Dayton (population 166,000) is a city in 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 City is the 4th largest metropolitan area within the state of Ohio. The Dayton-Springfield-Greenville Combined Statistical Area is the 43rd biggest combined statistical area in the US with a population of 1,072,891 (2010 census).
One of Dayton's claims to fame is its place in history as the birthplace of aviation. The inventors of powered flight, Orville and Wilbur Wright, called Dayton home. The city of Dayton is famous for its research, aerospace and industrial companies that have produced various technical innovations. Dayton is occasionally referred to as the "Gem City," a moniker derived from a 1845 newspaper article which noted the city's enterprise, wealth and refinement. Dayton's nearby metropolitan area comprises Beavercreek, Centerville, Kettering, Vandalia and Trotwwod. The city of Dayton is still a "gem", with its various shops, restaurants, sports facilities, spacious parks, places of historical value, a thriving downtown district and lively arts community.
The city has a thriving cultural scene which comprises dance, theater, music and visual arts. Dayton has built a reputation as a great cultural and entertainment destination since the Dayton Art Institute and the Dayton Ballet make there home in the city of Dayton. Dayton boasts some arts centers including the Brookville Community Theater, the Benjamin and Marina Schuster Performing Arts Center, the Dayton Cultural Center and the Dayton Art Institute. CITYFOLK is a local organization which produces traditional and ethnic music and dance events. Culture Works is a development group that provides support through community funding to the arts in Dayton City.
The largest business within the city of Dayton is the research and development department of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, which hires numerous Daytonians. Dayton has been able draw amongst the country's highest concentrations of aerospace/high-technology businesses due to the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. A lot of scientists, engineers, specialists and technicians find employment at these companies. The U.S. Defense Department Joint Logistics Systems Center employs lots of private sector staff to deal with the installation of computer systems. The state of Ohio is working in order to make the city of Dayton a leading center for UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) manufacturing and research.
The financial system of Dayton City has started to diversify lately to presently comprise education, healthcare, legal and insurance. The Greater Dayton area hospitals contribute considerably to the local economy and are a major employer in the region. The region's Miami Valley Research Park, the site of corporate and government research firms, is another significant source of jobs.