Despite its small size, Richmond Heights is one of Ohio’s powerhouses when it comes to high school sports. The city of 10,000 people is home to a varsity basketball team that’s won three state championships in a row, becoming the fourth school in the nation to claim that honor since 1922. Although its roots are entrenched in agriculture and the charcoal industry, Richmond Heights’ current reputation as a convenient suburb of Cleveland is only expected to increase as the community welcomes new mixed-use developments to the landscape.
After its incorporation in 1960, Richmond Heights gained notoriety as the site of one of the nation’s largest indoor malls. Less than 3 miles south of the Cuyahoga County Airport, the now defunct mall is poised for a massive transformation, which the city plans to complete in 2027. The complex will include luxury rentals and big-name brands like Meijer and could have a lasting impact on quality of life, home values and population numbers.
Until the new marketplace is completed, though, Richmond Heights remains a petite city where the convenience of living close to highways is not overshadowed by community spirit. Just 15 miles from downtown Cleveland, Richmond Heights highlights its close-knit suburban feel by coming together to celebrate local milestones, whether it’s a new development or a championship basketball game.
Lot sizes in Richmond Heights average from .25 to .5 acres.
As of 2020, Richmond Heights had a population of just over 10,000.
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Home prices are on par with Cuyahoga County
With a mix of single-family detached homes, condo complexes and apartments, Richmond Heights caters to a mix of homebuyers with average values that just barely exceed Cuyahoga County overall. The median home price sits just under $230,000, although properties can range from compact ranch-style builds for $180,000 to spacious Colonial Revivals that easily top $350,000. Because of the abundance of ranch-style homes, lots in Richmond Heights tend to be larger and wider, which differentiates this community from others like Cleveland Heights. "You're close to all the conveniences, but yet you can go to your house with an acre of land and feel like you're out in the country," says Doxie Jelks, a Realtor with Keller Williams with 44 years of experience in the Cleveland metro under her belt. She notes that a combination of starter homes and bigger properties make this a city buyers can grow into. Condos like those at Richmond Place provide three-bedroom options for about $150,000, and apartments accommodate renters looking for proximity to downtown Cleveland. Although there is very little new construction right now, the Belle Oaks Marketplace complex is set to include a residential enclave that may become available to buyers by 2027.
With its beautiful lawns, Richmond Heights is a great area to raise a family.
Many Ranch homes in Richmond Heights have large grass lawns.
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Three state championships for Richmond Heights High
The Richmond Heights Local School District hosts one elementary, one middle and one high school, with an overall score of C-minus on Niche. “A lot of people like Richmond Heights because the school system is small,” Jelks says, noting that the district’s test scores are on the rise. “The test results were fantastic this last time, the superintendent was very impressed,” she says. Basketball is a huge part of the high school culture, with the Richmond Heights High Spartans winning their third state championship in a row in early 2024.
Richmond Heights Middle School has recently been integrated into the High School.
Richmond Heights Secondary School provides education in the neighborhood of
Richmond Heights
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Explore the fitness trail along Euclid Creek
Less than 5 miles from the beachy shores of Lake Erie, Richmond Heights is home to a handful of city-maintained recreation areas, including the high school-adjacent Richmond Heights Community Park. Tennis courts and baseball fields are popular year-round, while the pool attracts locals on warm days. “In the summer, they have music in the evenings out on the lawn. It’s really nice,” Jelks says. Greenwood Farm Community Park is also a likely place for local events, including a Juneteenth celebration and seasonal plant exchanges. Covering 20 acres, the park includes woodland trails that meander around historic structures and lead to a scenic waterfall. The park has also gained a bit of notoriety as a film site for several Netflix original films.
At DeSan Park, children can explore the colorful playground during picnics under the pavilion. Part of the Euclid Creek Reservation, Euclid Heritage Park is home to basketball courts and a spacious field bordered by a fitness trail that runs parallel to the creek. These paved paths offer access to scenic overlooks and additional greenspaces like the Kelley Picnic Area and sledding hill just south of Monticello Boulevard.
Richmond Heights Community Park offers activities for people of all ages.
Richmond Heights Community Park features space for family activities in
Richmond Heights
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Richmond Town Square Mall to be reborn as Belle Oaks Marketplace
Once the site of one of the largest malls in the nation, the former Richmond Town Square Mall is about to embark on a new journey as a convenient mixed-use development anchored by major retailers, bringing “some life into the community,” Jelks says. The city broke ground on the 70-acre Belle Oaks Marketplace complex in 2023 and plans to continue construction into 2027. In the meantime, residents will still find essential shops and local restaurants in shopping centers such as Hilltop Plaza, which includes a Dave’s Market, and Chardon Plaza, where casual spots like 5 Points Grille offer local fare.
Richmond Heights has a good variety of local and national chain restaurants.
Richmond Heights residents make fresh meals with ingredients bought from Dave’s Market.
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Take I-90 to downtown Cleveland
Richmond Heights is served by the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority, which offers local bus routes along major streets like Richmond Road. Interstate 90, which is just north of the city, leads directly into downtown Cleveland about 13 miles away. Richmond Heights is also home to the Cuyahoga County Airport, a full-service commercial facility that also offers flight training.
Crime
Richmond Heights receives a CAP Index overall crime score of 3 out of 10, putting it just slightly below the national average. Although the city’s police department cited a significant drop in calls for service in its 2021 annual report, overall crimes reached a three-year high, with violent crimes accounting for about 15% of that number.
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