Population 7,338 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Independence
Household size in Independence
| Period | Independence | Cleveland area | Ohio | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.66 | 2.47 | 2.51 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.65 | 2.44 | 2.51 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.61 | 2.39 | 2.47 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.41 | 2.38 | 2.46 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.25 | −0.09 | −0.05 | −0.03 |
The average household in Independence has 2.41 people, under the U.S. average of 2.65. Since 2006–10, household size has dropped from 2.66, a much bigger shift than nationally. Households are largest in the west and smallest in the south.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Independence
| Period | Independence | Cleveland area | Ohio | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 46.9 | 40.5 | 39.0 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 46.5 | 41.5 | 40.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 47.3 | 42.3 | 40.7 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 48.4 | 42.5 | 40.8 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.5 | +2.0 | +1.8 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 48.4, Independence is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 46.9, as it has nationally. Only 23 of the 372 Ohio cities with 5,000+ people are older.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Independence
| Period | Independence | Cleveland area | Ohio | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 3.5% | 11.9% | 11.7% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 3.4% | 11.9% | 11.9% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 7.5% | 11.2% | 11.7% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.9% | 11.6% | 11.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | +2.4 pts | −0.3 pts | −0.0 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 5.9% of households in Independence, well below the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share has risen 2.4 points since 2006–10, even as the national share fell. Independence has a lower share of single-parent households than the great majority of Ohio cities.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Independence
Renters in Independence
| Period | Independence | Cleveland area | Ohio | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.8% | 31.7% | 30.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 5.8% | 33.8% | 33.1% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 6.9% | 34.9% | 33.9% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 9.8% | 33.5% | 32.8% | 34.8% |
| Change | +4.0 pts | +1.7 pts | +2.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
Independence is overwhelmingly a place of homeowners: only 9.8% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. More than four in ten owners (43.2%) have paid off their mortgages, above the national share of 39.8%. Since 2006–10, the renter share has risen 4.0 points, as it has nationally.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Independence
| Period | Independence | Cleveland area | Ohio | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 3.8% | 10.8% | 10.8% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 4.8% | 10.9% | 10.8% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 8.3% | 10.3% | 10.2% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 3.8% | 8.4% | 8.7% | 9.6% |
| Change | −0.0 pts | −2.4 pts | −2.2 pts | −1.8 pts |
Empty homes are scarce in Independence: just 3.8% sit vacant, compared with 9.6% nationally, a sign of a tight housing market. Of the 372 Ohio cities with 5,000+ people, only 29 have a lower vacancy rate.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Independence
| Period | Independence | Cleveland area | Ohio | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1962 | 1963 | 1968 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1963 | 1964 | 1969 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1963 | 1964 | 1970 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1966 | 1966 | 1972 | 1980 |
| Change | +4 | +3 | +4 | +6 |
The housing in Independence is old by national standards: the median home dates to 1966, against 1980 for the U.S., so buyers will find more older houses, some of them due for updates. The median year built has moved up from 1962 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the southwest, the oldest in the southeast.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Independence
| Period | Independence | Cleveland area | Ohio | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $771 | $833 | $765 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $781 | $872 | $814 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,284 | $949 | $901 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,380 | $1,216 | $1,142 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$609 | +$383 | +$377 | +$606 |
The median renter in Independence pays $1,380 a month for rent and utilities, below the national median of $1,571. Still, rents here are higher than in the Cleveland area overall ($1,216). Rent has climbed $609 a month since 2006–10, up 79%, faster than rents rose nationally. Rent takes 18.8% of the typical renter's income, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Independence
Bachelor's degrees in Independence
| Period | Independence | Cleveland area | Ohio | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 30.5% | 27.3% | 25.4% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 35.7% | 28.6% | 26.5% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 47.8% | 30.8% | 28.9% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 46.9% | 34.5% | 31.9% | 35.6% |
| Change | +16.4 pts | +7.2 pts | +6.5 pts | +7.2 pts |
Independence is highly educated: nearly half of adults 25 and older (46.9%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, far above the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree is up 16.4 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally. College graduates are most concentrated in the southwest and least in the center.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Independence
| Period | Independence | Cleveland area | Ohio | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 89.2% | 87.9% | 87.7% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 93.4% | 88.9% | 88.9% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 97.0% | 90.3% | 90.4% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 98.3% | 91.8% | 91.7% | 89.3% |
| Change | +9.1 pts | +3.9 pts | +4.0 pts | +4.3 pts |
Finishing high school is nearly universal in Independence: 98.3% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. The share with a diploma has risen 9.1 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. Only nine of the 372 Ohio cities with 5,000+ people have a higher share of high school graduates.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Independence
| Period | Independence | Cleveland area | Ohio | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 4.6% | 9.3% | 8.7% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 6.4% | 10.1% | 9.4% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 0.9% | 6.5% | 5.5% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 1.6% | 5.6% | 4.9% | 5.4% |
| Change | −3.0 pts | −3.7 pts | −3.8 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Independence has been low: just 1.6% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Only 19 of the 372 Ohio cities with 5,000+ people have lower unemployment. Unemployment has fallen 3.0 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Independence compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Independence | 2.41 | 48.4 | 5.9% | 9.8% | 3.8% | 1966 | $1,380 | 46.9% | 98.3% | 1.6% |
| Seven Hills | 2.39 | 50.3 | 4.7% | 5.1% | 3.3% | 1968 | $1,481 | 35.4% | 95.2% | 2.5% |
| Valley View | 2.54 | 52.5 | 4.7% | 5.0% | 5.6% | 1979 | $1,139 | 44.5% | 95.6% | 8.6% |
| Brooklyn Heights | 2.48 | 47.0 | 9.5% | 9.5% | 4.2% | 1959 | $1,220 | 30.4% | 96.8% | 3.2% |
| Brecksville | 2.54 | 48.4 | 5.8% | 14.6% | 8.4% | 1972 | $2,049 | 60.2% | 97.8% | 4.8% |
| Garfield Heights | 2.48 | 40.7 | 22.3% | 41.2% | 10.5% | 1953 | $1,095 | 15.7% | 89.8% | 8.9% |
| Broadview Heights | 2.36 | 43.6 | 11.0% | 18.4% | 4.3% | 1982 | $1,084 | 51.3% | 97.8% | 1.8% |
| Cuyahoga Heights | 2.17 | 49.3 | 14.9% | 31.3% | 3.2% | 1948 | $1,098 | 21.3% | 95.2% | 7.6% |
| Parma | 2.35 | 42.7 | 10.4% | 27.8% | 6.2% | 1960 | $1,173 | 24.4% | 92.0% | 6.0% |
| Walton Hills | 2.19 | 59.4 | 2.2% | 6.6% | 3.9% | 1968 | $930 | 31.5% | 96.0% | 4.7% |
| Maple Heights | 2.52 | 39.9 | 26.3% | 37.3% | 8.0% | 1955 | $1,301 | 16.7% | 90.3% | 11.9% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Springfield, VT · Smithville, TX · Somerville, AL · South Cleveland, TN · Southgate, FL · Spencer, IN · Spring City, TN · Spring Hope, NC · Spring Lake Park, MN · Shelburne, VT
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Independence. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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