Rocky River, OH

Ohio · Metropolitan Area

Rocky River is a small city in Ohio with a population of 21,490. Residents earn $93,956 per year, which is 25% above the national average.

4.9 /5.0
A+ Excellent
21,490 Population 4,543/sq mi density
$93,956 Median Income $67,307 per capita
$327,600 Home Value $384,058 Zillow
$1,155 Median Rent
52°F Avg Temperature
A+
Overall
4.9 / 5.0
Excellent overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.9 / 5.0
$93,956 median income, 1.5% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.7 / 5.0
$327,600 home value, $1,155/mo rent
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
64.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $93,956
25% higher than US avg
Home Value $327,600
16% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 64.0%
90% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,155
1% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 27.9%
13% lower than US avg
Unemployment 1.5%
58% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 2.1%
83% lower than US avg

How Rocky River Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population21,490
Median Age43.5 yrs
Density4,543/mi²
Male / Female46% / 54%
Largest GroupWhite 92%

Economy

A+
Median Income$93,956
Per Capita$67,307
Unemployment1.5%
Poverty2.1%
County GDP$135,914M
Commute22 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$327,600
Rent$1,155
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$384,058

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity27.9%
UninsuredN/A
Depression25.3%
Heart Disease4.1%

Climate

Avg Temp52°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain41.0 in/yr
Elevation675 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+64.0%
High School+97.4%
School Score5.90

Community

2024 VoteR 34% / D 65%
Commute22 min
EV Stations4
Libraries68

Is Rocky River a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Rocky River receives an overall livability score of 4.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A+. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, a highly educated population, a low poverty rate. Rocky River stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Rocky River is $93,956, 25% above the national average of $75,149. Residents generally enjoy above-average earning potential. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.5%. Only 2.1% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Rocky River is $327,600, 16% above the national median. Renters pay a median of $1,155 per month. A price-to-income ratio of 3.5x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

Rocky River is a highly educated community — 64.0% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 97.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.9/10.

Climate & Weather

Rocky River experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 52°F. Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 41.0 inches, including 63.8 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Rocky River has a population of 21,490 with a density of 4,543 people per square mile. The median age is 43.5 years, 12% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (91.6%), with 2.1% Black.

Population

21,490
Total Population
4,543
People / sq mi
43.5yrs
Median Age
12% above US avg
4.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 46.2%
Female 53.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Rocky River vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only88.0%
12% above US avg
Spanish12.0%
10% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Rocky River vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Rocky River is $93,956, which is 25% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.5% (below the 3.6% US average). 2.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Income: Rocky River vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$93,956
25% above US avg
Per Capita Income$67,307
Avg Weekly Wage$1,445
IRS Avg AGI$80,817

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.5%
58% below US avg
Poverty Rate2.1%
83% below US avg
Establishments (County)39,269
County GDP$135,914M

Business (County)

Restaurants3,107
Healthcare3,799
Retail3,902
Manufacturing1,516

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$8,487
142% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.59%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time22.0 min
Work from Home18.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Rocky River is $327,600, 16% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,155 (1% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $384,058.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$327,600
16% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$384,058
Median List Price$455,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$455,000
$/Sq Ft$240
Homes Sold14
Sale-to-List Ratio98.1%
Price Drops23.8%
Inventory42

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,155
1% below US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,728

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$816
1 Bedroom$873
2 Bedrooms$1,092
3 Bedrooms$1,388
4 Bedrooms$1,550

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied71.2%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$8,487
142% above US avg
Effective Rate2.59%
In Rocky River, 27.9% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 25.3% report depression. 14.7% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Rocky River vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity27.9%
13% below US avg
Diabetes7.2%
Heart Disease4.1%
High Blood Pressure26.6%
Asthma10.4%
COPD4.3%
Stroke2.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking23.2%
Physical Inactivity14.7%
Depression25.3%
Mental Distress14.3%
Physical Distress9.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate97.9%
Checkup Rate77.3%
Premature Death10,171/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.8/10
Exercise Access97.9%
Healthcare Facilities3,799

Crime Rates: Rocky River vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)82

Safety Score

Rocky River has an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation is 41.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

29°F Jan (-2°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average52.4°F
3% below US avg
January Average29°F (-2°C)
July Average75°F (24°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall41.0 inches
8% above US avg
Snowfall63.8 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation675 ft (206 m)
Area4.7 sq mi (12.3 km²)
Population Density4,543/sq mi
Coordinates41.4731°N, 81.8538°W
County FIPS39035
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 64.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (90% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 31.5-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 33.9%
D 65.4%

Winner: Democrat by 31.5 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+64.0%
90% above US avg
High School+97.4%
School Test Score5.90
A+ Education Grade (5.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density4,543/sq mi
Total Area4.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations4
Alt Fuel Stations4
Public Libraries68
Healthcare Facilities3,799
Restaurants3,107
Retail Stores3,902

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)82

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute22.0 min
Work from Home18.1%

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