Strongsville is a city in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, United States, and a suburb of

Cleveland Cleveland ( ), officially the City of Cleveland, is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Cuyahoga County. Located in the northeastern part of the state, it is situated along the southern shore of Lake Erie, across the U ...

. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 44,750. The city's nickname 'Crossroads of the Nation,' originated from the

Baltimore and Ohio Railroad The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad was the first common carrier railroad and the oldest railroad in the United States, with its first section opening in 1830. Merchants from Baltimore, which had benefited to some extent from the construction of ...

(B&O) intersecting with the Southwestern Electric Line that connected Cleveland and

Wooster, Ohio Wooster ( ) is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Wayne County. Located in northeastern Ohio, the city lies approximately south-southwest of Cleveland, southwest of Akron and west of Canton. The population was 27,232 at ...

. As the railroad line ceased operation in 1931, the motto and city seal have been adapted to reflect the modern day intersection of Interstate 71 and the

Ohio Turnpike The Ohio Turnpike, officially the James W. Shocknessy Ohio Turnpike, is a limited-access toll highway in the U.S. state of Ohio, serving as a primary corridor between Chicago and Pittsburgh. The road runs east–west in the northern section o ...

History

Strongsville officially became a township on February 25, 1818, a village in 1923, and was ultimately designated a city in 1961. Founded by settlers arriving in the newly purchased

Connecticut Western Reserve The Connecticut Western Reserve was a portion of land claimed by the Colony of Connecticut and later by the state of Connecticut in what is now mostly the northeastern region of Ohio. The Reserve had been granted to the Colony under the terms ...

, the city was named after John Stoughton Strong, the group's leader. Many of the main streets in the city are named after other principal figures and landowners from the city's history, e.g. Howe, Drake, Shurmer, Whitney. In the mid-19th century, the Pomeroy House, then called The Homestead, was a stop on the

underground railroad The Underground Railroad was a network of clandestine routes and safe houses established in the United States during the early- to mid-19th century. It was used by enslaved African Americans primarily to escape into free states and Canada. ...

. Alanson Pomeroy, the home owner and a prominent Strongsville resident, concealed runaway slaves on his property. From this residence in Strongsville, the runaway slaves were taken to boats on Rocky River for passage to Canada. In 1853,

John D. Rockefeller John Davison Rockefeller Sr. (July 8, 1839 – May 23, 1937) was an American business magnate and philanthropist. He has been widely considered the wealthiest American of all time and the richest person in modern history. Rockefeller was ...

's family moved to Strongsville. At the time, Rockefeller was only a child. On April 11, 1965, an F4 tornado hit Strongsville; see 1965 Palm Sunday tornado outbreak.

Geography

Strongsville is located at (41.312752, -81.831976). According to the

United States Census Bureau The United States Census Bureau (USCB), officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the U.S. Federal Statistical System, responsible for producing data about the American people and economy An economy is an area of th ...

, the city has a total area of , of which is land and is water. The east branch of the

Rocky River Rocky River may refer to: Localities *Rocky River, Ohio, USA * Rocky River, New South Wales near Uralla, Australia Electorates *Electoral district of Rocky River (South Australia) Streams In Australia: * Rocky River (New South Wales) * ...

enters Strongsville from North Royalton and exits into Berea. Valley Parkway parallels the river's northwesterly course. This portion of the

Cleveland Metroparks Cleveland Metroparks is an extensive system of nature preserves in Greater Cleveland, Ohio. Eighteen reservations, which largely encircle the city of Cleveland, follow along the shore of Lake Erie and the rivers and creeks that flow through the ...

, named Mill Stream Run, includes Bonnie Park and Ranger Lake. Abutting the Rocky River, the recreation area offers visitors a pavilion, picnicking facilities, two small ponds, and several sport fields. Bonnie Park serves as a hub for hiking, bridle, and paved multi-purpose trails.

Demographics

The median income for a household in the city was $68,660, and the median income for a family was $76,964 (these figures had risen to $79,715 and $90,870 respectively as of a 2007 estimate). Males had a median income of $54,988 versus $33,129 for females. The

per capita income Per capita income (PCI) or total income measures the average income earned per person in a given area (city, region, country, etc.) in a specified year. It is calculated by dividing the area's total income by its total population. Per capita i ...

for the city was $29,722. About 1.3% of families and 2.2% of the population were below the

poverty line The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for ...

, including 1.7% of those under age 18 and 3.7% of those age 65 or over. Of the city's population over the age of 25, 41.6% held a bachelor's degree or higher.

2010 census

As of the

census A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring, recording and calculating information about the members of a given population. This term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common censuses in ...

of 2010, there were 44,750 people, 17,659 households, and 12,563 families living in the city. The

population density Population density (in agriculture: Stock (disambiguation), standing stock or plant density) is a measurement of population per unit land area. It is mostly applied to humans, but sometimes to other living organisms too. It is a key geographical ...

was . There were 18,476 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 92.0%

White White is the lightness, lightest color and is achromatic (having no hue). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully diffuse reflection, reflect and scattering, scatter all the ...

, 1.9%

African American African Americans (also referred to as Black Americans and Afro-Americans) are an Race and ethnicity in the United States, ethnic group consisting of Americans with partial or total ancestry from sub-Saharan Africa. The term "African American ...

, 0.1% Native American, 4.1% Asian, 0.4% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races.

Hispanic The term ''Hispanic'' ( es, hispano) refers to people, cultures, or countries related to Spain, the Spanish language, or Hispanidad. The term commonly applies to countries with a cultural and historical link to Spain and to viceroyalties for ...

or Latino of any race were 2.0% of the population. There were 17,659 households, of which 31.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.5% were

married couples Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a culturally and often legally recognized union between people called spouses. It establishes rights and obligations between them, as well as between them and their children, and between t ...

living together, 7.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 28.9% were non-families. 24.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.04. The median age in the city was 44.2 years. 23.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21.6% were from 25 to 44; 32.5% were from 45 to 64; and 16.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.6% male and 51.4% female.

2000 census

As of the

of 2000, there were 43,858 people, 16,209 households, and 12,383 families living in the city. The

was 1,779.6 people per square mile (687.2/km). There were 16,863 housing units at an average density of 684.2 per square mile (264.2/km). The racial makeup of the city was 94.18%

, 1.26%

, 0.05% Native American, 3.21% Asian, 0.01%

Pacific Islander Pacific Islanders, Pasifika, Pasefika, or rarely Pacificers are the peoples of the Pacific Islands. As an ethnic/racial term, it is used to describe the original peoples—inhabitants and diasporas—of any of the three major subregions of Ocea ...

, 0.28% from other races, and 1.03% from two or more races.

or Latino of any race were 1.27% of the population. There were 16,209 households, out of which 35.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.5% were

living together, 6.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.6% were non-families. 19.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.69 and the average family size was 3.13. In the city, the population was spread out, with 26.3% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 27.6% from 45 to 64, and 11.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.3 males.

Government

The current mayor, Thomas Perciak, was elected in November 2003 following the death of longtime mayor Walter F. Ehrnfelt on May 25, 2003.

Education

Strongsville High School Strongsville High School is a public high school located in Strongsville, Ohio, United States. The current principal is Bill Wingler. The school colors are forest green and white. The mascot is the Mustang. The school was a member of the Pionee ...

serves students in grades 9 through 12. The city's five elementary schools serve pre-kindergarten through 5th grade: Chapman, Kinsner, Muraski, Surrarrer, and Whitney. With Strongsville's younger student population on the decline, three elementary schools, Allen, Drake and Zellers, closed their doors in recent years. A private Catholic school, St. Joseph and John's, serves children through the 8th grade. In 2012, citizens approved a bond issue for $81 million. The bond money was used to build a new middle school, combining the old Center and Albion middle schools, renovations to the high school, technology upgrades to the elementary schools, and renovations to the preschool. The new middle school was built just in time for the 2016–2017 school year.

Places of Interest

* Beebetown - Historic neighborhood *

Gardenview Horticultural Park Gardenview Horticultural Park (16 acres) is a nonprofit botanical garden and arboretum located at 16711 Pearl Road, Strongsville, Ohio. It is open weekend afternoons to non-members; an admission fee is charged. The park was begun in 1949 by hort ...

* OBM Arena - Strongsville ice rink * Mill Stream Run Reservation - The east branch of the Rocky River runs alongside this branch of the Cleveland Metroparks
The Pomeroy House
A former stop on the Underground Railroad *Preserve of Strongsville - Strongsville's only national preserve * Southpark Mall * Strongsville Business & Technology Park - The largest industrial park in Northeast Ohio * Strongsville Commons and Clock Tower * Strongsville Historical Society * Strongsville Water Tower - Previously painted by Ziggy creator Tom Wilson. In 2019, the white water tower was repainted green and the Ziggy figure covered. * Walter F. Ehrnfelt Covered Bridge

Notable people

* Zebedee Coltrin (1804–1887) Mormon pioneer, authority in Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints *

Tom Dimitroff Sr. Thomas George Dimitroff (June 6, 1935 – January 20, 1996) was an American gridiron football player and coach. Playing career Dimitroff was a two-time All-Mid-American Conference quarterback and defensive back at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio ...

(1935-1996) gridiron football player and coach * Bruce Drennan (1950-) sportscaster * Walter F. Ehrnfelt (1932-2003) politician *

Asmahan Farhat Asmahan Farhat (born Mercedes Farhat on May 1, 1990Asmahan Farhat
...

(1990-) swimmer *

Jenny Fish Jennifer "Jenny" Lee Fish (born May 17, 1949) is an American Speed skating, speed skater who competed in the 1968 Winter Olympics. Early life She was born in Strongsville, Ohio. Early career Fish began seeing success at the age of 12 in 1 ...

(1949-) Olympic speed skater *

Nate Freese Nathan A. Freese (born August 18, 1990) is a former American football placekicker. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the seventh round of the 2014 NFL Draft. He played college football at Boston College. College career Freese chose to atte ...

football player *

Jackie Gayda Jacquelyn Suzanne Gayda (born November 3, 1981) is an American retired professional wrestler and valet, best known for her work in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA). She was awarded a contract with WWE ...

(1981-) professional wrestler * Olga D. González-Sanabria scientist, inventor * Michael Green (1989-) soccer player *

Joe Haden Joseph Walter Haden III (born April 14, 1989) is a former American football cornerback who played twelve seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the University of Florida, was recognized as a unanimous All ...

football player *

Paul Hoernemann Paul Heusser Hoernemann (May 18, 1916 – February 28, 1965) was an American football and basketball coach. He served as head football coach at Heidelberg College—now known as Heidelberg University— in Tiffin, Ohio from 1946 to 1959, comp ...

(1916-1965) college football coach * Mark Hunter photographer and lead singer of

Chimaira Chimaira () is an American heavy metal band from Cleveland, Ohio. Formed in August 1998, the group was a member of the New Wave of American Heavy Metal scene. The band's name is derived from the word Chimera, a monstrous creature in Greek m ...

Tim Kamczyc Tim Kamczyc (born January 8, 1990) is an American former professional basketball player. Professional career In September 2013, Kamczyc signed with Aris Leeuwarden of the Dutch Basketball League The Dutch Basketball League (DBL), formerly th ...

(1990-) basketball player * Drew Kaser, NFL punter * Reggie Lee (1974-) actor *

Fred McLeod Fred McLeod may refer to: * Fred McLeod (golfer) * Fred McLeod (sportscaster) Fred D. McLeod III (September 1, 1952 – September 9, 2019) was an American sportscaster who served as the executive producer of multimedia, and television play-by-pla ...

(1952-2019) sportscaster *

Dayton Miller Dayton Clarence Miller (March 13, 1866 – February 22, 1941) was an American physicist, astronomer, acoustician, and accomplished amateur flautist. An early experimenter of X-rays, Miller was an advocate of aether theory and absolute space ...

(1866–1941) physicist, astronomer, acoustician *

Lorin Morgan-Richards Lorin Morgan-Richards (born February 16, 1975) is an American author, illustrator, and songwriter, primarily known for his young adult fiction and Weird West series ''The Goodbye Family''. In the past, Richards served as the publisher of ''Cel ...

(1975-) author and illustrator, primarily of children's literature (

Beebetown, Ohio Beebetown is an unincorporated community in Medina County, Ohio. Name and history In 1823, Abram Beebe, for whom the place was named, brought his wife Dorcas and nine children from Canandaigua, New York with an ox team. He purchased fifty acres o ...

) *

Tom Patton Thomas F. Patton (born November 3, 1953) is the state representative for the 7th District of the Ohio House of Representatives. He is a Republican. The district consists of Berea, North Olmsted, North Royalton, Olmsted Falls, Strongsville ...

politician *

Kyle Prandi Kyle Prandi (born June 19, 1979 in Cleveland, Ohio) is an American diver and Olympian from Strongsville, Ohio. Kyle represented the United States in the 2004 Summer Olympics, earning 29th place in men's 10-meter diving platform with 346.53 poi ...

(1979-) Olympic diver *

Mike Pruitt Michael L. Pruitt (born April 3, 1954) is an American former professional football player who was a fullback for 11 seasons in the National Football League (NFL) from 1976 to 1986. He was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the first round (se ...

football player *

(1839-1937) businessman, philanthropist *

William Rockefeller William Avery Rockefeller Jr. (May 31, 1841 – June 24, 1922) was an American businessman and financier. Rockefeller was a co-founder of Standard Oil along with his elder brother John Davison Rockefeller. He was also part owner of the Anacond ...

(1841–1922) businessman, financier, co-founder of Standard Oil * George Myron Sabin (1833-1890) federal judge *

Isaac Sowells Isaac Sowells (born May 4, 1982) is a former American football guard. He was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Indiana. Sowells was also a member of the Cincinnati Bengals, ...

(1982-) football player *

Herb Stein Herbert Alfred Stein (March 27, 1898 – October 25, 1980) was an American football player. He later made his professional debut in the National Football League in 1922 with the Buffalo All-Americans. He played for Buffalo, Toledo Maroons, F ...

(1898-1980) football player *

Gary Suhadolnik Gary C. Suhadolnik is an American politician. He is a former Republican member of the Ohio Senate The Ohio Senate is the upper house of the Ohio General Assembly. The State Senate, which meets in the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus, first convene ...

politician * Daniel Martin Varisco (1951-) anthropologist, historian * Kyle Veris (1983-) soccer player * Matt Warburton television writer *

Aaron White Aaron White (born 1980) is an American actor and director, his most notable work for '' The Dance: The History of American Minstrelsy'', which he co-wrote and co-directed with Jason Christophe White (no relation). He is also an independent mu ...

(1992-) professional basketball player *

D. J. Woods D. J. Woods (born November 29, 1989) is a former gridiron football wide receiver. He was most recently a member of the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at the University of Cincinnati and att ...

(1989-) AFL football player

References

External links

City of Strongsville

Strongsville Chamber of Commerce
{{Authority control Cities in Ohio Cities in Cuyahoga County, Ohio Populated places established in 1818 Cleveland metropolitan area

History

Geography

Demographics

2010 census

2000 census

Government

Education

Places of Interest

Notable people

See also

References

External links