The Town FilesRocky River, Ohio
City in Cuyahoga County · population 21,755 (2020 Census)
- Median home
- $349,300
- Household income
- $94,026
- Jan low / Jul high
- 22° / 84°
- Snow a year
- 64 in
- Tornadoes ≤10 mi since 1950
- 16
- Median age
- 43.3
Rocky River is a city of 21,755 people in Cuyahoga County, Ohio. The median home is worth $349,300, above the typical Ohio town ($171,100). It ranks more walkable than 98% of Ohio towns, more vibrant than 98% of Ohio towns, hipper than 98% of Ohio towns.
How Rocky River ranks
Percentile among Ohio towns with at least 500 people on The Town Files lifestyle rankings. 50 is typical for the state; 90 means better than 90% of Ohio towns.
Homes and cost of living
The median home in Rocky River is worth $349,300, above the typical Ohio town ($171,100). Homes cost about 3.7 times the median household income of $94,026, which is more affordable than 9% of Ohio towns. Median rent is $1,175 a month. 69.7% of households own their home.
| Housing | Rocky River | Typical Ohio town |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $349,300 | $171,100 |
| Median rent | $1,175 | $914 |
| Median household income | $94,026 | $67,019 |
| Home value ÷ income | 3.7× | 2.6× |
| Homeownership | 69.7% | 71.7% |
| Median year built | 1962 | 1965 |
| Seasonal / vacation homes | 0.5% | — |
Who lives in Rocky River
| People | Rocky River | Typical Ohio town |
|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.3 | 40.6 |
| Age 65 and over | 24.5% | 19.1% |
| Under 18 | 21.3% | — |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 64.3% | 21.3% |
| Below the poverty line | 5.4% | 10.3% |
| Veterans | 6.0% | — |
| Born outside the U.S. | 9.4% | — |
| Work from home | 18.5% | 8.6% |
| Average commute | 21.8 min | 23.3 min |
| Homes with broadband | 92.6% | 90.9% |
Weather in Rocky River
July highs average 83.7°F and January lows 22.3°F. About 41.0 inches of rain and melted snow fall a year, with 63.8 inches of snow (typical Ohio town: 23.8 in). Expect about 12 days a year at 90°F or hotter and 111 nights at or below freezing.
Tornadoes, storms and disasters
16 tornadoes have passed within 10 miles of Rocky River since 1950, compared with 16 for the typical Ohio town. 6 rated (E)F2 or stronger. The strongest, an F4, struck on April 11, 1965 about 10.0 miles from the town center and killed 1. Tornadoes within 10 miles have caused 12 deaths and 471 injuries since 1950. The most recent was on August 6, 2024.
Hail of 1 inch or larger has been reported within 10 miles 66 times; the largest was 2.50 inches on May 7, 2010.
Severe weather in Cuyahoga County since 1996
Cuyahoga County has been included in 19 federal disaster or emergency declarations since 1953, most often for flood, other, tornado.
| Declared | Incident | Declaration |
|---|---|---|
| March 31, 2020 | Biological | DR-4507: Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 13, 2020 | Biological | EM-3457: Covid-19 |
| January 3, 2013 | Hurricane | DR-4098: Severe Storms And Flooding Due To The Remnants Of Hurricane Sandy |
| June 30, 2012 | Severe Storm | EM-3346: Severe Storms |
| July 2, 2006 | Severe Storm | DR-1651: Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight Line Winds, And Flooding |
Jobs and pay in Cuyahoga County
Cuyahoga County had 705,152 jobs in 2024, paying an average of $75,134 a year. Unemployment was 3.8% in 2023; in Rocky River itself the ACS puts it at 2.6%.
Public schools in Rocky River
5 public schools with 2,596 students, about 15.8 students per teacher.
| School | Grades | Students | Per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rocky River High School | 9-12 | 825 | 15.0 |
| Kensington Intermediate Elementary School | 3-5 | 593 | 18.0 |
| Goldwood Primary Elementary School | K-2 | 572 | 19.1 |
| Rocky River Middle School | 6-8 | 552 | 12.8 |
| Rocky River Early Childhood Center at Beach School | PK-PK | 54 | 18.0 |
Towns near Rocky River
- Fairview Park, OH2.1 mi · 17,291 people · home $239,100
- Lakewood, OH2.8 mi · 50,942 people · home $262,200
- Bay Village, OH4.0 mi · 16,163 people · home $353,000
- Westlake, OH4.3 mi · 34,228 people · home $368,200
- Brook Park, OH5.1 mi · 18,595 people · home $169,600
- North Olmsted, OH5.3 mi · 32,442 people · home $219,800
- Brooklyn, OH6.0 mi · 11,359 people · home $163,100
- Berea, OH7.1 mi · 18,545 people · home $198,100
Rocky River questions
Is Rocky River, Ohio a good place to retire?
On The Town Files lifestyle rankings, Rocky River scores better for retirees than 96% of Ohio towns and quieter than 11%. 24.5% of residents are 65 or older (median age 43.3).
How much does a house cost in Rocky River?
The median owner-occupied home in Rocky River is valued at $349,300 (Census ACS 2020–2024), against a median household income of $94,026, so homes cost about 3.7 times income. Median rent is $1,175 a month.
What is the weather like in Rocky River?
July highs average 83.7°F and January lows 22.3°F (NOAA 1991–2020 normals). It gets about 41.0 inches of precipitation a year and 63.8 inches of snow.
Does Rocky River get tornadoes?
16 tornadoes have passed within 10 miles of Rocky River since 1950 (NOAA Storm Events); the strongest was a F4 on April 11, 1965. The typical Ohio town has had 16.
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates (2020–2024)
- U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census and 2025 Gazetteer (2020 / 2025)
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database (1950–2026)
- FEMA OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations (this product uses the FEMA OpenFEMA API but is not endorsed by FEMA) (1953–2026)
- NCES Common Core of Data (2023–24)
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages; USDA ERS county unemployment (BLS LAUS) (2000–2024)
- The Town Files lifestyle rankings, built from federal demographic, school, crime and housing data (2025)