Cleveland city, Ohio Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Cleveland city, Ohio has a total population of 367,523, the 2nd largest city in Ohio, with a median household income of $39,187, which is 44% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 30.8%.
Key Takeaways
- Cleveland city is the 2nd largest city in Ohio with a population of 367,523.
- Household income is 44% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (30.8%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x.
- Unemployment rate of 11.5% is notably above the national average.
Cleveland city Quick Facts
How Cleveland city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 39 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Cleveland city Rankings in Ohio
Explore Ohio Rankings
Other Cities in Cuyahoga County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parma city | 80,131 | $67,425 | 9.8% | $157,600 |
| Lakewood city | 50,229 | $65,925 | 10.8% | $241,500 |
| Euclid city | 48,991 | $48,696 | 17.4% | $114,700 |
| Strongsville city | 46,022 | $102,574 | 5.1% | $279,600 |
| Cleveland Heights city | 44,694 | $72,302 | 14.7% | $176,700 |
| Westlake city | 34,036 | $110,101 | 5.1% | $336,100 |
| North Olmsted city | 32,031 | $85,435 | 10.1% | $202,400 |
| North Royalton city | 31,013 | $81,810 | 5.2% | $276,300 |
| Garfield Heights city | 29,369 | $52,006 | 21.4% | $100,000 |
| Shaker Heights city | 29,004 | $97,721 | 7.1% | $288,000 |
Cities Similar to Cleveland city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati city | 309,595 | $51,707 | $215,300 | 41.3% | 24.5% |
| Toledo city | 268,461 | $47,532 | $107,000 | 21.0% | 24.5% |
| Akron city | 189,526 | $48,544 | $111,200 | 23.3% | 22.9% |
| Dayton city | 136,741 | $43,454 | $93,200 | 20.7% | 27.1% |
| Columbus city | 906,480 | $65,327 | $234,500 | 38.2% | 17.8% |
Population Overview
Cleveland city is a major urban center located in Ohio, within Cuyahoga County. The total population is 367,523. It ranks as the 2nd most populous out of 1,264 cities and towns in Ohio.
Age Demographics
The median age in Cleveland city is 36.3 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 39.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Cleveland city is $39,187. This is 44% lower than the state median of $69,680. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 50% lower. The poverty rate stands at 30.8%. This is 133% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 11.5%. This is 136% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $94,100. Housing costs are 53% lower than the state median of $199,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Cleveland city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 41.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 39% lower than the state average of 67.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Cleveland city is Black or African American, making up 46.0% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 33.8%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (33.8%) is well below the state average of 76.5%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (46.0% vs 12.1%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (12.8% vs 4.6%).
Education
21.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 31% lower than the state rate of 30.9%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 83.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Cleveland city, Ohio is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Ohio state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,264 Census-designated places in Ohio. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Cleveland city, Ohio?
Cleveland city, Ohio has a population of 367,523 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Cleveland city, OH?
The median household income in Cleveland city is $39,187, which is 50% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Cleveland city, OH?
The poverty rate in Cleveland city is 30.8%. This means approximately 110,170 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Cleveland city, Ohio?
Cleveland city's population is 33.8% White, 46.0% Black, 12.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Cleveland city, OH?
The median home value in Cleveland city is $94,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.4x.
How educated is Cleveland city, Ohio?
21.3% of adults (25+) in Cleveland city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.