City profile · Ohio · Census ACS 2023

Garfield Heights, OH

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Garfield Heights - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

29,369
Residents
$52,006
Median income
$100,000
Median home
$1,279
Median rent (state)

Garfield Heights - the verdict

Garfield Heights ranks in the 23rd percentile for household income and the 25th percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

23rd
percentile, household income
10th
percentile, home value
44th
percentile, median rent
25th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Garfield Heights, OH

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 29,369 residents in Garfield Heights, a small city within Ohio. The typical household in Garfield Heights brings in $52,006 a year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 18.1%. Home values in Garfield Heights run a median of $100,000, and the median resident age is 39.0 years. About 15.6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 57.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 0 residential units were authorized in 2024 (No Permits). Crime here tracks close to the national norm: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 2334.2 incidents per 100,000 residents, near the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Living costs in Ohio run below the national norm: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Ohio at 92.8 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Below Average). A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,279 per month statewide. Monthly utility costs average around $228 across Ohio, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Commute times here average 21.2 minutes, with 81.4% driving alone and 6.6% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 98.0 out of 100 (Very High).

Population

29,369 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Ohio

Median Household Income

$52,006 /yr

Poverty 18.1%

Cost of Living Index (state)

92.8 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Ohio average

How does Garfield Heights compare to other US cities?

Garfield Heights measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 23% higher than other cities
Home value 10% pricier than other cities
Median rent 44% pricier than other cities
Safety 25% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Ohio alone, Garfield Heights ranks #228 of 281 Ohio cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Garfield Heights against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Ohio only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Ohio-relative analysis

Poverty Rate places Garfield Heights toward the top of Ohio's cities

Among the 1,196 Ohio cities PlainCities tracks with reported poverty rate data, Garfield Heights ranks #182 - the 85th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Garfield Heights only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#866 of 1,145
24th percentile in Ohio
Median Gross Rent
#254 of 1,196
69th percentile in Ohio
Median Home Value
#964 of 1,164
17th percentile in Ohio
Poverty Rate
#182 of 1,196
85th percentile in Ohio
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#694 of 1,196
42nd percentile in Ohio

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Ohio only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

23rdIncome percentile
25thSafety percentile

23rd percentile nationally for median household income · 25th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Garfield Heights's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Garfield Heights's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 40 Avg. percentile National median
Garfield Heights's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Garfield Heights's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$100,000 Among the most affordable more affordable than 90% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). This entry sits in this band. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Garfield Heights $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Garfield Heights, OH Garfield Heights, OH's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Garfield Heights, OH-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Garfield Heights, OH median $52,006/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Garfield Heights, OH's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Garfield Heights, OH. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 15.6%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 18.1%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 57.8%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
29,369
Median Income
$52,006
Median Home Value
$100,000
Median Age
39.0
Poverty Rate
18.1%
Labor force participation
57.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
15.6%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2334.2
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
464.1
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1870.1
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
8
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
28,500 residents29,000 residents29,500 residents30,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 29,743 residents 28,790 residents ▼ -3.2%
Garfield Heights's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

Total Permits (2024)
0
housing units authorized
Single-Family
0
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 0
2020 1
2021 0
2022 2
2023 0
2024 0

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
21.2 minutes
Drive Alone
81.4%
Carpool
7.5%
Public Transit
1.3%
Walk
2.4%
Work from Home
6.6%
Other
0.8%

Based on 13,018 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Ohio - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$105
avg/month
Natural Gas
$78
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$45
avg/month
Total Utilities
$228
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Ohio state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Ohio state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Garfield Heights sits in

Cost of Living Index
92.8
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,279/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
98.0 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Ohio

Shaker Heights
29,004 people
Bowling Green
30,051 people
Austintown
30,215 people
North Royalton
31,013 people
Green
27,381 people
Kent
27,190 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Garfield Heights's 29,369 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Oak Park, MI
29,370 people
Vero Beach South, FL
29,365 people
Fleming Island, FL
29,351 people
Texarkana, AR
29,343 people
Englewood, NJ
29,342 people
Bixby, OK
29,402 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Garfield Heights's $52,006 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Raton, NM
$52,007 median income
Barling, AR
$52,009 median income
Lebanon Junction, KY
$52,000 median income
Lake Benton, MN
$52,000 median income
Pottersville, NY
$52,000 median income
Milford, IN
$52,014 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Garfield Heights, OH Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Garfield Heights, OH - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 34.3% 53.9% 7.9% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 6.6% White 34.3% Black or African American 53.9% Asian 0.1% American Indian 0.1% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 3.7% Two or more races 7.9% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Garfield Heights compares to nearby Ohio cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Garfield Heights (this city) 29,369 $52,006
Shaker Heights 29,004 $97,721
Bowling Green 30,051 $46,719
Austintown 30,215 $50,855
Census ACS 5-year FIPS OH FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Garfield Heights, OH?

What is the population of Garfield Heights, OH? +

29,369 people live in Garfield Heights, OH according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Garfield Heights, OH? +

In Garfield Heights, the typical household earns $52,006 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Garfield Heights? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Garfield Heights; the closest available measure is the Ohio state average, a cost of living index of 92.8 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Ohio vary by metro area.

Is Garfield Heights, OH safe? +

Garfield Heights has a total crime rate of 2334.2 per 100,000 residents, which is near the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Garfield Heights, OH? +

Homes in Garfield Heights carry a median value of $100,000, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.