Loveland is a scenic “bedroom community” of approximately 46,640. Situated in the Ohio hills and valleys, and straddling 3 counties, the city offers spectacular natural surroundings, ample recreational opportunities, excellent schools and lively cultural events. And just minutes away, you have access to all the culture, entertainment and job opportunities available in downtown Cincinnati. You can have the best of both worlds in Loveland.
Location
Loveland is a city in Hamilton County, in the Cincinnati metro area. It is situated in Hamilton, Clermont and Warren counties in southwestern Ohio. The community borders Symmes, Miami and Hamilton Townships.
Geography/Terrain
Sitting at an elevation of 597 feet, Loveland encompasses 4.6 square miles of land and 0.1 square miles of water. The business district and Historic Downtown Loveland lie in a valley on opposite sides of the Little Miami River, whereas the residential areas are primarily found on hills on either side of the valley.
Distance to 3 closest major cities
Cincinnati is located just 13 miles southwest of Loveland. The city is 34 miles south of Dayton, OH, 89 miles north of Lexington, KY, and 107 miles southeast of Indianapolis, IN.
Jobs
With residential neighborhoods outnumbering businesses, the majority of Loveland residents commute to Cincinnati for work each day. Major employers in the Cincinnati area are: University of Cincinnati; Kroger Company; The Procter & Gamble Company; Toyota Motor Manufacturing North America Inc.; Fifth Third Bank; Cincinnati Public Schools; City of Cincinnati; Trihealth, Inc.; Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center; and Mercy Health Partners.
Manufacturing provides 21.6% of the employment in Loveland, educational, health and social services provide 17.7%, and retail trade provides 11.9%. The unemployment rate is 5% and the average commute time to work is 26 minutes. The median household income is $69,986 and the average per capita income is $30,333.
Housing
Loveland is mostly residential, in the beautiful hills above the valley, and provides an excellent range of home styles and prices. Here you can find luxury ranches, historic homes, homes nestled in a wooded setting, and moderately priced condominiums. There is housing in Loveland to suit every taste.
Parks/Sports/Recreation/Golf
There is no shortage of beautiful parks and recreational facilities in Loveland, with an array of athletic fields, playgrounds, tennis and basketball courts and picnic areas. All together there are 20 parks, providing 30 acres of active recreational land and 257 acres of passive recreation land and dedicated green space. Some of the parks in the city are: Nisbet Park; Phillips Park; Robinson Park, Veterans’ Memorial; Village Anniversary Park; and Fireman’s Memorial. Betty Ray Field has 3 soccer fields, while the Kiwanis Park has 2 baseball fields and a playground. Lever Park is equipped with 2 baseball fields, a basketball court, tennis courts, and a playground. McCoy Park has a playground and 2 baseball fields. Recreational activities include a Loveland Youth Soccer Association and a Soccer Club.
Loveland residents have access to a beautiful river, a scenic trail and a nature preserve. The Little Miami Scenic Trail runs through the heart of Loveland. The trail is about 72 miles long, following an old railroad grade along the banks of the Little Miami River from Springfield to Milford. The lower 47 miles of the trail lie within the Little Miami State Park. Bicycling, hiking, rollerblading, backpacking, horseback riding and cross-country skiing are some of the recreational pursuits available along the trail.
Canoeing along the Little Miami River is another popular summer activity. The Little Miami State and National Scenic River runs through the heart of the downtown area and is renowned for its breathtaking views and scenery. Flowing for over 100 miles, it supports rich and abundant aquatic life and many species of breeding birds reside within the river valley. It is protected because of its excellent water quality, panoramic setting and the many historic sites that can be found along its banks. At East Loveland Nature Preserve you can bird watch, take a nature walk or simply enjoy the sounds and beauty of the creek.
There are a number of excellent golf courses to choose from in the Loveland area. Eagles Nest Golf Course is a public 18-hole course with heavily wooded areas and water hazards on nine of the holes. Hickory Woods is another 18-hole public course built on a gently rolling terrain. The front nine holes are more open than the heavily wooded back nine. O’Bannon Creek is an 18-hole private course located in an isolated spot and home to a wealth of wildlife such as deer, fox, and squirrels. A creek surrounds the course, and most of the fairways are tree-lined.
Special Attractions/Events
Special events and annual festivities abound in Loveland. JulyFest and SymmesFest are held each year during the summer months, providing spectacular fireworks displays. Also in the summer months, locals can enjoy Loveland Concerts in the Park, with its assortment of excellent musical entertainment. The Greater Loveland Arts Council holds many art events, exhibits and fundraisers throughout the year. One example is “Trail of Artists”, which happens in June at East Loveland Nature Preserve. In November, the Victorian Harvest Bazaar is held at the Loveland Historical Museum. In mid-September, there is the Loveland Run for the Arts 5K, starting off at Nisbet Park. Artsapalooza is another September festival featuring artist endeavors such as poetry reading, dance, storytelling and an art show. It happens together with Savor Symmes, and is held in Symmes Park.
The Greater Loveland Historical Society Museum provides historical material and information on the Greater Loveland Area. Displays include period furniture, maps, photographs and artifacts. Loveland Historic District is situated in the heart of Loveland near the Little Miami Scenic River and the bike trail. You can browse the antique shops, art gallery, ice cream parlor and an assortment of shops and businesses.
Loveland Castle (Chateau La Roche) was handcrafted by Harry Andrews over a 52-year-period. This local landmark was built on the bank of the Little Miami River, and hosts events year-round, including a haunted castle in October. This stone castle is located down a winding lane at the river's edge, and boasts terraces, towers, a princess room and a dungeon.
For additional cultural enjoyment the Loveland Stage Company, comprised of volunteers, puts on various productions throughout the year. You can enjoy current artwork at the Maritain Gallery, which exhibits and sells works by modern masters and promising American artists. If in need of some peace and restoration, you can visit Loveland’s Grailville, which was founded in 1944, and is dedicated to ecological, spiritual, feminist and justice issues.
Interesting Facts/Historic Buildings and Places
Loveland was founded in 1795 when the first white settler, Lt. Col. Thomas Paxton, settled there. He is attributed with many "firsts", such as the first log cabin, the first wedding, the first voting place, and the first Presbyterian Church service. Early settlers referred to the Loveland area as Little Switzerland of the Miami Valley, because of the hills and river valley. The town did not receive its current name until the railroad days, when James Loveland was the village postmaster and a shopkeeper. When the railroad conductors would drop off the mailbag in town, they left it at Loveland's. Loveland was officially named in 1863. The Village of Loveland was incorporated on May 12, 1878, and incorporated as a chartered city in 1961.
A renowned resident of Loveland was Salmon P. Chase, Supreme Court Justice and abolitionist.
In the late 1990’s, Loveland was designated a Tree City by the National Arbor Day Foundation. This was part of a number of efforts to promote the city’s Historic Downtown neighborhood and celebrate its bicentennial. Concrete sidewalks were replaced with brick ones and park benches were installed throughout the area. In 2005, Loveland won the America in Bloom competition for cities with 10,001 to 15,000 residents.
Loveland has integrated a "love" theme throughout the city. Its water towers and welcome signs carry the city's logo: a red heart inscribed with a sun, clouds, and the Little Miami River, and surrounded by the city's nickname, "Sweetheart of Ohio." Many people come to Loveland in February, to mail their Valentines with a special "Loveland" postmark.
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