Strongsville, Ohio


Strongsville is a city in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, United States, and a suburb of Cleveland. 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 intersecting with the Southwestern Electric Line that connected Cleveland and Wooster, Ohio. 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.

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 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. 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'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 .
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of, of which is land and is water. The east branch of the Rocky River enters Strongsville from North Royalton and exits into Berea. Valley Parkway parallels the river's northwesterly course. This portion of the Cleveland Metroparks, 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. Males had a median income of $54,988 versus $33,129 for females. The per capita income for the city was $29,722. About 1.3% of families and 2.2% of the population were below the poverty line, 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 of 2010, there were 44,750 people, 17,659 households, and 12,563 families living in the city. The population density was. There were 18,476 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the city was 92.0% White, 1.9% African American, 0.1% Native American, 4.1% Asian, 0.4% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Hispanic 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 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 census of 2000, there were 43,858 people, 16,209 households, and 12,383 families living in the city. The population density was 1,779.6 people per square mile. There were 16,863 housing units at an average density of 684.2 per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 94.18% White, 1.26% African American, 0.05% Native American, 3.21% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.28% from other races, and 1.03% from two or more races. Hispanic 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 married couples 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

A staff of over 250 teachers at Strongsville High School serves well over 2,750 students in grades 9 through 12. Center and Albion middle schools are about 75 and 40 years old, respectively. The city's seven elementary schools serve pre-kindergarten through 6th grade: Chapman, Drake, Kinsner, Muraski, Surrarrer, and Whitney. With Strongsville's younger student population on the decline, and seven elementary school, Allen and Zellers, recently closed their doors. 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 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.
AddressSchool mascotGrades
Strongsville High School20025 Lunn RdMustangs9th - 12th Grade
Strongsville Middle School13200 Pearl RdMustangs6th-8th Grade
Sts. Joseph and John School12580 Pearl RdVikingsPre-8th Grade
Chapman Elementary13883 Drake RoadChargersK-5th Grade
Drake Elementary20566 Albion RoadBeesK-5th Grade
Kinsner Elementary19091 Waterford ParkwayCobrasK-5th Grade
Muraski Elementary20270 Royalton RoadWildcatsK-5th Grade
Surrarrer Elementary9306 Priem RoadRoadrunnersK-5th Grade
Whitney Elementary13548 Whitney RoadBearsK-5th Grade
Strongsville Early Learning Preschool19543 Lunn RdMustangsPreschool

Points of interest