Independence, Ohio Facts for Kids

Independence is a city in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, United States. It is a suburb of Cleveland. In 2020, about 7,584 people lived there. Independence is part of the larger Cleveland metropolitan area.

A Look Back at Independence
Where is Independence?
- Roads and Highways
- Business Hub
Who Lives in Independence?
Learning in Independence
Sports Fun
Famous Faces from Independence
Nearby Towns and Cities
See also

A Look Back at Independence

Independence was first known as "Center." The city changed its name to Independence in 1830.

Where is Independence?

Independence is located at 41°22′55″N 81°38′27″W / 41.38194°N 81.64083°W / 41.38194; -81.64083. The city covers an area of about 9.64 square miles (24.94 square kilometers). Most of this area is land. Only a small part, about 0.10 square miles (0.26 square kilometers), is water.

Roads and Highways

A big part of Independence's land is used by major highways. These include I-480 and I-77. The place where these two highways meet is a large, complex interchange. People sometimes call it the "cloverleaf." This important road system helps people travel easily through the area.

Business Hub

In the 1970s, many businesses from downtown Cleveland needed more office space. So, the Rockside corridor in Independence grew into a busy area. It now has many offices and hotels. In 1991, the Crown Center building was built there. It is the tallest building between Downtown Cleveland and Akron. This area is sometimes called Cleveland's "Silicon Valley." This means it's a place with lots of businesses and technology.

Who Lives in Independence?

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1880	262	—
1920	1,074	—
1930	1,525	42.0%
1940	1,815	19.0%
1950	3,105	71.1%
1960	6,568	111.5%
1970	7,034	7.1%
1980	6,607	−6.1%
1990	6,500	−1.6%
2000	7,109	9.4%
2010	7,133	0.3%
2020	7,584	6.3%
2021 (est.)	7,523	5.5%
Sources:

In 2010, about 7,133 people lived in Independence. Most residents were White (96.6%). There were also smaller groups of African American, Native American, and Asian people. About 1.1% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.

Learning in Independence

The Independence Local School District runs several schools. These include Independence Primary School, Independence Middle School, and Independence High School. There is also St. Michael's Catholic School. It is part of the Diocese of Cleveland. Independence is also home to the Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine. This is a special college for studying foot health.

Sports Fun

Independence is a cool place for sports fans! It is home to the training facility for the Cleveland Cavaliers. This is a famous professional basketball team.