Cleveland, Ohio Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Cleveland, Ohio had a total population of 366,097, the 2nd largest city in Ohio, with a median household income of $40,801, which is 43% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 30.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Cleveland is the 2nd largest city in Ohio with a population of 366,097.
- Household income is 43% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (30.6%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x.
- Unemployment rate of 10.8% is notably above the national average.
Cleveland Quick Facts
How Cleveland Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 366,097 | -0.4% |
| Median household income | $39,187 | $40,801 | +4.1% |
| Median home value | $94,100 | $102,000 | +8.4% |
How Cleveland Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
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: 41 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Cleveland Rankings in Ohio
Explore Ohio Rankings
Other Cities in Cuyahoga County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parma | 79,870 | $69,295 | 10.1% | $170,100 |
| Lakewood | 50,007 | $68,954 | 10.3% | $262,200 |
| Euclid | 48,823 | $50,285 | 16.6% | $126,500 |
| Strongsville | 45,983 | $103,253 | 5.3% | $298,300 |
| Cleveland Heights | 44,497 | $72,826 | 15.9% | $192,100 |
| Westlake | 34,104 | $112,200 | 4.9% | $368,200 |
| North Olmsted | 31,924 | $84,363 | 8.3% | $219,800 |
| North Royalton | 30,972 | $83,670 | 5.8% | $292,600 |
| Garfield Heights | 29,269 | $54,593 | 22.0% | $109,900 |
| Shaker Heights | 28,922 | $104,073 | 8.4% | $303,200 |
Cities Similar to Cleveland
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati | 311,224 | $52,909 | $230,900 | 41.8% | 25.5% |
| Toledo | 267,463 | $49,724 | $114,500 | 21.9% | 24.3% |
| Akron | 189,247 | $48,076 | $122,000 | 23.6% | 23.3% |
| Dayton | 136,579 | $45,247 | $100,600 | 21.6% | 26.9% |
| Columbus | 914,802 | $66,082 | $252,900 | 38.2% | 18.1% |
Population Overview
Cleveland is a major urban center located in Ohio, within Cuyahoga County. The total population is 366,097. It ranks as the 2nd most populous out of 1,264 Census-designated places in Ohio.
Age Demographics
The median age in Cleveland is 36.3 years. This is 9% lower than the state median of 39.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Cleveland is $40,801. This is 43% lower than the state median of $71,389. It is also 49% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 30.6%. This is 130% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.3%. 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 10.8%. This is 126% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $102,000. Housing costs are 53% lower than the state median of $214,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Cleveland is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 41.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 38% lower than the state average of 67.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Cleveland is Black or African American, making up 45.1% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 33.7%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (33.7%) is well below the state average of 75.8%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (45.1% vs 12.0%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (13.3% vs 4.8%).
Education
22.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 29% lower than the state rate of 31.5%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 84.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Cleveland, Ohio is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. 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. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Cleveland, Ohio?
Cleveland, Ohio has a population of 366,097 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Cleveland, OH?
The median household income in Cleveland is $40,801, which is 49% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Cleveland, OH?
The poverty rate in Cleveland is 30.6%. This means approximately 108,889 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Cleveland, Ohio?
Cleveland's population is 33.7% White, 45.1% Black, 13.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Cleveland, OH?
The median home value in Cleveland is $102,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.
How educated is Cleveland, Ohio?
22.4% of adults (25+) in Cleveland hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.