Westlake, Ohio

Westlake is a city in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, United States. It is a suburb of Cleveland located 12 miles west of downtown Cleveland. The population was 32,729 at the 2010 census.

Westlake, Ohio
City
Westlake Porter Public Library
Seal
Motto(s):  Pride, tradition, community
Location in Cuyahoga County and the state of Ohio
Location of Ohio in the United States
Coordinates: 41°27′16″N 81°55′43″W
Country	United States
State	Ohio
County	Cuyahoga
Dover Township first settled	October 10, 1810
Dover Village incorporated	1911[1]
City of Westlake incorporated	1957[1]
Government
• Type	Mayor-council
• Mayor	Dennis M. Clough (R) [2]
Area [3]
• Total	15.94 sq mi (41.28 km^2)
• Land	15.93 sq mi (41.27 km^2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.01 km^2)  0%
Elevation	710 ft (216 m)
Population  (2010)[4]
• Total	32,729
• Estimate  (2019)[5]	32,032
• Density	2,010.42/sq mi (776.23/km^2)
	census
Time zone	UTC−4 (EST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP Code	44145
Area code(s)	440
FIPS code	39-83622[6]
GNIS feature ID	1061762[7]
Website	www.cityofwestlake.org

Geography

Westlake is located at 41°27′16″N 81°55′43″W (41.454439, −81.928657).[8]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 15.93 square miles (41.26 km²), all land.[9]

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1920	1,754		—
1930	2,453		39.9%
1940	3,200		30.5%
1950	4,912		53.5%
1960	12,906		162.7%
1970	15,689		21.6%
1980	19,475		24.1%
1990	27,018		38.7%
2000	31,719		17.4%
2010	32,729		3.2%
2019 (est.)	32,032	[5]	−2.1%
Sources:[6][10][11]

The median income for a household in the city was $64,963, and the median income for a family was $81,223 (these figures had changed to $63,252 and $90,397 respectively as of a 2007 estimate).[12] Males had a median income of $60,429 versus $36,999 for females. The per capita income for the city was $37,142. About 1.3% of families and 2.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.7% of those under age 18 and 2.8% of those age 65 or over. Of the city's population over the age of 25, 50.1% hold a bachelor's degree or higher,[13] while 81.3% spoke English, 1.62% Arabic, 1.5% Spanish, 1.3% Greek, and 0.7% German and Chinese.[14]

2010 census

As of the census[4] of 2010, there were 32,729 people, 13,870 households, and 8,443 families living in the city. The population density was 2,054.6 inhabitants per square mile (793.3/km²). There were 14,843 housing units at an average density of 931.8 per square mile (359.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 91.2% White, 1.6% African American, 0.1% Native American, 4.9% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.6% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 2.5% of the population.

There were 13,870 households, of which 26.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.4% were married couples living together, 6.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 39.1% were non-families. Of all households 34.2% were made up of individuals, and 13.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 3.01.

The median age in the city was 45 years. Of the residents 21.5% were under the age of 18; 5.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.8% were from 25 to 44; 31% were from 45 to 64; and 19% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.4% male and 52.6% female.

2000 census

As of the census[6] of 2000, there were 31,760 people, 12,830 households, and 8,186 families living in the city. The population density was 1,995.2 people per square mile (770.2/km²). There were 13,648 housing units at an average density of 858.5 per square mile (331.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 91.65% White, 0.95% African American, 1.36% Native American, 4.21% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.33% from other races, and 1.51% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 1.27% of the population.

There were 12,826 households, out of which 28.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.9% were married couples living together, 5.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.1% were non-families. Of all households 32.0% were made up of individuals, and 12.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 3.06.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 22.8% under the age of 18, 5.6% from 18 to 24, 26.8% from 25 to 44, 26.6% from 45 to 54, and 18.2% who were 55 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.3 males.

History

The area now known as the city of Westlake was first settled on October 10, 1810. At the time, it was part of Dover Township.

In 1901, the northern part of the township seceded to form Bay Village.[15] In 1912, a southern portion left to join North Olmsted. The remaining township residents formed Dover Village in 1913, taking with it a portion of Olmsted Township.

Dover Village was renamed Westlake in 1940.[16] This was done to eliminate confusion with Dover, Ohio.[17] The village of Westlake became a city in 1957.[1] The Westlake Historical Society was formed to inform and educate others about the history of Dover/ Westlake.

In September 1966, a house in Westlake which had recently been bought by John R. Compton, a black pastor, was firebombed. No one was injured, although the bombing did cause around $10,000 of damage. According to the Cleveland Press, the mayor of Westlake, Alexander R. Roman, "criticized the parties involved in the sale of the home... He said no one was notified so the community could be prepared to accept a Negro family."[18][19]

Economy

Companies headquartered in Westlake include Nordson,[20] American Greetings,[21] Hyland Software,[22] and Scott Fetzer Company,[23] TravelCenters of America, and Equity Trust.

Top employers

According to the city's 2015 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,[24] the top employers in the city are:

#	Employer	# of employees
1	Hyland Software	1,712
2	St. John Medical Center (University Hospitals of Cleveland)	1,526
3	Westlake City School District	652
4	TravelCenters of America	484
5	Lutheran Home for the Aged	438
6	City of Westlake	431
7	Equity Administrative Services	362
8	Premier Physicians Centers, Incorporated	260
9	Energizer Manufacturing, Incorporated	240
10	USG Interiors, LLC	199.9

Schools

The Westlake City School District consistently places within the top 4% of statewide districts on the state education report card.[25] The district received an achievement grade of 89.0% for the Performance Index and a grade of 95.% for the Indicators Met on the Ohio Department of Education's 2013-2014 District Report Card.[26]

The district mission statement is "We Educate for Excellence."[25]

• Westlake Elementary School (grades K-4), a new elementary school designed to replace the existing four set to open in the 2019–2020 school year
• Bassett Elementary School (grades K–4)
• Dover Elementary School (grades K–4)
• Hillard Elementary School (grades preschool–4)
• Holly Lane Elementary School (grades K–4)
• Dover Intermediate School (grades 5–6)
• Lee Burneson Middle School (grades 7–8)
• Westlake High School (grades 9–12)

Westlake High School is home to WHBS-TV, the Westlake High school Broadcasting System. WHBS-TV is seen on channels 99 and 18 on AT&T U-Verse and WOW! cable, respectively, in the Westlake area.[27]

Points of interest

• Westlake is served by the Westlake Porter Public Library.
• Also found in Westlake is Lakewood Country Club, "the only Northern Ohio Club to host the PGA-based, Web.com televised golf tour."[28]
• Clague House Museum showcases the history of Westlake (formerly Dover). This house was built in 1876.
  

  Westlake Porter Public Library in 2008
• Clague Playhouse is a community theatre producing five plays a season from the classic and contemporary repertoire.
• The White Oaks Restaurant was a lucrative speakeasy during the Prohibition era.[29]
• Dover Gardens Tavern was also a speakeasy with an upstairs ballroom during Prohibition.

Crocker Park

Crocker Park is a lifestyle center located on Crocker Road. It is essentially an outdoor mall with areas for recreation and socializing. The park is based on a small French town-type setting. There are also apartments and offices above some stores and restaurants. Townhouses are located on the southwest corner.

Events

• Westlake hosted the 2006 USA Broomball National Championships, which included the first-ever national collegiate co-rec championship tournament for broomball, won by Clarkson University, and the first-ever women's national championship, won by Miami University.

Notable people

• Travis Kelce, American football player[30]
• Jason Kelce, American football player[31]
• Jake Paul, YouTuber and actor[32]
• Logan Paul, YouTuber and actor[33]
• Brian K. Vaughan, comics and television writer[34]

Sister cities

Westlake's first sister city partnership with the Town of Tralee in Ireland was founded in 2009 and is recognized by Sister Cities International.

• Tralee, County Kerry, Ireland[35]

References

1. "About Our City". Archived from the original on 2006-12-29. Retrieved 2006-12-31.
2. http://www.cityofwestlake.org/citygovernment/mayorsoffice.aspx Retrieved 31 December 2006.
3. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
4. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2013-01-06.
5. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved May 21, 2020.
6. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
7. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
8. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
9. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 20 February 2011. Retrieved 2013-01-06.
10. "Number of Inhabitants: Ohio" (PDF). 18th Census of the United States. U.S. Census Bureau. 1960. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
11. "Ohio: Population and Housing Unit Counts" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
12. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2020-02-10. Retrieved 2009-04-06.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
13. http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/39/3983622.html
14. http://www.mla.org/map_data_results&state_id=39&place_id=83622&cty_id=
15. Hadsell, Reign S.; Rutherford, Hazel (1986). A History and Civics of Dover Village. Dover Village Board of Education. p. 41.
16. Mangus, Michael; Herman, Jennifer L. (2008). Ohio Encyclopedia. North American Book Dist LLC. p. 574. ISBN 978-1-878592-68-2.
17. Stanton, Lysa; Pfister, Dave (August 8, 2011). "Dover becomes Westlake". Westlake-Bay Village Observer. Retrieved August 11, 2014.
18. "Silence about sale hit in home arson". Cleveland Press. 26 September 1966.
19. "Burn cleric's $23,250 home in white suburb". Jet. 13 October 1966. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
20. "Nordson Corporation: Private Company Information". Bloomberg. Retrieved August 6, 2018.
21. Cho, Janet H. (September 28, 2016). "American Greetings unveils Creative Studios world headquarters at Crocker Park in Westlake (photos)". Cleveland Plain Dealer. cleveland.com. Retrieved August 6, 2018.
22. "Hyland Software, Inc.: Private Company Information". Bloomberg. Retrieved August 6, 2018.
23. "The Scott Fetzer Company: Private Company Information". Bloomberg. Retrieved August 6, 2018.
24. City of Westlake CAFR
25. "About". Westlake City Schools. Archived from the original on 27 February 2013. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
26. "Westlake City School District PDF Report" (PDF). Ohio Department of Education. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 May 2016. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
27. "WHBS TV". Westlake City Schools. Archived from the original on 15 November 2013. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
28. "Golf". Lakewood Country Club. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
29. https://white-oaks.com/cmswo/index.php/history.html/
30. "Travis Kelce Biography". ESPN.
31. "Travis Kelce". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
32. Benson, John (15 June 2018). "Westlake-raised YouTube star Jake Paul hitting Jacobs Pavilion with Team 10". The News-Herald. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
33. "How national Vine video star Logan Paul went from Westlake standout athlete to master of 6-second comedy (videos)". The Plain Dealer. April 22, 2014. Retrieved June 6, 2020.
34. Dawidziak, Mark (January 19, 2009). "'Lost' writer Brian K. Vaughan is a Cleveland native". Cleveland.com.
35. "Tralee Twins with Westlake, Ohio". Archived from the original on 2010-08-21. Retrieved 2009-12-26.

External links

• City of Westlake - homepage
• Westlake Historical Society