Rocky River, Ohio Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Rocky River, Ohio had a total population of 21,490, the 80th largest city in Ohio, with a median household income of $94,026, which is 32% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 5.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 32% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Ohio.
- 64.3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Ohio.
Rocky River Quick Facts
How Rocky River 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 | 21,490 | 21,490 | +0.0% |
| Median household income | $93,956 | $94,026 | +0.1% |
| Median home value | $327,600 | $349,300 | +6.6% |
How Rocky River 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+)
Rocky River 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 Rocky River
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lebanon | 21,501 | $83,685 | $290,200 | 29.1% | 8.7% |
| South Euclid | 21,534 | $81,297 | $153,700 | 42.3% | 6.5% |
| Twinsburg | 19,410 | $99,144 | $318,800 | 47.5% | 4.2% |
| Broadview Heights | 19,771 | $103,125 | $316,700 | 52.0% | 5.1% |
| Miamisburg | 19,948 | $82,900 | $231,300 | 28.3% | 11.8% |
Population Overview
Rocky River is a small city located in Ohio, within Cuyahoga County. The total population is 21,490. It ranks as the 80th most populous out of 1,264 Census-designated places in Ohio.
Age Demographics
The median age in Rocky River is 43.3 years. This is 9% higher than the state median of 39.7 years. 10.9% 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 Rocky River is $94,026. This is 32% higher than the state median of $71,389. It is also 16% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 5.4%. This is 60% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.3%. The unemployment rate is 2.6%. This is 45% lower than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $349,300. Housing costs are 63% higher than the state median of $214,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x. 69.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% higher than the state average of 67.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Rocky River has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 89.1% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.9%. The Black or African American population (2.3%) is well below the state average of 12.0%.
Education
64.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Rocky River in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 104% higher 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 97.9%. Notably, 30.5% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Rocky River, 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 Rocky River, Ohio?
Rocky River, Ohio has a population of 21,490 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Rocky River, OH?
The median household income in Rocky River is $94,026, which is 16% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Rocky River, OH?
The poverty rate in Rocky River is 5.4%. This means approximately 1,141 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Rocky River, Ohio?
Rocky River's population is 89.1% White, 2.3% Black, 2.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Rocky River, OH?
The median home value in Rocky River is $349,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x.
How educated is Rocky River, Ohio?
64.3% of adults (25+) in Rocky River hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 30.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.