Solon is a city located in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, and is a suburb of Cleveland in the Northeast Ohio Region, the 14th largest Combined Statistical Area in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 21,802. In 2003, the estimated population was 22,248. In 2005, the city was listed by Money as 42nd in its list of "Best Places to Live."
Solon is located at 41°23'24" North, 81°26'32" West (41.389871, -81.442330).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 53.3 km2 (20.6 mi2). 53.2 km2 (20.5 mi2) of it is land and 0.1 km2 (0.04 mi2) of it is water. The total area is 0.19% water.
Solon is located 18 miles from Cleveland in the southeast corner of Cuyahoga County, adjacent to three other counties (Geauga, Portage and Summit Counties).
As of the census of 2000, there are 21,802 people, 7,554 households, and 6,171 families residing in the city. The population density is 409.6/km2 (1,060.8/mi2). There are 7,801 housing units at an average density of 146.6/km2 (379.6/mi2). The racial makeup of the city is 87.79% White, 6.12% African American, 0.04% Native American, 4.91% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.17% from other races, and 0.97% from two or more races. 0.70% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 7,554 households out of which 44.7% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 71.8% are married couples living together, 7.4% have a female householder with no husband present, and 18.3% are non-families. 15.8% of all households are made up of individuals and 7.0% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.89 and the average family size is 3.26.
In the city the population is spread out with 30.5% under the age of 18, 4.9% from 18 to 24, 26.0% from 25 to 44, 27.9% from 45 to 64, and 10.6% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 39 years. For every 100 females there are 96.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 91.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $78,903, and the median income for a family is $88,990. Males have a median income of $66,484 versus $37,491 for females. The per capita income for the city is $35,394. 2.5% of the population and 2.0% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 2.9% of those under the age of 18 and 3.5% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
In 1929, the Bready Cultimotor tractor company became the first industrial company to locate in Solon. Since then, Solon has served as home to many multi-national companies, including several global and North American headquarters. Accordingly, Solon is considered a "satellite city", which is defined as a suburban community containing a commercial and industrial base adequate enough to support its residential population (even though the community is integrated in a much larger metropolitan area).
Today, according to the City of Solon, Solon has major clusters of businesses in five manufacturing industries: 1) electronic and electrical equipment, 2) industrial and commercial machinery, 3) measuring and controlling devices and instruments, 4) chemicals and allied products, and 5) fabricated metal products. Over 8,000, or 75%, of Solon's 10,700 manufacturing jobs are concentrated in these five industry sectors.
Major employers include: Nestl Prepared Foods (formerly the headquarters of Stouffer Foods), Swagelok, Erico Products, Keithley Instruments, Agilysys, and L'Oral Products (through acquisition of the headquarters of Matrix Essentials hair products). Other well-known businesses include: the Cleveland Clinic, King Nut Company, Dots Retail Apparel, and a branch of Cleveland State University.
In 1820, the first settlers arrived from Connecticut to live in part of the Connecticut Western Reserve. The township was named after Lorenzo Solon Bull, who was the son of Isaac Bull, one of the first settlers. Purportedly, the selection of young Lorenzo's middle name was due to its derivation from the 'father of democracy', Solon, the famous Athenian lawmaker and lyric poet of Ancient Greece.
The early settlers faced challenges common to pioneers, but in Solon, drainage and wetlands issues complicated settlement and agriculture. Overcoming these obstacles, Solon Township became an arable farming area, producing corn and wheat crops and supporting dairy farms (including 5 cheese factories). By 1850, the population of Solon Township reached 1,034.
Due to nearby Cleveland's position as a national hub of the railroad industry, rail also contributed greatly to Solon's growth. In 1857, the Cleveland-Youngstown section of the Cleveland and Mahoning Railroad established a line running through Solon.
Laid out in a traditional New England plan, Solon, like many of the neighboring townships, established a public square in its town center. In conjunction with townships to the north, a north-south corridor was established through the town centers of Solon, Orange, and Mayfield townships (from south to north, respectively) and, accordingly, was named SOM Center Road (now Ohio 91). Solon Township included the current municipalities of the City of Solon and the villages of Bentleyville and Glenwillow. In 1917, Solon was incorporated as a village and later became a city in 1961, operated under the mayor-council form of government.
Solon was one of the first cities to utilize a comprehensive zoning plan and has been able to achieve a strong industrial base, while insulating its bedroom communities from industrial activities. Further, the city has primarily concentrated its commercial and retail districts in the town center, making them convenient to all residents. In addition to its planned use for corporate and residential areas, Solon has 687 acres of city parks and recreational area, 360 acres of Cleveland Metroparks (the South Chagrin Reservation) and 3 golf courses within its borders. In the 1980s, a divided highway, US 422, was extended as an east-west corridor just north of its town center, providing easy access to many points throughout Northeast Ohio (providing a corridor extending from Cleveland through Solon and beyond Warren into Pennsylvania.
From 1960 to 1970, the city's population almost doubled from 6,333 in 11,519. Reaching 14,341 in 1980, Solon experienced another significant growth spurt, increasing its population by 50% as of 2000.
Winning elections in 1997, 2001 and most recently 2005, mayor Kevin Patton is the current Solon mayor.
Source:
SolonOH.com
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