Dayton (population 166,000) is a city within Ohio state, United States, and the county seat of Montgomery County. Dayton City sits in the Miami Valley region of Ohio, north of Cincinnati. With a Metropolitan Statistical Area population of 841,502 (2010 census), Dayton is the 4th largest metropolitan area within Ohio. The Greenville-Dayton-Springfield Combined Statistical Area is the 43rd biggest combined statistical area within the US with a population of 1,072,891 (2010 census).
The city of Dayton claims to be the birthplace of aviation because Dayton was the home to the inventors of powered flight, who were Orville and Wilbur Wright. The city of Dayton has lots of research, aerospace and industrial businesses that have been able to produce various technical innovations. The city of Dayton is occasionally called the "Gem City," a moniker derived from a newspaper article that dated 1845 which noted the city's refinement, enterprise and wealth. Dayton's surrounding metropolitan area consists of Beavercreek, Centerville, Kettering, Vandalia and Trotwwod. The city is still a "gem", with its numerous shops, restaurants, sports facilities, spacious parks, a thriving downtown district, lively arts community, and places of historical value.
Dayton City has a thriving cultural scene that consists of theater, dance, visual arts and music. Dayton has built a reputation as a great entertainment and cultural destination as the Dayton Art Institute and the Dayton Ballet make there home within the city. Dayton City boasts some arts centers such as the Benjamin and Marina Schuster Performing Arts Center, the Brookville Community Theater, the Dayton Art Institute and the Dayton Cultural Center. CITYFOLK is a local organization which produces ethnic and traditional dance and music events. Culture Works is a development group which provides support through community funding to the arts in Dayton.
Dayton's largest employer is the research and development department of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, which employs a large number of people. Because of the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton has been able to draw one of the nation's highest concentrations of high-technology/aerospace companies. A lot of scientists, engineers, technicians and specialists find employment at these businesses. The U.S. Defense Department Joint Logistics Systems Center employs many private sector staff to manage the installation of computer systems. Ohio State is working to be able to make Dayton City a leading center for UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) manufacturing and research.
Dayton's financial system has undergone diversification and primary employers presently consist of healthcare, education, legal and insurance. Greater Dayton area hospitals are major businesses and contribute considerably to the local financial system. The region's Miami Valley Research Park, the site of corporate and government research companies, is one more vital source of jobs.