Located northwest of Downtown Akron, Merriman Valley, also known as The Valley, is a unique and vibrant neighborhood. When living in Merriman Valley, you will find everything from locally-owned shops to top-rated breweries. The Valley, Akron is a great place to live for people of all ages, and there is something for everyone in this trendy area.
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Where Is Merriman Valley, Akron?
Where is The Valley? The Valley neighborhood is located in Cuyahoga Falls and Akron in Summit County. The neighborhood spans across several zip codes: 44223, 44310, 44313. Merriman Valley is about 7.6 miles northwest of Downtown Akron, making it a popular place to live for commuters who want to stay out of the city center. Merriman Valley is bordered by the neighborhoods and communities of North Hill, Highland Square, and Fairlawn. Merriman Valley is also known as the gateway to Cuyahoga Valley National Park, as the northern edge of the neighborhood borders this outdoor attraction. Merriman Valley also shares borders with Sand Run Metro Park and Gorge Metro Park.
After moving to Merriman Valley, you will have access to the Akron METRO bus system. Route 27 runs directly through Merriman Valley and can take you directly into Downtown Akron as well as other popular spots around the city. There are no major freeways running through the neighborhood, but you can easily access State Route 18 via Merriman Road.
Map of Merriman Valley Akron
Merriman Valley Neighborhood History & Overview
Merriman Valley was once known as “Rubber Baron Heights,” because many prominent figures of the rubber industry had their homes in this area. Both Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company and Firestone Tire and Rubber Company were based out of Akron, so it was a big deal to have the captains of the rubber industry living in Merriman Valley. Both of these companies still provide many jobs in The Valley.
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Merriman Valley really started to boom in the latter half of the 20th century, as the land was annexed by Akron and Cuyahoga Falls throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Today, Merriman Valley remains one of Akron’s wealthiest neighborhoods.
The population of Merriman Valley Akron is 6,366. The population of The Valley neighborhood is fairly diverse, with a racial and ethnic composition of 59.28% White, 27.75% Black or African American, 9.90% Asian, 2.59% two or more races, and 0.48% other races. Merriman Valley residents are a good mixture of both families and people living alone. 40% of the households in Merriman Valley have children under the age of 18.
Merriman Valley lives up to its reputation as one of the wealthiest Akron neighborhoods, with a median household income of $56,714. This is higher than the Akron average of $42,129.
Additional Merriman Valley Demographics:
- Median age: 34.5
- Population density: 1,008 people per square mile
- Average household size: 1.98 people
What’s It Like Living in Merriman Valley?
Merriman Valley provides a great mix of both nature and city attractions. With its close proximity to Cuyahoga Valley National Park, you can enjoy some of Ohio’s best nature right in your backyard. As you venture into southern Merriman Valley, the area becomes much more urban. This section of Merriman Valley is very walkable and is home to dozens of bars and restaurants for the locals to enjoy. You’ll also find many cozy, locally-owned shops in this area.
The Valley, Akron is popular among both young professionals and families of all ages. Because of the hip bars and restaurants in southern Merriman Valley, this area is largely occupied by singles and young couples. Southern Merriman Valley is also closer to Downtown Akron, and therefore, provides a shorter commute for those who work in this area. You’ll find many rental homes and apartments in this section of The Valley neighborhood.
Central and northern Merriman Valley is mostly residential and occupied by families and retirees who want a laid-back lifestyle. This area of the neighborhood mostly consists of large, family homes with spacious yards and well-lit streets. Northern Merriman Valley borders the national park, making it perfect for those who want easy access to Akron’s most well-known natural attraction.
Things to Do in Merriman Valley – Best Restaurants, Attractions & Shopping
There are plenty of fun things to do in The Valley. The neighborhood is best known for its proximity to outdoor attractions. Hampton Hills Metro Park is one of the best things to do in The Valley. Here, you will find 655 acres full of walking trails, streams, archery ranges, and mountain bike paths. You will also find the Cascade Valley Metro Park Chuckery Area in Merriman Valley.
This pet-friendly park features fishing, hiking, sports, picnic areas, and shelters. You will also find the Indian Signal Tree in this area, which is a uniquely shaped tree that was used by Native Americans to mark the northernmost point of a trail. Other outdoor attractions in the area include Botzum Trailhead, FA Seiberling Nature Realm, and Cascade Valley Metro Park Overlook Area.
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You’ll find an abundance of shopping in Merriman Valley along Merriman Road at shops such as Happy Tails Thrift Shop, Momma’s Rocks, and Blimp City Bike & Hike.
In the same area as these shops, you will find dozens of Merriman Valley restaurants. The Merchant Tavern is one of the best restaurants in The Valley and serves up elevated American dishes and craft beer on tap. If you are searching for Akron Valley restaurants that serve seafood, then look no further than the delicious King Crab or Chowder House Cafe. Other popular restaurants in The Valley, Akron, include Pub Bricco, Papa Joe’s Iacomini’s, and Valley Cafe.
If you are looking for The Valley, Akron bars, then look no further than R Shea Brewing. This brewery was established in 2015 and features 15 rotating beers on tap as well as a full food menu.
This is where you will find these attractions and restaurants in Merriman Valley.
- Hampton Hills Metro Park, 2925 Akron Peninsula Rd, Akron, OH 44313, 330-867-5511
- Cascade Valley Metro Park Chuckery Area, 837 Cuyahoga St, Akron, OH 44313, 330-867-5511
- Indian Signal Tree, Peck Rd, Akron, OH 44310, 330-867-5511
- Botzum Trailhead, 2928 Riverview Rd, Akron, OH 44313, 330-867-5511
- FA Seiberling Nature Realm, 1828 Smith Rd, Akron, OH 44313, 330-865-8065
- Cascade Valley Metro Park Overlook Area, 354 Sackett Ave, Akron, OH 44313, 330-867-5511
- Happy Tails Thrift Shop, 1770 Merriman Rd, Akron, OH 44313, 330-794-7826
- Momma’s Rocks, 1698 Merriman Rd, Akron, OH 44313, 330-714-7577
- Blimp City Bike & Hike, 1675 Merriman Rd, Akron, OH 44313, 330-836-6600
- The Merchant Tavern, 1824 Merriman Rd, Akron, OH 44313, 330-865-9510
- Chowder House Cafe, 1244 Weathervane Ln, Akron, OH 44313, 234-901-4426
- Pub Bricco, 1841 Merriman Rd #1841, Akron, OH 44313, 330-869-0035
- Papa Joe’s Iacomini’s, 1561 Akron Peninsula Rd, Akron, OH 44313, 330-923-7999
- Valley Cafe Merriman Valley, 1212 Weathervane Ln, Akron, OH 44313, 330-865-0101
- R Shea Brewing, 1662 Merriman Rd, Akron, OH 44313, 330-794-5654
Schools in Merriman Valley
When living in Merriman Valley, your kids will be served by the Woodridge Local School District. This Merriman Valley school district contains three schools: Woodridge High School, Woodridge Middle School, and Woodridge Elementary School.
If you are searching for private schools near Merriman Valley, you have an abundance of options. Our Lady of the Elms is one of the best private schools in Merriman Valley. This all-girls school serves students in grades 1-12 and was rated as one of Niche’s “Best 2023 Schools.” They also have a co-ed preschool and kindergarten program. Other private schools in the area include St. Sebastian Parish School, Emmanuel Christian Academy, and The Lippman School.
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Although there are no colleges in Merriman Valley, you are just a few miles away from the University of Akron, which is located in Downtown Akron and offers over 300 programs.
Is Merriman Valley Safe?
Here’s a look at the Merriman Valley crime rate.
- Overall crime in Merriman Valley: 1,776 crimes per 100,000 people (24% lower than the national average)
- Violent crime in Merriman Valley: 364 crimes per 100,000 people (6% lower than the national average)
- Property crime in Merriman Valley: 1,412 crimes per 100,000 people (28% lower than the national average)
As you can see, the crime rates in Merriman Valley are lower than the national averages in all categories. As such, Merriman Valley is a safe place to live. When living in The Valley, you will be protected by the Akron Police Department, which has 446 sworn officers on the force.
Merriman Valley, Akron Real Estate
Are you searching for homes for sale in Merriman Valley Akron OH? According to Redfin, the average home price in Merriman Valley is $263,500. This is significantly lower than the national average of $412,502. However, it is more than the Akron average of $129,500. Single-family Merriman Valley homes for sale go for an average of $221,500, while condos sell for an average of $84,000.
The houses in Merriman Valley are much newer than most of the houses in Akron, with nearly 60% of housing units built since 1980 and fewer than 4% built prior to 1940, according to The City of Akron. Popular home styles in Merriman Valley include French Norman, Large Colonial, Georgian, Tudor, Spanish, and Renaissance Revival.
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If you are interested in renting The Valley real estate, then you have a few options. Some of the most popular Merriman Valley apartments are Timberland Village Apartments, Pheasant Run Apartments, Cedarwood Village Apartments, and Redwood Akron. The average rent in The Valley is $1,011, according to RentCafe.
Moving to Merriman Valley Akron can be made easy with the experts here at Summit Moving. Give the best Akron moving company a call today at 330-633-3633 to discuss your move and receive a free estimate!
