Xenia

Town and administrative headquarters of Greene County, southwest Ohio; population (1990) 24,700. It is located 24 km/15 mi southeast of Dayton. It is a commercial centre for the surrounding area, one of Ohio's foremost agricultural regions, where dairy cattle and other livestock, fruit, grains, and some tobacco are raised. Xenia's manufactures include rope and twine, furniture, metal castings, synthetic rubber goods, plastics, paints, and foodstuffs.

Founded on the site of a large Shawnee settlement in 1803, the town took its name from the Greek word for hospitality. In the early 19th century, pioneer industries including flour and sawmills flourished. The arrival of the railway in 1843 accelerated the pace of industrialization. Much of Xenia's business district was rebuilt after a tornado destroyed about half of the town in 1974.