Located 30 miles east of Cleveland along the Grand River, Painesville is a small city built on history, diversity and industry. With a population of about 20,000 residents, it's the county seat of Lake County and offers a more urban option to the surrounding Painesville Township. Settled in 1800, it has transformed from a vacation destination to a booming metropolis to a run-down small town. Today, the city maintains historic districts that reflect the past, while growth moves the city into the future.
Painesville has invested heavily in its businesses, infrastructure and people. In the early 20th century, strong industrial growth and affordable homes attracted young immigrants from various backgrounds to the city. Because of this, Painesville's population is also relatively young, with a median age of just 31. Most of the population works in manufacturing, with major employers including Cintas and Avery Dennison, but healthcare and education follow closely behind. A proudly diverse population drives the city’s industry. "We have a lot of different groups of people who get along pretty well even though they're pretty different," says Kathleen Sullivan, public information officer for the city of Painesville. "About a quarter of our population is Hispanic, so you'll find lots of Hispanic restaurants, events during the summer and things like that. There's always something going on."
Painesville, Ohio is the county seat of Lake County.
Painesville Ohio is located along the Grand River and near the shores of Lake Erie.
1/2
Locally owned establishments for shopping and dining
Local chains and mom-and-pop shops create the commercial landscape of Painesville. While they are spread throughout the city, there is a concentration of business downtown, centered around South State Street and Main Street. "We have a couple of really old businesses that people still go to for their needs, so that speaks volumes," Sullivan says. "Even though we have a younger generation, people still honor those traditions and shop at these places that have been here forever. You don't see that everywhere, especially in other parts of Lake County where there are big box stores and strip malls." Residents can also purchase goods from the Painesville Farmers Market, held every Thursday in Painesville Square and runs from June through September. Big box stores sit on Mentor Avenue, south of the city.
Joughin Hardware is located in the historic downtown area of Painesville, Ohio.
The Sidewalk Cafe serves breakfast and lunch in downtown Painesville, Ohio.
1/2
A dozen parks and water recreation
Home to roughly a dozen parks and 2 miles south of Lake Erie, Painesville offers ample outdoor recreation. Kiwanis Recreation Park is one of the largest and is where the high school football and baseball teams play. It also offers river fishing, a picnic pavilion, disc golf and more. Headlands Beach State Park is about 3 miles north of Painesville and is the largest beach in Ohio. Sullivan notes that her favorite thing about living in the city is the water access and proximity to the beach.
Residents of Painesville, Ohio enjoy the many recreational opportunities at Kiwanis Park in Painesville, Ohio.
Mentor Headlands State Park offers spectacular views of Lake Erie near Painesville, Ohio.
1/2
Hispanic Heritage Month and events in Painesville Square
Painesville hosts events throughout the year, with Hispanic Heritage Month being one of the most popular festivities. El Grito, a Mexican Independence Day celebration, is one of the most popular free events and features live music, food vendors and more. Other annual events include Fall Fest, the Summer Kick Off Block Party and the Youth Fishing Derby. There are also a few weekly events, including Car Cruise Friday, where visitors head to the town square to admire classic muscle cars, and a summer concert series.
Painesville Ohio residents enjoy events and activities at the gazebo in Veteran's Memorial Park in Painesville, Ohio.
Annual events like the Youth Fishing Derby are held at Kiwanis Recreation Park in Painesville, Ohio.
1/2
Affordable, older houses
Painesville is small, but there are several neighborhoods. Housing ranges from smaller cottages in West Walnut Estates to new traditional builders in Heisley Park. "Come give us a chance," Sullivan says. “We have a lot of really beautiful, older homes that just need some TLC." The median home price is about $250,000, and houses sell after 30 days on the market.
Colonial homes can be found in historic Painesville, Ohio.
Modern Colonial Style homes can be found in the Heisley Park area of Painesville, ohio.
1/2
Painesville City Local School District and Lake Erie College
Painesville City Local School District has a C rating on Niche and serves about 2,700 students across one preschool, three elementary schools, one middle school and one high school. Lake Erie College is a four-year institution with about 650 undergraduate students. Popular majors include Psychology, Early Childhood Education and Business.
Lake Erie College is located in Painesville, Ohio.
Welcome to Thomas W. Harvey High School in Painesville, Ohio.
1/2
Freeways, TriPoint and CLE
The primary highways in this city are Lakeland Freeway, which runs east and west, and Ohio state Route 44, which runs north and south. Interstate 90 is on its southern end and starts many daily commutes into Cleveland. University Hospitals TriPoint is the largest medical employer in the city and offers 24-hour care. Cleveland Hopkins International Airport is 40 miles west and is the 46th busiest airport in the United States. It offers non-stop departures to over 36 destinations.
University Hospitals Tripoint provides healthcare and employment for the residents of Painesville, Ohio.
No crime data, mild weather patterns
There is no public data for crime statistics in Painesville on either the FBI Crime Data Explorer or the Painesville Police Department's website. According to Augurisk, the city is not exceptionally prone to natural disasters but has a moderate risk of flooding. It experiences all four seasons but doesn't get exceptionally cold in the winter or blistering hot in the summer. Lake-effect snow from Lake Erie can bring major accumulations in the winters.
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.
