# Garfield Heights, Ohio

Garfield Heights is a city in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, United States. The population was 29,781 at the time of the 2020 census. A suburb of Cleveland, it is a part of the Cleveland metropolitan area.

## History

The area was originally part of Newburgh Township. The Village of South Newburgh was formed in 1907, and it was incorporated as Garfield Heights in 1930. The city is named after Garfield Park, which in turn was named in honor of President James A. Garfield, a native of nearby Orange Township.

## Geography

Garfield Heights is located at 41°25′17″N 81°36′10″W﻿ / ﻿41.42139°N 81.60278°W﻿ / 41.42139; -81.60278 (41.421423, -81.602682).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.29 square miles (18.88 km$^2$), of which 7.23 square miles (18.73 km$^2$) is land and 0.06 square miles (0.16 km$^2$) is water. The elevation of Garfield Heights is 831 feet (253 m) above sea level where it borders Cleveland, and its highest elevation is 972 feet (296 m) above sea level at the Garfield Heights Justice Center.

## Demographics

The ethnic groups of Garfield Heights include Poles, Slovenes, Italians, Irish, and African-Americans.
93.4% spoke English, 2.8% Polish, 1.2% Italian, and 1.2% Spanish.

### 2020 census

Garfield Heights city, Ohio – Racial and ethnic composition Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race. :
| Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000 | Pop 2010 | Pop 2020 | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
| White alone (NH) | 24,577 | 17,019 | 10,502 | 79.97% | 58.99% | 35.26% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 5,143 | 10,184 | 16,618 | 16.73% | 35.30% | 55.80% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 44 | 35 | 37 | 0.14% | 0.12% | 0.12% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 286 | 387 | 266 | 0.93% | 1.34% | 0.89% |
| Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 3 | 6 | 3 | 0.01% | 0.02% | 0.01% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 33 | 34 | 88 | 0.11% | 0.12% | 0.30% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 260 | 528 | 1,097 | 0.85% | 1.83% | 3.68% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 388 | 656 | 1,170 | 1.26% | 2.27% | 3.93% |
| Total | 30,734 | 28,849 | 29,781 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |

### 2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 28,849 people, 11,691 households, and 7,393 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,990.2 inhabitants per square mile (1,540.6/km$^2$). There were 13,125 housing units at an average density of 1,815.4 per square mile (700.9/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the city was 60.2% White, 35.7% African American, 0.2% Native American, 1.3% Asian, 0.6% from other races, and 2.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.3% of the population.
There were 11,691 households, of which 32.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.5% were married couples living together, 21.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 36.8% were non-families. 31.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 3.08.
The median age in the city was 38.5 years. 25% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.1% were from 25 to 44; 26% were from 45 to 64; and 15.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.0% male and 54.0% female.

### 2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 30,734 people, 12,452 households, and 8,205 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,641.3/km sq (4,253.0/mi sq). There were 12,998 housing units at an average density of 694.1/km sq (1,798.7/mi sq). The racial makeup of the city was 80.72% White, 16.80% African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.93% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.43% from Race (United States Census) other races, and 0.96% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.26% of the population.
There were 12,452 households, out of which 28.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.5% were married couples living together, 15.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.1% were non-families. 30.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 3.04.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 24.1% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 20.7% from 45 to 64, and 18.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $39,278, and the median income for a family was $47,557. Males had a median income of $35,435 versus $26,472 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,988. About 6.0% of families and 8.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.9% of those under age 18 and 9.2% of those age 65 or over.

## Economy

Marymount Hospital, part of the Cleveland Clinic system, is the city's largest employer.
The Ohio Department of Transportation has its District 12 headquarters in the city.
In 2007, Garfield Heights and its neighbor Maple Heights were mentioned by CNN/Money as two of America's most affordable communities.
The Garfield Heights Chamber of Commerce was established in the 1960s and includes over 250 business members from the area.
Chart Industries, a gas tank manufacturer, has its world headquarters located in Garfield Heights.
The Ohio Catholic Federal Credit Union, one of the largest credit unions in Ohio, is based in Garfield Heights. As of 2011, it had 17,456 members and $155 million in assets.
Garfield Heights is the site of the City View Center, a planned regional power center built upon a former landfill in the mid-2000s that was soon mostly emptied due to soil liquefaction causing foundation and wall damage and fears about unvented methane gas build-up; the buildings have since been reinforced and the land has been converted and intended for industrial use, though most of the development remains empty outside a Giant Eagle store and several other tenants.

## Government

Garfield Heights has seven wards and a mayor-council form of government. The city's charter went into effect in 1956. The city also has a municipal court that serves several jurisdictions. The council president is selected by members of city council. If the mayor's seat is vacated, the council president would assume the duties, according to the city charter.

### Mayors of Garfield Heights

| Term of service | Name | Life dates | Party |
| 1920–1929 | Oliver D. Jackson | 1874-1953 | |
| 1930–1931 | Raymond Ring | | |
| 1932–1937 | Martin O'Donnell | | |
| 1937–1939 | Don Cameron | | |
| 1940–1947 | Raymond Ring | | |
| 1947–1949 | Grant Weber | 1884–1949 | |
| 1950–1955 | Charles F. Wing | | |
| 1956–1961 | Neil E. Bowler | 1902–1995 | Republican |
| 1962–1964 | Jack Donovan | 1922-1988 | |
| 1965–1969 | Frank Petrancek | | |
| 1970–1979 | Ray Stachewicz | | |
| 1979–1983 | Theodore S. Holtz | | |
| 1983–2009 | Thomas J. Longo | | Democrat |
| 2009-2021 | Vic Collova | 1947- | Democrat |
| 2021- | Matt Burke | | Democrat |

### Public safety

The city maintains its own police and fire departments. The city has a network of emergency warning sirens. The sirens are routinely tested at noon on the first Saturday of every month. A Community Emergency Response Team is in place. Garfield Heights uses traffic signal preemption.

## Parks and recreation

The Dan Kostel Recreation Center is located on Turney Road at the Civic Center complex and includes an outdoor swimming pool open during summer season only and an indoor ice skating rink. Garfield Park Reservation, part of the regional Cleveland Metroparks system, is located in the Northeast corner of Garfield Heights on its border with Cleveland.

## Education

Garfield Heights has its own public school system comprising three elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school. It is governed by a five-member elected board. There are two Catholic schools in the city; St. Benedict and Trinity High School.
In 2001, Garfield Heights voters approved a levy to build a new high school. Construction of the school began soon thereafter and was completed in mid-2003. In 2006, ground was broken for the construction of the high school arts and drama complex, a $5 million building. Construction of the 750-seat Garfield Heights Matousek Center for the Performing Arts started in November 2006. The performing arts center opened on November 3, 2007.
In 2010–11 school year both Elmwood Elementary and Maple Leaf Intermediate were renovated and Maple Leaf School gained more classrooms and a bigger gym. Maple Leaf School is the Garfield Heights City School District's oldest building built in 1925 and was the smallest until the current reconstruction.

## Media

Garfield Heights is served by the Cleveland television stations and numerous cable and satellite providers. The Cleveland Plain Dealer, and the Neighborhood News-Garfield Heights Tribune (published each Wednesday) are the main newspapers.

## Notable people

* Steve Bartek, American guitarist, film composer, conductor
* James Jude Courtney, American actor and stunt performer
* William A. Foster, earned the Medal of Honor
* Dennis Fryzel, last football coach at the University of Tampa
* DeJuan Groce, cornerback in the NFL
* Dale Miller, former Ohio State Senator
* Gene Mruczkowski, former NFL offensive lineman and Super Bowl champ with the New England Patriots
* Scott Mruczkowski, former football center for the San Diego Chargers
* Phil Pozderac, former NFL offensive lineman and Super Bowl champ with the Dallas Cowboys
* Jerry Schuplinski, former NFL QB and quality control coach for New England Patriots, Miami Dolphins and New York Giants
* David J. Skal, American cultural historian, critic, writer
* Wilma Smith, former Cleveland news anchor
* James Glenwright Unger, American hockey player

## Surrounding communities

vtePlaces adjacent to Garfield Heights, Ohio :
Broadway-Slavic Village (Cleveland)
Union-Miles Park (Cleveland)
Cuyahoga Heights, Ohio
Garfield Heights
Maple Heights, Ohio
Valley View, Ohio
Maple Heights, Ohio :