© OpenMapTiles © OpenStreetMap
Living in
University Heights.
About
Life in University Heights
Living here means being part of one of the region's youngest communities—about half the population is under 30, which shapes everything from the local vibe to neighborhood energy. You're getting suburban peace without feeling isolated: it's only eight miles from downtown Cleveland, and your commute averages just 19 minutes, so you can actually reach job centers and culture without the grind of a longer drive. The community is tightly woven with neighboring Cleveland Heights (you share schools, libraries, and services), so you're never really isolated, and you'll find a diverse neighborhood where Yiddish, Hebrew, Russian, and Spanish are spoken alongside English.
University Heights at a Glance
Population, income, housing and more
Median Age
30.5 yrs
Poverty Rate
11.1%
Foreign-Born
5.8%
Broadband Internet
93.9%
of households
Population Growth
-5.2%
recent change · Census Bureau
Median household income
Demographics5.8% foreign-born, most often from Canada
Who lives in University Heights: race and ethnicity, ages, households, languages and countries of origin
In University Heights, the largest foreign-born group is from Canada (17.8%), and 2.3% of residents speak Spanish at home.
Under 18
24.5%
of residents
65 and Older
13.0%
of residents
Households with Kids
32.1%
anyone under 18
Living Alone
26.0%
of households
Married Couples
49.6%
of households
Avg Household Size
2.59
people
Race & Ethnicity
Hispanic or Latino of any race; other groups are non-Hispanic
Top countries of origin (foreign-born)
Languages Spoken at Home
Cost of Livingrent 46% above OH average
Rent, home values, and income in University Heights
In University Heights, rent runs 46% above the OH average, and home values are 13% above the OH average.
Median rent (per month)
Median home value
Rent Burdened
51.1%
spending 30%+ of income on rent
Severely Rent Burdened
22.2%
spending 50%+
Cost of Living Index
93.9
metro area (BEA) · US avg = 100
Median Property Tax
$7,032
per year, owner-occupied homes
Homeowners
67.7%
of occupied homes are owned
Typical Home Built
1949
median year built
Vacant Homes
6.4%
of housing units
Home Value Trend
Latest: $282,998 (September 2026)
Jobs & Economyunemployment 0.5 pts below OH average
Unemployment in University Heights and typical pay across the metro area
Unemployment in Cuyahoga County, which includes University Heights, is 0.5 percentage points lower than the OH average.
Unemployment rate
University Heights: Cuyahoga County rate (county-wide) · BLS annual average
Unemployment Rate — 10 Year Trend
Cuyahoga County (county-wide) · Annual averages
University Heights is about 1% of Cuyahoga County’s population, so county-wide figures may differ from local conditions.
What University Heights Residents Do for Work · share of employed residents by industry
City residents, wherever they work
Median Salary by Occupation · metro area
Cleveland-Elyria, OH metro area
Commute19.2 min avg
How University Heights residents get to work, and the nearest airports
In University Heights, most residents drive alone to work (60%), and 77% get there in under 30 minutes.
How People Get to Work
Commute Time Distribution
Nearest airports · with airline service
- 17 mi
Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE)
Medium hub4.9M passengers boarded in 2025
- 106 mi
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)
Major hub16.3M passengers boarded in 2025
Straight-line distance. Size is the FAA’s hub category, based on passenger traffic: regional airports may have only a few flights a day.
Safetyviolent crime 84% below national average
Crime rates for 2025
Violent crime in University Heights runs 84% below the national average.
Violent Crime Rate
53.4
per 100,000 residents
Below average (329 national, 2025)
Property Crime Rate
778
per 100,000 residents
Below average (1,552 national, 2025)
University Heights Police Department
Natural DisastersThunderstorm Wind most common — 10 events in 2025
Natural hazard risk, storms and earthquakes
FEMA National Risk Index
Relatively High
98.0 / 100
Compares expected losses from natural hazards, social vulnerability and community resilience against every US county (higher = more risk).
Cuyahoga County, county-wide · FEMA NRI December 2025
In Cuyahoga County, which includes University Heights, the most common type is thunderstorm wind, with 10 recorded events in 2025.
Most common events:
Storm events by year
| Year | Events | Top Type | Property Damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 10 | Thunderstorm Wind | $25,000 |
| 2024 | 15 | Thunderstorm Wind | $2.5M |
| 2023 | 17 | Thunderstorm Wind | $6.1M |
| 2022 | 13 | Thunderstorm Wind | $10,000 |
| 2021 | 13 | Thunderstorm Wind | $376,500 |
| 2020 | 22 | Thunderstorm Wind | $878,000 |
| 2019 | 22 | Thunderstorm Wind | $27.2M |
| 2018 | 19 | Thunderstorm Wind | $1.3M |
Property damage is the National Weather Service's estimate filed with each event. “None reported” means the events were logged with $0 damage; “Not estimated” means no estimate was filed. Storms covering several counties aren't counted here, since NOAA doesn't split their damage by county.
3 earthquakes of magnitude 2.5+ within 100 miles in the past year
Cuyahoga County, county-wide
University Heights is about 1% of Cuyahoga County’s population, so county-wide figures may differ from local conditions.
Air Quality53 median AQI — Moderate
Days by air quality category (2025)
Air quality in Cuyahoga County, which includes University Heights, is typically moderate — acceptable for most people, but can affect those unusually sensitive to air pollution.
Median AQI
53
Good Days
158
per year
Moderate Days
203
per year
Unhealthy Days
0
per year
Cuyahoga County, county-wide
University Heights is about 1% of Cuyahoga County’s population, so county-wide figures may differ from local conditions.
Climate79°F summers, 26°F winters
30-year climate averages (1991–2020) — monthly temperatures and precipitation
University Heights has mild summers (avg high 79°F) and cold winters (avg low 26°F).
Spring (Mar–May)
57°/42°F
avg high / low
Summer (Jun–Aug)
79°/66°F
avg high / low
Fall (Sep–Nov)
62°/49°F
avg high / low
Winter (Dec–Feb)
38°/26°F
avg high / low
Annual Precipitation
33.3"
Annual Snowfall
63.8"
Hot Days/Year
9
days above 90°F
Freeze Days/Year
91
days below 32°F
Rainy Days/Year
138
Average month
Show month-by-month table ↓Hide table ↑
| Month | High | Low | Precip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 35°F | 24°F | 1.76" |
| Feb | 37°F | 25°F | 1.53" |
| Mar | 45°F | 31°F | 2.35" |
| Apr | 57°F | 41°F | 3.10" |
| May | 68°F | 53°F | 3.51" |
| Jun | 77°F | 63°F | 2.84" |
| Jul | 81°F | 68°F | 3.66" |
| Aug | 80°F | 67°F | 3.45" |
| Sep | 74°F | 60°F | 2.94" |
| Oct | 63°F | 49°F | 3.24" |
| Nov | 51°F | 38°F | 2.92" |
| Dec | 40°F | 30°F | 2.04" |
Healthcare
Hospitals, ratings, and health insurance in University Heights
Uninsured
3.2%
of residents
No hospitals inside University Heights's limits — nearest hospitals · within 15 miles
Lake Health Beachwood Medical Center
Acute Care Hospitals · ER available · 2.8 mi away · Beachwood
South Pointe Hospital
Acute Care Hospitals · 3.1 mi away · Warrensville Heights
Highland Springs
Psychiatric · 3.2 mi away · Beachwood
Adult Health · vs. the typical US place
Share of adults. Modeled estimates, not counted cases. “US” = the typical US place.
Medicare-certified hospitals only. Doesn’t include clinics, urgent care, or freestanding ERs.
Education14.7:1 student/teacher ratio
Schools and degree attainment in University Heights
University Heights's student/teacher ratio is 14.7:1 (lower than the national average of 16:1), and 67.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Public Schools
1
within city limits
Private Schools
1
within city limits
College Degree Rate
67.5%
adults 25+ with bachelor's or higher
Student/Teacher Ratio
14.7:1
National avg 16:1
Schools located within city limits (2023) — school-level metrics change slowly year to year
Colleges & Universities in University Heights
Private nonprofit · 4-year · 2,274 students · in-state tuition $51,960 · 77% graduate · median earnings $74,509 (10 yrs after entry)
Nearby Colleges (within 15 miles)
Public · 4-year · 8,969 students · in-state tuition $13,262 · 57% graduate · median earnings $56,979 (10 yrs after entry)
Case Western Reserve University
4 mi awayPrivate nonprofit · 4-year · 6,437 students · in-state tuition $69,270 · 87% graduate · median earnings $89,865 (10 yrs after entry)
Bryant & Stratton College-Parma
14.2 mi awayPrivate nonprofit · 2-year · 624 students · in-state tuition $20,109 · 30% graduate · median earnings $37,469 (10 yrs after entry)
Private nonprofit · 4-year · 539 students · in-state tuition $50,575 · 67% graduate · median earnings $42,757 (10 yrs after entry)
Arizona College of Nursing-Cleveland
2.9 mi awayPrivate for-profit · 4-year · 164 students · in-state tuition $23,880 · median earnings $41,223 (10 yrs after entry)
Private nonprofit · 4-year · 159 students · in-state tuition $55,510 · 75% graduate · median earnings $27,260 (10 yrs after entry)
Degree-granting colleges with 100+ students, placed by campus location (main campuses only — branch campuses are reported under their parent school)
Parks & Recreationclosest: James A Garfield National Historic Site, 15 mi
Nearby national parks, recreation areas and public libraries for University Heights
University Heights has 5 nearby national parks or recreation areas, closest being James A Garfield National Historic Site (15 mi away).
Nearby National Parks & Recreation Areas
James A Garfield National Historic Site
National Historic Site
15 mi awayCuyahoga Valley National Park
National Park
16 mi awayFirst Ladies National Historic Site
National Historic Site
49 mi awayPerry's Victory & International Peace Memorial
Memorial
67 mi awayRiver Raisin National Battlefield Park
National Battlefield Park
99 mi awayPublic Libraries in University Heights
University Heights Branch Library
13866 Cedar Rd., University Heights
Cities Near University Heights
The closest cities within 60 miles
Planning a move to University Heights?
Read our full moving guide — what it's really like to live here.
University Heights FAQ
Is University Heights, Ohio affordable?⌄
University Heights's median rent is $1,507/month, which is close to the national average. The median household income is $96,971/year. Median home value is $242,700.
Is University Heights, Ohio safe?⌄
University Heights's violent crime rate was 53 per 100,000 residents in 2025, which is well below the national average — one of the safer cities in the country of 329/100k that year. Property crime rate is 778 per 100,000. As with any city, crime rates vary by neighborhood.
What is the job market like in University Heights, Ohio?⌄
Cuyahoga County, which includes University Heights, has an unemployment rate of 4.1%, which is close to the national average of 4.3%.
What is the cost of living in University Heights, Ohio?⌄
The cost of living in University Heights is primarily driven by housing. Median rent is $1,507/month and median household income is $96,971/year. The median home value is $242,700. About 51% of renters spend more than 30% of their income on housing.
How is the commute in University Heights, Ohio?⌄
The average commute in University Heights is 19 minutes, which is shorter than average compared to the national average of 26 minutes.
Data from the US Census Bureau, BLS, FBI, NOAA, EPA, Zillow Research and other public sources. Where our data comes from