Rocky River is a city in Northwest Ohio. In the 17th century, the city was used for trade and manufacturing purposes due to its waterfront location. It wasn’t until the late 1920s that Rocky River became a bustling residential area. Today, Rocky River is known for its beautiful views, close proximity to Cleveland, and stunning real estate, making Rocky River is a good place to live.
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Where is Rocky River?
Rocky River is in Cuyahoga County and is a suburb of Cleveland, Ohio. The city is situated on the shore of Lake Erie and is named after the Rocky River that forms its eastern border. Rocky River is also bordered by the cities of Lakewood, Fairview Park, Bay Village, and Westlake.
Many people living in Rocky River commute for work, as it is only 12.8 miles from Rocky River OH to Downtown Cleveland OH. It is also only 46.8 miles from Rocky River OH to Akron OH and 106 miles from Rocky River OH to Toledo OH.
Rocky River is not a walkable city, so your best bet for seamless transportation is owning a car. However, the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority has a bus route that can take you directly to Downtown Cleveland in 14 minutes.
Rocky River Population & Demographics
The population of Rocky River is 21,755, which is a 7.2% increase over the past decade! This gives Rocky River a population density of 2,599 people per square mile. Rocky River is home to many notable people, such as musician Micheal Stanley, NHL player Carter Camper, and NFL player Chris Hovan. Many people living in Rocky River are well-educated, with 98% of the population holding a high school degree and 62.4% holding a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Rocky River Demographics
- Sex ratio: 55% female, 45% male
- Median age: 44.1
- Racial and ethnic composition: 92.7% White, 3.2% two or more races, 1.9% Hispanic or Latino, 1.6% Asian, 1.4% Black or African American, 0.2% American Indian
- Median household income: $83,929 (compared to the Ohio average of $61,938)
- Foreign-born population: 9.0%
Is Rocky River a safe place to live? According to the FBI, the Rocky River crime rate is 331 crimes per 100,000 people. This is 85% lower than the Ohio average and 86% lower than the national average. Both the violent crime rate and the property crime rate are also 86% lower than the national average. As such, Rocky River is a safe place to live.
When living in Rocky River, you will be served by the 34 officers working for the Rocky River Police Department.
Cost of Living in Rocky River OH
Wondering whether or not you can afford to live in Rocky River Ohio? The Cost of Living Index for the Cleveland metro area is 93.7. This means that this area is 6.3% more affordable than the national average of 100. Since Rocky River is outside of the heart of Cleveland, it will have an even lower cost of living. Therefore, Rocky River is an affordable place to live.
According to the Economic Policy Institute, a family of four would need to earn $73,999 per year to live in Rocky River. This averages out to $6,167 per month.
Typical Rocky River Living Expenses
- Average Rocky River utilities per month: $191.73
- Meal at an inexpensive restaurant: $13.00
- Loaf of bread: $2.71
- Gallon of gas: $3.45
- Gym membership: $34.45
- Childcare (monthly): $788.33
Source: Numbeo
Curious about homes for sale in Rocky River Ohio? The Rocky River median home price is $334,450, which is lower than the national average of $388,100. Real Estate in Rocky River Ohio is desirable, with houses only sitting on the market for an average of 23 days and 27.3% selling for above the listing price.
Thinking about finding apartments for rent in Rocky River Ohio? According to RentCafe, the average rent in Rocky River Ohio is $1,150 per month. This is lower than Downtown Cleveland, where the rent averages out to $1,316 per month. Some of the most popular apartment complexes in Rocky River include Beacon Hill West and Kensington Club Apartments.
Rocky River Neighborhoods | Where to Live in Rocky River
When searching for homes for sale in Rocky River, Ohio, there are many incredible areas to choose from. Some of the most sought-after areas include Downtown Rocky River, Wynwood, and Shoreland.
Downtown Rocky River – Busy Area With Many Apartment Options
If you prefer apartment living, then take a look at Downtown Rocky River. This bustling area is within walking distance of many shops and restaurants and offers some of the best apartment living in the city.
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Wynwood – Family-Friendly Area Close to Parks and Schools
Moving to Rocky River with kids? The Wynwood area is ideal for raising a family. These large homes are located right next to the Westwood Country Club and are within walking distance of Ruffing Montessori School and Rocky River Nursery School.
East Shoreland – Quiet Community Great for Couples and Retirees
The small homes on East Shoreland Avenue are perfect for couples, small families, and retirees looking for a peaceful area to live. These houses are right next to the Rocky River itself, as well as the Lakewood Dog Park and Emerald Necklace Marina.
Rocky River Ohio Weather & Climate
The weather in Rocky River Ohio is perfect for those who love to experience all four seasons. According to the Köpen Classification, Rocky River has a continental climate. This means that the summers are humid and hot and the winters are snowy and freezing.
The warm season in Rocky River lasts from May 29 to September 20, with an average high of 72ºF. The cold season lasts from December 5 to March 12, with an average high below 43ºF. Don’t forget your snow shovel and winter jacket when moving to Rocky River! The city has an average annual snowfall of 53 inches, and the cold lake air can cause the temperatures to drop rapidly.
Things to Do in Rocky River OH
There are many amazing shopping opportunities when living in Rocky River. You can do your grocery shopping at Giant Eagle, Whole Foods, or Heinen’s. If you’re in the mood for a little retail therapy, you can check out the Westwood Shopping Plaza or the River Plaza. Here are a few more fun things to do in Rocky River Ohio.
Rocky River Park
Rocky River Park is one of the best free things to do in Rocky River. Head to this scenic lakefront spot and enjoy the grilling spots, sledding hills, and children’s playgrounds.
Rocky River Park, 20250 Beach Cliff Blvd, Rocky River, OH 44116, (440) 356-5657
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Westwood Country Club
Becoming a member of the Westwood Country Club gives you access to an 18-hole golf course, an Olympic size swimming pool, four tennis courts, a fitness center, and a full restaurant and bar.
Westwood Country Club, 22625 Detroit Rd, Rocky River, OH 44116, (440) 331-2120
Hamilton Ice Arena
If you or your kids love to ice skate, then check out the Hamilton Ice Arena. This arena offers open skating for both adults and kids. This arena is also home to the Recreation Department’s youth hockey program as well as the local high school’s hockey teams.
Hamilton Ice Arena, 21018 Hilliard Blvd, Rocky River, OH 44116
Additional Rocky River Attractions
- Rocky River Community Gardens
- AMC Westwood Town Center 6
- Fitworks Rocky River
- Linden Park
- Wagar Beach
Looking for more things to do in Rocky River? The Rocky River Recreation Department runs several parks and hosts fun events around the city. You can also check out the city calendar for upcoming events and activities in Rocky River.
Rocky River Restaurants
When living in the area, there is no shortage of incredible food. Here are a few of the best restaurants in Rocky River Ohio.
Burntwood Tavern
When it comes to Rocky River restaurants, you can’t skip out on the Burntwood Tavern. This casual pub-style restaurant serves classic American dishes as well as ice-cold craft beer and cocktails.
Burntwood Tavern, 19304 Detroit Rd, Rocky River, OH 44116, (440) 333-6700
Ferris Steak House
This upscale steak house serves some of the best meat in Rocky River. It is recommended to reserve a table at Ferris Steak House as it fills up fast!
Ferris Steak House, 2589 Wooster Rd, Rocky River, OH 44116, (216) 281-1437
Salmon Dave’s Pacific Grille
Rocky River is located right on Lake Erie, so there is no shortage of delicious seafood. Stop by Salmon Dave’s Pacific Grille for everything from creamy lobster bisque to savory sashimi.
Salmon Dave’s Pacific Grille, 2589 Wooster Rd, Rocky River, OH 44116, (216) 281-1437
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Jobs in Rocky River Ohio
Many people living in Rocky River commute to Cleveland for work. Cleveland is home to many large Fortune 500 companies such as Progressive, Sherwin-Williams, and KeyCorp. Some of the top industries in the area include banking, manufacturing, and technology.
According to PayScale, the average salary in Rocky River is $66,000.
If you are looking for jobs in Rocky River Ohio, take a look at the city job board or search for ‘Rocky River jobs’ on Indeed.
Rocky River Schools
After moving to Rocky River, you will be served by the Rocky River City School District. This district consists of the Beach School, Goldwood Primary School, Kensington Intermediate School, Rocky River Middle School, and Rocky River High School.
There are many private schools in Rocky River, including Magnificat High School and Lutheran High School West. There are no colleges within the city limits, but it is close to many major schools, such as Baldwin Wallace University (9.5 miles away), Case Western Reserve University (14.5 miles away), and Cleveland State University (11.4 miles away).
Students and residents living in Rocky River have access to the Rocky River Public Library.
Rocky River Statistics & Information
- County: Cuyahoga
- Rocky River Area: 5.60 square miles
- Rocky River Zip Code: 44116
- Rocky River Area Code: 440
- Rocky River Elevation: 692 feet
- Rocky River Time Zone: Eastern Time Zone (EST)
- Closest airport to Rocky River: Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE), 6.4 miles away
Rocky River OH Map
Explore more things to do, restaurants, and amenities with this map of Rocky River.
If you are thinking about moving to Rocky River OH, let Summit Moving help you. Our experienced team can help you every step of the way. Give us a call today at (216) 641-6677 for a free estimate!
