Rocky River is a city in western Cuyahoga County, Ohio, United States. A suburb of Cleveland, it is located along the shore of Lake Erie approximately 9 miles (14 km) west of downtown Cleveland. The city is named for the Rocky River that forms its eastern border.[7] The population was 21,755 according to the 2020 census data results.[8]

Rocky River, Ohio
Harbor and river entrance
Harbor and river entrance
Flag of Rocky River, Ohio
Official seal of Rocky River, Ohio
Location in Cuyahoga County and the state of Ohio.
Location in Cuyahoga County and the state of Ohio.
Coordinates: 41°28′31″N 081°50′45″W / 41.47528°N 81.84583°W / 41.47528; -81.84583
CountryUnited States
StateOhio
CountyCuyahoga
Settled1810[1]
Village incorporation1903[1]
City incorporation1960[1]
Government
 • TypeMayor-council[2]
 • MayorPamela E. Bobst (R)[3][1]
Area
 • Total
5.60 sq mi (14.51 km2)
 • Land4.73 sq mi (12.25 km2)
 • Water0.87 sq mi (2.26 km2)  15.51%
Elevation692 ft (211 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
21,755
 • Density4,599.37/sq mi (1,775.98/km2)
 census
Time zoneUTC-5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
Zip code
44116
Area code440
FIPS code39-68056[6]
GNIS feature ID1049132[5]
Websitewww.rrcity.com

Early history

edit

In the summer of 1764, British Colonel John Bradstreet led a force of more than 2,000 regular soldiers, American volunteers and native Americans as part of an attack to stop Pontiac’s Rebellion, which ended before Bradstreet could attack. His mission was revised to retrieval of prisoners, exploration and peacemaking. As the host of 60 boats and nine canoes attempted to find shelter in an increasing storm on Lake Erie, waves overcame the fleet, ruining 25 boats and damaging many others. Bradstreet and his men came ashore in what is now Bradstreet’s Landing Park in Rocky River on 18 October 1764. After tarrying three days, the diminished force returned to Ft. Niagara enduring significant hardship on their voyage. Rumors to the contrary, only one life was lost in the endeavor.[9]

Geography

edit

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 5.61 square miles (14.53 km2), of which 4.74 square miles (12.28 km2) is land and 0.87 square miles (2.25 km2) is water.[10]

Most of Rocky River's eastern border follows the river bearing its name, which runs through the Rocky River Reservation of the Cleveland Metroparks system, adjacent to the city's eastern neighbor, Lakewood. A small strip of Cleveland itself also borders Rocky River; however, the two cities are not directly connected via road.[11] Lake Erie lines the entire northern border of the city while the city of Fairview Park marks the southern border. On Rocky River's western border are the cities of Bay Village to the northwest and Westlake to the southwest.

Demographics

edit
Historical population
CensusPop.Note
19001,329
19101,174−11.7%
19201,86158.5%
19305,632202.6%
19408,29147.2%
195011,23735.5%
196018,90768.3%
197022,95821.4%
198021,084−8.2%
199021,1100.1%
200021,1050.0%
201020,213−4.2%
202021,7557.6%
Sources:[6][12][13][8]

2010 census

edit

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 20,213 people, 9,283 households, and 5,242 families residing in the city. The population density was 4,264.3 inhabitants per square mile (1,646.5/km2). There were 10,181 housing units at an average density of 2,147.9 per square mile (829.3/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 95.5% White, 1.0% African American, 0.1% Native American, 1.8% Asian, 0.4% from other races, and 1.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.8% of the population.[14]

There were 9,283 households, of which 25.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.9% were married couples living together, 7.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 43.5% were non-families. 39.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.16 and the average family size was 2.95.

The median age in the city was 45.6 years. 21.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 4.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.5% were from 25 to 44; 28.5% were from 45 to 64; and 22.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.1% male and 53.9% female.

Of the city's population over the age of 25, 54.8% hold a bachelor's degree or higher.[15]

91.8% spoke English, 1.9% Spanish, 1.4% Arabic, 1.2% Hungarian, 1.0% German, and 0.8% Greek.[16]

2000 census

edit

As of the 2000 United States Census,[6] there were 20,735 people, 9,709 households, and 5,437 families residing in the city. The population density was 4,360.8 inhabitants per square mile (1,683.7/km2). There were 10,166 housing units at an average density of 2,138.0 per square mile (825.5/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 96.83% White, 0.41% African American, 0.07% Native American, 1.33% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.27% from other races, and 1.08% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.20% of the population.

There were 9,709 households, out of which 22.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.2% were married couples living together, 6.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.0% were non-families. 40.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 20.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.11 and the average family size was 2.90.

In the city the population was spread out, with 20.9% under the age of 18, 4.3% from 18 to 24, 25.9% from 25 to 44, 24.6% from 45 to 64, and 24.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were 82.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 77.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $71,636, and the median income for a family was $94,361. Males had a median income of $62,727 versus $32,145 for females. The per capita income for the city was $34,663. About 1.5% of families and 2.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.3% of those under age 18 and 3.8% of those age 65 or over.

Government

edit

Rocky River is in Ohio's 7th congressional district, represented by Republican Representative Max Miller, a resident of Rocky River.

Notable people

edit

(B) denotes that the person was born there.

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c d "Rocky River, Ohio – City Government". City of Rocky River. Archived from the original on May 16, 2006. Retrieved December 29, 2006.
  2. ^ "Rocky River, Ohio – Community Profile". City of Rocky River. Archived from the original on September 28, 2007. Retrieved December 29, 2006.
  3. ^ Exner, Rich (November 16, 2013). "Democrats outnumber Republicans as mayors in Cuyahoga County, 39-14". The Plain Dealer. Cleveland. Retrieved October 27, 2015.
  4. ^ "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  5. ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Rocky River, Ohio
  6. ^ a b c "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  7. ^ Overman, William Daniel (1958). Ohio Town Names. Akron: Atlantic Press. p. 119.
  8. ^ a b "QuickFacts: Rocky River city, Ohio". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  9. ^ "Bradstreet's Disaster". The Encyclopedia of Cleveland History. May 11, 2018.
  10. ^ "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 2, 2012. Retrieved January 6, 2013.
  11. ^ O'Donnell, Patrick (May 6, 2015). "Does Rocky River border Cleveland? A tuition voucher puzzle". The Plain Dealer. Cleveland. Retrieved June 27, 2020.
  12. ^ "Number of Inhabitants: Ohio" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau: 18th Census of the United States. 1960. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
  13. ^ "Ohio: Population and Housing Unit Counts" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved November 22, 2013.
  14. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 6, 2013.[failed verification]
  15. ^ "Rocky River (City) QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau". Archived from the original on December 2, 2013. Retrieved November 25, 2013.
  16. ^ "Data Center Results". Modern Language Association. Archived from the original on August 15, 2013. Retrieved August 6, 2013.
  17. ^ Niesel, Jeff (December 5, 2012). "The Book of Barnes: Of Montreal front man prepares to write a new musical chapter". Cleveland Scene.
  18. ^ Haidet, Ryan (February 6, 2022). "Rocky River native Red Gerard advances after Men's Snowboard Slopestyle at 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing". WKYC News. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
  19. ^ Petkovic, John (July 30, 2011). "At 30, MTV looks nothing like the video channel that roared". The Plain Dealer. Cleveland.
  20. ^ "Clint Brown". Baseball Reference. Retrieved October 24, 2018.
  21. ^ "Carter Camper Stats and Profile". hockeydb.com.
  22. ^ Rabkin, Sarah (2014). "G. William Domhoff: The Adventures and Regrets of a Professor of Dreams and Power". UC Santa Cruz Regional History Project. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
  23. ^ Scofield, Drew (November 21, 2020). "Republican Anthony Gonzalez reelected to Ohio's 16th Congressional District seat". WEWS News. Archived from the original on November 21, 2020. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
  24. ^ "Chris Hovan, DT". National Football League.
  25. ^ Bona, Marc (February 12, 2012). "Sammy Kaye: Your 2 p.m. Buckeye Bits A&E trivia". The Plain Dealer. Cleveland
  26. ^ "Pat McCormick". www.rrcs.org. Retrieved October 4, 2021.
  27. ^ "Norm Michael Stats - Pro Football Archives". www.profootballarchives.com.
  28. ^ Tobias, Andrew J. (November 23, 2021). "Trump-backed Max Miller could get new Republican opponent in redrawn 13th Congressional District in Ohio". The Plain Dealer. Cleveland.
  29. ^ Portmann, Milton (August 15, 1967). "Ex WRU Football Great Portmann Is Dead at 78". The Plain Dealer. Cleveland. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
  30. ^ Washington, Julie (September 10, 2008). "Former Clevelander Martin Savidge talks about move to PBS". The Plain Dealer. Cleveland.
  31. ^ Yarborough, Chuck (August 18, 2014). "Michael Stanley to be honored with tribute concert featuring fans and peers". The Plain Dealer. Cleveland.
  32. ^ Biography.com "George Steinbrenner Biography, Business Leader 1930–2010". Retrieved September 22, 2014.[dead link]
  33. ^ Puma, Mike "'The Boss' made Yankees a dictatorship". ESPN Classic. Retrieved September 22, 2014/
  34. ^ Dawidziak, Mark (January 19, 2009). "'Lost' writer Brian K. Vaughan is a Cleveland native". The Plain Dealer. Cleveland.
edit