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Solon, Ohio

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Solon, Ohio
City
Location of Solon in Ohio
Location of Solon in Ohio
Location of Solon in Cuyahoga County
Location of Solon in Cuyahoga County
CountryUnited States
StateOhio
CountyCuyahoga
Government
 • MayorSusan A. Drucker.[1]
Area
[2]
 • Total20.49 sq mi (53.07 km2)
 • Land20.36 sq mi (52.73 km2)
 • Water0.13 sq mi (0.34 km2)
Elevation
Template:GR
1,040 ft (317 m)
Population
 (2010)[3]
 • Total23,348
 • Estimate 
(2012[4])
23,160
 • Density1,146.8/sq mi (442.8/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
44139
Area code440
FIPS code39-72928Template:GR
GNIS feature ID1046426Template:GR
Websitehttp://www.solonohio.org/
The Solon Fine Arts Center
Solon City Hall

Solon is a city in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, and is an affluent suburb of Cleveland in the Northeast Ohio Region, the 14th largest Combined Statistical Area in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 23,348. In 2011, the city was listed by Money as 3rd in its list of "Best Places to Live."[5] In 2009, the city was listed by Money as 23rd in its list of "Best Places to Live"[6] and was also ranked as one of the Best Places to Raise Kids, 2013 by Businessweek.[7]

Despite their similar names, Solon is not adjacent to South Solon, Ohio, a village located in Madison County in Central Ohio, approximately 35 miles west of Columbus. The two "Solons"are approximately 170 miles apart.

History

In 1820, the first settlers arrived from Connecticut to live in part of the Connecticut Western Reserve. The township was named after Lorenzo Solon Bull, who was the son of Isaac Bull, one of the first settlers. Purportedly, the selection of young Lorenzo's middle name was due to its derivation from the father of democracy, Solon, the famous Athenian lawmaker of Ancient Greece.[8][9]

The early settlers faced challenges common to pioneers, but in Solon, drainage and wetlands issues complicated settlement and agriculture. Overcoming these obstacles, Solon Township became an arable farming area, producing corn and wheat crops and supporting dairy farms (including 5 cheese factories). By 1850, the population of Solon Township reached 1,034.

Due to nearby Cleveland's position as a national hub of the railroad industry, rail also contributed greatly to Solon's growth. In 1857, the Cleveland-Youngstown section of the Cleveland and Mahoning Railroad established a line running through Solon.

Laid out in a traditional New England plan, Solon, like many of the neighboring townships, established a public square in its town center. In conjunction with townships to the north, a north-south corridor was established through the town centers of Solon, Orange, and Mayfield townships (from south to north, respectively) and, accordingly, was named SOM Center Road (now Ohio 91). Solon Township included the current municipalities of the City of Solon and the villages of Bentleyville and Glenwillow. In 1917, Solon was incorporated as a village and later became a city in 1961, operated under the mayor-council form of government.

Solon was one of the first cities to use a comprehensive zoning plan and has been able to achieve a strong industrial base, while insulating its bedroom communities from industrial activities. Further, the city has primarily concentrated its commercial and retail districts in the town center, making them convenient to all residents. In addition to its planned use for corporate and residential areas, Solon has 687 acres (2.78 km2) of city parks and recreational area, 360 acres (1.5 km2) of Cleveland Metroparks (the South Chagrin Reservation) and 3 golf courses within its borders. In 1991, the extension of a divided highway, US 422, was completed as an east-west corridor just north of its town center. US 422 enables easy access to many points throughout Northeast Ohio, providing a corridor extending from Cleveland through Solon and beyond Warren into Pennsylvania.

Economy

In 1929, the Bready Cultimotor tractor company became the first industrial company to locate in Solon. Since then, Solon has served as home to many multi-national companies, including several global and North American headquarters. Accordingly, Solon is considered a satellite city, which is defined as a suburban community containing an employment base sufficient to support its residential population (even though the community is integrated through cross-commuting in a much larger metropolitan area).

Today, according to city government authorities, Solon has major clusters of businesses in five manufacturing industries: 1) electronic and electrical equipment, 2) industrial and commercial machinery, 3) measuring and controlling devices and instruments, 4) chemicals and allied products, and 5) fabricated metal products. Over 8,000, or 75%, of Solon’s 10,700 manufacturing jobs are concentrated in these five industry sectors.

Major employers include: Nestlé Prepared Foods (headquarters of Stouffer Foods), Swagelok, Erico Products, Signature of Solon, Keithley Instruments, Agilysys, Arrow Electronics, and L'Oréal Products (through acquisition of the headquarters of Matrix Essentials hair products). Other well-known businesses include: the Cleveland Clinic, King Nut Company, a branch of Cleveland State University, and First Class Limos.

Wrap Tite, a small business in town that is a manufacturer of stretch wrap and other packing and shipping products, was given a $1.5 million Small Business Administration (SBA)-supported loan in summer of 2011, a fact emphasized by Vice President Joseph Biden and SBA head Karen Mills when they visited Solon on Tuesday, September 20, 2011 to announce a $20 billion three-year commitment by 13 major banking chains to increase lending to small businesses in underserved communities.[10]

Schools

In 2011, Solon achieved a rating of 110.7 on the Ohio state performance index and for the 12th consecutive year, the district met all 26 indicators measured on the state report card.[11] This rating kept the Solon school district among the top five school districts in the state of Ohio. In 2011, Solon High School was listed as #113 on Newsweek's annual list of America's Best High Schools.[12] As of 2005, the school district had an 11.9 student-teacher ratio.

In 2007, the United States Department of Education named Parkside Elementary School in Solon as a No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon School. Parkside is one of only 18 Ohio schools and 287 schools nationwide to receive this national recognition for the high levels of student achievement in the school. Arthur Road Elementary School also earned this designation in 2005.

For the 2008-2009 school year, Solon High School was a No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon School.[13] Solon High School has been awarded the prestigious Red Quill Award from ACT, Inc. in 2008 and in 2009 for excellent overall student scores on the ACT (Test).[14]

The Solon City School District has also gained recognition for its Science Olympiad teams. Amongst numerous other awards, the Solon Middle School Science Olympiad has taken 1st place at the past six national tournaments (2008-2013), and Solon High School has placed 1st at the past three national tournaments(2011-2013). Members and coaches from both teams have also been invited to the annual White House Science Fair multiple times.

Geography

Solon is located at 41°23′24″N 81°26′32″W / 41.39000°N 81.44222°W / 41.39000; -81.44222 (41.389871, -81.442330).Template:GR

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 20.49 square miles (53.07 km2), of which, 20.36 square miles (52.73 km2) is land and 0.13 square miles (0.34 km2) is water.[2]

Solon is located 18 miles (29 km) from Cleveland in the southeast corner of Cuyahoga County,[15] adjacent to three other counties: Geauga, Portage and Summit Counties (clockwise from east to south).

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1920887—
19301,02715.8%
19401,50846.8%
19502,57070.4%
19606,333146.4%
197011,51981.9%
198013,95021.1%
199018,54833.0%
200021,80217.5%
201023,3487.1%

As of 2010, the median income for a household in the city was $96,965, and the median income for a family was $112,156. The per capita income for the city was $47,505. About 2.0% of families and 4.8% of the population were below the poverty line.[16][17]

2010 census

As of the census[3] of 2010, there were 23,348 people, 8,352 households, and 6,769 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,146.8 inhabitants per square mile (442.8/km2). There were 8,765 housing units at an average density of 430.5 per square mile (166.2/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 77.5% White, 10.6% African American, 0.1% Native American, 10.0% Asian, 0.4% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.5% of the population.

There were 8,352 households of which 41.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.7% were married couples living together, 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 19.0% were non-families. 16.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.78 and the average family size was 3.13.

The median age in the city was 43.1 years. 27.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 20.3% were from 25 to 44; 34.3% were from 45 to 64; and 12.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.7% male and 51.3% female.

Recycling program

Solon has a very active single-stream recycling program. Residents can place all recycling materials (paper, plastics (from 1 through 7), tin, cardboard, and glass) in the same clear bag for curbside pick-up with no need to separate the various materials. Once per month, the city also collects computers, auto batteries, heavy steel (license plates, bed frames etc.), carpet padding, propane cylinders, fire extinguishers, liquids and solids such as paints, oil, household hazardous waste, pool chemicals, fertilizers, etc. The city also has a composting program. They collect leaves, grass clippings, etc. and turn it into compost that is then given back to the citizens at a nominal cost, currently $2.00 per bag, $1.00 for senior citizens

Police Department

The Solon Police Department (SPD) consist of men and women whose job is to serve and protect the city of Solon. The station is located right off of Solon Road and is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The department consists of 46 officers, 14 dispatchers, 16 correction officers, 8 office staff, 1 animal warden, 19 Auxiliary police, and 6 school guards. The station has several services that are broken into 8 different departments, each handle responsibilities that are different than the other departments.

Notable people

References

  1. ^ "Office of the Mayor". Retrieved 2013-07-23.
  2. ^ a b "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2013-01-06.
  3. ^ a b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2013-01-06.
  4. ^ "Population Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2013-06-17.
  5. ^ | title = Best Places to Live| publisher = CNN/Money Magazine
  6. ^ | title = Best Places to Live| publisher = CNN/Money Magazine
  7. ^ http://images.businessweek.com/slideshows/2012-12-17/the-best-places-to-raise-kids-2013#slide36
  8. ^ [1]
  9. ^ [2]
  10. ^ http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/09/20/ohio-vice-president-biden-discusses-importance-american-jobs-act-small-b
  11. ^ >"Press Release". Solon School District. Retrieved 2011-12-4. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  12. ^ "America's Best High Schools". Newsweek. Retrieved 2011-12-4. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  13. ^ | title = Solon High School Courier 2008-09 | publisher = Solon High School | accessdate = 2011-12-4
  14. ^ [3]
  15. ^ History of Solon, Ohio Home Page!, The Solon Advocate, 2007. Accessed 2007-07-30.
  16. ^ http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/39/3972928.html
  17. ^ http://www.city-data.com/income/income-Solon-Ohio.html

Ordinance Prohibits Interference In Solon Deer Shootings - News Story - WEWS Cleveland Carrie Akers- fashion designer

External links

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