Community and Residents

Community & Residents

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Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the City of Garfield Heights has a total area of 18.9 km² (7.3 mi²). 18.7 km² (7.2 mi²) of it is land and 0.2 km² (0.1 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 1.09% water. The city has 4, 446 acres. Garfield Heights is about 11 miles southeast of Downtown Cleveland and is on the buslines. The I-480 freeway cuts through the city and makes travel into the city very convenient. Most Cleveland attractions are within a 10-15 mile radius of Garfield Heights.

Garfield Heights' neighbors are North: Cleveland, West: Cuyahoga Heights, South: Valley View, East: Maple Heights

Economy

Garfield Heights' economy is based on having Marymount Hospital as its largest employer. The city is currently experiencing a construction boom as CityView Center; a $80,000,000 shopping complex at the Transportation Boulevard exit comes to completion. Phase I includes retail spaces and will be completed in the Spring of 2006.. Construction of another shopping complex called Bridgeview Center is currently in the planning stages. The city also has light industry, technology, and a few service firms. ODOT-or Ohio Department of Transportation has its District 12 Headquarters in the City. Largest Employers: Marymount Hospital 1,200, ODOT 500, City of Garfield Heights 370, Garfield Heights City Schools 350.

Government

Garfield Heights has seven wards and a Mayor-Council form of Government. The city's charter went into effect in 1956. The City also has a municipal court. The city maintains its own police and fire departments.

Demographics

As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there are 30,734 people, 12,452 households, and 8,205 families residing in the city. The population density is 1,641.3/km² (4,253.0/mi²). There are 12,998 housing units at an average density of 694.1/km² (1,798.7/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 80.72% White, 16.80% African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.93% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.43% from other races, and 0.96% from two or more races. 1.26% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 12,452 households out of which 28.9% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.5% are married couples living together, 15.3% have a female householder with no husband present, and 34.1% are non-families. 30.0% of all households are made up of individuals and 14.4% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.43 and the average family size is 3.04.

In the city, the population is spread out with 24.1% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 20.7% from 45 to 64, and 18.6% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 38 years. For every 100 females there are 87.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 82.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $39,278, and the median income for a family is $47,557. Males have a median income of $35,435 versus $26,472 for females. The per capita income for the city is $18,988. 8.5% of the population and 6.0% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 11.9% of those under the age of 18 and 9.2% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

The Ethnic groups of Garfield Heights include Poles, Slovenes, Italians, Irish, and Afro-Americans.

Religion

Garfield Heights is about 75% Roman Catholic and 25% Protestant. There are 4 Catholic Churches, 1 Lutheran, and several other Christian churches.

Education

Garfield Heights has its own public school system comprised of 2 Elementary schools, 1 Intermediate, 1 Junior High ("Middle School"), and 1 High School. There are 6 private schools in the city: 5 Catholic, 1 Lutheran. The City also has its own school board. In 1996, the Garfield Heights City Schools were named a BEST district. BEST stands for Building Excellent Schools for Today and the 21st Century. BEST is a statewide alliance of education, business and community organizations committed to improved educational opportunities and results for all Ohio school children. Garfield Heights was the first community in Northeastern Ohio to be recognized as one of Ohio's BEST communities. This honor was achieved by establishing a local coalition for educational improvement in which all segments of the community work collaboratively to design and implement educational programs that are matched to the community's specific needs, goals and resources.

In 2001, Garfield Heights passed levy to build a new High School. Construction of the school soon began, and was completed in mid-2003. High School students were transferred to the new High School in January 2004, Junior High students were transferred to what was the High School, and what was the Junior High School was torn down in June 2004, to make room for the yet-to-be-constructed Arts and Drama building, which will be connected to the High School.

Communications

Garfield Heights is served by the Cleveland Television Stations, numerous cable and satellite providers also serve the city. The Cleveland Plain Dealer, Garfield-Maple Heights Sun, and the Neighborhood News-Garfield Heights Tribune are the main newspapers. Radio Stations are also Cleveland market.

Links to Additional Information
Maps and aerial photos

Street map from Google Local or Yahoo! Maps
Topographic map from TopoZone
Aerial image or topographic map from TerraServer-USA
Satellite image from Google Local or Microsoft Virtual Earth

City of Garfield Heights, official site