East Cleveland, Ohio Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, East Cleveland, Ohio had a total population of 13,534, the 135th largest city in Ohio, with a median household income of $22,116, which is 69% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 40.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 69% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (40.7%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 18.4% is notably above the national average.
East Cleveland Quick Facts
How East 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 | 13,666 | 13,534 | -1.0% |
| Median household income | $22,883 | $22,116 | -3.4% |
| Median home value | $68,900 | $68,800 | -0.1% |
How East 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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 41 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
East Cleveland Rankings in Ohio
Explore Ohio Rankings
Other Cities in Cuyahoga County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland | 366,097 | $40,801 | 30.6% | $102,000 |
| 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 |
Cities Similar to East Cleveland
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warrensville Heights | 13,545 | $49,669 | $121,100 | 24.2% | 21.4% |
| Marietta | 13,203 | $47,873 | $161,800 | 28.6% | 19.1% |
| Greenville | 12,741 | $47,237 | $157,800 | 16.3% | 14.2% |
| Portsmouth | 17,728 | $34,713 | $103,300 | 17.4% | 35.4% |
| Bellefontaine | 13,807 | $58,806 | $180,500 | 15.8% | 18.1% |
Population Overview
East Cleveland is a small city located in Ohio, within Cuyahoga County. The total population is 13,534. It ranks as the 135th most populous out of 1,264 Census-designated places in Ohio.
Age Demographics
The median age in East Cleveland is 44.3 years. This is 12% higher than the state median of 39.7 years. 11.1% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in East Cleveland is $22,116. This is 69% lower than the state median of $71,389. It is also 73% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 40.7%. This is 206% 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 18.4%. This is 286% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $68,800. Housing costs are 68% lower than the state median of $214,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x. 37.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 45% lower than the state average of 67.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
East Cleveland has a predominantly Black or African American population, comprising 87.3% of all residents. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 8.1%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (8.1%) is well below the state average of 75.8%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (87.3% vs 12.0%). The Hispanic or Latino population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 4.8%. The Asian population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 2.5%.
Education
17.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 45% 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 82.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for East 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 East Cleveland, Ohio?
East Cleveland, Ohio has a population of 13,534 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in East Cleveland, OH?
The median household income in East Cleveland is $22,116, which is 73% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in East Cleveland, OH?
The poverty rate in East Cleveland is 40.7%. This means approximately 5,345 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of East Cleveland, Ohio?
East Cleveland's population is 8.1% White, 87.3% Black, 1.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in East Cleveland, OH?
The median home value in East Cleveland is $68,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x.
How educated is East Cleveland, Ohio?
17.3% of adults (25+) in East Cleveland hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.