Greater Cleveland | |
|---|---|
| Cleveland, OH Metropolitan Statistical Area | |
Downtown Cleveland | |
![]() | |
| Country | |
| State | |
| Largest city | Cleveland |
| Other cities in MSA | |
| Population (2020) | |
| • MSA | 2,185,825 (33rd) |
| • CSA | 3,769,834 (17th) |
| GDP | |
| • MSA | $162.8 billion (2022) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Area codes | 216, 234, 330, 436, 440 |
TheCleveland metropolitan area, orGreater Cleveland, is themetropolitan area surrounding the city ofCleveland, Ohio, United States. The six-countyCleveland, OH Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) as defined by theOffice of Management and Budget consists ofCuyahoga,Ashtabula,Geauga,Lake,Lorain, andMedina counties in northeast Ohio, with a total population of 2,185,825. This makes it the33rd-most populous metropolitan area in the United States and the third largest in Ohio.[2][3]
The metro area is also part of the larger Cleveland-Akron-Canton, OH Combined Statistical Area, which, with over 3.7 million people, is the 17th most populouscombined statistical area in the nation.Northeast Ohio refers to a larger region that includes Greater Cleveland, as well as metropolitanAkron,Canton,Youngstown, and surrounding rural areas. Greater Cleveland is part of what is known historically as theConnecticut Western Reserve.
Northeast Ohio consists of 16 counties (Ashland, Ashtabula,Carroll,Columbiana,Cuyahoga,Geauga,Lake, Lorain,Mahoning, Medina, Portage,Richland,Stark, Summit,Trumbull andWayne counties)[4] and includes the cities ofAkron,Ashland,Ashtabula,Brunswick,Canton,Cleveland,Elyria,Lorain,Mansfield,Medina,Wadsworth,Wooster,Warren, andYoungstown. Northeast Ohio is home to approximately 4 million people, has a labor force of almost 2 million, and a gross regional product of nearly $170 billion.[5] Other counties are sometimes considered to be in Northeast Ohio. These includeErie,Holmes,Huron andTuscarawas counties, and their inclusion makes the total population of the entire northeastern section ofOhio well over 4.5 million people.[6]
These, in decreasing order of population, are the twelve largest cities in Greater Cleveland of (2020):
| City | 2020 population[6][7] |
|---|---|
| Cleveland | 372,624 |
| Parma | 81,146 |
| Lorain | 65,211 |
| Elyria | 52,656 |
| Lakewood | 50,942 |
| Euclid | 49,692 |
| Mentor | 47,450 |
| Strongsville | 46,491 |
| Cleveland Heights | 45,312 |
| North Ridgeville | 35,280 |
| Westlake | 34,228 |
| North Olmsted | 32,442 |
| North Royalton | 31,322 |
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1850 | 159,874 | — |
| 1860 | 193,501 | +21.0% |
| 1870 | 245,052 | +26.6% |
| 1880 | 321,638 | +31.3% |
| 1890 | 447,386 | +39.1% |
| 1900 | 603,807 | +35.0% |
| 1910 | 834,204 | +38.2% |
| 1920 | 1,169,422 | +40.2% |
| 1930 | 1,466,057 | +25.4% |
| 1940 | 1,500,798 | +2.4% |
| 1950 | 1,759,431 | +17.2% |
| 1960 | 2,220,050 | +26.2% |
| 1970 | 2,419,274 | +9.0% |
| 1980 | 2,277,949 | −5.8% |
| 1990 | 2,202,069 | −3.3% |
| 2000 | 2,250,871 | +2.2% |
| 2010 | 2,178,737 | −3.2% |
| 2020 | 2,185,825 | +0.3% |
| 2022* | 2,160,145 | −1.2% |
| * = Population estimate. Source:U.S. Decennial Census | ||
According to the2020 United States Census, the population was 2.186 million in the five-county MSA of the Greater Cleveland Area, making it the second largest metropolitan-statistical area entirely within the state of Ohio.[8] Approximately 48.1% of the population was male and 51.9% were female. In 2010 the racial makeup of the five-county Area was 71.7% (1,490,074)Non-Hispanic Whites, 19.7% (409,582)Blacks or African Americans, 0.2% (4,056)American Indians and Alaskan Natives, 2.0% (40,522)Asian (0.7%Asian Indian 0.5%Chinese 0.2%Filipino, 0.1%Korean, 0.1%Vietnamese, 0.1%Japanese, 0.0% (398) Pacific Islander, 1.7% (35,224) from other races, and 2.0% (42,130) fromtwo or more races. 4.7% (98,133) of the population wereHispanic or Latino of any race (2.8%Puerto Rican, 1.0%Mexican, 0.1%Dominican, and 0.1%Cuban).[9]

The median income for a household in Greater Cleveland was $46,231 and the median income for a family, $59,611. The per capita income was $25,668. Persons living below the poverty line was 15.1%.[10] According to a study by Capgemini and the World Wealth Report by Merrill Lynch, the Cleveland area has nearly 54,000 millionaire households, and is expected to continue to grow at 17% over the next five years.[11][12]
The Greater Cleveland area is the most diverse region in the state of Ohio and is becoming increasingly more diverse with new waves ofimmigration.[13][14] As of 2010, both the Hispanic and Asian population in the Cleveland-Akron-Ashtabula area grew by almost 40%, Hispanics now number at 112,307 (up from 80,738 in 2000).[15] The Asian population alone accounts for 55,087 (up from 39,586 in 2000) but people who cite Asian and other ethnicities enumerate 67,231. The Chinese Americans are the oldest Asian group residing in Northeast Ohio, most visible in Cleveland'sAsiatown. Nevertheless, the area is also home to hundreds of Indians, Thais, Taiwanese, Pakistanis, Laotians, Cambodians, and Burmese peoples as well.
The Cleveland area has a substantialAfrican American population with origins in theFirst andSecond Great Migrations.[16] It also boasts some of the nation's largestIrish,Italian (numbering over 205,000), Slavic, andHungarian populations. At one time, theHungarian population of Cleveland proper was so great that the city boasted of having the highest concentration of Hungarians in the world outside ofBudapest.[17] Today, the Greater Cleveland area is home to the largest Slovak, Slovene, and Hungarian communities in the world, outside ofSlovakia,Slovenia, andHungary respectively.[18] The Slavic population of the Cleveland-Akron area comprises 17.2%, far higher than the nation's rate of 6%. There are 171,000 Poles, 38,000 Slovaks, 66,000 Slovenes, 38,000 Czechs, 31,000 Russians, and 23,000 Ukrainians in Greater Cleveland.Slavic Village andTremont historically had some of the largest concentrations of Eastern Europeans within Cleveland proper. Today, both neighborhoods continue to be home to many Slavic Ohioans. In addition, Slovenia maintains a Consulate-General inDowntown Cleveland.[19] The city of Cleveland has also received visits from the Presidents of Hungary and Poland.[20]
Greater Cleveland is home to a sizableJewish community. According to the North American Jewish Data Bank, the community comprises an estimated 100,000 people or 4.6% as of 2023, above the nation's 1.7%, and up from 81,500 in 1996.[21] The highest proportion is in Cuyahoga County at 5.5% (of the county's total population). Today, 23% of Greater Cleveland's Jewish population is under the age of 17, and 27% reside in the Heights area (Cleveland Heights,Shaker Heights, andUniversity Heights). In 2010 nearly 2,600 people spokeHebrew and 1,100Yiddish.[22][23][24]
The top largest ancestries in the Greater Cleveland MSA, were the following:[25][26]
Approximately 94.1% of the metropolitan area's population was native to the United States. Approximately 92.8% were born in the U.S. while 1.3% were born inPuerto Rico, aU.S. territory, or born abroad to American parents. The rest of the population (5.9%) were foreign-born. The highest percentages of immigrants came from Europe (46.2%), Asia (32.7%), Latin America (14.3%); smaller percentages of newcomers came from Africa (3.6%), other parts of North America (3.0%), and Oceania (0.3%).[25]
According to theAmerican Community Survey 2006–2010, the number of Greater Cleveland area residents born overseas was 119,136 and the leading countries of origin were India (10,067), China (7,756), Mexico (6,051), Ukraine (7,211), Germany (5,742), Italy (4,114), Canada (4,102), United Kingdom (4,048), Romania (3,947), Poland (3,834), Russia (3,826), andYugoslavia (3,820).[27]
English is by far the most commonly spoken language at home by residents in the Cleveland-Akron-Elyria area; approximately 91.2% of the population over the age of five spoke only English at home.Spanish speakers made up 2.8% of the population; speakers ofAsian languages made up 1.1% of the population; speakers of otherIndo-European languages made up 3.9% of the population. Individuals who spoke languages other than the ones above represented the remaining 1.0% of the populace. As of 2011, individually in addition to English, 2.7% spokeSpanish, 0.6%German, 0.5%Arabic, and 0.5%Chinese. 1.4% also spoke aSlavic language.[28] In 2007, Cleveland area was home to the nation's 3rd highest proportion ofHungarian speakers.[29]
| County | 2021 Estimate | 2020 Census | Change | Area | Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cuyahoga County | 1,236,041 | 1,264,817 | −2.28% | 457.19 sq mi (1,184.1 km2) | 2,704/sq mi (1,044/km2) |
| Lorain County | 316,268 | 312,964 | +1.06% | 491.10 sq mi (1,271.9 km2) | 644/sq mi (249/km2) |
| Lake County | 231,842 | 232,603 | −0.33% | 227.49 sq mi (589.2 km2) | 1,019/sq mi (393/km2) |
| Medina County | 183,512 | 182,470 | +0.57% | 421.36 sq mi (1,091.3 km2) | 436/sq mi (168/km2) |
| Ashtabula County | 97,013 | 97,574 | −0.57% | 702 sq mi (1,820 km2) | 139/sq mi (54/km2) |
| Geauga County | 95,469 | 95,397 | +0.08% | 400.16 sq mi (1,036.4 km2) | 239/sq mi (92/km2) |
| Total | 2,160,145 | 2,185,825 | −1.17% | 2,747.81 sq mi (7,116.8 km2) | 786/sq mi (304/km2) |

The Cleveland metropolitan area has traditionally been aDemocratic stronghold but has shown a trend toward theRepublican Party in recent years, particularly sinceDonald Trump became the Republican nominee. This shift has been driven largely by gains among working-class voters in the region. However, the metro area remains reliably Democratic overall.
| Year | Democratic | Republican | Third parties |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 54.3%580,795 | 44.8%479,193 | 0.8%8,667 |
| 2020 | 55.8%624,855 | 43.0%481,128 | 1.2%13,358 |
| 2016 | 55.4%576,945 | 40.7%423,639 | 3.8%40,005 |
| 2012 | 62.1%668,743 | 37.9%407,802 | 0%0 |
In the 1950s,AT&T assigned Greater ClevelandArea code 216, which included all ofNortheast Ohio. In 1996, Area code 216 was reduced in size to cover the northern half of its prior area, centering on Cleveland and its lake shore suburbs.Area code 330 was introduced for the southern half of Greater Cleveland, includingMedina County. The western half of the region, including Ashland and Richland counties, and parts of Huron, Wayne, and Erie counties, are assignedarea codes 419 and 567.
In 1997, area code 216 was further split as the need for additional phone numbers grew. Area code 216 was reduced in geographical area to cover the city of Cleveland and itsinner ring suburbs.Area code 440 was introduced to cover the remainder of was what previously area code 216, including all ofLorain,Geauga, andLake counties, and parts ofCuyahoga County. Some communities, such asParma, andParma Heights were divided between the 216 and 440 area codes. In 1999, CongressmanDennis Kucinich introduced federal legislation to protect small and medium-sized cities from being split into two or more area codes.[31][32]
In 2000, it was anticipated that the available phone numbers in area code 330 would be exhausted, and anoverlay area code was introduced.Area code 234 was assigned to overlap existing area code 330. With the creation of area code 234, any new phone number in the geographical area formerly covered by area code 330 could be assigned a phone number in either the 234 or 330 area codes, with no change in local or long-distance toll status. This made necessary the use often-digit dialing within the 330/234 area code region. After the introduction of area code 234, assignments of new telephone numbers in the area did not continue at an accelerated pace, and new phone numbers for area code 234 were not assigned until 2003.[33]
In 2011 the Greater Cleveland area had a GDP of $134.4 billion (up from $130.7 billion in 2008), which would rank 57thamong countries. Cleveland also has the twelfth highest merchandise value at $109.2 billion.[5]
More than 37% ofFortune 500 companies are present in Northeast Ohio, through corporate headquarters, major divisions, subsidiaries, and sales offices. In addition, more than 150 international companies have a presence there. As of 2006[update], Northeast Ohio serves as thecorporateheadquarters of 23Fortune 1000 firms (shown with 2017 rankings below):
Other large employers include:
TheCouncil of Smaller Enterprises coordinates and advocates for small businesses in the region.[34][35] Many of the area'ssustainability-oriented companies are tied into the networkEntrepreneurs for Sustainability.[36][37]
Greater Cleveland is home to a number of higher education institutions, including:
Greater Cleveland is served by international, regional and county airports, including:

The Greater Cleveland highway network was intended to be more extensive than what was built.[38][39]
TheGreater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority operates a bus system andheavy and light rail in Cuyahoga County. Other transit agencies serve the surrounding counties and provide connections with RTA, includingLaketran in Lake County, andLorain County Transit in Lorain County. Cleveland's RTA Red Line which started in 1955, is the eighth oldest heavy rail rapid transit in the Country. In 2007, RTA was named the best public transit system in North America by theAmerican Public Transportation Association, for "demonstrating achievement in efficiency and effectiveness."[40]

Playhouse Square Center is the epicenter of theCleveland Theater District and the second largest theater district in the United States.[41]
In addition, Greater Cleveland has additional theaters throughout the region.
Cleveland is home to theCleveland Orchestra, widely considered one of the finestorchestras in the world, and often referred to as the finest in the United States.[64] It is one of the "Big Five" major orchestras in the United States. The Orchestra plays atSeverance Hall inUniversity Circle during the winter and atBlossom Music Center inCuyahoga Falls during the summer.[65] The city is also home to theCleveland Pops Orchestra.
There are two mainart museums in Cleveland. TheCleveland Museum of Art is a major American art museum,[66] with a collection that includes more than 40,000 works of art ranging over 6,000 years, fromancient masterpieces tocontemporary pieces.Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland showcases established and emerging artists, particularly from the Cleveland area, through hosting and producing temporary exhibitions.[67]

Cleveland'sprofessional sports teams include theCleveland Guardians (Major League Baseball),Cleveland Browns (National Football League), andCleveland Cavaliers (National Basketball Association). TheLake County Captains, a Single-Aminor league affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians, play inEastlake atClassic Park. Additionally, theLake Erie Crushers of theFrontier League play atSprenger Stadium inAvon.
Minor league hockey is represented in the area by theCleveland Monsters of theAmerican Hockey League. They began play in the 2007–08 AHL season at theQuicken Loans Arena. The team is the top minor league affiliate of theColumbus Blue Jackets of theNational Hockey League.
TheCleveland Metroparks are a system of nature preserves that encircle the city, and theCuyahoga Valley National Park encompasses theCuyahoga River valley betweenCleveland andAkron. The region is home toMentor Headlands Beach, the longest natural beach on theGreat Lakes.
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