Image courtesy of Cleveland.

Parma, Ohio is a city located in Cuyahoga county. It is the second largest city in the county after Cleveland. It is the seventh largest city in the state of Ohio. It sits just a few minutes southwest of Cleveland. The National Council for Home Safety and Security designated Parma as one of the top 100 safest cities in the country. It is the only Ohio city on the list. Parma is one of Cleveland’s most popular moving destinations for young adults and young families. After Parma’s population boom, it became a booming business destination. Some well-known companies have their business headquarters there, giving jobs to the locals. There are different unique ethnic villages like Polish Village and Ukrainian Village. Whether you’re there for a quick or permanent stay, you will definitely enjoy this city! 

Here’s what you should know about moving to Parma:

• History of Parma
• Facts and figures about Parma
• Local favorite things to do in Parma
• And more!
  

History of Parma

Before Moving to Parma, Get to Know the History of Your New Home

In 1806, before Parma was founded, it was surveyed by Abraham Tappan for the Connecticut Land Company. Settlers eventually moved into the area. The first settlers in 1816 were a family of 12. The area became known as “Greenbrier,” after a weedy shrub common in the area. They primarily self-governed once they were a town of 20 families. 

In 1826, the town’s name was changed to Parma. This happened because one of the city’s original settlers had made a visit to Italy and was so impressed by its beauty that he decided to name the city after Parma in Italy. He convinced the other families that their town deserved a name that was better than “Greenbrier.”

Parma became an agricultural town. A clock shop owned by William and Dudley Humphrey was the only business in the area at the time. In 1911, part of Parma decided to secede  due to a dispute about Sunday alcohol sales. They named their new town “Parma Heights.” In 1931, a proposal to annex Parma to Cleveland failed, and Parma became its own city. It had a population of 14,000 at the time. 

Parma’s population soared following WWII. People were flocking into the suburbs at the time. The population quickly went from 28,000 in 1950 to about 100,000 in 1970. During this time, Parma Mall and the Parma General Hospital opened. Several businesses joined the area. Corporations like General Motors and Cox Cable Television now reside in Parma. Far more Parma residents are foreign born compared to most Ohio cities. The five largest ethnic groups there are Ukrainians, Poles, Italians, Germans, and Irish. This city’s interesting mix of cultures help to keep it interesting. 

Parma by the Numbers

Learn About Parma’s Economy, Demographics, and What It’s Really Like to Live Here

Parma Population

Parma has a population of about 77,000 people. There are nearly 4,000 people per square mile. The median age of a Parma resident is 42, a few years older than the country’s median age. There is  an average of 2.6 people per household. 48% of those households consist of married couples, and 25% of those married couples have children. About 15% of homes in Parma are made up of single parent households. 

Parma’s Demographics

Parma has a population that is 87% white. Around 2.8% of the population is black, and 1.7% is Asian. Around 5.5% of the population claim to be Hispanic, and about 1.8% of the population identifies as mixed race. The median price for a home in Newark is $160,000. It is quite affordable to live there. 

Parma’s Schooling

The Parma City School District is made up of schools in Parma, Seven Hills, and Parma Hts. It operates 20 schools, which include two public high schools and a private one, 10 public elementary and middle schools along with 9 private ones. The western campus of Cuyahoga Community College is also located in Parma. They have schools for many education levels.

Things to do in Parma

Parma is a city with a lot to offer. It has a large shopping district called “The Shoppes at Parma.” Its biggest stores are Dick’s Sporting Goods, J.C. Penney, and Walmart. There are also plenty of restaurants and some fun things to do outdoors. The city of Parma offers options for fun both indoors and outdoors. 

Get to Know Parma Like a Local

Where People Shop, Dine, and Hang Out in Parma

Parma is a city that is large, but not overwhelmingly so. There is a unique mix of cultures there, which makes way for exciting restaurants. You’ll find Korean restaurants, Polish ones, and even Taino restaurants. You cannot get bored with the choices there! And if you’re from a smaller town with less options, you’ll be introduced to lots of unfamiliar cuisines in Parma. This city has large shopping centers like the South Park Mall. It's a traditional mall filled with people, shops, and food courts! This city has armories, breweries, and axe throwing centers. You won’t run out of activities to do as long as you’re in town. 

Southside Diner

This diner’s breakfast will have you coming back for more.

10705 W Pleasant Valley Rd | Parma | southsidediner.net

Southside Diner is a family restaurant with a passion for serving up fresh, homemade food. The food is amazing and it comes with friendly service. They have a menu full of delicious food items made from scratch. Some of their creations are different from what’s found at the average diner. You can get a breakfast burrito filled with sausage, home fries, and scrambled eggs, and then topped with sausage gravy. It is a great twist on the classic biscuits and gravy. They have potato pancakes, bagel sandwiches, and corned beef hash omelets. You wont regret having your breakfast there!

They serve breakfast and lunch at Southside Diner. They even have daily specials for those who want something outside the menu. The drink you have with your meal will also be delicious. Their premium coffee is freshly ground in-house. 

“Love this place!  Great service and food!  The menu has a lot of options and they offer daily specials too. I've tried something new with each visit.  Always happy with my choice and look forward to my next visit!  You may wait for a table depending on the day but it's definitely worth it!” -- Yelp Review

Seoul Garden

This restaurant gets consistent rave reviews. 

5270 Pearl Rd | Parma 

Seoul Garden serves the best Korean food in the area. Their prices are great for the level of quality that they offer. They serve you free appetizers while you wait for your meal, so if you’re not careful, you could be stuffed by the time your meal arrives! Your main meal will also come in a large quantity. When you visit Seoul Garden, make sure your taste buds are prepared for the high levels of spice. Their foods are quite spicy, and will leave you feeling warm inside. The options their menu has will excite any new visitor!

This place is so popular that a long line regularly forms outside waiting for the doors to open. People both in and out of town are really excited about Seoul Garden. Aside from amazing food, they offer great service. The restaurant’s décor is very subdued. It is clear that Seoul Garden puts most of its energy into its food!

“Great authentic Korean food. You get a ton of food! Nice atmosphere, very casual. Small dining area but I like that. Very cozy. Great tea too! Will definitely be a staple go-to restaurant for us from now on!” -- Yelp Review

Little Polish Diner

This cozy restaurant serves up delicious eastern European foods. 

5772 Ridge Rd | Parma

Little Polish Diner is a beloved fixture in this town. When you order a meal from them, it’s clear that it was freshly made. That is one thing that makes their food so great! They offer a great price and also have lunch specials. You’ll definitely feel like you got a good trade off for your money. You can order traditional Eastern European meals like chicken paprikash, cabbage and noodles, and stuffed cabbage. Their specials include meals like Lake perch, cod, and flounder.

This restaurant is small and cozy. There isn’t much outdoor seating, so you may not get to sit there, but the food is just as good when eaten from home! You can even order non-Polish meals if that’s what you would like. If you’re in Parma, visiting this place is a must. 

“Called in a lunch order for three, all were delicious! The Pierogis were great! And the stuffed cabbage was awesome as well! If I lived anywhere near Parma I would eat here regularly! Family run and home made and it shows! Overall Great food! Thank you very much!” -- Yelp Review

RollHouse Entertainment

This is a great spot for a fun night out with friends!

33185 Bainbridge Rd | Parma | therollhouse.com

This place has been around for over 30 years. The founders are all about creating a space for fun and see other Ohio dwellers as their family. They have so many options for activities, you’ll need to return again and again to do them all! You can bowl, play laser tag, and do an escape room. You can also rent out rooms to host parties. They also have food that is fresh and made to order, and hand mixed drinks at their bar. When you’re there, you will be occupied for hours at a time. 

The food and drink options are superior for a place that offers games. You won’t have to default to the standard chicken fingers here, you can order steak wraps, pastrami sandwiches, buffalo chicken burgers. The cocktails include flavors like orange coco punch and green tea sangria. 

“The RollHouse is great for so many different needs! The food is delicious, there is a great bar for sports, and there is great entertainment for kids and adults. It's a great hangout for day or evening. They also have a delicious gluten free pizza. I highly recommend you check it out!” -- Yelp Review

Make Believe Family Fun Center

This is a great place to take your family to have a good time! 

8303 Day Dr | Parma | makebelieveparma.com

The Make Believe Family Fun Center is unlike anything you’ve ever seen. Your family will have loads of fun visiting their attractions. They have multiple attractions that each have their own unique theme. You can explore enchanted forests, climb a pirate ship, and even enter a volcano! The place is safe and clean so you don’t have to worry about your kids. It also offers lockers so that your belongings are safe while you play around, maybe on the rope course or during laser tag.  

They have a birthday party center that you can book to celebrate your kid’s birthdays. And even though they cater so much towards kids, they make sure that adults aren't left out. Many of the activities they offer are also suitable for adults, and some are geared for them specifically. You can go axe throwing while your kids ride the bumper cars!

“I'm from out of town and was in town for a vacation in August 2019, my 10 year old daughter signed up for one day of day camp which included cooking, playing video games, ropes course and rock wall. I liked this place. I thought it was very creative and the staff sent me pictures during the day to keep me posted.  I know there are also adult " wine and paint" nights. I would definitely go back!” -- Yelp Review

Parma, Ohio is a safe town that keeps its residents at peace. It's a city filled with people that has a smaller town’s atmosphere. You can be very comfortable there, just like its residents, if you choose to go.