Census 2010: Mayfield Heights Gaining at Both Ends of Age Spectrum

The U.S. Census Bureau released more-detailed data demographic and housing data for Ohio communities, including Mayfield Heights.

Data released earlier this year showed population declined slightly, from 19,386 in 2000 to 19,155 in 2010. Information released today breaks down those numbers further, including age groups, races and household characteristics.

Some samplings from the 2010 Census:

Mayfield Heights is getting older

The median age increased from 43.8 to 46.4, largely because of gains between the ages of 45 and 64, which went from 4,023 (20.7 percent of the total population) to 4,564 (23.9 percent) in 2010.

However, the population between the ages of 65-74 and 75-84 dropped. In the case of the 65-74, it dropped from 2,192 (11.3 percent) to 1,794 (9.4 percent). For ages 75-84, the numbers were 2,290 (11.8 percent) in 2000 and 1,752 (9.2 percent) in 2010.

At age 85 and older, the numbers are up – from 868 (4.5 percent) in 2000 to 1,004 (5.2 percent) in 2010.

Despite the increasing overall age, there are more people ages 25-34 – from 2,873 (14.8 percent) in 2000 to 3,087 (16.1 percent) in 2010. There were also increases in age groups for under 5 (up 0.4 percent), 5-9 (up 0.3 percent), 10-14 (up 0.3 percent), 15-19 (up 0.6 percent) and 20-24 (up 0.4 percent)

One loss came in the 35-44 age bracket, which dropped from 2,733 (14.1 percent) in 2000 to 2,218 (11.5 percent) in 2010.

The city is more diverse

The minority population has increased since 2000. The Asian population, which was at 4.0 percent of the total in 2000 (782 persons), is now at 7.0 percent (1,340). The black population increased from 577 (3.0 percent) in 2000 to 1,979 (10.3 percent) in 2010.

More vacancies, but rental rate is stable

The percentage of owner-occupied residence remained the same as in 2000 – 50.8 percent compared to 49.2 percent rentals. Vacancy rates increase from 1.1 percent to 2.2 percent for homeowners and from 7.4 percent to 10.2 for rentals.

Mayor Gregory Costabile said he hadn't reviewed the data, but said that the lack of large population swings in any age group showed that Mayfield Heights has something for everyone, whether they want to rent or own a home.

"It continues to show the diversity of the city," he said. "In my first year as mayor back in 2006 I received a call from the Associated Press for an article because Mayfield Heights has the most foreign-born residents of any city in Ohio on a percentage basis."

Costabile said he was also pleased that the ratio of owner-occupied to rental properties remained unchanged and said the city has been diligent about enforcing codes to protect housing stock.

He was a little disappointed, however, that the population of Mayfield Heights did not top the 20,000 mark.

"I was anticipating that the newer housing developments would have put us over 20,000," Costabile said.