Medina, located about halfway between Cleveland and Akron, is a small historical city founded in 1818 as the county seat in Ohio. Medina was originally named Mecca, but changed because an unincorporated community in Ohio already had that name. Medina’s motto is “Preserving the Past. Forging the Future”.
You’ll feel as though you’ve stepped back in time as you walk around the square and the community works hard to maintain the historical character and small-town charm. Medina has been named as one of the “Best Places to Live” in Money Magazine’s July 2009 list of best places to live.
Medina is also home to the 150-year old Root Candles, launched in 1869 by Amos Ives Root. Other notable people from Medina include Matt Amodio, a Jeopardy! game show contestant known for winning over $1,500,000, Scott Fahlman, credited creator of the emoticon, and Matthew Patrik, founder and host of the YouTube channel, GameTheory. Also Ryan Dunn one of the stars of Jackass, was from Medina.
These are some of the many great reasons to move to Medina. The city has so much to offer its residents, and is known for great restaurants, year-round family entertainment, and annual festivals like the three-day Candlelight Walk in Medina Public Square and South Town. The Candlelight Walk includes a community Christmas tree lighting, live choral entertainment, a holiday parade, fireworks, and visits with Santa Clause. The holiday season in Medina gives off a Hallmark movie vibe, while the small city still offers plenty to see and do year round.
Medina Population & Demographics
Medina is a small city, with a population of 26,094 distributed over 11.6 square miles, at a population density of 2,255.2 people per square mile. The median age here is 38, which is almost the same as the Ohio median age of 39.4. Medina has slightly more males than females, with 51% of the population being men. If you’re looking for diversity, Medina may not be the best city for you as the area is 91% white with just 3.1% Hispanic and 3.1% black or African American.
The Medina median household income of $66,155 is about 20% higher than the state of Ohio.
If you’re thinking about moving to and living in Medina, you’ll be happy to know the city is safer than 64% of US cities. The violent crime rate in Medina is 0.8% per 1,000 residents, compared to the state of Ohio’s 3.06% violent crime rate – Medina is a very safe place to live. The Medina police department is committed to a proactive approach to problem solving.
Cost of Living in Medina
The cost of living in Medina, OH is about 11% higher to live than the national average.
While the average cost of groceries in Medina is 11% higher than the national average and the cost of electricity in Medina is 5% higher than average, the good news is the average healthcare cost is about 1% lower than the national average.
Want to buy a home? Homes for sale in Medina have a median listing price of $300,000. If you plan to rent, the average apartment rent in Medina is about $1,125 per month.
Everyday Expenses in Medina
Want a better idea if you can afford to live in Medina? Check out the following everyday expenses to compare them to what you’re currently paying, provided by Numbeo.com:
- Gallon of milk – $2.60
- Inexpensive restaurant meal – $15
- 3-course meal for two – $45
- Cappuccino – $3
- Bottle of Coke or Pepsi (12 ounce bottle) – $1.93
Medina Neighborhoods | Where to Live in Medina
If you’re looking for a safe place to live with quality public schools, all Medina neighborhoods should meet your criteria. Among the best Medina neighborhoods are:
Poe
Poe is an upscale, suburban neighborhood in Medina, with median home prices around $402,000. It’s considered an excellent area for families with school-aged children and attracts highly educated executives and married couples. In fact, 65.7% of Poe residents are married, which is higher than 96% of American neighborhoods.
Lafayette Township
A suburb of Cleveland, Lafayette Township is a rural area in Medina County with families and young professionals. The public schools are considered above average.
There are 18 parks in Medina County, with 50 trails and plenty to explore around the area with a combination of playgrounds, wetlands, lakes, and forests. Dogs are welcome in all Medina County parks but they need to stay on a leash.
You won’t have to travel far to get groceries, gifts, clothing, or collectibles. Medina, Ohio also offers some very convenient shopping including:
- Medina Antique Mall located at 2797 Medina Rd, Medina, OH 44256
- Medwick Marketplace located at 1053 N Court St, Medina, OH 44256
- Centerpointe Plaza located at 1150 N Court St, Medina, OH 44256
- Clothing Warehouse located at 1155 N Court St, Medina, OH 44256
Medina is 32 miles south of Cleveland and looking to drive to Cleveland for the downtown nightlife, to commute for work, or to visit the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, it’s only about 40 minutes drive time from Medina to Cleveland, Ohio via I-71 North.
Medina Weather & Climate
Medina residents experience the benefits of all four seasons. In the summer you’ll look for ways to cool off as the temperatures climb into the mid-80s (Fahrenheit) between June and September. You can visit Memorial Park Pool or drive an hour to Main Street Beach in Vermillion for sandcastles, sunbathing, and kayaking.
Medina winters are freezing, windy, and snowy so you’ll want to fill your closet with winter hats, gloves, and heavy coats to withstand the average 20°F winter temperatures.
Things to Do in Medina
There are many things to do in Medina with kids (or without!) When the weather is nice, be sure to take advantage of the many parks for free things to do in Medina. If you’re looking for a bit more excitement or to keep the kids entertained, try go-karting, visiting the family fun center, or feeding the animals at Majestic Meadows.
High Voltage Indoor Karting
333 Foundry St, Medina, OH 44256
(330)333-9000
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Wondering what to do with the family in Medina? If it’s winter, raining, or just too hot to spend time outdoors, you can give High Voltage Indoor Karting a try. Go karting is one of the locals’ favorite family things to do in Medina. The track is open year-round and offers junior karts for the kids and top of the line electric go karts for the older racers.
Castle Noel
260 S Court St, Medina, OH 44256
Open 9 am – 8 pm
(330) 721-6635
Castle Noel tops the list of things to see in Medina. It’s America’s largest indoor, year round Christmas entertainment attraction. Part museum, part event center, and 100% fun – Castle Noel is home to the world’s largest privately owned collection of movie props from Christmas movies, including “The Grinch”, “Fred Clause”, Elf”, and more of your favorite holiday classics. You can also enjoy the animated New York City Christmas window displays, filled with toys from the 1950s through the 1980’s, from Sak’s Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale’s and more.
Additional Attractions in Medina
Medina, OH State Map
Explore more fun or free things to do in Medina, Ohio with this state map.
Medina Restaurants
There is no shortage of places to eat in Medina, from casual burgers, pizza, and BBQ to upscale Italian and steakhouses. Here are some of the top-rated, must-try restaurants:
Yours Truly Medina
3725 Medina Rd, Medina, OH 44256
Open 6:30 am to 9 pm
Yours Truly Medina is a family-owned and family-friendly restaurant in Medina. The American restaurant is one of nine in Northeast Ohio opened by four siblings. The family is committed to exceeding your expectations with great food and unbeatable prices.
P.J. Marleys Restaurant & Pub
119 Public Square, Medina, OH 44256
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P.J. Marleys makes the best burgers in Medina, where the locals hang out, grab lunch or dinner, or enjoy cocktails. The menu is centered around fresh ingredients with bold flavors.
TWISTED Burgers & Sushi
985 Boardman Alley, Medina, OH 44256
Open 11 am to 8 pm
If you can’t figure out what you want to eat, TWISTED is the place for menu variety in Medina. Choose from American classics, burgers, and sushi dishes – or get a little of everything! TWISTED offers daily specials and happy hour deals.
Jobs in Medina
People work in a wide variety of jobs in Medina, including government, customer service, marketing, legal, business management, and education to name a few.
Most people earn a living wage in Medina, with about a 9.6% poverty rate. Here are the average salaries in Medina by industry:
- Community and social service – $45,342
- Business and finance – $66,733
- Computer and mathematics – $80,698
- Management – $100,177
- Architectural – $78,140
- Legal – $70,416
Medina Schools
The Medina City School District enrolls around 7,000 students from about 52 square miles and includes the city of Medina, Montville Township, Medina Township, and portions of Lafayette, Sharon, and Granger Townships.
Students and the community enjoy the free Medina County Public Library.
Medina Statistics & Information
Medina’s zip codes are 44256 and 44258, while the area codes are 234 and 330. The city is at an elevation of 1,092 feet and spans about 12 square miles.
Medina, Ohio is in the Eastern time zone.
Medina, Ohio Map
Explore more things to do, places to see, or places to eat:
Tips for Moving to Medina, Ohio
Pros
- Low .08% violent crime rate
- Low 9.6% poverty rate
- Lots of entertainment options and family fun
- Historical community with small-town charm
Cons
- Higher than average cost of living
If you’re ready to make the move to the city and need help, call the Medina, Ohio movers at 216-641-6677. The helpful moving crews provide packing services and trucks to make your transition pain-free.
