Painesville Township is included in what is historically referred to as the Connecticut Western Reserve. General Edward Paine (1746–1841), who had served as a captain in the Connecticut militia during the war, arrived in 1800 with a party of 66 settlers. General Paine later represented the region in the territorial legislature of the Northwest Territory.
Lake County was established on March 6, 1840, from land given by Cuyahoga and Geauga counties, and derived its name from its location on the southern shore of Lake Erie. The county seat, Painesville, was named after General Paine, and the county was divided further with the creation of Perry, LeRoy, Painesville, Mentor, Kirtland, and Concord Townships.[4]
Statue of General Edward Paine in Painesville
Geography
Painesville Township contains four major disjunct sections.[5] Located in the northern part of the county along Lake Erie, it borders the following townships and city:
The township surrounds the city of Painesville, but is separate from it.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 177.4 square miles (459.5 km2), of which 16.8 square miles (43.5 km2) are land and 160.6 square miles (416.0 km2), or 90.5%, are water.[6] The township boundaries extend north to the center of Lake Erie and the Canadian border.
Climate
Painesville City, and surrounding Painesville Township, have a hybrid between a humid subtropical and humid continental climate (Köppen Cfa/Dfa). In spite of the mild winter days, lake-effect snow usually brings a lot of accumulation in winter. Summers have warm days and quite muggy nights. Precipitation is high year-round.
Climate data for Painesville, Ohio (1991–2020 normals), extremes since 1950
The population of Painesville Township in 2020 was 20,453, with the following racial distribution: White: 90%, Black: 2%, Hispanic: 5%, Native: 1%, two or more races: 2%.
The Per Capita income for a family of three is $114,696 and the median household income is $76,036.
For residents 25 years and older, 93% have a high school diploma, 18.7% have a Bachelor's degree, and 7% have a post graduate degree.[9]
Government
The township is governed by a three-member board of trustees, who are elected in November of odd-numbered years to a four-year term beginning on the following January 1. Two are elected in the year after the presidential election and one is elected in the year before it. There is also an elected township fiscal officer, who serves a four-year term beginning on April 1 of the year after the election, which is held in November of the year before the presidential election. Vacancies in the fiscal officership or on the board of trustees are filled by the remaining trustees. Painesville Township has voted on several occasions on whether or not to merge with Painesville City. The township has voted to stay independent of the city primarily to maintain its lower real estate tax structure and support its separate school system [10]
Two major railroads, CSX and Norfolk Southern, pass through the township and serve some of the township's industries. Additionally, Amtrak's Lake Shore Limited passes through on the CSX line. However, these trains do not stop in the township. The nearest Amtrak station is 28 miles (45 km) to the southwest in Cleveland.
The Painesville City and Painesville Township healthcare needs are provided in neighboring Concord Township by University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center and Tri-Point Medical Center. The hospital is part of the Lake Health healthcare system.
Painesville Township is home to the Riverside Local School District, formerly the Painesville Township Local Schools. Its schools include Riverside High School, John R. Williams Junior High School, Lamuth Middle School and four elementary schools.[13] Painesville city and Fairport Harbor operate their own school districts, while Grand River village, Leroy and Concord township students attend Riverside's schools.
Higher Education
Lake Erie College, a private liberal arts college enrolling approximately 1,200 students is located in neighboring Painesville. The college offers over 60 undergraduate programs and master's programs. The former Andrews Osborne Academy's Painesville campus became part of Lake Erie College in 2008.
Morley Library serves both Painesville City and Painesville Township residents and is located in Painesville's 284-acre (115 ha) Historic Downtown District.
Recreation
Painesville Township is home to the Lake County Fair,[14] which is held every August. Events such as harness racing and tractor pulling competitions, as well as concerts performed by big name country music bands, take place at the fair.
Nearly 80% of Headlands Beach State Park is in Painesville Township; the remainder lies in the neighboring community of Mentor. The beach is the longest natural beach in Ohio. The US Coast Guard has a base in the township located just east of Headlands Beach.[15]
