Lorain is a city in Lorain County, Ohio, United States. The municipality is located in northeastern Ohio on Lake Erie, at the mouth of the Black River, about 30 miles west of Cleveland. As of the 2000 Census, the city had a total population of 68,652, making it Ohio's 10th largest city. It was first settled in 1807 and was originally named Charleston. Ford Motor Company had the Lorain Assembly Plant in the city, mostly known for assembling the Ford Econoline (E-series) van and Mercury Cougar; the plant ceased production on December 14, 2005. The sprawling United States Steel Mills, portions recently acquired by Republic Steel, stretch for nearly 3 miles on the city's south side. These mills have operated in the city since 1895 and continue to employ thousands of local residents. The Lorain Works is one of the few integrated steel mills left in the United States.