OUR CITY

History

The city of North Ridgeville was founded in 1810 by German and English settlers coming from Connecticut seeking the availability of land in the Western Reserve.

The high sandy ridges of land that traversed the area are thought to be former beach ridges left by the receding waters of the body of water now known as Lake Erie which is thought to have been 9 miles inland, millions of years ago during the glacial age.

Besides being ideal for a rural, farming community to thrive, the high, beach ridges were formerly used as transportation trails by the area’s native American Indians. Today, they comprise the city’s major transportation thoroughfares.

Farms, saw and grist mills as well as a chair factory were the earliest industries in the community. With more than the required 5000 residents in 1960, the entire 25 square mile township area was incorporated as a city, making it the largest community area-wide in Lorain County. Today, North Ridgeville is no longer considered a rural community since much of the farmland is being developed into housing subdivisions. With nearly 30,000 residents, the city is one of the fastest growing residential communities in northeast Ohio.

About Our Community
“Growing Towards The Future!”

According to the 2010 census, North Ridgeville is a community of 29,465 residents located on the eastern side of Lorain County, adjoining the Cleveland Metropolitan Area of Cuyahoga County. North Ridgeville is the largest city in land area and third largest in population in the county. The entire 25 square mile township was incorporated as a village in 1958 and as a city in 1960. North Ridgeville is a relatively young city with a residential character.

Founded in 1810 by German and English settlers, the area was named for the five lake ridges that divide the community running parallel to Lake Erie, nine miles to the north. These ridges were thought to be former beach lines left by receding waters of what is now known as Lake Erie.

The first industries here included saw and grist mills as well as chair and cheese factories. Farming was a way of life that became more important and productive as the lands were cleared, and the availability of rich, sandy soil was put to good use. As a result of the soil conditions and the more moderate Cleveland weather, North Ridgeville was a major horticultural area. Historically, the area was known as “Ohio’s Greenhouse Capital”. Today, the city has been transformed into a suburban city with considerable residential housing developments rather than a rural community.

Parks & Recreation

The city parks and the Lorain County Metro Parks also serve to unite the residents of this community. The most popular park within the city is South Central Park which features fishing, hiking, volleyball, tennis, and more. The 38 acre Shady Drive Recreation Complex houses 13 baseball diamonds with 2 lighted fields and 4 T-ball fields that are used by a variety of city-sponsored sports leagues.

The hidden jewel within North Ridgeville is the Sandy Ridge Reservation which is part of the Lorain County Metro Parks system. The reservation is 310 acres of wetland and nature preserve, divided almost equally among forest, marshland, and meadow. A favorite of naturalists and bird watchers, Sandy Ridge has over 100 species of birds on its breeding list. So bring your binoculars!

Library

The North Ridgeville Branch Library opened in its current 27,500 square foot location in 2003. The Library provides 36 public Internet access computers, an interactive children’s area, free WiFi, drive-up return slots and pick-up window, public meeting rooms, a computer training lab, and a separate quiet reading room. The Library provides over 90,000 materials for loan, including books, magazines, newspapers, movies, music CDs and audio-books plus story programs and beginning level computer classes. Free downloadable e-books are available from the library’s website. Check current hours and other information about upcoming library programs at www.lorainpubliclibrary.org. Follow Lorain Public Library on Facebook and Twitter. This facility is state of the art and used by residents of all ages!

Highway Access & Industrial Parks

With abundant land availability, there are 1,200 acres which are zoned as industrial. What makes North Ridgeville inviting to many types of businesses is its access to the major highway and transportation systems. The city has immediate entrances to I-480 and the Ohio Turnpike (I-80 and exits 151 and 152) and is only 15 minutes from Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. Also, I-90 is accessible 5-miles to the north via State Route 83 and Lear Nagle Road.

Demographics

City Size: The city occupies about 25 square miles, making it the largest city (area wise) in Lorain County.

Land Use: Based on the City’s Master Plan, the following land use is projected by 2015:

• Residential: 10,200 acres or 85.1% used
• Business: 319 acres or 2.6% used
• Industrial: 330 acres or 2.8% used
• Public: 1133 acres or 9.4% used
• Remaining: 3,000 acres yet to be classified.

Population: Based on the July 1, 2018 population estimate from the US Census Bureau and the American Fact Finder, there are 12,974 total housing units in the city and the median age of the residents is 40.8 years. Other population statistics are listed below:

• Population: 33,889 (49.5% male, 50.5% female)
• Population over age 65: 18.6%
• Households with children under 18 years old: 32.3%
• Adults with a college degree: 32.4%
• Families earning more than $100,000 per year: 36.1%
• Median household income: $69,848
• Owner-occupied housing: 95.4%
• Structures built since 2000: 4,861
• Median home value: $164,900

Industry & Employment: There are more than 500 companies and three industrial parks which operate within the city.

Taxes, City Services, and Local Resources

• Income Tax: 1.0%
• Lorain County Sales Tax: 6.75%
• Property Tax Millage Rates as of 2018 – Commercial: City: 63.96
• Property Tax Millage Rates as of 2018 – Residential: City: 63.34
• Police: 51 personnel, including 42 police officers, 4 full-time dispatchers, 2 part-time dispatchers, 1 records clerk, 1 police secretary and 1 administrative assistant.
• Fire & Paramedic: 39 personnel who are all state certified firefighter/paramedics and 1 civilian administrative assistant serving 2 fire stations

Local Organizations

• Arts Council: (440) 327-0422
• Baseball Boosters: (440) 353-1193
• Boy Scouts: (800) 334-5910
• Chamber of Commerce: (440) 327-3737
• Community Care: (440) 353-9716
• Corn Festival: info@nrcornfest.org
• 4-H: (440) 322-1228
• Football League: (440) 926-4779
• Friends of the Library: (440) 327-0422
• Garden Club: (440) 327-8005
• Girl Scouts of Erie Shores: (800) 222-6119
• Historical Society: (440) 327-8615
• Hot Stove Baseball: (440) 327-6397
• Kiwanis: (440) 225-1046 (Jan Schneider) or https://www.northridgevillekiwanis.com
• Lions: www.northridgevillelions.org
• Mom’s Club: (440) 458-8885
• Olde Town Hall Theatre: (440) 327-2909
• Parks & Recreation: (440) 353-0860
• Rotary: (440) 748-3747
• Senior Center: (440) 353-0828
• Soccer League: www.nrasl.com
• VFW Post #9871: (440) 327-4068
• Visitors Bureau: (440) 327-3737

Church Directory

• Pentecostal Church of God Calvary Christian Center: 6001 Lear Nagle Rd., (440) 353-3593
• Church of the Nazarene Calvary Ridge: 34881 Center Ridge Rd., (440) 327-1687
• Cathedral of Life: 5375 Jaycox Rd., (440) 327-7774
• Cornerstone Bible Fellowship: 36300 Center Ridge Rd., (440) 353-3530
• Christian Soldiers Apostolic Church: 5298 Lear Nagle Rd., (440) 327-5642
• Church of Christ: 36350 Chestnut Ridge Rd., (440) 327-2777
• Church of God: 6000 Lear Nagle Rd., (440) 327-4761
• Faith Baptist: Rt. 10 & Root Rd., (440) 327-8563
• Fields United Methodist Church: 34077 Lorain Rd., (440) 327-8753
• Harvest Ridge Assembly of God: 35600 Lorain Rd., (440) 327-0024
• New Life Community Church: 38079 Center Ridge Rd., (440) 353-0993
• North Ridgeville Baptist Church: 5400 Lear Nagle Rd., (440) 327-0228
• First Congregational United Church of Christ: 36363 Center Ridge Rd., (440) 327-2921
• Northridge Christian Life Church: 8877 Avon Belden Rd., (440) 353-0758
• Sugar Ridge Baptist Church: 36600 Sugar Ridge Rd., (440) 327-9465
• St. Julie Billiart Catholic Church: 5500 Lear Nagle Rd., (440) 327-1978
• St. Peter Catholic Church: 35777 Center Ridge Rd., (440) 327-2201
• Shepherd of the Ridge Lutheran Church: 34555 Center Ridge Rd., (440) 327-7321
• Journey of Faith Lutheran Church: 34877 Lorain Rd., (440) 327-0147
• Westside Community Church: P.O. Box 39427, (440) 590-5217

Education

The North Ridgeville City Schools provides education programs and services to approximately 4,600 students and is one of the fastest growing school districts in the state. A focused educational action plan, a highly-qualified staff and strong community support have enabled the district to meet the rigorous Federal, State and community expectations for programs and services. Beginning in elementary school, a diverse curriculum enables students to effectively prepare for their futures beyond high school. The stimulating curriculum offers arts, music, gifted, special education, vocational, business and college preparatory course work. The College Credit Plus program enables students to earn college credits while attending high school. The new STEM academy, the first designated public STEM school in Lorain County, immerses science, technology, engineering and mathematics to students. Local businesses and organizations support learning through career shadowing programs, classroom presentations, internships and scholarships. For detailed information on our city schools, visit the North Ridgeville City Schools website.

Several private schools are also located in the North Ridgeville area, including Lake Ridge Academy, located right in North Ridgeville.

Higher education is readily accessible as North Ridgeville is ideally located among some of the nation’s most prestigious colleges and universities. Opening in 2013, Lorain County Community College’s University Partnership Ridge Campus has brought higher education into North Ridgeville with certificate, associate, bachelor and master degree programming through its campuses in North Ridgeville and Elyria, just across our city’s western border. Other colleges within a 30 mile drive are:

• Baldwin Wallace University
• Bowling Green State University Firelands Campus
• Case Western Reserve University
• Cleveland State University
• Cuyahoga Community College
• DeVry University
• John Carroll University
• Oberlin College
• The University of Akron
• The University of Phoenix
• Ursuline College
• 
  

Healthcare

The City of North Ridgeville has numerous medical offices for routine medical needs. The University Hospitals North Ridgeville Health Center has brought a 24-hour emergency room to our city. We are also serviced by four local hospitals which are all within a short drive of North Ridgeville:

• University Hospitals Elyria Medical Center
• University Hospitals St. John Medical Center (Westlake)
• Cleveland Clinic Fairview Hospital
• University Hospitals Southwest General Main Campus (Middleburg Heights)



In addition, nationally renowned medical centers, such as Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals and Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital, located in Cleveland, are within a half-hour drive of the city.