The Major Metros (Top 20)

1. Columbus: State capital and fastest-growing city; a powerhouse for research, insurance, and the massive Ohio State University.
2. Cleveland: A major Great Lakes port known for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and world-class healthcare (Cleveland Clinic).
3. Cincinnati: The “Queen City” on the Ohio River; a hub for Fortune 500 companies and historic German heritage.
4. Toledo: The “Glass City”; a major manufacturing and solar energy hub located at the western tip of Lake Erie.
5. Akron: The “Rubber Capital of the World”; historically the home of Goodyear and a leader in polymer research.
6. Dayton: The “Birthplace of Aviation”; home to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and a center for aerospace and tech.
7. Parma: Cleveland’s largest suburb, known for its deep Eastern European roots and mid-century residential charm.
8. Canton: Home of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and a historic industrial center in Northeast Ohio.
9. Lorain: The “International City” on Lake Erie, known for its steel history and diverse summer festivals.
10. Hamilton: A resurgent industrial city on the Great Miami River with a booming arts and “City of Sculpture” identity.
11. Youngstown: A classic “Steel Valley” city undergoing a tech-driven “Rust Belt” rebirth.
12. Springfield: Known as the “Champion City” (after the reaper company); home to Wittenberg University.
13. Kettering: Dayton’s largest suburb, famous for the Fraze Pavilion and high-tech research parks.
14. Elyria: A historic manufacturing city and seat of Lorain County, featuring the scenic Cascade Park.
15. Middletown: A steel and aviation hub between Cincinnati and Dayton; home to Cleveland-Cliffs (AK Steel).
16. Newark: Home to the famous “Longaberger Basket” building and the historic Newark Earthworks.
17. Cuyahoga Falls: A scenic city bordering Cuyahoga Valley National Park with a revitalized downtown riverfront.
18. Dublin: An affluent Columbus suburb famous for the Memorial Tournament (golf) and its Irish-themed festivals.
19. Delaware: One of the fastest-growing cities in the state; home to Ohio Wesleyan University.
20. Lakewood: The most densely populated city in Ohio; a vibrant, walkable lakefront community next to Cleveland.

Mid-Sized Cities

21. Beavercreek: A high-growth Dayton suburb anchored by the Mall at Fairfield Commons and defense contractors.
22. Euclid: A historic lakefront city known for its industrial history and the “Polka Hall of Fame.”
23. Mansfield: Known as the “Racing Capital of Ohio” and site of the Ohio State Reformatory (from The Shawshank Redemption).
24. Mentor: A retail giant on Lake Erie and site of James A. Garfield’s “Lawnfield” estate.
25. Strongsville: A major commercial and residential hub in Southwest Cuyahoga County known as the “Crossroads of the Nation.”
26. Grove City: A fast-growing southern anchor of Columbus with a strong equestrian and park culture.
27. Fairfield: A major residential suburb of Cincinnati and home to the eccentric Jungle Jim’s International Market.
28. Reynoldsburg: The “Birthplace of the Tomato” and a key eastern suburb of Columbus.
29. Huber Heights: A Dayton suburb famous for its massive stock of brick homes and the Rose Music Center.
30. Cleveland Heights: A grand, historic suburb known for its “Coventry Village” artsy vibe and varied architecture.
31. Lancaster: A historic city at the edge of Hocking Hills; birthplace of General William Tecumseh Sherman.
32. Findlay: Known as “Flag City, USA” and home to Marathon Petroleum and Cooper Tire.
33. Hilliard: A thriving Columbus suburb known for its high-tech growth and Old Hilliard district.
34. North Ridgeville: A fast-growing residential city in Lorain County with a “small town” feel near the city.
35. Warren: A historic steel city in the Mahoning Valley and birthplace of the Packard automobile.
36. Westerville: Once the “Dry Capital of the World”; now a premier suburb hosting Otterbein University.
37. Upper Arlington: An affluent, traditional residential enclave in the heart of Columbus.
38. Mason: Home to Kings Island amusement park and the Western & Southern Open (tennis).
39. Marion: Known as the “Popcorn Capital” and home to the Warren G. Harding Presidential Site.
40. Gahanna: The “Herb Capital of Ohio,” known for its scenic Creekside District.
41. Brunswick: The largest city in Medina County; a major bedroom community for Cleveland and Akron.
42. Fairborn: The closest city to Wright-Patterson AFB and home to Wright State University.
43. Lima: A historic rail and oil hub; home to the only factory in the US that builds M1 Abrams tanks.
44. Westlake: An upscale Cleveland suburb featuring the popular Crocker Park lifestyle center.
45. Stow: A primary residential city between Akron and Hudson with high-ranking parks.
46. Massillon: The “City of Champions,” internationally famous for its high school football tradition.
47. North Olmsted: A major shopping destination in Western Cuyahoga County near Cleveland-Hopkins Airport.
48. North Royalton: A quiet, hilly residential city south of Cleveland.
49. Bowling Green: Home to Bowling Green State University (BGSU) and the National Tractor Pulling Championships.
50. Marysville: Known as the “Where the Grass is Greener”; home to a massive Honda manufacturing plant.
51. Garfield Heights: A central residential suburb of Cleveland with significant historic parklands.
52. Shaker Heights: A world-famous planned community known for its strict architecture and elite schools.
53. Kent: A vibrant “college town” hosting Kent State University.
54. Green: A fast-growing city between Akron and Canton; home to the Akron-Canton Airport.
55. Troy: Famous for its historic courthouse and the annual Strawberry Festival.
56. Wooster: Home to the College of Wooster and the Ohio Agricultural Research Center.
57. Avon Lake: An affluent lakefront community with significant power-generation and Ford facilities.
58. Centerville: Known for having the largest collection of early stone houses in Ohio.
59. Xenia: The “Bicycle Capital of the Midwest,” sitting at the hub of several major rail-trail systems.
60. Pickerington: Known as the “Violet Capital of Ohio” and home to the Motorcycle Hall of Fame.

---

Smaller Regional Cities

Steubenville: The “City of Murals” and birthplace of Dean Martin.

Medina: Famous for its “picture-perfect” Victorian-style town square and candle-making history (Root Candles).

Avon: One of the fastest-growing suburbs in Northeast Ohio; home to a minor league baseball team.

Perrysburg: A historic and affluent suburb of Toledo on the Maumee River.

Zanesville: Known as the “Y-Bridge City” where the Licking and Muskingum rivers meet.

Athens: A quintessential hilly college town and home to Ohio University.

Wadsworth: Known as the “Match City” for its historic match manufacturing.

Barberton: Known as the “Magic City” due to its rapid early growth; famous for “Barberton-style” fried chicken.

Riverside: A Montgomery County city with deep ties to the adjacent Air Force base.

Willoughby: The “Courtesy City”; a historic lakefront suburb with a vibrant downtown.

Sandusky: Home to Cedar Point, the “Roller Coaster Capital of the World.”

Solon: Consistently ranked as one of the best places to live in the US; a high-wealth tech hub.

Maple Heights: A dense, residential inner-ring suburb of Cleveland.

Trotwood: A Dayton-area city known for its parks and diverse residential neighborhoods.

Hudson: An affluent, historic city designed to look like a classic New England village.

Oxford: Home to Miami University, often called “the most beautiful campus that ever was.”

Lebanon: Home to the historic Golden Lamb Inn and the Lebanon Mason Monroe Railroad.

Chillicothe: Ohio’s first state capital and home to the outdoor drama Tecumseh!.

Alliance: The “Carnation City” and home to Mount Union University.

Rocky River: An upscale West Side Cleveland suburb bordering the metroparks and Lake Erie.

South Euclid: Home to Notre Dame College and a mix of mid-century residential charm.

Piqua: Known for the historic Piqua Heritage Festival and its historic canal history.

Painesville: Seat of Lake County and home to Lake Erie College.

Parma Heights: A green, park-heavy enclave within the larger Parma area.

Sidney: A manufacturing town featuring the famous Louis Sullivan-designed “Jewel Box” bank.

Miamisburg: Famous for the Miamisburg Mound, one of the largest conical mounds in North America.

Forest Park: One of the largest planned communities in Hamilton County near Cincinnati.

Whitehall: A central Ohio city known for being the site of the first regional shopping center in the US.

Mayfield Heights: A primary commercial and medical hub for Cleveland’s eastern suburbs.

Broadview Heights: A growing, affluent residential city between Cleveland and Akron.

Oregon: A Toledo suburb on Lake Erie known for its heavy industry and Maumee Bay State Park.

Springboro: Historically a key stop on the Underground Railroad; now an affluent suburb.

Twinsburg: Famous for its annual “Twins Day Festival,” the largest gathering of twins in the world.

Norwood: An enclave city completely surrounded by the city of Cincinnati.

Sylvania: The “City of Trees,” a high-growth suburb of Toledo.

Ashland: Known as the “World Headquarters of Nice People” and home to Ashland University.

Pataskala: A rapidly developing former village on the eastern edge of the Columbus metro.

Tallmadge: Centered around “Tallmadge Circle,” one of the most famous traffic circles in the state.

Niles: Birthplace of President William McKinley and site of his National Memorial.

Brook Park: Home to the massive Ford engine plant and bordering Cleveland-Hopkins Airport.