History of East Palestine, Ohio in Timeline
"East Palestine is a village located in northeastern Ohio, near the Pennsylvania border. With a population of 4,761 as of the 2020 census, it is situated approximately 20 miles south of Youngstown, Ohio, and 40 miles northwest of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
1920: Statutory City Status
Having attained a population of 5,000, East Palestine officially became a statutory city in 1920.
1920: Public Library Opening
The year 1920 saw the inauguration of East Palestine's first public library.
1997: School Construction and Renovation
The East Palestine City School District undertook a significant construction and renovation project in 1997, resulting in a new middle school and a modernized elementary campus built around the existing high school.
2000: US Census
In 2000, the US Census reported a population of 4,917 people in East Palestine, comprising 1,975 households and 1,384 families.
2004: Tree City USA Designation
East Palestine was recognized for its urban forestry practices and earned the "Tree City USA" designation from the National Arbor Day Foundation in 2004.
2010: US Census
The 2010 US Census documented 4,721 residents, 1,898 households, and 1,282 families residing in East Palestine.
2011: Reversion to Village Status
Due to a declining population, East Palestine reverted from its status as a statutory city back to a village in 2011.
2020: US Census
The US Census recorded East Palestine's population as 4,761 in 2020.
October 2022: Emergency Response System Rollout
In October 2022, the East Palestine Fire Department began implementing a new emergency response system utilizing the "MyID" digital health identity platform.
January 29, 2023: MyID Information Session
A community information session was held on January 29, 2023, to inform residents about the new "MyID" digital health identity platform being rolled out by the East Palestine Fire Department. The session had 60 registered participants.
February 3, 2023: Train Derailment
A major train derailment occurred near East Palestine on February 3, 2023, resulting in a significant spill of vinyl chloride and leading to large-scale evacuations.
2023: Village Leadership
As of 2023, East Palestine, operating under a council-manager government, was led by Mayor Trent R. Conaway and Village Manager Chad M. Edwards.