Brecksville, Ohio

Brecksville, Ohio
City
Jonas Coonrad House in Brecksville
Location in Cuyahoga County and the state of Ohio.
Country	United States
State	Ohio
County	Cuyahoga
Government
• Mayor	Jerry N. Hruby (R)
Area
• Total	19.68 sq mi (50.97 km2)
• Land	19.57 sq mi (50.69 km2)
• Water	0.11 sq mi (0.28 km2)
Elevation	889 ft (271 m)
Population  (2010)
• Total	13,656
• Estimate  (2012)	13,536
• Density	697.8/sq mi (269.4/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code	44141
Area code	440
FIPS code	39-08364
GNIS feature ID	1064483
Website	http://www.brecksville.oh.us/

Brecksville is a city in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, United States, and a suburb in the Greater Cleveland area. The city's population was 13,656 at the 2010 census.

History

Brecksville was founded in the lands of the Western Reserve in 1811, four years after several men — including Colonel John Breck — purchased the surrounding area. After the land was surveyed, Seth Payne, one of the surveyors, brought his family and settled in the area in June 1811, and he was soon followed by many other families. Although Colonel Breck never lived in Brecksville, his three sons did, and members of his family continued to live in Brecksville until 1934, when his great-grandson Dr. Theodore Breck died. A comprehensive early historical account of Brecksville was written by William R. Coates and published by The American Historical Society in 1924.

Brecksville was incorporated as a village in 1921, and it gained the status of city in 1960.

Geography

Brecksville is located at 41°18′36″N 81°37′44″W (41.309904, -81.628894).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 19.68 square miles (50.97 km²), of which 19.57 square miles (50.69 km²) is land and 0.11 square miles (0.28 km²) is water. Brecksville's eastern border is traversed by the Cuyahoga River and borders Sagamore Hills Township and Boston Township, southern border Richfield Township (all three townships in Summit County), western border Broadview Heights and northern border Independence.

Parks and recreation

Brecksville is defined by its scenic wooded bluffs and ravines which are a result of the geological confluence of the Glaciated Allegheny Plateau and the Great Lakes Basin. Many neighborhoods are located next to the Brecksville Reservation of the Cleveland Metroparks and the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, one of the most visited National Parks in the country. The Brecksville Reservation consists of 2,500 acres.

Along with the Cleveland Metroparks and Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Brecksville has a Human Resources and Community Center.

Demographics

As of July 1, 2015, the per capita income for a household in the city was $126,033 and the per capita income for an average family of three was $151,239. The median household income is $97,013 and the average household income is $127,229. Of the city's population over the age of 25, 78% hold an associate degree or higher, 51% hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 23% hold a Graduate Degree.

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1880	116		—
1930	1,308		—
1940	1,900		45.3%
1950	2,665		40.3%
1960	5,435		103.9%
1970	9,137		68.1%
1980	10,132		10.9%
1990	11,818		16.6%
2000	13,382		13.2%
2010	13,656		2.0%
2015 (est.)	13,440		−1.6%
Sources:

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 13,656 people, 5,349 households, and 3,883 families residing in the city. The population density was 697.8 inhabitants per square mile (269.4/km²). There were 5,623 housing units at an average density of 287.3 per square mile (110.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 93.3% White, 1.7% African American, 0.1% Native American, 3.4% Asian, 0.3% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.4% of the population.

There were 5,349 households of which 30.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.9% were married couples living together, 6.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 27.4% were non-families. 24.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.00.

The median age in the city was 47.4 years. 22.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 18.1% were from 25 to 44; 36.2% were from 45 to 64; and 17.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.9% male and 50.1% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 13,382 people, 5,033 households, and 3,754 families residing in the city. The population density was 682.4 people per square mile (263.5/km²). There were 5,206 housing units at an average density of 265.5 per square mile (102.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.91% White, 1.85% African American, 0.03% Native American, 2.56% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.10% from other races, and 0.53% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.02% of the population.

There were 5,033 households out of which 32.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.2% were married couples living together, 6.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.4% were non-families. 22.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the city the population was spread out with 23.9% under the age of 18, 4.3% from 18 to 24, 23.8% from 25 to 44, 30.0% from 45 to 64, and 18.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 99.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $88,358, and the median income for a family was $104,347. Males had a median income of $65,382 versus $39,912 for females. The per capita income for the city was $37,838. About 1.8% of families and 2.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.8% of those under age 18 and 4.6% of those age 65 or over.

Chippewa Creek in Brecksville Reservation, the largest park by in the Cleveland Metroparks system.

Transportation

Highways

Brecksville is located near or on a number of highways that provide access to neighboring communities. Its major thoroughfares are State Route 21 (Brecksville Road) north and south, and State Route 82 (Royalton Road west of SR 21, Chippewa Road east of SR 21). I-77 provides Brecksville with direct access to Cleveland and Akron and as far south as Columbia, South Carolina. Brecksville accesses I-80 (the Ohio Turnpike) at the Richfield I-77 Interchange thereby connecting Greater Cleveland to New York City and San Francisco, California.

Mass transit systems

The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority and Akron Metro RTA buslines converge in Brecksville at the decommissioned VA Medical Center off Brecksville Road. This provides easy access to either Cleveland or Akron and outlying areas without having to drive.

Airports and rail service

Ohio's largest airport, Cleveland Hopkins International Airport is located about fifteen miles from Brecksville. Additionally, Brecksville is 38 miles from Akron-Canton Airport via I-77. Amtrak cross-country rail service is available in downtown Cleveland.

Economy

Brecksville has a solid, diversified economy. Brecksville is a financial center with branches of major regional banks, real estate firms, and national financial asset management companies. Additionally, such notable companies as Berkshire Hathaway's Lubrizol Corporation, Duck Creek Energy, Inc., Med Data, Inc., Truenorth Energy, Applied Medical Technology, Inc., The Ahola Corporation, Clinical Technology, Inc., NEC Corporation, Curtiss-Wright Corporation, PNC Financial Services, and AT&T are either headquartered or have sizable operations in the city. The Cleveland Clinic maintains its state of the art, architectural award winning, Data Center in Brecksville.

Brecksville is also the center of a burgeoning art and culinary scene with a number of locally owned galleries, restaurants and wine bars.

Education

Public schools

Brecksville shares a school system with its neighboring city, Broadview Heights. There are three elementary schools (Hilton Elementary, Highland Drive Elementary, Chippewa Elementary) within Brecksville proper, and an intermediate school (Central School), a junior high school, and a high school in the system. The school district's motto is: "where fine education is a heritage".

Academic rankings

The Brecksville school system has received various awards for excellence in education.

PARCC tests, conducted in 2015 using the new Common Core standards, ranked Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School as the 12th best public high school in the entire state of Ohio.

In Ohio's 2015 State report cards, Brecksville's three elementary schools received top rankings. Chippewa Elementary ranked 7th in the state, Hilton Elementary ranked 19th, and Highland Drive Elementary ranked significantly above average as well.

In 2015, The Washington Post published the list of America's most challenging high schools. The analysis covered approximately 22,000 U.S. public high schools. The rankings were determined by taking the total number of Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate and Advanced International Certificate of Education tests given at a school each year and divide by the number of seniors who graduated. Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School ranked in the top 4 percent of all high schools in this assessment.

Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School has consistently been ranked by U.S. News & World Report magazine as being in the top 5 percent of all high schools in the United States. Additionally, Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School was recognized in Newsweek magazine's 2013 list of the top 2000 public high schools in the United States.

In 2008, the U.S. Department of Education recognized Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School as an NCLB Blue Ribbon School. Chippewa and Hilton Elementary Schools have been awarded the "School of Distinction" honor by Ohio's State Superintendent of Schools. Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School was a past nominee, by the Ohio Department of Education, for the prestigious Blue Ribbon School Award.

Because of its high academic standards, Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School students are represented in the National Merit Scholars and the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program.

Sport championships

Along with academic excellence, Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School's sports program competes at the state championship level. In 2016, the girls' gymnastic team won its thirteenth consecutive state title and sixteenth overall. The boys' wrestling team won the 2015 state championship and placed third at the state level in 2016. The basketball, football, soccer, cross-country, and swimming/diving programs vie for regional and state titles as well.

Art and writing awards

Brecksville-Broadview Heights middle and high school art students consistently receive regional awards through the Annual Scholastic Art & Writing Awards competition. These awards are a testament to the tradition of a strong arts and writing program backed by consistent community support in Brecksville and Broadview Heights. Students are awarded Gold Keys and have their artwork judged on the national level in New York.

Music achievements

Rounding out Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School's achievements, the BBHHS Orchestra provides Chamber, Concert, and String music performances throughout the year. The BBHHS Orchestra recently received an Excellent (II) rating by the Ohio Music Education Association(OMEA).

Private schools

South Suburban Montessori School, located in Brecksville’s Blossom Hill Complex, provides a Montessori education to children between 18 months and 14 years of age.

Colleges

Stautzenberger College has a campus in Brecksville. Associate degrees and Board certifications are offered in:

• Veterinary Technology, Animal Welfare, Animal Grooming
• Paralegal Studies
• Diagnostic Cardiovascular Sonography, Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Cuyahoga Community College affiliate Cuyahoga Valley Career Center - School of Nursing offers full and part-time degree programs.

Healthcare

In August 2016, Cleveland's MetroHealth System opened a $48 million, 63,200 square foot, state-of-the-art emergency room-medical center in Brecksville at the intersection of Ohio Route 82 and Interstate 77. The center features a helipad for its Metro Life Flight helicopter. Services include pathology and radiology with specialty care in cardiology, dermatology, gastroenterology, neurology, OB-GYN, ophthalmology, and orthopedics. An outpatient surgery center will open in early 2017.

Brecksville has a branch of Akron Children's Hospital, staffed with board-certified pediatricians, that offers neurological and pediatric primary care for babies, children and teens.

The world-renowned Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals supplement health care provided by nearby community hospitals and immediate care centers. Marymount and Parma Community General Hospitals serve as emergency care facilities for Brecksville residents and visitors who require use of Brecksville's Fire Department's ambulances and staff of professional paramedics and EMTs. The Greater Cleveland area is known worldwide for excellence in health care.

Civic awards

In 2015, Brecksville was named Ohio's third safest city in its population size category. The study conducted by ValuePenguin focused on recent FBI statistics. Neighboring Broadview Heights was ranked the second safest city in the same population size category underscoring the area's low crime rate.

In 2014, Brecksville was named by Family Circle magazine as one of the top ten U.S. towns to raise families. The magazine stated that Brecksville has top-rated schools and plenty of green space—including Cuyahoga Valley National Park—for a family-friendly setting. It noted the schools emphasize achievement as well as giving back to the community. Such factors as affordable homes, quality schools, access to healthcare, green space, low crime rate and financial stability were considered as the basis for this award.

Brecksville's Chippewa Garden Club was formed in 1949; To share a love for gardening, to study the fine art of flower design, to aid in the protection of native plants and wildlife, and to encourage civic betterment. The club is a perennial award winner from the Garden Clubs of Ohio. Recent awards include:

• The 2015 "Garden Club of the Year” Award. The club has won this award seven times since 1971. Most recently, the club won this award in 2005, 2007, and 2013.
• The 2014 "Historic Preservation" Award for its historic park preservation project.

Brecksville won the 2003 “America in Bloom” award and was the 2003 national winner of the “Proven Winners Landscaped Areas Award.” The city’s Beautification Committee was created under the direction of Mayor Hruby and is an integral part of the volunteerism that oversees the design of city plantings and beautification and decorations throughout the community. Brecksville has won 21 Tree City Year Awards.

Local theater and the arts

Brecksville Little Theatre was started in 1941 and incorporated as a non-profit community organization in 1949 under charter by the State of Ohio. Performances have been continually held in the Old Town Hall, a registered historic landmark. Brecksville Little Theatre has had numerous talented performers go on to successful theatrical careers. In 1951, the comedy “Here Today” was directed by nearby Shaker Heights native Paul Newman, who later reached the top of the entertainment world. In its commitment to the community, Brecksville Little Theatre develops local talent by providing two scholarship awards, The Jack Hruby Humanities Award and the Schoenfelt Dramatics Award, to deserving high school seniors in the arts and humanities.

Brecksville Theater on the Square, founded in 1975, has developed into a well established theater of the performing arts, not only providing the community with family theater, but with a wide variety of drama classes and programs offered to students, pre-school through adults. Outreach programs, scholarship offerings and increased community involvement have made BTOTS an innovative local theater company.

The Brecksville Center for the Arts is a non-profit, multidisciplinary art center dedicated to the education, inspiration, encouragement, and support of artists and art enthusiasts of all ages and abilities. Residents of Brecksville and surrounding communities are welcomed in discovering, exploring, enhancing, and promoting art of all types through affordable instruction, student scholarships, community collaborations, and special events.

Regional sports and cultural attractions

Abundant entertainment is just a short distance away for residents of Brecksville. In downtown Cleveland, the Cleveland Browns, of the National Football League, play at FirstEnergy Stadium (Cleveland). Progressive Field is the home of Major League Baseball's Cleveland Indians. The Cleveland Cavaliers, of the National Basketball Association, play at Quicken Loans Arena which is also a venue for concerts by major recording artists, the circus, ice shows, and a variety of other professional attractions. Cleveland State University's Wolstein Center is home to the Cleveland State University Vikings basketball team and is a venue for even more concerts and shows.

The world-famous Cleveland Orchestra performs at Severance Hall, an Art Deco architectural gem located in nearby University Circle. In the summer, a trip to the verdant setting of Blossom Music Center is a musical must. Just a short drive from Brecksville through the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Blossom is the summer home of the Cleveland Orchestra and a venue for the biggest music stars touring the planet. Cleveland's renowned Playhouse Square Theater District, consisting of five architecturally significant theaters along with The Cleveland Playhouse foundation, showcases regionally produced theater and the best of Broadway touring companies.

The Cleveland Museum of Art, the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame Museum, the Great Lakes Science Center, the Greater Cleveland Aquarium, the Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland, the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, and the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo are major world class attractions conveniently located nearby.

Additionally, there are unique nightlife and dining destinations within a short driving distance from Brecksville including; Cleveland's Warehouse, Ohio City, Cleveland, and Tremont, Cleveland neighborhoods, downtown's East 4th Street District (Cleveland), and "The Flats" along the Cuyahoga River.

Shopping

To maintain Brecksville's nature preserve setting, residents have rejected the big box store and shopping mall concept for smaller, locally owned boutiques and shops. With direct access to Interstate 77 and Ohio State Route 82, Brecksville is within a short drive of world class shopping including Beachwood Place and Eaton Chagrin Boulevard Shops as well as lifestyle centers; Legacy Village and Crocker Park, and regional malls; Summit Mall and SouthPark Mall (Strongsville, Ohio).

Emergency sirens

Brecksville agreed to a Civil Defense Siren system with other cities in Cuyahoga County. The city has 4 sirens from American Signal Corporation and Whelen Engineering Company.

Officials

Jerry N. Hruby was elected to his eighth term as mayor of Brecksville which began on January 2, 2016. Mayor Hruby also serves as the city's Safety Director. In 2011 the Governor of Ohio appointed Hruby to the Ohio Turnpike Commission. He currently is serving as chairman of the commission.

Notable people

• Dr. Theodore Breck - Great grandson of the founding father of Brecksville and an Ohio State Senator
• Matthew "Matt" Capiccioni - Pro wrestler, professionally known as Matt Cross, grew up and still resides in Brecksville and is a graduate of Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School
• Ryan Dunn - Actor, known for the American reality series Jackass, grew up in Brecksville and is buried in Brecksville's Highland Cemetery
• Steve Gillespie - PASL player and graduate of Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School
• Gus Heege - Playwright and actor, whose works were popular at the end of the 19th century
• Florence Morse Kingsley - Late 19th, early 20th century writer of popular and religious fiction
• Ann Liguori - Sports radio and television broadcaster, grew up in Brecksville and graduated from Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School
• Eric Musselman - NBA coach and graduate of Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School
• Scott Roth - NBA player and graduate of Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School
• Mark Schulte - MLS player and graduate of Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School
• Charlie Sifford - Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient. A Brecksville resident in his later years, Charles Sifford was the first African American to play on the PGA Tour. Winner of several PGA Opens, six time winner of the United Golf Association's National Negro Open, and winner of the 1975 PGA Seniors Championship.
• Dr. John N. Stockwell - Late 19th, early 20th century Philosopher and Astronomer
• Tom Tupa - NFL Super Bowl and Pro Bowl quarterback/punter and graduate of Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School
• John M. Wilcox - Editor of the Cleveland Press

See also

• The Colson House, built circa 1838 by Bolter and Harriet (Waite) Colson.

External links

• City of Brecksville
• Brecksville-Broadview Heights Schools
• Brecksville Township History
• Mayor Hruby's Community Briefing
• The Encyclopedia of Cleveland History