Thinking of relocating to a peaceful city in the Midwest? You should consider moving to Elyria OH, a small city in the Cleveland metro area that offers affordable living and easy access to attractions. Elyria, Ohio is known for its natural beauty and close proximity to Cleveland.
A man named Heman Ely founded the town of Elyria and built a log cabin, dam, gristmill, and sawmill in the area. The name Elyria was a combination of his surname and Illyria, the classical name for the Western Balkans in southeast Europe.
Elyria is a good place to live for families and young professionals in search of affordable homes and an easy commute. Here is a look at everything you need to know about living in Elyria, Ohio.
Table of Contents
Where Is Elyria, Ohio?
Elyria, Ohio, is in Lorain County in the northern part of the state. It’s a principal city in the Cleveland metro area and situated about 10 miles south of Lake Erie. The Black River also passes through the city. Several major highways pass through Elyria, including I-90, I-80, and Ohio State Route 57, making it easy to travel to other parts of the state. Nearby communities include North Ridgeville, Sheffield, Amherst, South Amhers, and Brentwood Lake.
It’s about 30 miles or a 35-minute drive from Elyria, OH to Cleveland, OH.
Elyria Population & Demographics
According to the 2020 census, the population of Elyria, Ohio, is 52,656. The population decreased by 3.5% compared to 2010. However, it maintains a fairly urban/suburban atmosphere with a population density of 2,568.6 residents per square mile.
Elyria is a fairly diverse city home to residents of all different backgrounds. About 14% of the population in Elyria, Ohio, is in their 20s, while 17% are over 65. The median age is 40.2, which is a little higher than the rest of Ohio but lower than the Cleveland area.
The racial and ethnic breakdown of the Elyria, Ohio population is 74.5% white (69.9% non-Hispanic), 12.5% Black or African American, 12.5% Black or African American, 9.9% Hispanic or Latino, 0.8% Asian and 10.8% two or more races.
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Other Elyria Demographics
- Sex: 52% of the population of Elyria, Ohio is female and 48% is male
- Median household income: $49,569, about 25% lower than the statewide median
- Educational attainment: 88% of residents living in Elyria, Ohio have a high school diploma, while 15.3% have a bachelor’s degree or higher.
- Foreign-born population: 2.2%
- Average commute time: 22 minutes
Many notable residents have spent time in Elyria, including Olympic gold medalist Tianna Bartoletta, musician Doug Gillard, and Arthur L. Garford, inventor of the padded bicycle seat.
Living in Elyria, Ohio, is very safe. The Elyria, Ohio, crime rate is 2,102 incidents per 100,000 residents, making it 10% safer than the rest of the US. The violent crime rate is 46% lower than the national average and the property crime rate is 3% lower. So you’ll want to take the proper precautions if you plan on moving to Elyria, but crime shouldn’t be much of an issue.
The Elyria Police Department handles crime in the city with a team of 81 sworn officers.
Cost of Living in Elyria, Ohio
The cost of living in Elyria, Ohio is very affordable compared to the national average. A good way to judge the affordability of an area is to use the cost of living index, which compares the prices of standard consumer goods in a location to the rest of the US (which is represented by 100).
The COLI for the Cleveland-Elyria metro area is 93.7, indicating it’s 6.3% less expensive than the rest of the US. The Family Budget Calculator developed by the Economic Policy Institute shows that the average family of four (two adults and two children) must earn about $96,122 to afford the cost of living in Elyria, OH county.
Standard Elyria living expenses include:
- Loaf of bread: $4.07
- A gallon of milk: $2.55
- Carton of eggs: $2.36
- A gallon of gas: $3.21
- Visit to the doctor: $123,66
- Average Illyria monthly utility bill: $248.54
Source: Payscale
Redfin indicates that the median price of homes for sale in Elyria, OH is $156,900. That makes Elyria, OH, real estate almost 90% less expensive than the rest of the country. So you’ll find plenty of cheap houses for sale in Elyria, Ohio. The median price per square foot of Elyria real estate is $115, which is a 4% increase over the past year.
Living in Elyria, Ohio has plenty to offer renters. According to RentCafe, the average rent is only $964, which is 56% lower than the average rent in the country. About 41% of residents are tenants, while 59% own a home. Rent prices in Elyria start around $700 for a one-bedroom apartment and go up to $2500 for two or more bedrooms.
Elyria Neighborhoods | Where to Live in Elyria
If you’re thinking about moving to Elyria, OH, you’ll likely want to know about the best areas. Elyria offers residents low crime and tree-lined streets no matter where you look. But naturally, some areas are better than others. So, to help you decide, here are a few of the best Elyria neighborhoods.
Eastern Heights | A Serene Elyria Neighborhood with Good Schools
Eastern Heights is a picturesque neighborhood offering great schools, quiet, well-maintained streets and Elyria homes ranging in price from $150,000 to $250,000.
Midway | A Centrally Located Elyria Neighborhood with Access to Shopping
Midway is another popular Elyria neighborhood that is known for the Midway Mall, a former shopping center that is being converted into a mixed-use business park.
Chestnut Ridge | The Perfect Elyria Neighborhood for Families and Retirees.
Chestnut Ridge is a serene neighborhood on the east side of Elyria that offers gorgeous single-family homes and a 55+ community called Four Seasons at Chestnut Ridge.
Elyria Weather & Climate
Elyria has a humid continental climate according to the Koppen classification system. That indicates warm summers and cold, snowy winters. Average temperatures in Elyria typically range from about 20°F to 82°F, although in the winter, it can get as cold as 4°F and the summers can get as hot as 91°F. The best time to visit someone living in Elyria is typically mid-June to mid-September.
If you plan on moving to Elyria, OH, you’ll also want to pack an umbrella and snow boots. The city averages about 39 inches of rain and 51 inches of snow per year.
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Things to Do in Elyria
Residents will find no shortage of fun things to do in Elyria, Ohio from parks and hiking trails to annual festivals. The Elyria Apple Festival is a popular event that occurs annually in downtown Elyria. If you want to do some shopping, you can stop by the Shoppes of Midway, River Street Squar, or Elyria Shopping Center, which each offer a mix of local boutiques, national chains, and service businesses. Outside of shopping, here are a few other things to do in Elyria, OH.
Cascade Park
Cascade Park is a 145-acre public park just outside of downtown Elyria that offers hiking trails, multiple playgrounds, waterfalls, rivers, and other outdoor activities.
387 Furnace St, Elyria, OH 44035 (440) 458-5121
The Hickories Museum
The Hickories Museum is a local history museum housed inside a Richardsonian Romanesque-style mansion. It features exhibits, programs, and events centered on the history of Lorain County.
509 Washington Ave, Elyria, OH 44035 (440) 322-3341
Roller Arena Family Skating Rink
Roller Arena is a multi-purpose family fun center that offers a roller rink, rock climbing walls, arcade games, and a fitness center. It also offers great packages for birthday parties and private events.
908 Cleveland St, Elyria, OH 44035 (440) 366-6649
Additional Attractions Near Elyria
- Black River Reservation High Meadows
- Altitude Trampoline Park
- Elyria Arts Council
- North Park Ice Arena
- Finwood Estate Elyria
For those looking for more attractions, the Elyria Parks and Rec Department manages the community’s public spaces and has an events calendar on its website.
Elyria Restaurants
You’ll also find plenty of amazing Elyria restaurants offering everything from Mexican cuisine to barbecue. Here are the top Elyria, Ohio restaurants.
Wolfey’s Bistro and Pub
Wolfey’s Bistro and Pub is one of the best locally-owned restaurants in Elyria Ohio if you want elevated bar food with house made soups, salads, burgers, mac and cheese and the best selection of beers in Lorain County.
1069 E Broad St, Elyria, OH 44035 (440) 365-9002
Don Tequila Elyria
Don Tequila is a popular Mexican restaurant in Elyria offering authentic dishes and unique flavors with menu items like chimichangas and Chile Rellenos.
1134 Abbe Rd N, Elyria, OH 44035 (440) 322-0110
Uncle Bo’s Slow-N-Low BBQ
Uncle Bo’s Slow-N-Low BBQ is a southern-style smokehouse barbecue restaurant serving multi-regional smoked meats and homemade sides.
2000 Midway Mall, Elyria, OH 44035 (440) 387-6614
Jobs in Elyria
Access to stable jobs and a robust economy is another major advantage of living in Elyria, Ohio. Out of the top 25 major employers in Lorain County, 11 are located in Elyria. Major industries in Lorain County include manufacturing, polymers and chemicals, bio-health, and food packaging. Many top companies are located in Elyria, including Invacare, Ridge Tool Company, and Diamond Products.
The top employers in Elyria include:
- UH Elyria Medical Center
- Lorain County
- Lorain County Community College
- Elyria City School District
- Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems
Residents moving to Elyria, OH will find many fantastic jobs in Elyria, OH, ranging from registered nurse to customer service representative. Additionally, there are plenty of great city of Elyria jobs offering competitive pay and full benefits.
Here is the typical hourly rate for popular jobs in Elyria, Ohio:
- Licensed Practical Nurse: $25.64
- Registered Nurse: $33.20
- State Tested Nursing Assistant: $15.21
- Administrative Assistant: $17.96
- Cashier: $11.13
Source: Payscale
Elyria Schools
Students living in Elyria, Ohio have the opportunity to attend excellent schools. The Elyria City School District includes one high school, three middle schools, five elementary schools, and one pre-K/kindergarten. Eastern Heights, Ely, and Hamilton are generally regarded as the top elementary schools in Elyria, Ohio.
Elyria High School is also well-respected, with a student-teacher ratio of 16:1 and a graduation rate of 87%, according to US News and World Report. Elyria Catholic High School and the Open Door Christian School are two excellent private schools in Elyria. The Lorain County Community College is also located in the city.
Residents can borrow books and other media at the Central Branch of the Elyria Public Library System.
Elyria Statistics & Information
- Elyria County: Loraine County
- Elyria area: 20.81 square miles
- Elyria Ohio zip code: 44035, 44036, 44039, and 44074
- Elyria area code: 440
- Elyria elevation: 709 ft
- Elyria time zone: Eastern Standard Time (UTC -4 and -5)
- The closest airport to Elyria: The closest airport to Elyria is Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE), which is 20 miles away.
Elyria, Ohio Map
Discover more attractions, restaurants, and fun things to do in the Elyria, OH zip code.
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