Lima (IPA pronunciation: is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Allen County. The municipality is located in northwestern Ohio along Interstate 75 approximately 72 miles (116 km) north of Dayton and 78 miles (125 km) south-southwest of Toledo. As of the 2000 U.S. census, the city had a population of 40,081. It is the principal city of and is included in the Lima, Ohio Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the Lima-Van Wert-Wapakoneta, Ohio Combined Statistical Area. Lima was founded in 1831.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 33.4 km² (12.9 mi²). 33.1 km² (12.8 mi²) of it is land and 0.3 km² (0.1 mi²) of it (0.78%) is water. As of the census of 2000, there were 40,081 people, 15,410 households, and 9,569 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,210.9/km² (3,135.0/mi²). There were 17,631 housing units at an average density of 532.7/km² (1,379.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 71.30% White, 24.48% African American, 0.31% Native American, 0.51% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.97% from other races, and 2.42% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.97% of the population.