Akron metropolitan area
Metropolitan Statistical Area in Ohio, United States From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Metropolitan Statistical Area in Ohio, United States From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Akron, OH Metropolitan Statistical Area, sometimes referred to as Greater Akron, is defined by the United States Office of Management and Budget as an area consisting of two counties, Summit and Portage, in Northeast Ohio and anchored by the city of Akron. As of the 2020 census, the MSA had a population of 702,219. The Akron MSA is also part of the larger Cleveland–Akron–Canton, OH Combined Statistical Area, which has a population of 3,633,962 people as of the 2020 census, the largest metropolitan area in Ohio.
Historically, Greater Akron was known as the center of the United States' tire and rubber industry throughout the 20th century, and today one major tire company (Goodyear Tire and Rubber) still is based there. More recently, the area has become a center of polymer science research and manufacturing for the country,[2] and is home to five Fortune 1000 corporations.
As of the census[5] of 2010, there were 703,200 people, 279,518 households, and 181,540 families residing within the MSA. The racial makeup of the MSA was 84.8% White, 11.9% African American, 0.20% Native American, 1.8% Asian, 0% Pacific Islander, 0.26% from other races, and 1.34% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.2% of the population. 3.4% of the population were reported as foreign born, and 5.4% reported speaking a language other than English as the primary language in the home. In the MSA the population was spread out, with 18.7% the age of 14 or under, 14.4% from 15 to 24, 25.7% from 25 to 44, 27.6% from 45 to 64, and 13.5% who were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females, there were 94.1 males.
The median family income in 2007 dollars in the MSA was $61,537, and the median household income in the MSA was $47,336. Males had a median income of $38,776 versus $26,532 for females. The per capita income for the MSA was $36,564 in 2007 dollars.
County | 2020 Census | 2010 Census | Change | Area | Density |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Summit County | 540,428 | 541,781 | −0.25% | 419.38 sq mi (1,086.2 km2) | 1,289/sq mi (498/km2) |
Portage County | 161,791 | 161,419 | +0.23% | 504 sq mi (1,310 km2) | 321/sq mi (124/km2) |
As of 2006[update], the Akron metropolitan area serves as the corporate headquarters of 5 Fortune 1000 firms (shown with 2006 rankings below):
Other large employers include:
The Akron metropolitan area is served by the following international, regional and county airports:
In Summit County, public transportation is available through the METRO Regional Transit Authority[10] system, which has a fleet of over two hundred buses and trolleys and operates local routes as well as running commuter buses into downtown Cleveland. The Portage Area Regional Transportation Authority (PARTA)[11] operates throughout Portage County and also runs an express route connecting the University of Akron with Kent State University.
The Akron area is served in print by the daily Akron Beacon Journal, formerly the flagship newspaper of the Knight Newspapers chain; the weekly "The Akron Reporter"; and the weekly West Side Leader newspapers and the monthly magazine Akron Life. The Buchtelite newspaper is published by the University of Akron.[16]
Akron is part of the Cleveland-Akron-Canton TV market, the 18th largest market in the U.S.[17] Within the market, WEAO (PBS), WVPX (ION), and WBNX-TV (independent) are licensed to Akron. However, while WEAO serves the city of Akron specifically, WBNX and WVPX identify themselves as Akron/Cleveland, serving the entire market. Akron has no native news broadcast, having lost its only news station when the former WAKC became WVPX in 1996. WVPX and Cleveland's WKYC later provided a joint news program, which was cancelled in 2005.[18][19]
While part of a combined TV market with Cleveland, the Akron area is its own radio market, and served by WZIP 88.1 (Top 40 – University of Akron), WSTB 88.9 (alternative), WKSU 89.7 (public radio), WAPS 91.3 (album adult alternative), WKJA 91.9 (religious), WQMX 94.9 (country), WONE 97.5 (classic rock), WKDD 98.1 (contemporary hits), WNIR-FM 100.1 (news/talk), WHLO 640 (news/talk), WCUE 1150 (religious), and WAKR 1590/93.5 (soft adult contemporary/full service).
Cuyahoga Valley National Park[46] is a national park located in Summit County and lies between the major Ohio cities of Cleveland and Akron. It is the only national park located in Ohio and consists of over 33,000 acres. Waterfalls, rolling hills, caves, winding river scenery attract many park visitors. Over 125 miles of trails traverse the steep narrow ravines, rolling floodplain, and lush farmland throughout the park. The park offers an array of preserved and restored displays of 19th (see Hale Farm & Village) and early 20th century sustainable farming and pastoral, rural living, while catering to contemporary interests with art exhibits, outdoor concerts, and scenic excursion and special event railroad tours on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad.[47]
The Summit Metro Parks is a park district that manages over 11,000 acres (4,500 ha) in Summit County, including 14 developed parks, six conservation areas and more than 125 miles (201 km) of trails including the 33.5-mile (53.9 km) Hike and Bike Trail which follows the course of the old Akron, Bedford and Cleveland Railroad.[48] The Freedom Trail is currently under construction, with phases one and two already complete. Phases one and two pass through Tallmadge, Munroe Falls, and Akron, and connect with the western end of the Portage Hike and Bike Trail in Kent. Phase three will connect the Freedom Trail to the Towpath Trail in downtown Akron.[49]
The Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail[50] in Summit County follows the course of the former Ohio and Erie Canal. When the trail is fully complete, it will stretch about 100 miles from Downtown Cleveland in Cuyahoga County, though the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Summit County, Stark County and end in New Philadelphia in Tuscarawas County. In 2011, Summit County became the first of the counties to complete their section of the Towpath Trail stretching 33.4 miles from the Portage Lakes in the southern portion of the county, through the suburbs and downtown Akron, and finally through the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
The Portage Park District is a county park district in Portage County that manages 2,470 acres (1,000 ha) of parkland and 14 miles (23 km) of hiking trails.[51] Notable trails include the Headwater Trail which follows the former Cleveland and Mahoning Valley Railroad line and connects Mantua and Garrettsville. The Portage Hike and Bike Trail has several phases completed in and around Kent and Ravenna, with direct connections to the Freedom and Bike and Hike Trails in Summit County.[52]
Nelson Kennedy Ledges State Park[53] is a 167-acre state park located near Garrettsville in Portage County. The spectacular rock formations at Nelson-Kennedy Ledges have become trademarks of the park. These rock formations are among the few outcrops in northern Ohio still exposed to view and offer hiking trails ranging from easy to difficult. Activities located in the park include hiking and picnicking.
Portage Lakes State Park[54] is a 2,475 acre state park located in Akron around the Portage Lakes. There are approximately 2034 acres of water and 8 lakes within the park that can be used for boating, fishing, and swimming and an additional 411 acres of land that can be used for camping, hunting, and picnicking.
Tinkers Creek State Park[55] is a 370-acre state park located in Streetsboro in Portage County. Park activities include fishing on a 15-acre spring-fed lake, picnicking, hiking, and cross country skiing and ice fishing during winter.
West Branch State Park[56] is an 8,002 acre state park located near Ravenna in Portage County. The large 2,650-acre lake can be used for boating, fishing, and swimming and contains numerous boat launches. The 5,379-acres of meadows and woodlots can be used for numerous activities such as for camping, hiking, hunting and horseback riding. The park maintains 14 miles of hiking trails, 12 miles of mountain biking trails, and 20 miles of bridle trails.
Wingfoot Lake State Park[57] is a 690-acre state park located in Mogadore in Portage County around Wingfoot Lake. The park was built in the 1960s by the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company for their employees and corporate retreats. In 2009, the park was bought by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife. Facilities include enclosed and open pavilion shelters (some with fireplaces), playgrounds, badminton courts, horseshoe pits, bocce ball courts, an 18-hole mini-golf course, and an 18-hole disc golf course. Boating and fishing is also permitted on the 444 acre Wingfoot Lake.
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