff Meckstroth]], multiple world champion bridge player
* [[Braxton Miller]], [[Ohio State Buckeyes football|Ohio State]] [[quarterback]] and [[National Football League|NFL]] player
* [[Davey Moore (boxer, born 1933)|Davey Moore]], boxer, World Featherweight Title holder 1959–1963
* [[Henrietta G. Moore]], Universalist minister, educator, temperance activist; president, Equal Suffrage Club of Springfield, Ohio
* [[Randolph Moss]], federal judge
* [[Troy Perkins]], professional soccer player
* [[Carl Ferdinand Pfeifer]], presidential aide
* [[Coles Phillips]], early 20th-century illustrator, inventor of the "fade-away" girl
* [[Robert Bruce Raup]], professor, [[Teachers College, Columbia University]], writer, and critic of American Education system.
* [[Alaina Reed Hall]], television actress, ''[[227 (TV series)|227]]'' and ''[[Sesame Street]]''
* [[William Ridenour]], member of the [[West Virginia House of Delegates]]
* [[Barbara Schantz]], police officer, gained national attention for ''[[Playboy]]'' pictorial, and subject of the 1983 movie ''[[Policewoman Centerfold]]''
* [[Cecil Scott]], jazz clarinetist, tenor saxophonist, and bandleader
* [[Dick Shatto]], professional Canadian football player
* [[Winant Sidle]], [[U.S. Army]] major general
* [[Elle Smith]], model, journalist, and [[Miss USA 2021]]
* [[J. Elmer Spyglass]] - singer and employee of the [[Consulate General of the United States, Frankfurt]]
* [[James Garfield Stewart]], Supreme Court of Ohio's 109th justice
* [[Dann Stupp]], author
* [[Charles Thompson (jazz)|Charles Thompson]], jazz musician
* [[Tommy Tucker (singer)|Tommy Tucker]] (a.k.a. Robert Higginbotham), jazz musician
* [[Chris Via]], professional [[Ten-pin bowling|bowler]] on the [[PBA Tour]], winner of the 2021 [[U.S. Open (bowling)|U.S. Open]]
* [[Crista Nicole|Crista Nicole Wagner]], [[Playmate of the Month|''Playboy Playmate'']] (May 2001) and [[Hawaiian Tropic#Miss Hawaiian Tropic USA|''Miss Hawaiian Tropic'']] (2001)
* [[Christopher J. Waild]], screenwriter
* [[Helen Bosart Morgan Wagstaff]], artist
* [[James R. Ward]], World War II [[Medal of Honor]] recipient
* [[Earle Warren]], jazz saxophonist with [[Count Basie]]
* [[Walter L. Weaver]], [[U.S. Representative]] from Ohio
* [[Rick White (baseball player)|Rick White]], professional baseball player
* [[Worthington Whittredge]], [[Hudson River School]] painter
* [[Jonathan Winters]], actor and comedian
{{div col end}}

==Gallery==
<gallery widths="180px" class="center">
Image:Springfield Ohio c1830.JPG|Springfield around 1830
Image:Springfield Ohio c1900.jpg|Springfield around 1900
Image:Springfield-ohio-courthouse.jpg|Clark County Courthouse in downtown Springfield
File:SpringfieldOH Old City Hall.jpg| Old City Hall, now the [[Clark County Heritage Center]]
</gallery>

==See also==
* [[Clark County Heritage Center]], which houses the Clark County Historical Society museum, library, and archives.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
{{Wikivoyage|Springfield (Ohio)|Springfield}}
* [https://springfieldohio.gov/ City of Springfield]
* {{Cite AmCyc|wstitle=Springfield (Ohio)|display=Springfield, a city and the capital of Clark co., Ohio |short=x}}
* {{Cite EB1911 |wstitle= Springfield (Ohio) |volume = 25 |page=741 |short=1}}

{{Geographic Location (8-way)
 | Centre =Springfield  
 | North =[[Urbana, Ohio]]   
 | Northeast =[[Mechanicsburg, Ohio]]
 | East =[[Columbus, Ohio]]     
 | Southeast = [[South Charleston, Ohio]]
 | South =[[Wilmington, Ohio]]   
 | Southwest =[[Dayton, Ohio]]
 | West =[[New Carlisle, Ohio]]     
 | Northwest = [[Troy, Ohio]]
 | image =    
}}
{{Springfield, Ohio}}
{{Clark County, Ohio}}
{{Ohio}}
{{Ohio county seats}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Springfield, Ohio| ]]
[[Category:Cities in Ohio]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1801]]
[[Category:Cities in Clark County, Ohio]]
[[Category:County seats in Ohio]]
[[Category:National Road]]
[[Category:1801 establishments in the Northwest Territory]]