Thirty minutes south of Ohio’s beautiful Cuyahoga Valley National Park sits Akron, Ohio. The city has a population of 198,000, with 705,000 living in the greater metropolitan area. Established in 1825, many of Akron’s original residents were Irish immigrants hired during the construction of the Ohio-Erie Canal. Both B. F. Goodrich Company and Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company were founded in Akron, which attracted immigrants from Appalachia and Europe alike and led to major growth in the city from 1910 to 1920.
As the fifth largest city in Ohio, Akron is a great place to live. With an average commute time of 22.7 minutes, residents of Akron have a shorter commute than the rest of the nation. Akron has been named a “high-tech haven” and a “City of Invention” with its many employment opportunities in polymer research and development. Akron is also hometown to a number of famous people, including basketball players Lebron James and Stephen Curry, and musician Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders
Finding the right home is about more than just the house–you’ll want to find the right neighborhood, considering commute time, quality of public schools, amenities, and more! Do you want to live within walking distance of nightlife? Or, maybe you’re a family and want to live as far from nightlife as possible. Maybe you’re looking for a low-maintenance yard or you’re the type of person who spends hours tending their lawn. Every person and family is different, which is why when you’re choosing from among these neighborhoods of Akron, Ohio, you’ll want to consider which is best for you.
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Downtown | Affordable Urban Neighborhood in Akron
- Population: 6,386
- Median Home Price: $120,000
- Great for: Young professionals, students, renters
If you’re looking for nightlife and an urban setting, Downtown Akron is perfect for you. Mixed among the many clubs, coffee shops, and restaurants are the perfect living spaces for people on the go: townhomes, condos, and loft houses. Although Downtown has a higher rate of crime than other neighborhoods in Akron, recent efforts to revitalize the downtown area mean the neighborhood has even more going for it, from art and music festivals to unique local businesses, as well as increased safety. You won’t find many kids and families here, which make it great for single young adults who work in the city. With an amazing nightlife, you’ll never be bored. Downtown also hosts museums and libraries, as well as public spaces like Northside Green, STEM Plaza, and North High Street Parklet.
Goodyear Heights | Quiet Suburb of Akron for Families
- Population: 22,940
- Median Home Price: $80,000
- Great for: Families, young professionals
As one of the most historic neighborhoods of Akron, Goodyear Heights is rich in history and beautiful architecture. Goodyear Heights is a comfortable neighborhood with attractive homes, perfect to raise children. This is one of the best-known areas in Akron, and houses sell very quickly. Housing prices are affordable, and this Akron community is walkable. The neighborhood was actually developed by Goodyear founder Frank Seiberling as a way to improve the living conditions of his workers, and remains to this day a prime example of community planning and suburban architecture. Filled with parks and lined with mature trees, Goodyear Heights has a small town feel while still being accessible to the city.
Highland Square | Unique, Artsy Akron Neighborhood for Young Professionals
- Population: 5,345
- Median Home Price: $146,000
- Great for: Families, art lovers
If you’re looking for quirky, artsy, and unique, look no further than Highland Square. This is the perfect spot for those who are single and looking to meet like-minded people who don’t want to be right in the middle of the city. Close to Downtown, Highland Square still offers a suburban feel. One of its most notable features is the Portage Path, which marks the pathway Native Americans used to haul their rivercraft between the Cuyahoga and Tuscarawas Rivers. Highland Square is home to Porchrokr, a music and arts festival, as well as Highland Square Film Fest, making it the perfect place for the creative type.
Northwest Akron | Highly Desirable, Affluent Neighborhood
- Population: 10,638
- Median Home Price: $175,950
- Great for: Families, retirees
A verdant display of mature trees surrounds the stately homes of Northwest Akron, giving it a country club feel. Homes in Northwest Akron sell quickly, so finding your dream home could be difficult, but worth it in in the end. Northwest Akron is home to golf courses and bakeries alike. Although not a center of commerce, Northwest Akron has plenty to offer its residents. The Pilgrim Square Shopping Center provides a place for the community to gather, whether to get a haircut from Pilgrim Square Barber Shop or to shop around the plaza. And right in the middle of the affluent Akron neighborhood is the gorgeous, 70-acre Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, former home of Goodyear founder Frank Seiberling. If you want great schools and a safe Akron community, you can’t go wrong with this area.
Firestone Park | Safest Suburb of Akron
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- Population: 14,589
- Median Home Price: $89,900
- Great for: Young families, outdoor lovers
Located in south Akron, Firestone Park is a community rich in history. Similar to Goodyear Heights, Firestone Park was developed over a hundred years ago by Harvey Firestone, founder of Firestone Tire and Rubber Company, to provide homes for his employees. Nestled in the south end of the neighborhood is Firestone Metro Park, which offers beautiful walking trails, a turtle pond, hills perfect for winter sledding, and beautiful views of marshy land. Whether you love fishing or hiking, Firestone Park is the perfect place for outdoor enthusiasts and families. You’ll find plenty of families in this neighborhood thanks to the great schools and community events held locally.
Fairlawn Heights | Affluent Nature Lovers Neighborhood
- Population: 25,730
- Median Home Price: $400,000
- Great for: Families, established professionals
On the west side of Akron, you’ll find beautiful Fairlawn Heights, a lush neighborhood with verdant trees and historic homes. With a variety of public and private schools, you’ll ensure that your children receive the best education. Homes in Fairlawn Heights are spacious, spanning from 3,000 to 10,000 square feet, with a variety of styles such as Georgian Revival, Tudor, and Chateaux. If you’re moving from out of state, you’ll be amazed by the affordability of these houses compared to other metro areas. Although Fairlawn Heights has a country feel, it’s minutes away from Downtown and close to a variety of shopping centers. Compared to the rest of Akron, this neighborhood is one of the most expensive in the area.
Ellet | Cozy, Affordable Neighborhood in Akron
- Population: 11,408
- Median Home Price: $124,000
- Great for: Young families, first-time home buyers
To the northeast of Firestone Park, you’ll find the quiet neighborhood of Ellet. Ellet is minutes from Downtown, but because both the airport and Goodyear factory are located on the west side, Ellet has a safe, secluded feel. Schools in Ellet boast excellent ratings, while homes remain affordable. The streets are quiet, and you won’t fret about your children’s safety as they walk the neighborhood. Several shopping areas, like East Market Street and Eastgate Ellet Plaza, provide convenient access to services. Springfield Lake Park, on the south end of Ellet, offers a popular recreation option, with boating and fishing. This is by far the best neighborhood in Akron for those who need something affordable but safe.
Akron Neighborhoods to Avoid
Akron has many desirable locations, but just like with any city, there are some neighborhoods that have higher crime rates. You may want to avoid, or at least heavily consider whether you want to move here. And though the majority of Akron is safe, these areas can get dangerous, especially if you’re out at night. Remember to lock your doors, windows, and keep adequate lighting available if you are planning to relocate to these areas. The following are the least safe neighborhoods in Akron:
- University of Ohio Akron: 56% more crime than Akron
- Middlebury: 43% more crime than Akron
- Downtown: 35% more crime than Akron
- Lane-Wooster: 33% more crime than Akron
Neighborhoods in Akron Map
If one of these desirable Akron neighborhoods sounds like the perfect place for your next home, we’d love to help you move. Call our highly rated Akron professional moving company at 330-633-3633 to get your free quote today. We’ll make moving to your new home or business a worry-free process.
