Set 12 miles northeast of Akron, Kent is best known as the home of Kent State University. "Having that school's energy in the city is really great," says Kristin Berthaiume, a Realtor with Keller Williams Chervenic. “It also brings a lot of diversity with new students and professors moving here regularly." With a population of 27,000 that nearly doubles when school is in session, Kent's vibrant atmosphere centers around a culture of education, student athletics and the arts.
An aerial view of Kent State University in Kent, Ohio.
The Kent Stage is a great venue for live music in Kent, Ohio.
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Historic homes and contemporary designs
The median price for a single-family home in Kent is in the mid-$200,000s, lower than the national median price in the low $400,000s. One of the oldest areas in the city, Kent CBD is a bastion of the city’s historic homes. Western communities like Fairchild have contemporary 21st-century housing, while mid-century Cape Cods and split-levels are common in Crain to Main . University Hospitals Kent Health Center in Plum Creek provides jobs, primary care and lab services, while Davey Tree and Carter Lumber are other top employers in the city.
This beautiful brick Colonial is located near campus in Kent.
Many lots in Kent, OH are split-level homes featuring towering trees and wide front lawns.
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The home of Kent State University
The Kent City School District serves the area with six schools, receiving a grade of A-minus from Niche. After securing a $2.3 million grant from the state, Roosevelt High School is in the planning stages of a manufacturing and innovation center.
It’s impossible to talk about Kent without talking about Kent State University. Welcoming over 20,000 students a year, KSU's most respected departments cover a variety of fields, including fashion, aeronautics and architecture. It’s also responsible for providing over 5,000 jobs to the area, making it the most significant job creator in the city. KSU's Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute first developed liquid crystal technology for monitor displays, medical devices and more.
Kids can participate in a variety of competitive programs at Theodore Roosevelt High in Kent.
The Esplanade connects Kent State University to downtown Kent.
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A home for athletics and the arts
KSU provides several opportunities for entertaining students and locals alike. "Our sports are centered around Kent State Athletics," says Berthaiume. "It's a Division 1 school, so lots of people come to watch the game." Local sports events are standard year-round, with adult leagues for softball, basketball and soccer. The arts are also popular in Kent, including performances and exhibitions at venues like the Kent Stage, Standing Rock Cultural Arts and the Kent State University Art Gallery.
The Kent State Golden Flashes play at Dix Stadium in Kent, Ohio.
The Kent Rocks Festival is held at participating venues around Kent, Ohio.
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Easy access to Cleveland and Akron
State Routes 59 and 43 intersect in Kent, connecting the city to Akron, 12 miles southwest, and Cleveland, 40 miles northwest. Akron-Canton Airport is the closest commercial airport and offers daily flights to cities including Charlotte, Washington and Sarasota. Portage Area Regional Transit Authority (PARTA) maintains a public bus service in Kent, while KSU provides eBikes and eScooters on and off campus for pedestrians. "It's a really walkable city," says Berthiaume. "People love that they can walk or bike all over."
RT. 59 runs through the town of Kent, Ohio.
Traffic runs down Rt. 43 through Kent OH.
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Locally-owned businesses in Acorn Alley
Kent's downtown has seen tremendous revitalization in the last 10 years, bringing several restaurants and boutique stores to the city. Acorn Alley has a range of shopping and dining options, focusing on non-franchise businesses. "There are hardly any chains around there," says Berthaiume. “It's almost all locally owned." One such business is Ray's Place, a local favorite since 1937 that serves upscale bar food in a relaxed, tavern-style atmosphere.
Ray's Place in Kent is one of the oldest sports bars in the country.
Woodsy's Music has all your musical needs and lessons in downtown Kent, Ohio.
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Kayaking on the Cuyahoga River
Kent's Department of Parks and Recreation oversees 15 public parks across hundreds of acres. The Jessie Smith Wildlife Preserve offers a heavily forested nature trail, while Al Lease Park includes a 4-acre lake fully stocked with fish for local anglers. The Cuyahoga River cuts through the town center, dotted with several boat ramps and landings. "We can just drop in our kayaks and go," says Berthaiume. "It's the best."
Fred Fuller Park in Kent, Ohio, is a great place to hang out in your hammock.
Kent, Ohio, residents enjoy fishing and kayaking on the Cuyahoga River at Riverbend Park.
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Important to know
According to the 2022 annual report from the Kent Ohio Police Department, the city sees fewer per capita instances of violent or property-related crime than the national average.
Kent has all four seasons, with milder winters than is common for Ohio. Berthiaume says it isn't typical for the area to have snow on the ground for longer than a week. "We're just a little south of the snow belt, and we're not east enough to get that lake effect snow," she says. "A lot of time when Cleveland is getting pounded, we don't see it."
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