EAST PALESTINE, Ohio — It’s normally a very quiet place.

Located along the state border with Pennsylvania, East Palestine has a population of just over 4,700 according to 2020 U.S. Census data.

The village was incorporated in 1875. Clay pits in the area originally supported a pottery industry, with the East Palestine Pottery Company being operated in the town until the 1950s, according to East Palestine’s website.

Six people sit on council and the village’s mayor, Trent Conaway, also serves as president of council. East Palestine also has a village manager.

The East Palestine City School District serves about 1,300 students in grades kindergarten through 12. It has three buildings on a campus at 200 West North Ave.

The median household income is just under $45,000, according to a 2021 American Community Survey through the U.S. Census bureau. About 54 percent of the village’s population is employed.

The East Palestine Chamber of Commerce, which also serves Unity to the north and Negley to the south, lists about 50 businesses as members. Among members are several manufacturers, including Stocheck Incorporated, a copper fabricator; and Cardinal Welding Service, a metal fabricator; as well welders, and companies that do machining, ceramics and drilling.

The median age in East Palestine is about 40, which is comparable with the median age in the state of Ohio, and the majority of the residents are white, according to census data.

East Palestine sits within 50 miles of Pittsburgh, 85 miles of Cleveland and 20 miles of Youngstown.