Discover the history and significance of Middletown, Ohio, as a steel industry hub.

On Monday, Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, returned to his hometown of Middletown, Ohio, amidst the heartland crisis that has significantly impacted American politics in recent years.

During a rally at Middletown High School in Ohio, where he graduated in 2003, the GOP senator stated, "This town was so good to me."

"He originated from Middletown, Ohio and stated with pride, "I am proud of it," while adding, "and I'll never forget my roots.""

Since the first steelmaker arrived in 1900, Middletown has been a hub for heavy industry. Despite the challenges faced by Rust Belt communities, recent history and conversations with local residents suggest that this Middle American town has fared better than most.

Middletown, like many small towns and rural areas in America, struggles with the consequences of being overlooked by Washington, D.C. elites for years.

Despite having a steel-mill anchor, Middletown lags behind the nation in various indicators of prosperity and possibility.

The political upheaval captured by Trump's Make America Great Again revolution was fueled by simmering discontent resulting from similar situations.

On Monday, Zachary Johnson, a clerk at Central Pastry, told Planet Chronicle Digital that Middletown is primarily a working, blue-collar community.

"I came from Middletown, Ohio. I’m proud of it, and I’ll never forget where I came from."

During his rally on Monday, Vance shouted out Central Pastry, a 75-year-old family-owned local landmark bakery.

Here's a look at the city "that made" Vance.

Middletown is a classic Rust Belt, steel-making city

In 1900, the arrival of steelmaker Armco in Middletown transformed the city into an industrial hub, with a population of 51,000 residents today.

Middletown's communications director, Clayton Castle, shared with Planet Chronicle Digital that our town has a significant history in steel manufacturing.

Armco later became AK Steel.

In 2020, Cleveland-Cliffs, a company that claims to be the largest flat-rolled steel producer in North America and a major supplier of automotive-grade steel, acquired the asset.

The largest employer in Middletown is operated by Castle, who stated this.

The city spokesperson stated, "Many individuals in our community have worked or know someone who has worked in a steel factory. Steel is deeply embedded in our community's fabric."

Middletown highlights Ohio's clout as political bell cow

From 1964 to 2016, every presidential election in Ohio was won by the candidate chosen by Ohioans.

In 2020, Trump won Ohio with a 53% to 45% margin, ending his losing streak.

Ohio's Middletown embodies the intricate blend of cultures and urban-rural distinctions, making it a crucial indicator of American political tendencies and a highly sought-after battleground in presidential elections.

The location is 30 miles northeast of Cincinnati and 20 miles southwest of Dayton.

The Great Miami River's east bank has seen significant urban development, while the west bank remains mostly rural.

The interstate highway, I-75, links Miami to Chicago and then ends in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, passing just east of downtown Middletown.

Middletown is MAGA country

In 2020, Butler County, where Middletown is located, saw heavier support for Trump compared to the rest of Ohio.

In the last presidential election, Trump received more than 61% of the votes in the county, while Biden received only 37%.

Local steelmaker plans $1.8B investment in Middletown, with federal aid

The growing influence of government and environmental regulations on big business is evident in Cleveland-Cliffs' recent announcement that it is investing $1.8 billion in its Middletown foundry, with an additional $500 million from the Department of Energy.

In March, the Journal-News of Butler County reported that this investment will create 2,500 jobs at Middletown Works, where the unionized workforce is represented by the International Association of Machinists.

According to Shawn Coffey, union president of Local 1943, the development is monumental for both the employees and the community.

Cleveland-Cliffs aims to speed up the development of industrial decarbonization technologies and significantly reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, as stated in a March announcement.

Middletown is not the Appalachia chronicled in ‘Hillbilly Elegy’

Vance's rise to national prominence was due to the success of his 2016 autobiography and cultural critique "Hillbilly Elegy," which presents a stark portrayal of the struggles and outcomes of rural Appalachian families and communities, including his own.

"Hillbilly Elegy" re-entered the Top 10 Netflix films this weekend due to Trump's VP pick of Vance and the senator's speech at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.

His family's rural heritage in Jackson, Kentucky is the basis of the book.

Loretta Lynn, the renowned country music queen and "Coal Miner's Daughter," resides 60 miles southwest of Butcher Hollow, Kentucky.

In his successful book, Vance describes how his ancestors migrated from the eastern Kentucky hills to industrial Middletown in search of a better life.

Jackson, Kentucky remains Vance's ‘home’

Vance spent most of his youth in Middletown, frequently relocating with a mother struggling with addiction.

He spent summers with his grandmother, known as "Mamaw," in Jackson, witnessing the cultural decline of impoverished rural America, which later inspired "Hillbilly Elegy."

He explained the complicated existence in the book.

"My address is the place where I spent most of my time with my mother and sister, regardless of its location. However, my home remained constant: my great-grandmother's house in the holler, in Jackson, Kentucky."

Vance called Middletown, Ohio ‘Middletucky’

Middletown is 200 miles north of Jackson.

Vance claims that the two communities share a strong bond through culture, values, and small-community challenges.

"The migration of people from impoverished areas of Appalachia to states like Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Pennsylvania, and Illinois led to the widespread dissemination of hillbilly values and people," Vance stated in "Hillbilly Elegy."

"In Middletown, Ohio, where I grew up, Kentucky transplants and their children are so prominent that as kids we nicknamed it "Middletucky." Despite the struggle to leave Jackson for decades, people now face a new challenge in escaping Middletown."

Middletown closely mirrors America's makeup

According to the 2020 U.S. Census, the city's population is more diverse than the national average, with a higher percentage of White residents (78.4%) and a lower percentage of Black residents (11.8%), compared to the national averages of 75.3% White and 13.7% Black.

The United States as a whole has a higher population of Asian, Hispanic, Native and foreign-born citizens compared to Middletown.

Middletown has a higher percentage of multiracial residents, with 6.6% compared to the national average of 3.1%.

Nearly the same percentage of the city's population as the national average are either under 18 or over 65 years old.

Middletown trails in higher education and income

In Middletown, the percentage of individuals with a bachelor's degree or higher is significantly lower than the national average, as reported by the 2020 U.S. Census, which stands at 34.3%.

While the national median household income is $75,149, Middletown's median household income lags behind at $50,457. Additionally, 19.2% of Middletown residents live in poverty, which is higher than the national average of 11.5%.

Middletown punches above its weight class in pro sports

An impressive number of hometown heroes from the small city have excelled in athletics, allowing them to "escape Middletown."

Middletown produced four notable individuals: Philadelphia Phillies All-Star Kyle Schwarber, UFC fighter and Olympic Gold Medalist Kayla Harrison, basketball Hall of Famer Jerry Lucas, and Pro Football Hall of Fame receiver Cris Carter.

The Middies football team plays on Cris Carter Field at Barnitz Stadium.

According to community spokesperson Castle, Brooklyn Decker, a former Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue cover model and wife of retired tennis star Andy Roddick, once resided in Middletown.

‘Ugly’ donut is rumored to be Vance’s favorite local sweet

An "ugly" donut is being embraced by an old-school steel city.

According to Johnson, a lifelong Middletown resident, Vance's favorite signature sweet is sold at Central Pastry.

The donut has a soft interior, a crunchy exterior, and is glazed with sugar.

Vance offered a hopeful message for Middletown's future

On Monday, the candidate for vice president stated that the community has much to contribute to the future.

In his remarks at his high school, he stated that although his life in Middletown, Ohio was challenging, it was surrounded by loving people and something that, if not fought for, would not exist for future generations of children.

"Middletown had an opportunity, and we must ensure it remains available for future generations."

"The community can wrap its arms around someone who is from here and who could possibly have a big impact on our country."

In an interview with Planet Chronicle Digital, Johnson, the clerk at Central Pastry, reiterated the message.

He stated that Middletown is highly focused on community building and there are numerous opportunities available.

He added that the event was coming together well with sports and even the J.D. Vance rally today.

"By embracing a local who has the potential to influence our nation and boost Middletown's profile, our community could achieve greatness. This is a significant opportunity for us."

Danielle Wallace of Planet Chronicle Digital contributed reporting.