Once a rural community known as “Ohio’s Greenhouse Capital,” North Ridgeville is one of the state’s fastest-growing industrial cities today. Located 25 miles west of Cleveland along the eastern border of Lorain County, this city appeals to buyers who want expansion. North Ridgeville takes its name from the high beach ridges left by the receding waters of Lake Erie, less than 10 miles from the city center. Its rich soil and moderate climate helped it to become a thriving farming community for decades. Today, the growing suburb is the 37th most populous city in Ohio, with 38,000 residents. It’s also home to over 500 companies and five industrial parks. Beckett Gas, Inc., O’Neill Management, University Hospitals and Animal Clinic Northview are among the city’s top employers. Dayton Freight Lines also recently constructed a $38 million facility, which brought about 150 jobs to North Ridgeville.
New homes are being built all around North Ridgeville.
North Ridgeville welcomes all to its community.
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Top place to live in the Cleveland Area
Cleveland Magazine named North Ridgeville one of the best places to live in 2021, and the Home Builders Association cited it as a leader in new home construction. In January 2024, home prices were up 3.8% from the year prior. The median price for a home in North Ridgeville is $270,000, and houses stay on the market for an average of 40 days. There are over 28 unique communities, so housing options are plentiful.
"North Ridgeville is a hot spot," says Realtor Dawn Balog of Russell Real Estate Services. "There's a big boom of people moving in, and it’s a good bang for your buck. You can get a larger home for less and plenty of established Colonial-style and ranch homes going between $250,000 and $400,000.”
Timber Ridge is one such community, where buyers will find three-bedroom homes for a median sale price of $255,000. Other newer developments include Waterbury and Meadow Lakes. “Those new builds can run from the mid-$400,000s all the way up to around $1 million,” says Balog. “They have HOAs, but many of the newer developments have pools and community centers.”
There is a wide array of architectural styles found in North Ridgeville.
Colonial-style homes give North Ridgeville its warmth and charm.
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Four community parks, MetroParks and the Corn Festival
The city offers four community parks, which stretch over 113 acres. It’s also home to portions of Lorain County MetroParks, including Sandy Ridge Reservation, a 526-acre wetland and wildlife preserve. The largest in the city, it features a two-mile hiking trail and is one of the county's most popular sites for birdwatching, with nearly 250 species observed since the park opened. Various community parks offer playgrounds and picnic areas. Some host events throughout the year, with South Central Park hosting the annual North Ridgeville Corn Festival, a two-day festival with fireworks, live music, a corn-eating contest and more that dates back to 1976.
Sandy Ridge Reservation in North Ridgeville protects over 50 acres of essential wetlands.
Bird Watching is excellent in North Ridgeville's Sandy Ridge Reservation.
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Shopping along Center Ridge Road and “Ridgeville Ready”
Shopping and dining options line Center Ridge Road, also known as U.S. 20. While there are everyday essentials, including big-box grocery stores and gas stations, there aren’t many mom-and-pop shops or a walkable downtown district. While retail options are currently low, the city’s master plan, “Ridgeville Ready,” was updated in 2023 with initiatives to attract new retailers and restaurants to the area and build a large town center.
North Ridgeville area residents can a unique gift at Blue Barn Shops.
North Ridgeville's Gourmé Family Restaurant is a popular breakfast, lunch, and dinner spot.
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Addressing flooding in North Ridgeville
North Ridgeville has historically suffered from flooding, but complaints have decreased over the past decade. The city has worked diligently to improve its infrastructure to withstand heavy rains better and divert water away from homes. More efforts, like The Mills Creek Conservation and Flood Control Project, will divert water from an area around Interstate 480 to a 40-acre property that can store over 40 million gallons of water in basins. The city also hopes it could double as a public park with wildlife habitats.
Navigating North Ridgeville
Ohio State Routes 10 and 8, along with Interstates 80 and 480, allow residents to navigate Northwest Ohio easily. Cleveland Hopkins International Airport is 8 miles from the city center, and Downtown Cleveland is 30 miles. The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority provides a bus and light rail system for the city.
North Ridgeville City School District
North Ridgeville City School District has a C-plus rating on Niche. It serves 4,500 students across four elementary schools, two middle schools and one high school. The city also offers several private school options.
Midview East Intermediate School
Midview High School
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One of the safest cities in the country
According to the North Ridgefield Police Department and the FBI Crime Data Explorer, violent and property crime rates are extraordinarily low—in 2022, the violent crime rate was 95% less than the state’s, while the property crime rate was 91% lower. These rates are amongst the lowest in the state and the country.
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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.
