Is living in Berea in your future? Established in 1836 by settlers from Connecticut, this historic Cuyahoga County city has deep roots, quite literally. Berea sits atop the renowned Berea sandstone formation, a durable sedimentary rock that stretches across Ohio, western Pennsylvania, and northern Kentucky. This geological legacy helped to shape Berea’s development and contributed to its early economy.
Today, living in Berea offers both small-town appeal and big-city access. Just 12 miles southwest of Cleveland and a short drive from Akron, Berea provides residents with convenient access to two major metropolitan areas while maintaining a close-knit atmosphere. Home to Baldwin Wallace University, Berea offers residents top-notch education and a college-town feel. The city also has thriving local businesses, beautiful parks, and affordable housing. With a strong sense of community, easy access to Cleveland, and plenty of fun things to do, moving to Berea OH is a wonderful choice!
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Is Berea OH a Good Place to Live?
Berea OH is a good place to live. Residents of all ages enjoy living in Berea. The city draws in college students as it is home to Baldwin Wallace University, while families love the peaceful atmosphere of the community. The city’s close proximity to Cleveland is also a major draw.
Where Is Berea Ohio?
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What county is Berea Ohio in? Berea Ohio is in Cuyahoga County and is a part of the Cleveland metropolitan area. The city is also considered to be a suburb of Cleveland. When living in Berea, residents can easily commute to other communities such as Middleburg Heights, Strongsville, and North Olmsted. For day trips, Detroit (162 miles away) and Cincinnati (236 miles away) are both popular options.
When living in Berea, you’ll want to own a vehicle to get around the community. The area is not very walkable, so you’ll have to drive anywhere you need to go. For longer distances, the RTA provides bus service to the city.
If you’re interested in living in Berea, then allow our Berea moving company to help you! With our Berea movers by your side, you won’t need to worry about a thing!
Berea Ohio Population & Demographics
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How many people are living in Berea OH? There are 18,545 people living in Berea. Several notable people have called the city home, including Medal of Honor recipient Albert E. Baesel, NASA astronaut Charles Bassett, and football player Alex Stepanovich. The median household income in Berea is $71,896, which is slightly above the Ohio average of $69,680.
Additional Berea Demographics:
- Sex ratio: 52.5% female, 47.5 male
- Median age: 36.4
- Racial & ethnic composition: 79.8% White (79.0% non-Hispanic), 8.8% Black or African American, 7.6% two or more races, 1.8% Asian
- Foreign-born population: 2.1%
- Educational attainment: 96.1% high school degree (or higher), 37.6% bachelor’s degree (or higher)
Is Berea Ohio safe? Let’s take a look at the Berea crime rate:
- Overall crime rate: 539 crimes per 100,000 people (74.0% lower than state average and 76.8% lower than the national average)
- Violent crime rate: 37 crimes per 100,000 people (87.4% lower than state average and 90.0% lower than the national average)
- Property crime rate: 502 crimes per 100,000 people (71.8% lower than state average and 74.3% lower than national average)
Living in Berea is very safe. In fact, Berea was recently ranked as one of the safest cities in Ohio, according to Cleveland.com. After moving to Berea OH, you’ll be protected by the Berea Police Department, which has 32 officers on the force.
Berea Cost of Living
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Before moving to Berea OH, you’ll want to make sure it’s an affordable choice for your family and your lifestyle. Luckily, Berea is a very affordable community. The Cost of Living Index in Berea is 83, which means that the city is 17% more affordable than the national average of 100. Living in Berea is also more affordable than Cleveland, which has a Cost of Living Index of 91.4.
According to the Economic Policy Institute, a family of four living in Berea would need to earn $95,257 to live comfortably in the city.
Typical Berea Living Expenses
- Loaf of bread: $3.98
- Gallon of milk: $4.69
- Carton of eggs: $3.48
- Bunch of bananas: $0.72
- Hamburger: $5.56
- Doctor’s visit: $132.88
- Gallon of gas: $3.27
- Average Berea utilities per month: $190.47
Source: Payscale
Looking for homes for sale in Berea Ohio? Luckily, Berea Ohio real estate is very affordable! Although housing prices are up 14.4% from last year, the median home price in town is only $246,000. This is far less than the national average of $435,000. If you’re searching for apartments in Berea Ohio, you’ll also find low rent prices. According to RentCafe, the average rent in Berea OH is $1,226, which is lower than the national average of $1,748.
Neighborhoods in Berea | Where to Live in Berea OH
When living in Berea OH, it’s important to find a great area to settle down in. These are a few of the best neighborhoods in the city.
City Center | Popular Among Young Professionals in the Community
The city center, also known as Downtown Berea Ohio, is a great place to live for those who want to be in the heart of all of the action. This area is walkable, and there are many coffee shops, restaurants, and boutiques for you to check out. You’ll also find a lot of the city’s apartment complexes in this area.
Baldwin Wallace University | Bustling Area Great for College Students
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If you are moving to Berea OH with older children, you may want to check out the area near Baldwin Wallace University. This neighborhood has a lively vibe, with young college students populating the area. You’ll find mostly student housing at the center of the neighborhood, but there are many single family homes for sale just a few blocks away.
Westbridge | Great for Families Living in Berea
Located in northern Berea, Westbridge is a popular neighborhood full of single-family homes perfect for families. This area is quiet and is within walking distance of several local parks and schools.
Berea OH Weather & Climate
When living in Berea OH, you’ll enjoy a true Midwest climate, with four distinct seasons. Because Berea is close to the Cuyahoga River and Lake Erie, the city experiences lake-effect snow, which typically lasts from mid-November to late January throughout the city. The average annual snowfall in Berea is 53.1 inches. Here are a few more climate statistics you’ll need to know when living in Berea.
- Average Berea temperature in the summer: 73.5ºF
- Average Berea temperature in the winter: 28ºF
- Average annual rainfall in Berea: 39 inches
- Best time of year to visit Berea: Mid-June to mid-September
Things to Do in Berea OH
When living in Berea, there are plenty of fun things to do. There are several events in the summer at the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds, and the Berea Historical Society hosts happenings throughout the year. If you want to enjoy nature in the city, then check out Coe Lake and Brook Park. You can also get some shopping done at places like Berea Commons and The Shoppe in Berea. And as always, you can head into Cleveland for even more events.
For those who love nature and enjoy planning short getaways, living in Berea also means being within reach of distinctive outdoor stays. One unique option is Treehouse Grove, which delivers an elevated nature stay experience with treehouse-style accommodations designed to blend seamlessly into the surrounding forest. It’s a memorable alternative to traditional cabins and a great choice for couples or travelers looking to unplug and enjoy immersive views in a peaceful setting.
Berea Falls Scenic Overlook
This gorgeous overlook is a wonderful place to watch the cascading waterfalls surrounded by nature.
136 E Bagley Rd, Berea, OH 44017
Wallace Lake Park
This community park is very popular during the summer and features a beach and clean water for swimming.
213 Prospect Rd, Berea, OH 44017, (440) 243-6103
Rocky River Reservation
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Rocky River Reservation is a favorite among residents living in Berea. This park along the Rocky River features hiking trails and plenty of opportunities for bird-watching.
Valley Pkwy, North Olmsted, OH 44070, (440) 734-6660
Additional Berea Attractions
Looking for more things to do when living in Berea? Check out the city website for upcoming events in the area, as well as any other Berea news.
Berea Restaurants
There are plenty of great restaurants to check out when living in Berea. These are a few of the best restaurants in Berea.
Eastland Inn Restaurant and Tavern
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Stop by this cozy city restaurant to enjoy classic American food as well as weekly live music.
33 Eastland Rd, Berea, OH 44017, (440) 625-0040
Grindstone Tap House
After moving to Berea OH, the Grindstone Tap House is a must-try. Here, you’ll find beer flights and classic bar food like chicken tenders, nachos, and pretzels.
826 Front St, Berea, OH 44017, (440) 234-3455
Maya Restaurant
Locals living in Berea love Maya Restaurant! This popular Mexican joint serves up lunch specials and margaritas every day of the week.
368 W Bagley Rd, Berea, OH 44017, (440) 239-0559
Jobs in Berea Ohio
Are you thinking about getting a job while living in Berea? Most residents living in Berea commute to nearby cities like Middleburg Heights and Cleveland to look for employment opportunities. Cleveland is a big player in the healthcare industry, and the city’s “Big Three” hospital systems are the Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals, and MetroHealth. The Cleveland Clinic is the largest private employer in Ohio, with over 55,000 employees.
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Additionally, the city is home to several Fortune 500 companies, such as Progressive, Sherwin-Williams, and KeyCorp.
Looking for Berea Ohio jobs? When living in Berea, you can check out the city job board or search for ‘Berea jobs’ on Indeed.
Schools in Berea OH
Are you curious about your education options when living in Berea? Students living in the city are served by the Berea City School District, which serves 5,500 students across five schools. This school district has been ranked as one of the “Best Communities for Music Education” in the United States 12 consecutive times.
Schools in the system include:
- Brook Park Elementary School
- Big Creek Elementary School
- Grindstone Elementary School
- Berea-Midpark Middle School
- Berea-Midpark High School
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Both Berea High School and Berea Middle School work with the Polaris Career Center. The Polaris Career Center works to provide children with resources for success after they graduate. If you want additional education options, check out The Treehouse Berea, which is a family-owned business providing STEAM-based enrichment experiences for kids ages 6 to 12 living in Berea.
If you’re moving to Berea OH with older children, then be sure to check out Baldwin Wallace University. With large buildings like German Wallace College Recitation Hall and Wheeler Hall, this university serves just over 3,300 students.
Berea Ohio Statistics & Information
Here is some valuable information you’ll need when living in Berea.
- County: Cuyahoga County
- Berea area: 5.79 square miles
- Berea zip code: 44017
- Berea area code: 440
- Berea time zone: Eastern Time Zone (UTC -4 and -5)
- Berea elevation: 787 feet
- Closest airport to Berea: Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE), 3.3 miles away
Map of Berea Ohio
Refer to this map when living in Berea.
Is Moving to Berea OH Right for You?
If you’re searching for amazing places to live in Ohio, Berea should be at the top of your list. Living in Berea has never been better, and the city is only continuing to grow. If moving to Berea OH sounds great to you, then give the Berea movers at Summit Moving & Storage a call. Give our team a call today at (216) 641-6677 for a free quote.
