Located less than 20 minutes outside of Cleveland is the city of Parma, Ohio. Parma is the second largest city in Cuyahoga County, and the seventh largest in Ohio. Parma was first settled by Benajah Fay and his family in 1816. The city was originally named Greenbrier, but Dr. David Long convinced his fellow residents to rename it Parma after he returned from a trip to Italy. Parma’s growth was slow in the 19th century, and the area remained largely agricultural until the 1920s when it was finally incorporated as a village. It was around this time that planner H.A. Stahl took an interest in Parma and set out to develop a garden city called Ridgewood Gardens within its bounds. The Great Depression largely stalled any progress in Parma, but the end of World War II brought renewed growth to the area as young families chose to leave Cleveland for the suburbs. Today, Parma remains a popular Cleveland suburb for young adults and families in the Cleveland Metro area. Parma is known for the many businesses it was the birthplace of, like General Motors. Some notable people who hail from Parma include Hector Boiardi (Chef Boyardee), astronaut Michael T. Good, and oil titan John D. Rockefeller.
Parma, OH Population & Demographics
The population of Parma is 80,088 residents. Parma is not particularly diverse. Parma’s racial demographics are 88% white, 5.3% Hispanic, 3.1% Black or African American, 2% Asian, and 1.6% Mixed or Other races. 44.8% of Parma residents are married, and around 24% of households are home to school aged children. Parents can rest easy knowing that Parma is a very safe place to live. Not only is the total crime rate in Parma 55% lower than the national average, it was even named one of the best places in Ohio to raise children by Businessweek in 2016. Parma has a female population of 51.5% and a male population of 48.5%.
Parma is located in Cuyahoga County, Ohio. Parma falls within the 44129, 44130, 44134 zip codes, and the area codes are 440 and 216.
Parma Cost of Living
If you’re planning on moving to Parma, you’re definitely wondering if it will be affordable for you. The total cost of living in Parma is about 9% less than the national average. Goods and services are about 1% more expensive than the national average. However, housing in Parma is 35% less expensive, and utilities are 6% less. That could mean big savings depending on where you’re currently living!
Real estate prices are definitely a perk of living in Parma. Currently, the median sale price for a home in Parma is $152,000, or $121 per square foot. The housing market in Parma is very competitive, with homes going to pending in less than 3 weeks. Many buyers receive multiple offers with waived contingencies. Now is a great time to buy one of the many Parma, OH homes for sale!
Almost 75% of Parma residents own their homes, but there are still rental options! If you’re looking to rent your home in Parma, you can expect to pay an average of $778 a month. That’s 18% lower than the national average!
Parma, OH Neighborhoods
Since Parma is an extremely safe city, you can rest easy no matter where you decide to live. However, like anywhere else, there are some places that are less desirable than others. The most popular neighborhoods in Parma are Ukranian Village, Polish Village, and Southern Parma. The midtown area is slightly less safe than other areas of Parma. The Ukranian Village and Polish Village areas are beloved by professionals for their urban feel and ease of commute. If you’re looking for a more suburban experience, look in southern Parma.
Explore more with this Map of Parma.
Parma, OH Weather
The weather in Parma is fairly pleasant! Summers in Parma are partly cloudy and warm, while winters are cold and windy. The most enjoyable months to visit Parma are mid June to mid September. During the summer, temperatures in Parma average around 83°F. The hottest month in Parma is July, with an average high temperature of 81°F. January is the coldest month in Parma, with an average high of 31.3°F and average low of 21.2°F. When it comes to precipitation, Parma averages 54” of snow a year, and 38” of rain, so you can expect a lot of rainy and cloudy days.
Things to Do in Parma
Those moving to Parma won’t get bored! You’ll have plenty of family-friendly activities in Parma right at your fingertips. And if you need a change of pace, Cleveland is just a quick drive. Here are a few of the top attractions in Parma residents love:
The Shoppes at Parma
View this post on Instagram
Those living in ParmaThe Shoppes at Parma is a major retail center with over 750,000 square feet of fun! Whether you’re in the mood for some retail therapy, a meal with friends, or a Saturday matinee, you’ll find everything you need here.
7671 W Ridgewood Dr, Parma, OH 44129, (631) 343-7900
West Creek Reservation
If nature is calling your name, head to West Creek Reservation. This nature preserve offers 326-acres of gorgeous natural landscapes to explore, and is ideal for biking, hiking, picnicking, birdwatching, and more.
2277 W Ridgewood Dr, Parma, OH 44134, (440) 887-1968
Parma also provides for some very convenient shopping, including Snowville Shopping Center and Midtown Plaza Shopping Center.
Additional Things to do in and around Parma
Beyond that check out the City of Parma’s Parks & Recreation Department for additional things to do in Parma and events.
Parma Restaurants
Those living in Parma won’t go hungry. There are tons of amazing eateries in Parma! You’ll be able to take your pick from among a long list of international cuisines. Here are some of the top rated restaurants in Parma:
Stancato’s Italian Restaurant
View this post on Instagram
If you’re in the mood for Italian, Stancato’s is the place to go in Parma. One of the city’s top rated restaurants, Stancato’s has been family owned and operated since 1971. Their sauces are so good, they even began manufacturing them down the street at Signature Sauces.
7380 State Road, Parma, OH 44134, (440) 886-6242
Das Schnitzel Haus
Want to live out your Oktoberfest dreams? Head to Das Schnitzel Haus to enjoy German food and drinks in a casual Parma setting. Customers rave about the cuisine, and come from all around to relax here!
5728 Pearl Rd, Parma, OH 44129, (440) 886-5050
Jobs in Parma, OH
Those moving to Parma will have a median household income of $55,536 a year. Great news for Parma residents – income is on the rise by more than 5.5%! Parma residents most commonly work in the healthcare and social assistance, manufacturing, and retail industries. The most popular positions in Parma are office and administrative support, sales, and production occupations. The unemployment rate in Parma is 5.2%, and about 9% of Parma’s residents live at or below the poverty line. The demographic most affected by poverty in Parma is females aged 25-34.
Commuters average a 24.2 minute drive to work in Parma. Over 85% of commuters drive alone to work, and almost half of Parma’s households own two cars. If you’ll be commuting from Parma to Cleveland, click here for directions from Parma to Cleveland, which is 9.9 miles.
Are you job hunting in Parma? There are plenty of companies who are hiring! Click here to look at current job opportunities in Parma on Indeed.com. Would you like to work for The City of Parma? They’re hiring too! Click here to review current openings posted by Parma’s human resource department.
Schools in Parma, OH
If you’re a parent to school-aged kids, you’re definitely hoping to have great schools to choose from no matter where you relocate. You’re in luck if you’re considering Parma – there are 37 public, private, and charter schools to choose from, many of which are highly rated. The Parma City School District operates 15 schools in the area. Dentzler Elementary School is the highest rated public school in Parma, followed by Global Village Academy and Green Valley Elementary School. Parma students average test scores that are 45% higher than the national average, and the high school graduation rate is 3% higher. Moreover the Parma library has a multitude of resources for school children and is free.
Living in Parma Pros & Cons
- Pro: Parma has extremely low crime rates
- Pro: Parma is known for its great schools
- Con: Parma has cold, snowy winters
If a move to Parma, Ohio is in your future, make sure you’ve got the best movers helping you out. Summit Moving is the highest rated professional moving company in the Parma area. Call us at 216-641-6677 and we’ll get started on a free quote for you!
