Lakeside suburb offers small-town lifestyle 8 miles from Akron
Like many Rust Belt cities, Barberton thrived as an industrial city in the late 1800s when European immigrants came in droves to the city for work. While this Akron suburb had earned the nickname the Magic City because of its rapid growth, Barberton experienced a downturn familiar to other Rust Belt cities during the 1980s. The city has bounced back thanks to public-private investment and plenty of jobs in manufacturing at companies like BWX Technologies Inc. and health care jobs at places like Summa Health System. Many people also commute to Akron, 8 miles to the north.
Barberton’s small-town vibe, good economy, lower cost of living and community feel draw and keep residents here.
“I’ve been selling homes around here for 30 years, and if I am working with someone in Barberton and I ask if they want to consider moving elsewhere, they look at me funny,” Lenny Herbert, a Realtor with RE/MAX, says.
Summa Health is East Barberton's hospital of choice for health care needs.
Citizens of Barberton have easy access to local amenities.
1/2
Median single-family home prices less than half the national median price
A lower cost of living is one of the draws that keep folks living in Barberton from generation to generation. “It’s very reasonable here,” Herbert says. Architectural styles here range from early 20th-century bungalows to midcentury ranch-style to newer, modern construction. The median single-family price is $155,000, less than half the U.S. median price. Many homes were built at the turn of the century. Some have been renovated and some are fixer-uppers. Home prices around Lake Anna tend to be higher, rising into the $300,000s.
Traditional homes in Barberton are charming and well-kept.
This Greek revival home can be found along Lake Anna in Barberton.
1/2
Residents are drawn to natural beauty, events and leisure at Lake Anna
Lake Anna Park lies at the city’s heart, offering fishing, ice-skating, water-skiing and walking paths with beautiful lake views. The city operates 14 other parks and recreational facilities. The Columbia Lake neighborhood has multiple parks, including Edgewood Park, fishing in Columbia Lake and is adjacent to Barberton Community Sports Complex, which has numerous sports fields.
Enjoy a conversation at Lake Anna in Barberton.
Cheer on a local softball league at the local sports fields in Barberton.
1/2
Barberton High School students can take career tech courses at neighboring high schools
The Barberton City School District serves around 3,600 students and gets a B on Niche. Under the Four Cities Compact, high schoolers can take career technical courses in business, health care and other career-ready subjects at neighboring Wadsworth, Norton and Copley high schools.
There are several athletic programs students can participate in at Barberton High School.
Kids can participate in various competitive athletic programs at Barberton High School.
1/2
A million mums “paint” mural at the annual Mum Fest
The city hosts several special events throughout the year, including Mum Fest, which headlines the fall season. Held annually at the end of September it features canoe races and water ski shows at Lake Anna Park. The city plants a larger-than-life mural on the park grounds with over a million chrysanthemum blooms. Residents can buy fresh produce and baked goods at the Barberton Farmers Market held on Tuesdays from May to October.
New designs are created every year at the Barberton Mum Festival at Lake Anna.
From homegrown foods to homemade products, it is all available at the Barberton Farmers Market.
1/2
Interstate 76 connects to Akron
Commuters can get about 8 miles to Akron via Ohio State Highway 59, East Avenue locally, or Interstate 76. METRO bus provides public transportation for the city. The Akron-Canton Regional Airport is the closest and is 15 miles away.
Important to know
According to the FBI Crime Data Explorer, violent crime has remained minimal but steady from 2021 to 2023. Simultaneously, property crime has decreased with the lowest rates since 2015 occurring in 2023.
Summer temperatures average in the 80s, and winter temperatures average below freezing, according to USClimateData.com. “We haven’t had a bad winter in the past six years and don’t get tornadoes,” Herbert says.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
