Wikipedia

Akron, Ohio

"Akron" redirects here. For other uses, seeAkron (disambiguation).

Akron(/ˈækrən/) is a city in and thecounty seatofSummit County, Ohio,United States. At the2020 census,the city proper had a total population of 190,469, making it thefifth-most populous cityin Ohio and136th-most populous cityin the U.S. TheAkron metropolitan area,covering Summit andPortagecounties, had a population of 702,219.[4]It is located on the western edge of theGlaciated Allegheny PlateauinNortheast Ohioabout 40 miles (64 km) south of downtownCleveland.

Akron
City
Downtown Akron
Stan Hywet Hall
Akron Art Museum
Canal Park
Goodyear Airdock
Flag of Akron
Flag
Official seal of Akron
Seal
Official logo of Akron
Logo
Etymology: fromAncient Greekἄκρον(ákron)'summit, high point'
Nicknames:
Rubber City,City of Invention,Rubber Capital of the World (historical)
Map
Interactive map of Akron
Akron is located in Ohio
Akron
Akron
Akron is located in the United States
Akron
Akron
Coordinates:41°04′50″N81°31′20″W/ 41.08056°N 81.52222°W/41.08056; -81.52222
CountryUnited States
StateOhio
CountySummit
Founded1825
Incorporated1836 (village)
Incorporated1865 (city)
Government
• TypeMayor–council
• MayorShammas Malik(D)
Area
[1]
•City62.27 sq mi (161.29 km2)
• Land61.93 sq mi (160.41 km2)
• Water0.34 sq mi (0.88 km2) 0.55%
Elevation
[2]
945 ft (288 m)
Population
(2020)
•City190,469
• Estimate
(2023)[3]
188,701
• RankUS:136th
• Density3,075.40/sq mi (1,187.42/km2)
•Urban
541,879 (US:79th)
• Urban density1,802.4/sq mi (695.9/km2)
•Metro
702,219 (US:83rd)
DemonymAkronite
Time zoneUTC−5(Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)UTC−4(EDT)
ZIP code
44301-44321, 44325-44326, 44328, 44333-44334, 44372, 44396, 44398
Area codes234, 330
FIPS code39-01000
GNISfeature ID1086993[2]
Websitewww.akronohio.gov

After being first settled by Miner Spicer in 1810,[5]the city was founded bySimon Perkinsand Paul Williams in 1825 along theLittle Cuyahoga Riverat the summit of the developingOhio and Erie Canal.The name is derived from theGreekwordἄκρον(ákron), signifying a summit or high point. It was briefly renamed South Akron after Eliakim Crosby founded nearby North Akron in 1833, until both merged into an incorporated village in 1836. In the 1910s, Akron doubled in population, making it the nation's fastest-growing city.

A long history of rubber and tire manufacturing, carried on today by theGoodyear Tire and Rubber Company,gave Akron the nickname "Rubber Capital of the World". It was once known as a center ofairshipdevelopment.[6][7]Today, its economy includes manufacturing, education, healthcare, and biomedical research; leading corporations includeGojo Industries,FirstEnergy,Huntington Bank,andCharter Spectrum.

Notable historic events in Akron include the passage of the Akron School Law of 1847, which created theK–12 system;the popularization of the church architecturalAkron Plan,the foundation ofAlcoholics Anonymous,the Akron Experiment into preventinggoiterswithiodizedsalt,the 1983 Supreme Court caseCity of Akron v. Akron Center for Reproductive Health;and portions of the2014 Gay Games.A racially diverse city, it has seen noted racial relations speeches bySojourner Truthin 1851 (theAin't I A Woman?speech),W. E. B. Du Boisin 1920,[8]and PresidentBill Clintonin 1997.[9]In 1914,Marcus Garveyfounded theUniversal Negro Improvement Associationin Akron.[8][10]Episodes of major civil unrest in Akron have included theriot of 1900,rubber strike of 1936,theWooster Avenue riots of 1968,and the 2022 protests surrounding thekilling of Jayland Walker.

History

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Original town plot of Akron

The first settler in the Akron area was Major Miner Spicer,[11]who came fromGroton, Connecticut.He built alog cabinin the forest in 1810, and became the region's first citizen.[5]In June 1811, Spicer sent for his family, who came that same year by ox teams accompanied by Capt. Amos Spicer and Paul Williams.[12]

In 1811, Paul Williams settled near the corner of what is now Buchtel Avenue and Broadway. He suggested to GeneralSimon Perkins,who was surveyor of theConnecticut Land Company'sConnecticut Western Reserve,that they found a town at the summit of the developingOhio and Erie Canal.The name is adapted from theGreekwordἄκρον(ákron), meaning summit or high point.[13]It was laid out in December 1825, where the south part of the downtown Akron neighborhood sits today. Irish laborers working on theOhio Canalbuilt about 100 cabins nearby.

After Eliakim Crosby founded "North Akron" (also known as Cascade) in the northern portion of what is now downtown Akron in 1833, "South" was added to Akron's name until about three years later, when the two were merged and became an incorporated village in 1836.[14]In 1840, Summit County formed from portions ofPortage,Medina,andStarkCounties. Akron replacedCuyahoga Fallsas its county seat a year later and opened a canal connecting toBeaver, Pennsylvania,helping give birth to the stoneware, sewer pipe, fishing tackle, and farming equipment industries.[6][7]In 1844, abolitionistJohn Brownmoved into theJohn Brown Houseacross the street from business partnerColonel Simon Perkins,who lived in thePerkins Stone Mansion.The Akron School Law of 1847 founded the city's public schools and created theK–12 grade school system,[15]which currently is used in every U.S. state. The city's first school is now a museum on Broadway Street near the corner of Exchange.

1850s–1890s: Summit City

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When the Ohio Women's Rights Convention came to Akron in 1851, Sojourner Truth extemporaneously delivered her speech named "Ain't I A Woman?",at the Universalist Old Stone Church. In 1870, a local businessman associated with the church,John R. Buchtel,founded Buchtel College, which became theUniversity of Akronin 1913.

Ferdinand Schumacherbought a mill in 1856, and the following decade mass-producedoat barsfor theUnion Armyduring theAmerican Civil War;these continued to sell well after the war. Akron incorporated as a city in 1865.[citation needed]PhilanthropistLewis Miller,Walter Blythe, and architect Jacob Snyder designed the widely usedAkron Plan,debuting it on Akron's First Methodist Episcopal Church in 1872.[16]NumerousCongregational,Baptist,andPresbyterianchurches built between the 1870s and World War I use it.[17][18]In 1883, a local journalist began the modern toy industry by founding the Akron Toy Company. A year later, the first popular toy was mass-producedclaymarblesmade by Samuel C. Dyke at his shop where Lock 3 Park is now. Other popular inventions include rubber balloons, ducks, dolls, balls, baby buggy bumpers, and little brown jugs. In 1895, the first long-distance electric railway, theAkron, Bedford and Cleveland Railroad,began service.[19]On August 25, 1889, theBoston Daily Globereferred to Akron with the nickname "Summit City".[20]To help local police, the city deployed the first police car in the U.S. that ran on electricity.[21]

1900s–1990s: Rubber Capital of the World

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See also:Akron Rubber Strike of 1936
An airship under construction at theGoodyear Airdock,c. 1930

TheRiot of 1900saw assaults on city officials, two deaths, and the destruction by fire of Columbia Hall and the Downtown Fire Station (now the City Building since 1925).[22]The Americantrucking industrywas birthed through Akron's Rubber Capital of the World era when the four major tire companiesB.F. Goodrich(1869),Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company(1898),Firestone Tire and Rubber Company(1900),[23]andGeneral Tire & Rubber Company(1915)[24][25]were headquartered in the city. The numerous jobs the rubber factories provided for deaf people led to Akron being nicknamed the "Crossroads of the Deaf".[26]On Easter Sunday 1913, 9.55 inches (243 mm) of rain fell,causing floodsthat killed five people and destroyed the Ohio and Erie Canal system. From 1916 to 1920, 10,000 schoolgirls took part in the successful Akron Experiment, testingiodized saltto preventgoiterin what was known as the "Goiter Belt".[27]

Rubber companies responded to housing crunches by building affordable housing for workers. Goodyear's president,Frank A. Seiberling,built theGoodyear Heightsneighborhood for employees. Likewise,Harvey S. Firestonebuilt theFirestone Parkneighborhood for his employees.[28]During the 1910–1920 decade, Akron became aboomtown,being America's fastest growing city with a 201.8% increase in population. Of the 208,000 citizens, almost one-third wereimmigrants(alsoClark Gable)[29]and their children from places including Europe and West Virginia. In 1929 and 1931, Goodyear's subsidiaryGoodyear-Zeppelin Companymanufactured two airships for the United States Navy,USSAkron(ZRS-4)andUSSMacon(ZRS-5).Goodyear built a number ofblimpsfor the Navy during WWII and later for advertising purposes.[30][31][32]

Akron again grew whenKenmorewas annexed by voter approval on November 6, 1928. Found hiding under a bed at one of his hideouts in the city, notorious bank robber Charles Arthur "Pretty Boy"Floyd was arrested under the name" Frank Mitchell "in March 1930.[33]Goodyear became America's top tire manufacturer after merging with theKelly-Springfield Tire Companyin 1935.[34]Lasting five weeks and consisting of roughly 5,000 strikers including union sympathizers from other factories and neighboring states, theAkron Rubber Strike of 1936successfully used the"sit-down" tacticto force recognition of theUnited Rubber Workers.[35]During the 1950s–60s Akron surged as use of the automobile did. The historicRubber Bowlwas used by theNational Guard of the United Statesas a base during the racialWooster Avenue Riots of 1968.Like many other industries of theRust Belt,both the tire and rubber industries experienced major decline. By the early 1990s, Goodyear was the last major tire manufacturer based in Akron.

2000s: City of Invention

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Goodyear Polymer Center,University of Akron

Despite the number of rubber workers decreasing by roughly half from 2000 to 2007, Akron's research inpolymersgained an international reputation.[36]It now centers on the Polymer Valley which consists of 400 polymer-related companies, of which 94 were located in the city itself.[37]Research is focused at theUniversity of Akron,which is home to theGoodyear Polymer Centerand the National Polymer Innovation Center, and the College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering. Because of its contributions to theInformation Age,Newsweeklisted Akron fifth of tenhigh-techhavens in 2001.[37]In 2008 "City of Invention" was added to the seal when theAll-America City Awardwas received for the third time. Some events of the2014 Gay Gamesused the city as a venue. In 2013, the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company opened its new global headquarters on Innovation Way, further cementing the company's relationship with the city.[38]Bridgestonebuilt a new technical center with state-of-the-art R&D labs, and moved its product development operations to the new facility in early 2012.[39][40]

The city also continues to deal with the effects of air andsoil pollutionfrom its industrial past. In the southwestern part of the city, soil was contaminated and noxiousPCB-laden fumes were put into the air by an electrical transformer deconstruction operation that existed from the 1930s to the 1960s. Cleanup of the site, designated as aSuperfundsite by theEnvironmental Protection Agency,began in 1987 and concluded in 2000. The area remains restricted with regular reviews of the site and its underground aquifer.[41][42][43]

Racial history

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See also:City of Akron v. Akron Center for Reproductive Health

City founderSimon Perkinsnegotiated a treaty withNative Americansto establish a mail route from theConnecticut Western Reserveto Detroit in 1807, an early example of historic humanitarian affairs in Akron. Aside from being part of theUnderground Railroad,when active,John Brownwas a resident, today having two landmarks (the John Brown House and the John Brown Monument) dedicated to him. During the 1851 Women's Rights Convention,Sojourner Truthdelivered her speech entitled "Ain't I A Woman?".In 1905, a statue of an Indian named Unk was erected on Portage Path, which was part of the effective western boundary of theWhiteandNative Americanlands from 1785 to 1805.[44]TheSummit Countychapter of theKu Klux Klanreported having 50,000 members, making it the largest local chapter in the country during the 20th century. At some point the sheriff, county officials, mayor of Akron, judges, county commissioners, and most members of Akron's school board were members. The Klan's influence in the city's politics eventually ended afterWendell Willkiearrived and challenged them.[45]Race played a part in two of Akron's major riots, the Riot of 1900 and the Wooster Ave. Riots of 1968. Others giving speeches on race in the city includeW. E. B. Du Bois(1920)[8]and PresidentBill Clinton(1997).[9]In 1971,Alpha Phi Alpha Homes Inc.was founded in Akron by the Eta Tau Lambda chapter, withJames R. Williamsas chairman. The centerpiece,Henry Arthur Callis Tower,is located in the Channelwood Village area of the city. In 2008, 91-year-old Akron native, Addie Polk, became theposter childof theGreat Recession,after shooting herself.[46]In 2022, Akron residentJayland Walkerwas killed by police after shooting at them while fleeing, sparking days of protest and the institution of a police review board.

Geography

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Akron is located in theGreat Lakes regionabout 39 miles (63 km) south ofLake Erie,on theGlaciated Allegheny Plateau.It is bordered byCuyahoga Fallson the north andBarbertonin the southwest. It is the center of theAkron metropolitan areawhich covers Summit and Portage Counties, and a principal city of the largerCleveland–Akron–Canton Combined Statistical Area.Located on the western end of the plateau, the topography of Akron includes rolling hills and varied terrain. TheOhio and Erie Canalpasses through the city, separating the east from west. Akron has the onlybiogasfacility[47]in the United States that producesmethanethrough the decomposition process of sludge to create electricity.[48] According to the 2010 census, the city has a total area of 62.37 square miles (161.5 km2), of which 62.03 square miles (160.7 km2) (or 99.45%) is land and 0.34 square miles (0.88 km2) (or 0.55%) is water.[49]

Climate

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Akron has ahumid continental climate(KöppenDfa), typical of theMidwest,with four distinct seasons, and lies in USDAhardiness zone6b, degrading to zone 6a in the outlying suburbs.[50]Winters are cold and dry but typically bring a mix of rain, sleet, and snow with occasional heavy snowfall and icing. January is the coldest month with an average mean temperature of 27.9 °F (−2.3 °C),[51]with temperatures on average dropping to or below 0 °F (−18 °C) on 3.3 days and staying at or below freezing on 40 days per year.[51]Snowfall averages 47.2 inches (120 cm) per season, significantly less than thesnowbeltareas closer toLake Erie.[51]The snowiest month on record was 37.5 inches (95 cm) in January 1978, while winter snowfall amounts have ranged from 82.0 in (208 cm) in 1977–78 to 18.2 in (46 cm) in 1949–50.[51]Springs generally see a transition to fewer weather systems that produce heavier rainfall. Summers are typically very warm and humid with temperatures at or above 90 °F (32 °C) on 10.7 days per year on average; the annual count has been as high as 36 days in 1931, while the most recent year to not reach that mark is 2023.[51]July is the warmest month with an average mean temperature of 73.9 °F (23 °C).[51]Autumn is relatively dry with many clear warm days and cool nights.

The all-time record high temperature in Akron of 104 °F (40 °C) was established on August 6, 1918, and the all-time record low temperature of −25 °F (−32 °C) was set on January 19, 1994.[51]The most precipitation to fall on one calendar day was on July 7, 1943, when 5.96 "of rain was measured.[51]The first and last freezes of the season on average fall on October 21 and April 26, respectively, allowing a growing season of 174 days.[51]The normal annual mean temperature is 51.7 °F (10.9 °C).[51]Normal yearlyprecipitationbased on the 30-year average from 1991 to 2020 is 41.57 inches (1,056 mm), falling on an average 160 days.[51]Monthly precipitation has ranged from 12.55 in (319 mm) in July 2003 to 0.20 in (5.1 mm) in September 1960, while for annual precipitation the historical range is 65.70 in (1,669 mm) in 1990 to 23.79 in (604 mm) in 1963.[51]

Climate data for Akron, Ohio (Akron–Canton Airport), 1991–2020 normals,[a]extremes 1887–present
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 73
(23) 		76
(24) 		83
(28) 		89
(32) 		94
(34) 		100
(38) 		102
(39) 		104
(40) 		99
(37) 		91
(33) 		80
(27) 		76
(24) 		104
(40)
Mean maximum °F (°C) 58.2
(14.6) 		60.0
(15.6) 		70.7
(21.5) 		79.8
(26.6) 		85.8
(29.9) 		90.5
(32.5) 		91.6
(33.1) 		90.4
(32.4) 		87.7
(30.9) 		79.1
(26.2) 		68.1
(20.1) 		59.4
(15.2) 		92.7
(33.7)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 35.5
(1.9) 		38.6
(3.7) 		48.4
(9.1) 		61.8
(16.6) 		72.3
(22.4) 		80.4
(26.9) 		84.3
(29.1) 		82.7
(28.2) 		75.9
(24.4) 		63.4
(17.4) 		50.7
(10.4) 		39.9
(4.4) 		61.2
(16.2)
Daily mean °F (°C) 27.9
(−2.3) 		30.2
(−1.0) 		38.9
(3.8) 		50.8
(10.4) 		61.3
(16.3) 		69.9
(21.1) 		73.9
(23.3) 		72.3
(22.4) 		65.4
(18.6) 		53.7
(12.1) 		42.5
(5.8) 		33.0
(0.6) 		51.7
(10.9)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 20.3
(−6.5) 		21.9
(−5.6) 		29.4
(−1.4) 		39.8
(4.3) 		50.4
(10.2) 		59.4
(15.2) 		63.4
(17.4) 		61.9
(16.6) 		54.9
(12.7) 		44.0
(6.7) 		34.2
(1.2) 		26.1
(−3.3) 		42.1
(5.6)
Mean minimum °F (°C) −1.1
(−18.4) 		3.0
(−16.1) 		10.9
(−11.7) 		24.2
(−4.3) 		35.4
(1.9) 		44.4
(6.9) 		52.1
(11.2) 		50.6
(10.3) 		40.9
(4.9) 		30.4
(−0.9) 		18.7
(−7.4) 		8.5
(−13.1) 		−3.4
(−19.7)
Record low °F (°C) −25
(−32) 		−20
(−29) 		−6
(−21) 		10
(−12) 		24
(−4) 		32
(0) 		41
(5) 		39
(4) 		29
(−2) 		20
(−7) 		−1
(−18) 		−16
(−27) 		−25
(−32)
Averageprecipitationinches (mm) 2.92
(74) 		2.44
(62) 		3.23
(82) 		3.86
(98) 		4.13
(105) 		4.43
(113) 		4.14
(105) 		3.61
(92) 		3.50
(89) 		3.34
(85) 		3.08
(78) 		2.89
(73) 		41.57
(1,056)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 13.4
(34) 		12.0
(30) 		7.6
(19) 		1.7
(4.3) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.3
(0.76) 		3.3
(8.4) 		8.9
(23) 		47.2
(120)
Average precipitation days(≥ 0.01 in) 17.8 14.5 14.2 14.6 14.1 12.4 11.8 10.1 9.9 12.0 12.5 16.0 159.9
Average snowy days(≥ 0.1 in) 13.3 10.0 6.7 2.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.4 3.4 9.5 45.3
Averagerelative humidity(%) 73.4 71.6 67.8 63.6 65.9 68.4 70.2 73.2 73.9 70.3 72.2 74.8 70.4
Averagedew point°F (°C) 17.2
(−8.2) 		19.0
(−7.2) 		27.0
(−2.8) 		35.2
(1.8) 		46.2
(7.9) 		55.9
(13.3) 		60.6
(15.9) 		60.3
(15.7) 		54.0
(12.2) 		41.7
(5.4) 		32.9
(0.5) 		23.2
(−4.9) 		39.4
(4.1)
Source: NOAA (relative humidity and dew point 1961-1990)[52][53]

Neighborhoods

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Main article:Neighborhoods in Akron, Ohio

Akron consists of 21 neighborhoods, with an additional three that are unincorporated but recognized within the city. The neighborhoods of the city differ in design largely because of expansions such as town merging, annexation, housing construction in various time periods, and rubber era.

Maple Valley covers the west end of Copley Road, before reaching I-77. Along this strip are several businesses using the name, as well as the Maple Valley Branch of theAkron-Summit County Public Library.Spicertown falls under the blanket of University Park, this term is used frequently to describe the student-centered retail and residential area around East Exchange and Spicer streets, near the University of Akron. West Hill is roughly bounded by West Market Street on the north, West Exchange Street on the south, Downtown on the East, and Rhodes Avenue on the west. It features many stately older homes, particularly in the recently recognized Oakdale Historic District.

Suburbs

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Akron's suburbs includeBarberton,Cuyahoga Falls,Fairlawn,Green,Hudson,Mogadore,Montrose-Ghent,Munroe Falls,Norton,Silver Lake,Stow,andTallmadge.Akron formedJoint Economic Development DistrictswithSpringfield,Coventry,Copley,andBath(in conjunction with Fairlawn) townships.[54]

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18401,664—
18503,26696.3%
18603,4776.5%
187010,006187.8%
188016,51265.0%
189027,60167.2%
190042,72854.8%
191069,06761.6%
1920208,435201.8%
1930255,04022.4%
1940244,791−4.0%
1950274,60512.2%
1960290,3515.7%
1970275,425−5.1%
1980237,177−13.9%
1990223,019−6.0%
2000217,074−2.7%
2010199,110−8.3%
2020190,469−4.3%
2023 (est.)188,701[3]−0.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[55]2020 census[56]

According to census data from 2010 to 2014, the median income for a household in the city was $34,139. The per capita income for the city was $17,596. About 26.7% of persons were in poverty.[57]

The population of theAkron metropolitan areawas 702,219 in 2020. Akron is also part of the largerCleveland-Akron-Canton combined statistical area,which was the 15th largest in the country with a population of over 3.5 million residents. Akron experienced a significant collapse in population having lost over one third (34.4%) of its population between 1960 and 2020.

Although Akron is in northern Ohio, where theInland Northdialect is expected, its settlement history puts it in the North Midland dialect area.[58]Some localisms that have developed includedevilstrip,which refers to the grass strip between a sidewalk and street.[59]

2020 census

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Akron, Ohio – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity(NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 2000[60] Pop 2010[61] Pop 2020[62] % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
Whitealone (NH) 144,719 121,946 102,825 66.67% 61.25% 53.99%
Black or African Americanalone (NH) 61,510 62,095 59,286 28.34% 31.19% 31.13%
Native AmericanorAlaska Nativealone (NH) 526 425 356 0.24% 0.21% 0.19%
Asianalone (NH) 3,232 4,201 10,042 1.49% 2.11% 5.27%
Pacific Islanderalone (NH) 40 49 73 0.02% 0.02% 0.04%
Some Other Racealone (NH) 365 448 1,017 0.17% 0.23% 0.53%
Mixed Race or Multi-Racial(NH) 4,169 5,691 10,674 1.92% 2.86% 5.60%
Hispanic or Latino(any race) 2,513 4,255 6,196 1.16% 2.14% 3.25%
Total 217,074 199,110 190,469 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

As of the census of 2020, there were 190,469 people living in the city, for a population density of 3,075.40 people per square mile (1,187.42/km2). There were 92,517 housing units. The racial makeup of the city (including Hispanics in the racial counts) was 54.7%White,31.4%African American,0.3%Native American,5.3%Asian,0.0%Pacific Islander,1.6% fromsome other race,and 6.6% from two or more races. Separately, 3.3% of the population wereHispanicorLatinoof any race.[63]

There were 85,395 households, out of which 28.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 27.3% weremarried couplesliving together, 23.8% had a male householder with no spouse present, and 39.8% had a female householder with no spouse present. 38.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.0% were someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.16, and the average family size was 2.86.[63]

22.1% of the city's population were under the age of 18, 61.6% were 18 to 64, and 16.3% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36.5. For every 100 females, there were 93.8 males.[63]

According to the U.S. CensusAmerican Community Survey,for the period 2016-2020 the estimated median annual income for a household in the city was $45,534, and the median income for a family was $52,976. About 24.4% of the population were living below thepoverty line,including 35.0% of those under age 18 and 12.9% of those age 65 or over. About 57.1% of the population were employed, and 24.8% had a bachelor's degree or higher.[63]

2010 census

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As of thecensus[64]of 2010, there were 199,110 people, 83,712 households, and 47,084 families residing in the city. Thepopulation densitywas 3,209.9 inhabitants per square mile (1,239.3/km2). There were 96,288 housing units at an average density of 1,552.3 per square mile (599.3/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 62.2%White,31.5%African American,0.2%Native American,2.1%Asian,0.8% fromother races,and 3.2% from two or more races.HispanicorLatinoof any race were 2.1% of the population.Non-Hispanic Whiteswere 61.2% of the population,[65]down from 81.0% in 1970.[66]

There were 83,712 households, of which 28.8% had children under age 18 living with them, 31.3% weremarried couplesliving together, 19.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 43.8% were non-families. 34.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.98.

The median age in the city was 35.7 years. 22.9% of residents were under age 18; 12.4% were between 18 and 24; 25.9% were from 25 to 44; 25.9% were from 45 to 64; and 12.6% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.3% male and 51.7% female.

Crime

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Main article:Crime history of Akron, Ohio
Summit County Courthouse andAPDvehicles. The modern police car originated in Akron in 1899.[21]

In 1999, Akron ranked as the 94th-most-dangerous city (and the 229th safest) on the 7thMorgan Quitnolist.[67]Preliminary Ohio crime statistics show aggravated assaults increased by 45% during 2007.[68]

Historically,organized crimeoperated in the city with the presence of theBlack Handled byRosario Borgio,once headquartered on the city's north side in the first decade of the 20th century[citation needed]and theWalker-Mitchellmob, of whichPretty Boy Floydwas a member.[69]Akron has experienced several riots in its history, including theRiot of 1900and theWooster Avenue Riots of 1968.

The distribution ofmethamphetamine( "meth" ) in Akron greatly contributed toSummit Countybecoming known as the "Meth Capital of Ohio" in the early 2000s.[70]The county ranked third in the nation in the number of registered meth sites.[71]During the 1990s, motorcycle gang theHells Angelssold the drug from bars frequented by members.[72]Between January 2004 and August 2009, the city had significantly more registered sites than any other city in the state.[73]Authorities believed a disruption of a major Mexican meth operation contributed to the increase of it being made locally.[74]In 2007, the Akron Police Department (APD) received a grant to help continue its work with other agencies and jurisdictions to support them in ridding the city of meth labs.[75]The APD coordinates with the Summit County Drug Unit and the Drug Enforcement Administration, forming the Clandestine Methamphetamine Laboratory Response Team.[76]

Economy

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Goodyear Tire and Rubber Companyheadquarters

Many industries in the United States either began or were influenced by the city. After beginning thetireand rubber industry during the 20th century with the founding ofBFGoodrich,Firestone,General Tire,and also theGoodyearmerger withThe Kelly-Springfield Tire Company,Akron gained the status of "Rubber Capital of the World". Akron has won economic awards such as for City Livability andAll-America City,and deemed ahigh techhaven greatly contributing to theInformation Age.[77]CurrentFortune 500companies headquartered in the city include Goodyear andFirstEnergy.In addition, the city is the headquarters to a number of other notable companies such asGOJO,Advanced Elastomer Systems,Babcock & Wilcox,Myers Industries,Acme Fresh Market,andSterling Jewelers.Goodyear, America's biggest tire manufacturer and the fifth-largest private employer in Summit County,[78]recently built a new world headquarters in the city. The project, Akron Riverwalk, will feature a large retail and commercial development area.[citation needed]The project began in 2007, but was put on hold because of theGreat Recession.[79]Bridgestonebuilt a new technical center with research and development labs, and moved its product development operations to the new facility in early 2012.[39][40]The Eastern OhioDivisionofKeyBank,which has six branches in the city, built a regional headquarters downtown.[80]The city has a freeWiFicorridor centered in downtown. Neighborhoods in range include Goodyear Heights, East Akron, North Hill, Firestone Park, Kenmore, and West Akron.[81]

Polymer Valley

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Northeast Ohio's Polymer Valley is centered in Akron. The area holds forty-five percent of the state's polymer industries, with the oldest dating to the 19th century. During the 1980s and 1990s, an influx of new polymer companies came to the region.[82]In 2001, more than 400 companies manufactured polymer-based materials in the region.[83]ManyUniversity of Akronscientists became world-renowned for their research done at theGoodyear Polymer Center.[84]The first College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering was begun by the university. In 2010, the National Polymer Innovation Center opened on campus.

Hospitals

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Summa Akron City Hospital

Akron has designated an area called the Biomedical Corridor, aimed at luring health-related ventures to the region. It encompasses 1,240 acres (5.0 km2) of private and publicly owned land, bounded by Akron General on the west and Akron City on the east, and also includes Akron Children's near the district's center with the former Saint Thomas Hospital to the north of its northern boundaries.[85]Since its start in 2006, the corridor added the headquarters of companies such as Akron Polymer Systems.[86]

Akron's adult hospitals are owned by two health systems,Summa Health Systemand Akron General Health System. Summa Health System operatesSumma Akron City Hospitaland the former St. Thomas Hospital, which in 2008 were recognized for the 11th consecutive year as one of "America's Best Hospitals" byU.S. News & World Report.[87][88]Summa is recognized as having one of the best orthopaedics programs in the nation with a ranking of 28th.[89]Akron General Health in affiliation with theCleveland Clinicoperates Akron General Medical Center, which in 2009, was recognized as one of "America's Best Hospitals" byU.S. News & World Report.[90][91]Akron Children's Hospitalis an independent entity that specializes in pediatric care and burn care.[92]In 1974, Howard Igel and Aaron Freeman successfully grewhuman skinin a lab to treat burn victims, making Akron Children's Hospital the first hospital in the world to achieve such a feat.[93]Akron City and Akron General hospitals are designatedLevel I Trauma Centers.

Top employers

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According to the city's 2020 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,[94]the principal employers in the city are:

# Employer Employees
1 Summa Health System 8,609
2 University of Akron 5,933
3 Akron Children's Hospital 5,773
4 FirstEnergy 5,538
5 Cleveland Clinic- Akron General 4,779
6 Akron Public Schools 4,544
7 Summit County 3,323
8 Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company 2,954
9 City of Akron 2,406
10 Signet Jewelers 2,094

Arts and culture

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Main article:Culture of Akron, Ohio
Stan Hywet Hall and Gardensentrance

Akron is home toE. J. Thomas Hall,one of three Akron performance halls. Regular acts include theAkron Symphony Orchestra,Tuesday Musical Club, and Children's Concert Society. World-class performances events include Broadway musicals, ballets, comedies, lectures, entertainers, attracting 400,000 visitors annually. The hall seats 2,955, divided among three tiers. To maintain top-notch acoustic sound, the counter-weighted ceiling is adjustable, altering the physical dimensions of the hall. Located downtown is theAkron Civic Theatre,which opened in 1929 as the Loew's Theater. This atmospheric-style theater was designed by John Eberson and built by Marcus Loew. The theater contains many Moorish features including arches and decorative tiles. It features elaborate wood carvings, alabaster statuary, and European antiques. The theater seats 5,000. Behind it on the canal is the Lock 3 Parkamphitheater,which annually host theFirst Nightin Akron. TheAkron Art Museumalso downtown, features art produced since 1850 along with national and international exhibitions.[95]It opened in 1922 as the Akron Art Institute, in the basement of theAkron Public Library.It moved to its current location at the renovated 1899 post office building in 1981. In 2007, the museum more than tripled in size with the addition of the John S. and James L. Knight Building, which received the 2005 American Architecture Award from the Chicago Athenaeum[96]while still under construction.[97][98]

Built between 1912 and 1915 forFrank A. Sieberling,Stan Hywet Hall and Gardensis the seventh-largesthistoric house in the United States.

Located within the Sand Run Metro Park, the 104 acres (0.42 km2) F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm features a visitor center, hiking trails, three ponds, gardens, and an array of special programs throughout the year. The Akron Police Museum displays mementos including items fromPretty Boy Floyd,whose gang frequented the city.[99][100]

Akron is home to the American Marble and Toy Museum.[101]

Architecture

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See also:Category:Buildings and structures in Akron, Ohio
Jablonski Sculpture, a gift of the Zimmite Corporation in tribute to Nola M. Guzzetta's humanitarian interest in providing for the blind a vision of artistic and architectural design through touch[102]
Quaker Square,1979

As a result of multiple towns merging, and industry boom, Akron's architecture is diverse.

Originally a canal town, the city is divided into two parts by theOhio and Erie Canal,with downtown being centered on it. Along the locks, the city has a path paved with rubber.

Akron was awarded with theCity Livability Awardin 2008 for its efforts to co-purpose new school buildings as community learning centers. In 2009, theNational Arbor Day Foundationdesignated Akron as aTree City USAfor the 14th time.[103]

Many of the city's government and civic buildings, including City Hall and theSummit County Courthouseare from pre-World War Two, but theAkron-Summit County Public Library,andJohn S. Knight Centerare considerably newer. The library originally opened in 1969, but reopened as a greatly expanded facility in 2004. The Knight Center opened in 1994.

The First Methodist Episcopal Church first used theAkron Planin 1872. The plan later gained popularity, being used in manyCongregationalist,Baptist,andPresbyterianchurch buildings.[16][104]

The facade of theAkron Civic Theatreand Knight Stage.

The city is home to a historic 1920s atmosphericmovie palace,theAkron Civic Theatre.One of the building's features is a starry sky with clouds that drift over it when the lights are dimmed.

Completed in 1931, Akron's tallest building, theHuntington Tower,features theart decostyle and is covered inglazed architectural terra-cotta.[105]Standing 330 feet (100 m) tall, it is built on top of the Hamilton Building, completed in 1900 in theneo-gothicstyle.[citation needed]Near the turn of the millennium the tower was given a $2.5 million facelift, including a $1.8 million restoration of the tower's terra-cotta, brick, and limestone.[105]The top of the building has a television broadcast tower formerly used by WAKR-TV (nowWVPX-TV) andWAKR-AM.[106]The antenna reaches 134.7 metres (442 ft).[citation needed]Located on theUniversity of Akroncampus, theGoodyear Polymer Centerconsists of glass twin towers connected by walkways. The university also formerly used the oldQuaker Oatsfactory as a dormitory, including using it as a quarantine center during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. For many years it had been a shopping center calledQuaker Square.There had also been a hotel there.

TheAkron Art MuseumcommissionedCoop Himmelblauto design an expansion in 2007. The new building connects to the old building and is divided into three parts known as the "Crystal",[107]the "Gallery Box",[108]and the "Roof Cloud".[109]

The contrasting neighborhoods of Goodyear Heights and Firestone Park were built during the rubber industry to house workers and their families. Both are communities filled with houses based on mail-order plans.

Tourism

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See also:National Register of Historic Places listings in Akron, Ohio
Akron Art Museum

There are numerous attractions and points of interest in the Akron area. Opened in 1922, theAkron Art Museumhas a 20,000-square-foot building and a collection of art produced since 1850.Stan Hywet Hall and Gardensis the estate of F.A. Seiberling, founder ofGoodyear Tire and Rubber Company.The manor hosts various attractions and public events throughout the year. In the heart of downtown, the Akron Civic Theatre has provided the community with a venue for entertainment and live performances for over eighty years.Lock 3,a historicOhio and Erie Canalwaylandmark, has been transformed into an entertainment amphitheater that hosts festivals, concerts, and community events throughout the year. TheAkron Zoois located just outside downtown, and was an initial gift of property from the city's founding family. In Highland Square, Akron hosts a convergence of art, music, and community annually called Art in the Square, a festival featuring local artists and musicians.[110]

National events hosted annually in Akron cover a wide variety of hobbies and interests. The PGA World Golf Championships travel to Akron each year for theBridgestone InvitationalatFirestone Country Club.The All-American Soap Box Derbyis a youth racing program which has its World Championship finals at Derby Downs. In mid July, theNational Hamburger Festivalconsists of different vendors serving original recipehamburgersand has a Miss Hamburger contest.[111]Lock 3 Park annually hosts theFirst NightAkron celebration on New Year's Eve.[112]The park also annually hosts the Italian Festival and the "Rib, White & Blue" food festival in July.[110]Founders Dayis celebrated annually because of the founding ofAlcoholics Anonymouswithin the city. TheDr. Robert Smith Houseis located in Akron.[113][114]

Cuisine

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See also:History of Quaker Oats

Several residents of Akron have played a role in defining American cuisine.Ferdinand Schumachercreated the first Americanoatmealand is a pioneer ofbreakfast cereal.[115]He also founded the Empire Barley Mill andGerman Mills American Oatmeal Company,[116]which would later merge several times with other companies, with the result being theQuaker Oats Company.[117]The Menches Brothers, are the disputed inventors of thewaffleice cream cone,[118]caramel corn,[118]andhamburger.[119]Strickland's Frozen Custardis located in Akron.

Sports

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Professional

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Team Sport League Venue (capacity) Attendance
Akron RubberDucks Baseball Eastern League(AA) Canal Park(7,630) 5,074
Akron Aviators Basketball American Basketball Association Innes Community Learning Center
Akron City FC Soccer National Premier Soccer League(Rust Belt Conference) Green Street Stadium(3,000) 625

College

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Team Sport League Venue (capacity) Attendance
Akron Zips football American football Mid-American Conference(NCAA) InfoCision Stadium(30,000) 18,098
Akron Zips men's basketball Basketball Mid-American Conference (NCAA) James A. Rhodes Arena(5,500) 3,351
Akron Zips men's soccer Soccer Big East

(NCAA)

FirstEnergy Stadium(4,000) 2,186

Overview

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Canal Park,home to theAkron RubberDucksbaseball team.

Current

The RubberDucks – formerly called the Akron Aeros – moved to Akron from Canton in 1997, and have won theEastern LeagueChampionship six times, most recently in 2021.

TheAkron Marathonis an annual marathon in the city which offers a team relay and shorter races throughout the summer and fall.[120]

TheAll-American Soap Box Derbytakes place each year at theDerby Downssince 1936.LeBron James' King for Kids bike-a-thon feature James riding with kids through the city each June.[121]In November, the city hosts the annual Home Run for the Homeless 4-mile run.

InfoCision Stadiumon theUniversity of Akroncampus, home field of theAkron Zips footballteam.

TheUniversity of Akron'sAkron Zipscompete in theNCAAand the Mid-American Conference (MAC) in a variety of sports at theDivision Ilevel. Themen's basketball teamappeared in the NCAA Tournament in 1986, 2009, 2011, and 2013. In 2009, theZips men's soccer teamcompleted the regular-season undefeated, then won theNCAA Men's Division I Soccer Championshipin 2010.Zippy,one of the eight female NCAA mascots, won the National Mascot of the Year contest in 2007.

Past teams and events

Former teams of Akron include theAkron Professionalsof theNational Football Leaguewho played in the historicRubber Bowland won the 1920 championship; theGoodyear Silents,a deaf semi-professional football; theAkron Black Tyritesof theNegro National League;theAkron Americansof theInternational Hockey League;theAkron Lightningof theInternational Basketball League;theAkron Summit Assaultof theUSL Premier Development League,the fourth tier of theAmerican Soccer Pyramid;theAkron Wingfootsof theNational Basketball League,who won the firstNBL Championshipand theInternational Cupthree times; theAkron Firestone Non-Skids,also of theNational Basketball League,who won the title consecutively, in 1939 and 1940; and the Akron Vulcans, a professional football team that played in theContinental Football Leaguefor part of the 1967 season.[122]

Akron had 2 teams who won theNational Basketball Leaguein the '30s and '40s, before the foundation of theNBA.

Akron hosted some of the events of the2014 Gay Gamesincluding the marathon, the men's and women's golf tournaments atFirestone Country Club,and softball atFirestone Stadium.[123]

TheFirestone Country Club,which annually hosted theWGC-Bridgestone Invitational,has in the past hosted thePGA Championship,American Golf Classic,andRubber City Open Invitational.On January 7, 1938, Akron became the birthplace of women's professionalMud Wrestling,in a match includingProfessional Wrestling,WWE,andWrestling Observer Hall of Famer,Mildred Burke.[124]TheProfessional Bowlers Associationstarted in the city during 1958.

Parks and recreation

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The F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm in Akron, Ohio.

Major parks in Akron include Lock 3, Firestone, Goodyear Heights, the F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm (or Naturealm), and part of theCuyahoga Valley National Park.Several of the parks are along the locks of the canal. Lock 3 Park in downtown Akron is the city's hub for entertainment. It is commonly used as an outdoor amphitheater hosting live musical entertainment, festivals and special events year-round. The park was created in the early 21st century to provide green space within the city. The Ohio and Erie Canal can still be seen flowing behind the stage where there was once a boat yard and dry dock. Later, a pottery factory stood there until the parking deck of the M. O'Neil Co. department store was built in the current location. More than 65,000 guests use the park for recreation annually. Lock 3 Live holds concerts for almost every musical genre, including alternative, R&B, reggae, gospel, country, pop, jazz and classic rock. Some festivals the park hosts throughout the year include Soap Box Derby opening ceremonies, firefighter competitions, charity events, tournaments and animal events. From November through February, Lock 3 Park is transformed into an outdoor ice-skating rink.[125]Adjacent to the Derby Downs race hill is a 19,000-square-foot (1,800 m2) outdoor skatepark. The park features concrete ramps, including two bowls going as deep as 7 feet (2.1 m), a snake run, two hips, a stair set with handrail, many smaller quarter pipes and a variety of grind boxes. Positioned just a few feet from the Akron Skatepark is a Pro BMX course where organized races are often held in the warmer months. Akron residents can enjoy various ice skating activities year round at the historicAkron Ice House.

TheOhio and Erie Canal Towpath Trailis a regional bike and hike trail that follows the canal. A bridge was completed in 2008, crossing Route 59/The Innerbelt, which connects the towpath proper with bike routes painted onto streets downtown, thus completing another step toward the connection of Cleveland and East Liverpool with a hike and bike trail.[citation needed]The State of Ohio plans to reconstruct the trail which once ran completely through Ohio, to New Philadelphia from Cleveland. The trail features a floating observation deck section over Summit Lake. It is a popular tourist attraction, as it attracts over 2 million visits annually.[126][127][128]The Portage Hike and Bike Trail, when fully complete, will connect with the hike and bike trails in the county.[129]

Government

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2020 Presidential Election by Precinct
Biden:50–60%60–70%70–80%80–90%90–100%
Trump:40–50%50–60%
See also:List of mayors of Akron, OhioandList of Akron politicians
The Ocasek Building includes state, county, and city offices.[130]

The mayor of Akron is elected in a citywide vote. In 2023, the city elected its 63rd mayor. The city is divided into 10 wards, each elect a member to the Akron City Council, while an additional 3 are elected at large. The mayor's cabinet currently consist of directors and deputy directors of administration, communications, community relations, economic development, intergovernmental relations, labor relations, law, planning & urban development, planning director – deputy, public safety, and public service.[131]The city adopted a new charter of thecommissioner manager typein 1920, but reverted to its old form in 1924.

The current mayor isShammas Malik,who succeededDan Horriganafter the2023 election.Longtime Akron MayorDon Plusquellicannounced on May 8, 2015, that he would resign on May 31 after 28 years as mayor and 41 years of service to the city.[132][133]On May 31, 2015, Garry Moneypenny was sworn in as the new mayor at East High School. Moneypenny was former Chief Deputy and Assistant Sheriff of the Summit County Sheriff's Department, formerSpringfield TownshipPolice Department Chief of Police,[134]and former Akron City Council President.[133]

On June 5, 2015, less than a week after he took office, Mayor Moneypenny announced he would not run for a full term because of inappropriate contact with a city employee.[135]Three days later, Moneypenny announced he would resign effective at midnight on June 10. Council president Jeff Fusco assumed the duties of mayor on June 11, 2015. Fusco ran for and was elected to an at-large council seat, rather than seeking a full term as mayor. Fusco also announced he would temporarily step down as Chair of the Summit County Democratic Party, because the city charter calls for the Mayor to devote his full attention to the city.[136]

As of July 1, 2015, three Democrats and one Republican were running for Mayor of Akron. The Democratic candidates wereSummit CountyClerk of Courtsand former ward 4 Councilman Dan Horrigan; at-large Councilman Mike Williams; and Summit County Councilman Frank Communale. Horrigan won the Democratic primary, held on September 8. In the general election, he faced the lone GOP candidate, Eddie Sipplen, an African-American criminal defense attorney.[137]On November 3, 2015, Horrigan was elected as the 62nd mayor of the city of Akron. He took office on January 1, 2016. On November 5, 2019, Mayor Horrigan was re-elected to a second term.[138]

The current members of the city council, all Democrats, are:

  • Ward 1 – Samuel D. DeShazior
  • Ward 2 – Phil Lombardo
  • Ward 3 – Margo Sommerville – president
  • Ward 4 – Jan Davis
  • Ward 5 – Johnnie Hannah
  • Ward 6 – Brad McKitrick – president pro-tempore
  • Ward 7 – Donnie Kammer
  • Ward 8 – James Hardy
  • Ward 9 – Tina Boyes
  • Ward 10 – Sharon L. Connor
  • At Large – Linda F. R. Omobien
  • At Large – Jeff Fusco – vice president
  • At Large – Eric D. Garrett Sr.
  • Clerk of Council – Sara Biviano
  • Council Chief of Staff - Dr. Joan M. Williams[139]

Education

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See also:Category:Education in Akron, OhioandList of University of Akron people
The Student Union at theUniversity of Akron

Preschool, elementary, and secondary education is mainly provided by theAkron City School District.Planning of the district began in 1840, when Ansel Miller suggested to build free public schools for all children in the city, paid for by property taxes. After enduring much opposition by citizens, in 1843 Miller joined with Rev. Isaac Jennings. Three years later, Jennings became the chairman of a committee of citizens who discussed how to improve the school system. On November 21, 1846, their plan was approved unanimously by the citizens. The Ohio Legislature adopted the plan, called "An act for the support and better regulation of the Common Schools of the Town of Akron" on February 8, 1847. Akron's first public schools were established in the fall of 1847 and were led by Mortimer Leggett. The first annual report showed that it cost less than $2 a year to educate a child. In 1857 the cost of running the schools for a year was $4,200 (~$108,341 in 2023). The primary schools were taught by young women, which the Akron Board of Education justified because they could be paid less and were under the supervision of a male superintendent. From 1877 to 1952, Akron graduated students semi-annually instead of annually. 9% of the city's school-aged population were born in other countries in 1888. In the 1920s, an Americanization program was designed to help the many Akron students who were first-generation Americans. Classes were in the rubber companies and some of the schools. A "continuation school" began for working boys and girls who were required by law to have at least four hours of schooling a week. In 1924, Akron's platoon schools attracted visitors from all over the country. Being a stronghold for theKu Klux Klanduring the decade, the majority of school board and government officials were members. Their influence ended with the arrival ofWendell Willkie.During the city's 1950s boom town phase, Akron schools grew eight times faster than the city's population. In 1967, Kenmore launched the Air Force JROTC. In 1971, Jennings piloted the middle school model, which moved ninth-graders to the senior high school. In 1984, all-day kindergarten was piloted at Seiberling, Rankin and Hatton schools, and Ellet, East and Garfield high schools piloted the in-school suspension program. The district received an A+ evaluation from the state in 1987.[140]

Akron was served by theAkron Digital Academyfrom 2002 to 2018, when it shut down.[141]

As part of his charitable foundation's initiatives in the city,LeBron Jamesfounded theI Promise School,which serves underprivileged kids.[142][143][144]

The city is home to theUniversity of Akron.[145]Originally Buchtel College, the school is home of theGoodyear Polymer Centerand the National Polymer Innovation Center.[146]

AllAkron Public Schoolsare currently going through a 15-year, $800 million rebuilding process.[147]In recent times the city's schools have been moved from "Academic Watch" to "Continuous Improvement" by theOhio Department of Education.[148]Akron also has many private, parochial and charter schools.

Media

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FormerAkron Beacon Journalheadquarters

Print

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Akron was served in print by the dailyAkron Beacon Journal,formerly the flagship newspaper of the Knight Newspapers chain; the weekly "The Akron Reporter"; and the weeklyWest Side Leadernewspapers and the monthly magazineAkron Life.The Buchtelitenewspaper is published by theUniversity of Akron.[149]

TV

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Akron is part of theCleveland-Akron-CantonTV market, the 18th largest market in the U.S.[150]Within the market,WEAO(PBS),WVPX(ION), andWBNX-TV(independent) are licensed to Akron. WEAO serves Akron specifically, while WBNX and WVPX identify 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'sWKYClater provided a joint news program, which was cancelled in 2005.[151][152]

Radio

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See also:Akron Radio

Though it is part of a combined TV market with Cleveland, Akron is its own radio market, with 12 stations directly serving it, including music stationsWQMX94.9 (Country),WONE97.5 (Classic rock),WKDD98.1 (Contemporary Hits), andWAKR1590/93.5 (Soft AC/Full service).

WHLO640 andWNIR-FM100.1 feature news/talk formats, whileWCUE1150 andWKJA91.9 air religious programming.

As the regionalNPRaffiliate,WKSU89.7 serves all of Northeast Ohio (including both the Cleveland and Akron markets).[153]College and school run stations includeWZIP88.1 (Top 40 –University of Akron),WSTB88.9 (Alternative – Streetsboro City Schools), andWAPS91.3 (AAA–Akron Public Schools)

Film and television

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Akron has served as the setting for severalmajor studioandindependentfilms. Inducted into theNational Film Registry,Dance, Girl, Dance(1940), tells the story of two dancers from Akron who go to New York City.[154][155]My Name is Bill W.(1989) tells the true story ofBill Wilsonwho co-foundedAlcoholics Anonymous,which held its first meetings at theStan Hywet Hall and Gardensand has over two million members today.[156]The program's connection to the Saint Thomas Hospital is alluded to in an episode of the television seriesPrison Break(2005), whereMichael Scofieldtalks toSara Tancredion the phone while there.[157]The Akron Armory is used as a venue for a female wrestling team in...All the Marbles(1981).[158]More than a Game(2009) documentsNational Basketball AssociationplayerLeBron Jamesand hisSt. Vincent – St. Mary High Schoolhigh school basketball team's journey.[159]InDrake's music video toForever(2009) off theMore than a Gamesoundtrack(2009), the iconicGoodyear's logo on top the company's theater is shown. The city has been frequently portrayed in media, from "Hell on Earth" in the television seriesI'm In Hell(2007),[160]to the whereabouts of a holy woman inThe Virgin of Akron, Ohio(2007).[161]Henry Spivey ofMy Own Worst Enemy(2008), travels to Akron through the series many times.[162]George Costanzain an episode ofSeinfeld(1989), flies to Akron and has a meeting atFirestone.[163]M.Y.O.B.(2008) is centered on an Akron runaway girl named Riley Veatch.[164]Jake Foley ofJake 2.0(2003),Pickles familyof theRugrats(1991), and J.Reid ofIn Too Deep(1999), and Avery Barkley of Nashville (2016) are also from the city. Akron was also in the spotlight on the television showCriminal Minds"Compromising Positions" (2010) Season 6, Episode 4. The 2015 filmRoomis set in Akron,filmed in Torontowithstagingto signify Akron.

Infrastructure

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Transportation

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Airports

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Akron Executive Airport

The primary terminal that airline passengers traveling to or from Akron use is theAkron–Canton Airport,serving nearly 2 million passengers a year. The Akron-Canton Airport is a commercialClass Cairport located in the city ofGreen,[165]roughly 10 mi (16 km) southeast of Akron operated jointly byStarkandSummitcounties. It serves as an alternative for travelers to or from the Cleveland area as well.Akron Executive Airportis ageneral aviationairport located in and owned by the City of Akron that serves private planes. It first opened in 1929 and has operated in several different capacities since then. The airport had commercial scheduled airline service until the 1950s and it is now used for both cargo and private planes.[166] It is home of theLockheed Martin Airdock,where the Goodyear airships, dirigibles, and blimps were originally stored and maintained. The Goodyear blimps are now housed outside of Akron in a facility on the shores of Wingfoot Lake in nearbySuffield Township.

Railroads

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Main article:Akron Northside station
Akron Northside Station

Akron Northside Station is a train station at 27 Ridge Street along theCuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad.[167]

Because of the city's large rubber industry, Akron was once served by a variety of railroads that competed for the city's freight and passenger business. The largest were theBaltimore and Ohio Railroad,Erie Railroad,and thePennsylvania Railroad.Smaller regional railroads included theAkron, Canton, and Youngstown Railroad,Northern Ohio Railway, and the Akron Barberton Belt Railroad.[168][page needed]Today, the city is served byCSX Corporation,the Wheeling & Lake Erie Railroad, and their subsidiary Akron-Barberton-Cluster, which operate out of the W&LE's Akron Yard near Brittain Road on the eastern end of the city.

From 1891 to 1971 passenger service to points throughout the Midwest, as well as Washington and New York City, was provided atAkron Union Station.[169]The last legacy passenger trains were theErie Lackawanna'sLake Cities(ended, 1970) and the B&O'sShenandoah(ended, 1971).[170]There is currently no passenger rail transportation with the elimination of Amtrak's formerThree Riversservice in 2005. The nearestAmtrakservice is inAlliance, Ohioor Cleveland.

Bus and public transportation

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Robert K. Pfaff Transit Center

Public transportation is available through theMETRO Regional Transit Authoritysystem, whose fleet of over 200 buses and trolleys operates local routes and commuter buses into downtown Cleveland.Stark Area Regional Transit Authority(SARTA) also has a bus line running betweenCantonand Akron and thePortage Area Regional Transportation Authority(PARTA) runs an express route connecting theUniversity of AkronwithKent State University.[171] Metro RTA operates out of the Robert K. Pfaff Transit Center on South Broadway Street. This facility, which opened in 2009, also houses inter-city bus transportation available throughGreyhound Lines.[172]

Freeways

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Akron is served by two major interstate highways that bisect the city. Unlike other cities, the bisection does not occur in the Central Business District, nor do the interstates serve downtown; rather, theAkron Innerbeltand to a lesser extentOhio State Route 8serve these functions.

  • Interstate 77connectsMariettaandCleveland,Ohio. In Akron, it has 15 interchanges, four of which permit freeway-to-freeway movements. It runs north–south in the southern part of the city to its intersection withI-76,where it takes a westerly turn as a concurrency with Interstate 76.
  • Interstate 76connectsInterstate 71toYoungstown, Ohio,and farther. It runs east–west and has 18 interchanges in Akron, four of which are freeway-to-freeway. The East Leg was rebuilt in the 1990s to feature six lanes and longer merge lanes. The concurrency with Interstate 77 is eight lanes. The Kenmore Leg is a four-lane leg that is slightly less than two miles (3 km) long and connects to Interstate 277.
  • Interstate 277is an east–west spur that it forms withUS 224after I-76 splits to the north to form the Kenmore Leg. It is six lanes and cosigned with U.S. 224.
  • TheAkron Innerbeltis a six-lane, 1.78-mile (2.86 km) spur from the I-76/I-77 concurrency and serves the urban core of the city. Its ramps are directional from the interstates, so it only serves west side drivers. ODOT is considering changing this design to attract more traffic to the route. The freeway comes to an abrupt end near the northern boundary of downtown where it becomes Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. The freeway itself is officially known as "The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Freeway". The freeway was originally designed to connect directly to State Route 8, but plans were laid to rest in the mid-1970s because of financial troubles.
  • Ohio State Route 8is an original state highway that is a limited access route that connects Akron's northern suburbs with Interstates 76 and 77. State Route 8's southern terminus is at the central interchange, where it meets I-76 and I-77. The second freeway in Akron to be completed, it went through a major overhaul in 2003 with new ramps and access roads. In 2007 ODOT began a project to upgrade the road to interstate highway standards north of Akron fromState Route 303to I-271, providing a high speed alternative to Cleveland.[173]

Notable people

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Main article:List of people from Akron, Ohio
Mission SpecialistJudith Resnikon the middeck ofDiscoveryduringSTS-41-D

Akron has produced and been home to a number of notable individuals in varying fields. Its natives and residents are called "Akronites". The first postmaster of the Connecticut Western Reserve and president of its bank, GeneralSimon Perkins(1771–1844), co-founded Akron in 1825. His son,Colonel Simon Perkins(1805–1877), while living in Akron during the same time as abolitionistJohn Brown(1800–1859), went into business with Brown.Wendell Willkie,the Republican nominee for president in 1940, worked in Akron as a lawyer for Firestone. Pioneering televangelistRex Humbardrose to prominence in Akron. Beacon Journal publisherJohn S. Knightran the national Knight Newspapers chain from Akron. BroadcasterHugh Downswas born in Akron. In the mid- to late 1940s, pioneering rock 'n' roll DJAlan Freedwas musical director at Akron's WAKR. Watergate figureJohn Deanwas born in Akron.

LeBron James

Noted athletes to have come from Akron include multi-timeNational Basketball AssociationChampions and MVPsLeBron JamesandStephen Curry,Basketball Hall of FamersGus "Honeycomb" JohnsonandNate "The Great" Thurmond,Major League BaseballplayerThurman Munson,International Bo xing Hall of FamerGorilla Jones,WBA Heavyweight Bo xing ChampionMichael Dokes,Houston Texans linebackerWhitney Mercilus,formerNorthwestern UniversityandNotre DamecoachAra Parseghian,andButch Reynolds,former world record holder in the400 meterdash. FormerNFLlinebackerJames Harrisonwas born in Akron, as was former Tennessee Titans head coach and current Cleveland Browns assistant coach,Mike Vrabel.Clayton Murphy,professional middle-distance runner and 2016 Olympic Games bronze medalist, competed in cross country and track & field for theAkron Zips.

Stephen Curry

Performing artists to come from Akron include bands such asRuby and the Romantics;Devo;The Black Keys;The Cramps,whose lead singer,Lux Interior,was a native of the town; rapperAmpichino;The Waitresses;and1964 the Tribute;singersVaughn Monroe;Chrissie Hynde,lead singer and main composer with British New Wave bandThe Pretenders;James Ingram;Joseph Arthur;Jani Lane;Rachel Sweet;andoutlaw countrysingerDavid Allan Coe;ActorsFrank Dicopoulos,David McLean,Melina Kanakaredes,Elizabeth Franz,William Boyett,Lola Albright,Ray WiseandJesse White.Clark GableandJohn Lithgowalso lived in Akron.

PoetRita Dovewas born and grew up in Akron. She went on to become the first African-AmericanUnited States Poet Laureate.Many of her poems are about or take place in Akron, foremost among themThomas and Beulah,which earned her the 1987Pulitzer Prize for poetry.

Owner of over 400 patents, nativeStanford R. Ovshinskyinvented the widely usednickel-metal hydride battery.Richard Smalley,winner of aNobel Prize in Chemistryfor discoveringbuckminsterfullerene(buckyballs) was born in the city during 1943. Another native, the second U.S. female astronaut inspace,Judith Resnik,died in the 1986Space ShuttleChallengerdisasterand has theResnik Moon craternamed in her honor.

TheSilver Screen,which came to symbolize Hollywood's movie entertainment industry, was invented by Kenmore resident and projectionist Harry Coulter Williams. First used in Akron's Majestic Theater and then Norka Theater, the "Williams Perlite" tear-proof, vinyl plastic indoor motion picture screen was installed in all the major movie houses, including the rapidly expanding theaters built by Warner Bros. of nearby Youngstown OH. Williams' unique silver-painted screens were adapted for CinemaScope, VistaVision, and later 3-D movies. They provided a brighter picture at all angles with top reflectivity at direct viewing and extra diffusion for side seats and balconies.[174]

Carol Folt,the 11th chancellor and 29th chief executive, ofthe University of North Carolina at Chapel Hillwas born in Akron in 1951. She was previously provost (chief academic officer) and interim president ofDartmouth College.She assumed her duties on July 1, 2013, and is the first woman to lead UNC.

The philosopher and logicianWillard van Orman Quinewas born and grew up in Akron.

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Global street sign

InNeedful Things,a 1991 novel byStephen King,the character of Leland Gaunt is from Akron. Also, in the musical comedyGlee,Vocal Adrenaline, the New Directions' rivals, are from the fictional Carmel High School in Akron. In the 2007dystopiannovelUnwind(and its sequels), byNeal Shusterman,one of the main characters, Connor Lassiter, is dubbed the "Akron AWOL" after the city becomes the scene of his notorious escape from the Juvey-cops. An antique store in Akron also plays a key part in the Unwind series.

Thomas and Beulah,a 1986 book of poetry written by native and formerPoet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress,Rita Dove,tells the story of her grandmother and grandfather, who separately moved fromthe Southto the city, where they lived through theGreat Depressionand the rest of their lives.[175]The city is also the setting for the 2005 novelThe Coast of Akron,by former editor ofEsquire,Adrienne Miller.[176]To reflect Akron's decline during the 1980s, Akron nativeChrissie Hyndewrote the 1982Pretenderssong "My City Was Gone".[177]The Black Keys' 2004 album titleRubber Factoryrefers to the formerGeneral Tire & Rubber Companyfactory in which it was recorded.[178]Akron serves as a setting in the 2002 first-person-shooter PC platform video gameNo One Lives Forever 2: A Spy In H.A.R.M.'s Way.[179][180]

Sister cities

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Akron, as of 2015, has twosister cities:[181]

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Further reading

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  • Joyce Dyer,Gum-Dipped: A Daughter Remembers Rubber Town.Akron:University of Akron Press,2003.
  • Kathleen Endres,Akron's Better Half: Women's Clubs and the Humanization of a City, 1825–1925,Akron: University of Akron Press, 2006.
  • Kathleen L. Endres, Rosie the Rubber Worker: Women Workers in Akron's Rubber Factories during World War II. Kent: Kent State University Press, 2000
  • Jack Gieck, A Photo Album of Ohio's Canal Era, 1825–1913, Revised Edition. Kent: Kent State University Press, 1992
  • Jack Gieck, Early Akron's Industrial Valley: A History of the Cascade Locks. Kent: Kent State University Press, 2008
  • Alfred Winslow Jones,Life, Liberty, & Property: A Story of Conflict and a Measurement of Conflicting Rights.Akron: University of Akron Press, 1999.
  • S. A. Lane,Fifty Years and Over of Akron and Summit County.Akron, 1892.
  • S. Love and David Giffels,Wheels of Fortune: The Story of Rubber in Akron, Ohio.Akron: University of Akron Press, 1998.
  • S. Love, Ian Adams, and Barney Taxel,Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens.Akron: University of Akron Press, 2000.
  • F. McGovern,Written on the Hills: The Making of the Akron Landscape.Akron: University of Akron Press, 1996.
  • F. McGovern,Fun, Cheap, and Easy: My Life in Ohio Politics, 1949–1964.Akron: University of Akron Press, 2002.
  • Russ Musarra and Chuck Ayers,Walks around Akron.Akron: University of Akron Press, 2007.
  • Oscar E. Olin, et al.,A Centennial History of Akron, 1825–1925.Summit County Historical Society, 1925.
  • John S. Reese, Guide Book for the Tourist and Traveler over the Valley Railway, Revised Edition. Kent: Kent State University Press, 2002
  • Akron Chamber of Commerce Year Book, (1913–14)
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