Does a divide exist between these two cities?  Is there resentment coming from one towards the other, or vice versa?  The reason I'm asking is because I've been hearing a lot about a "divide" between the two cities, especially in the weeks since a certain former basketball player left Northeast Ohio.  Thoughts?

 

Also, do Akronites tend to associate more closely with Canton or Cleveland (I've asked this specific question on another website before and gotten mixed results)?  Seems there are a lot of Akron-Canton shared institutions.

I just moved from Hudson after a decade there. It was clear to me that about 90% of the people in Hudson not only considered themselves Akronites, but thought Cleveland was some far off land which they could only read about in books, despite downtown, let alone the suburbs, being only 35 mins door to door... I just couldn't understand it..

While I personally don't sense a rivalry, I find it funny that Cincy and Dayton, which are still metro areas miles apart from each other and with more separate identities than CAK and CLE, may end up one huge metro area in this Census, Ohio's biggest (which folks down there are rooting for) while the much larger Canton, Akron, Cleveland area, which is a continuous 60 miles from downtown to downtown, likely won't be counted as one metro...... and nobody seems to care. Another case of NEO taking the backseat...

^Actually, Cincinnati-Dayton-Springfield and Cleveland-Akron-Canton are generally around the same size, both being in the lower 3 millions range. 

 

Cleveland-Akron-Elyria CSA - 2,917,801

Canton-Massillon, OH MSA - 409,764

Cleveland-Akron-Canton CSA - 3,327,565

 

Cincinnati-Middletown-Wilmington CSA - 2,198,337

Dayton-Springfield-Greenville CSA - 1,073,513

Cincinnati-Dayton-Springfield CSA - 3,271,850

 

And downtown to downtown for CinDayLand is around 50 miles, which is comparable to other CSA's such as Baltimore-Washington and Boston-Providence.

 

But back to Akron hating Cleveland ;)...

I guess I should just throw in my two cents in here...

 

Most of my friends from up north are from the Akron area (Hudson, Barberton, Akron, Fairlawn, Copley) and they generally do not associate with Cleveland except for sports teams.  I always wondered about the Cleveland media presence in Akron (I'm from Dayton; we basically don't care about Cincinnati nor their media; more than half of Dayton doesn't even know Mt. Adams or Hyde Park exist) and their take was "well, yeah, we get the Cleveland news but we look for the Akron parts."  It seems Canton and Akron have more of a relationship (from an outsider view here) than Cleveland and Akron.  With that chocolate factory, the airport, the Cuyahoga Valley RR, etc.  Do people in Cleveland know about Swenson's or Sky-Way?  Do Akron people know about John Q's or Waterstreet Grill?

Why in the world would people in Cleveland resent Akron or Akronites (since that is how the question is piosed)?

 

Most people I know who live in Hudson work in downtown Cleveland so I don't understand dwirthwein's comments.  Everybody I personally know who lives in Hudson, Bath or Copley (including my two sisters) use to live in Cuyahoga County including the Heights area so I cannot imagine they identify with Akron over Cleveland.

 

When I went to college ( a long time ago) I would hear things about Akronites being mad about the perception by many that it was just a suburb of Cleveland (this really was not true then), but with the sprawl we have today the two metro areas have basically merged so I cannot see how any one (except "the King" when he is trying to take people's mind off what a jerk he was with his whole discussion show) even gives it a thought.

 

 

I personally view any divide between Cleveland and Akron more as a third party to the more talked about East Side-West Side rivalry/separation of Cleveland.  I'd say the region is split via an inverted T with the Cuyahoga River and to keep it simple Route 303 as the dividing lines.

Eh, no animus.  A divide?  Not really.  I live in the in-between and I find myself more often than not in Akron.  There maybe something of the sort of the East/West rift in Cleveland. 

 

For me, I take advantage of my geography and get around to go to the great restaurants and bars of the region and seeing the great bands that are available whether they are in Summit or Cuyahoga county.  Its good to be able to live close to a bigger city for more options to do things than are available in the Akron area.  There are a lot of options. 

 

That said..  If I lived equi-distant to Pittsburgh and Cleveland.  I would probably be in Pittsburgh a whole lot more..  :laugh:

 

 

I just moved from Hudson after a decade there. It was clear to me that about 90% of the people in Hudson not only considered themselves Akronites, but thought Cleveland was some far off land which they could only read about in books, despite downtown, let alone the suburbs, being only 35 mins door to door... I just couldn't understand it..

While I personally don't sense a rivalry, I find it funny that Cincy and Dayton, which are still metro areas miles apart from each other and with more separate identities than CAK and CLE, may end up one huge metro area in this Census, Ohio's biggest (which folks down there are rooting for) while the much larger Canton, Akron, Cleveland area, which is a continuous 60 miles from downtown to downtown, likely won't be counted as one metro...... and nobody seems to care. Another case of NEO taking the backseat...

 

This is wrong.  Cleveland-Akron is already a "combined statistical area," which means they are in a lot of ways already connected (though not regarded as closely-knit as a metropolitan statistical area, though there is some debate that they should be).  The Cincinnati-Dayton "merger" is a discussion of those two just now becoming considered one combined statistical area.  So in other words, Cleveland and Akron are already a step ahead of their southwestern Ohio brethren in regards to being considered connected as far as Census Bureau is concerned.

 

Interestingly enough, the Canton-Massillon MSA is on its own island according to the Census Bureau, not connected to Akron in the sense of sharing a metropolitan area.

 

Just thought I'd clarify that.

Who cares, this is a silly question. I think most people in Cleveland and Akron could care less about the other city for the most part. As a former Clevelandar with mucho family still in the area, I don't think Akron was ever mentioned except when perhaps talking about Devo, Chrissie Hynde or LeBum.

Here is a look at the economic interaction between Cleveland and Akron:

 

A Closer Look at Akron

 

I suspect the northern parts of Summit County might be more identified with Cleveland since it seems to be a bleed-over of Cleveland suburbia (perhaps this does not extend as far south as Hudson, or the perception of Hudsonians is "we're not Cleveland" in a sort of rejection of that identity?).

 

Interesting that Canton/Massillon is so seperate.  I think they share an airport with Akron?  I  think Canton has its own TV stations, though (???) which might make it more seperate in some ways.

 

When I was up there in my "Great Ohio Safari of 2004" it didn't seem there was too much development between the two cities (Akron and Canton), though I didn't explore the area that thoroughly.  I did drive surface streets and roads between Akron and Cleveland, though, and one can sense how these areas are growing together.  Twinsburg seemed pretty suburban.  Hudson was "nice". 

 

Akron is probably the least discussed major urban center on this board, so I like that this thread is going on.

 

 

 

I think Canton uses Cleveland's DMA. Or it's included in it. The Census does strange things. Maybe Delicates from the area's will push for the mergers this year. Everyone wants more federal dollars and i don't blame them.

 

Butler county was not even in Cincinnati's MSA for many decades even though it's been solid development from downtown to Hamilton for much of that time period.  But it was in Cincinnati's CMSA(Today's CSA) Just as Akron was in Cleveland's CMSA(Today's CSA).

 

Their maybe a new definition this decade. Who knows.

^Actually, Cincinnati-Dayton-Springfield and Cleveland-Akron-Canton are generally around the same size, both being in the lower 3 millions range.

 

Cleveland-Akron-Elyria CSA - 2,917,801

Canton-Massillon, OH MSA - 409,764

Cleveland-Akron-Canton CSA - 3,327,565

 

Cincinnati-Middletown-Wilmington CSA - 2,198,337

Dayton-Springfield-Greenville CSA - 1,073,513

Cincinnati-Dayton-Springfield CSA - 3,271,850

 

And downtown to downtown for CinDayLand is around 50 miles, which is comparable to other CSA's such as Baltimore-Washington and Boston-Providence.

 

But back to Akron hating Cleveland ;)...

Cincinnati to Springfield is 77 miles!  Where's the mention of Warren/Youngstown for Cleveland, how about Sandusky/Hurron/Vermilion, also much closer than 77 miles.  Heck, if 77 miles is the standard, Cleveland should pick up Mansfield, Ashland, Wooster....  That would push the Cleveland "mega CSA" to what 4.5 - 5 million?

 

Cleveland and Akron, like all of NEO are intertwined.  People living in Cleveland work at Goodyear, Timken; fly in/out of CAK; their kids go to college at Akron/Kent, etc..  Just as people living in Akron work at the Clinic, Progressive; and their kids go to school at CSU, Case, JC, BW, etc..

 

Anyone who creates an imaginary line somewhere along Rte. 8, say in Hudson or Macedonia or maybe Stow, and says they like this side of the line, but not the other is nothing more than childish stereotyping.  It is one area, aka NEO, whether 5% of the population wants to recognize it as one or not.

Having grown up in the Massillon/Canton area, (in Perry Hts, the suburb between the two cities, in fact) I never felt that connected to Cleveland, with the obvious exception of the TV stations.  Depending on who your cable provider was, in addition to the Cleveland stations, (3,5, and 8--and later FOX) you might also receive stations from Youngstown and Steubenville. (iirc 27 and 9 respectively)

 

Going to Cleveland as a kid, to the zoo for example, was a major event.  My family rarely went to Akron, but when we did, it didn't have that "major event" feel to it; it wasn't that unusual.

 

Maybe this was a holdover from my childhood but, when I attended KSU, I got the same feeling about Cleveland.  If you went to "the city" you went to Akron, and Cleveland was still far (though not as far) away.

 

I never sensed any kind of resentment or rivalry, though.

^Actually, Cincinnati-Dayton-Springfield and Cleveland-Akron-Canton are generally around the same size, both being in the lower 3 millions range.

 

Cleveland-Akron-Elyria CSA - 2,917,801

Canton-Massillon, OH MSA - 409,764

Cleveland-Akron-Canton CSA - 3,327,565

 

Cincinnati-Middletown-Wilmington CSA - 2,198,337

Dayton-Springfield-Greenville CSA - 1,073,513

Cincinnati-Dayton-Springfield CSA - 3,271,850

 

And downtown to downtown for CinDayLand is around 50 miles, which is comparable to other CSA's such as Baltimore-Washington and Boston-Providence.

 

But back to Akron hating Cleveland ;)...

Cincinnati to Springfield is 77 miles! Where's the mention of Warren/Youngstown for Cleveland, how about Sandusky/Hurron/Vermilion, also much closer than 77 miles. Heck, if 77 miles is the standard, Cleveland should pick up Mansfield, Ashland, Wooster.... That would push the Cleveland "mega CSA" to what 4.5 - 5 million?

 

Cleveland and Akron, like all of NEO are intertwined. People living in Cleveland work at Goodyear, Timken; fly in/out of CAK; their kids go to college at Akron/Kent, etc.. Just as people living in Akron work at the Clinic, Progressive; and their kids go to school at CSU, Case, JC, BW, etc..

 

Anyone who creates an imaginary line somewhere along Rte. 8, say in Hudson or Macedonia or maybe Stow, and says they like this side of the line, but not the other is nothing more than childish stereotyping. It is one area, aka NEO, whether 5% of the population wants to recognize it as one or not.

 

So Cincinnati to Springfield is "77 miles" and Cleveland to Canton is "60 miles," does it really matter?  Both are sprawling monsters with the same population.  And FYI, if you wanted to include Youngstown (in fairness, Dayton might as well include Columbus or Cincinnati include Lexington if that's the case but just for the sake of arguement...)...

 

Cleveland-Akron-Youngstown-Canton-Warren-Ravenna CSA - 3,898,269  Adding in Mansfield, Wooster, Huron, and Sandusky (again, for the sake of arguement) would only bring up about 400,000 more with a grand total of around 4.3 million.

 

But let's flip it and say 77 miles from Dayton, I'd add in Cincinnati, Columbus, Springfield, and Lima...which would be substantially larger than 4.3 million.  But hey, this thread is about Akron (which I love love love) so let's keep it that way.

Having grown up in the Massillon/Canton area, (in Perry Hts, the suburb between the two cities, in fact) I never felt that connected to Cleveland, with the obvious exception of the TV stations. Depending on who your cable provider was, in addition to the Cleveland stations, (3,5, and 8--and later FOX) you might also receive stations from Youngstown and Steubenville. (iirc 27 and 9 respectively)

 

Going to Cleveland as a kid, to the zoo for example, was a major event. My family rarely went to Akron, but when we did, it didn't have that "major event" feel to it; it wasn't that unusual.

 

Maybe this was a holdover from my childhood but, when I attended KSU, I got the same feeling about Cleveland. If you went to "the city" you went to Akron, and Cleveland was still far (though not as far) away.

 

I never sensed any kind of resentment or rivalry, though.

 

That's the general feel I get from my friends from Akron about Cleveland.

I think there is some animus in the inner-city black community, so I am not suprised by LeBron's comments and believe them to be truthful from his perspective.  But its not like a 'rivalry'... it is like he said; that the "city" kids from Cleveland tend to look down upon their Akron peers.

 

But there is no 'divide' IMO.  Sports is a major connector.  Akron and Canton are both solid Cleveland sports towns, unlike Younstown which is half-half with Pittsburgh so close by.  Businesses also have significant connections between Akron and Cleveland, as their operations will usually include both areas jointly or they will have offices in both cities.

 

Northern Summit County is also much, much more connected to Cleveland than the central and southern portions.  Those communities are pretty much Cleveland suburbs.

 

But the reason there can be no clear answer, is because there is no clear geographic dividing point between the Cleveland area and the Akron area.... its more of a gradual transition from one city to the next.

Technically, I live in the Cleveland Metro region, and I work in the City of Canton.  I will say, there is definately a difference in the way people live and what they cater to in Canton, versus how people live, and what they cater to in Cleveland.  For a number of years working and living in Cleveland, I jsut thought everyone within the Cleveland, Akron, Canton metro region could identify themselves with Beachwood Place mall, or the Warehouse district, or E4th, or the Flats.  In actuallity, working here in Canton and Akron, the people here actually do not venture out much to those places, and alot of people actually don't even know where they are.  I was very suprised by that.  It's amazing how much they all cater to Belden Village, and Highland Square.  I have never realized that there actually is a disconnect.  Now obviously they do consider themselves Cleveland Sports Fans, and they do watch Cleveland news (not so much the Canton people), but they do not surround themselves with Cleveland "stuff".

 

I will say in the Construction and Engineering industry, there seems to be a bitter rivalry between Akron/Canton, and Cleveland.  I have learned not to mention the Innerbelt bridge project, or the flats, CSU, UH, and CCF projects.  They get very, can I say jealous, and immediatley swith the conversation over to Summa, UofA, Aultman and Mercy projects.  I could not believe that when I first started, but it is true.  I would have to say that results from the "good old boys network" that seems to run Cleveland.

 

What I have seen down here is ther seems to be a very strong network along the RT 30 Corridor from Canton to Wooster, and the 585 Corridor from Barberton to Wooster, and the I-77 Corridor from N. Canton to New Philly.  It seems the locals can all identify themselves much more with things along those corridors, then say the I77 Corridor from Akron to Cleveland.

 

These are jsut my experiences, but in short, I will say, it took taking a job in Canton to see the actually disconnect that there is with Canton, Akron and Cleveland.  Cleveland just seems to be a hard time to get "into" for an "outsider". 

^Actually,  and Cleveland-Akron-Canton are generally around the same size, both being in the lower 3 millions range.

 

Cleveland-Akron-Elyria CSA - 2,917,801

Canton-Massillon, OH MSA - 409,764

Cleveland-Akron-Canton CSA - 3,327,565

 

Cincinnati-Middletown-Wilmington CSA - 2,198,337

Dayton-Springfield-Greenville CSA - 1,073,513

Cincinnati-Dayton-Springfield CSA - 3,271,850

 

And downtown to downtown for CinDayLand is around 50 miles, which is comparable to other CSA's such as Baltimore-Washington and Boston-Providence.

 

But back to Akron hating Cleveland ;)...

Cincinnati to Springfield is 77 miles! Where's the mention of Warren/Youngstown for Cleveland, how about Sandusky/Hurron/Vermilion, also much closer than 77 miles. Heck, if 77 miles is the standard, Cleveland should pick up Mansfield, Ashland, Wooster.... That would push the Cleveland "mega CSA" to what 4.5 - 5 million?

 

Cleveland and Akron, like all of NEO are intertwined. People living in Cleveland work at Goodyear, Timken; fly in/out of CAK; their kids go to college at Akron/Kent, etc.. Just as people living in Akron work at the Clinic, Progressive; and their kids go to school at CSU, Case, JC, BW, etc..

 

Anyone who creates an imaginary line somewhere along Rte. 8, say in Hudson or Macedonia or maybe Stow, and says they like this side of the line, but not the other is nothing more than childish stereotyping. It is one area, aka NEO, whether 5% of the population wants to recognize it as one or not.

 

So Cincinnati to Springfield is "77 miles" and Cleveland to Canton is "60 miles," does it really matter? Both are sprawling monsters with the same population. And FYI, if you wanted to include Youngstown (in fairness, Dayton might as well include Columbus or Cincinnati include Lexington if that's the case but just for the sake of arguement...)...

 

Cleveland-Akron-Youngstown-Canton-Warren-Ravenna CSA - 3,898,269 Adding in Mansfield, Wooster, Huron, and Sandusky (again, for the sake of arguement) would only bring up about 400,000 more with a grand total of around 4.3 million.

 

But let's flip it and say 77 miles from Dayton, I'd add in Cincinnati, Columbus, Springfield, and Lima...which would be substantially larger than 4.3 million. But hey, this thread is about Akron (which I love love love) so let's keep it that way.

 

does it really matter? ask yourself CMD..You're the one that first put in population numbers of Cincy/Dayton which has nothing to do w/this thread.  Why are people down south so obsessed w/this?  NEO is bigger get over it.

I live in Akron. Only associate myself with Cleveland sports, mainly the Browns. I've only been to Cleveland 3 times yet I do alot of traveling. There isnt enough draw in Cleveland for me to go there. I've been to Pittsburgh the same amount of times as Cleveland and I'd prefer Pburgh. (Better looking downtown if you ask me)

 

I went to College in Canton and Cincinnati. Most of my travels are back to the Cincinnati area due to the fact of knowing people and places. I really have no reason to drive to Cleveland other than for an event. (And it has to be a big event)

 

Akron is a great city. Although crime is going up, Akron is relatively safe. It has cultural attractions of its own and will be picking up more in the future.

 

I believe that Cleveland will lose population and Akron will gain population in the future. Cleveland just does not draw me on any level. Although I will be appearing for a Browns game this season!

^I know where this is going...lol

^Actually, and Cleveland-Akron-Canton are generally around the same size, both being in the lower 3 millions range.

 

Cleveland-Akron-Elyria CSA - 2,917,801

Canton-Massillon, OH MSA - 409,764

Cleveland-Akron-Canton CSA - 3,327,565

 

Cincinnati-Middletown-Wilmington CSA - 2,198,337

Dayton-Springfield-Greenville CSA - 1,073,513

Cincinnati-Dayton-Springfield CSA - 3,271,850

 

And downtown to downtown for CinDayLand is around 50 miles, which is comparable to other CSA's such as Baltimore-Washington and Boston-Providence.

 

But back to Akron hating Cleveland ;)...

Cincinnati to Springfield is 77 miles! Where's the mention of Warren/Youngstown for Cleveland, how about Sandusky/Hurron/Vermilion, also much closer than 77 miles. Heck, if 77 miles is the standard, Cleveland should pick up Mansfield, Ashland, Wooster.... That would push the Cleveland "mega CSA" to what 4.5 - 5 million?

 

Cleveland and Akron, like all of NEO are intertwined. People living in Cleveland work at Goodyear, Timken; fly in/out of CAK; their kids go to college at Akron/Kent, etc.. Just as people living in Akron work at the Clinic, Progressive; and their kids go to school at CSU, Case, JC, BW, etc..

 

Anyone who creates an imaginary line somewhere along Rte. 8, say in Hudson or Macedonia or maybe Stow, and says they like this side of the line, but not the other is nothing more than childish stereotyping. It is one area, aka NEO, whether 5% of the population wants to recognize it as one or not.

 

So Cincinnati to Springfield is "77 miles" and Cleveland to Canton is "60 miles," does it really matter? Both are sprawling monsters with the same population. And FYI, if you wanted to include Youngstown (in fairness, Dayton might as well include Columbus or Cincinnati include Lexington if that's the case but just for the sake of arguement...)...

 

Cleveland-Akron-Youngstown-Canton-Warren-Ravenna CSA - 3,898,269 Adding in Mansfield, Wooster, Huron, and Sandusky (again, for the sake of arguement) would only bring up about 400,000 more with a grand total of around 4.3 million.

 

But let's flip it and say 77 miles from Dayton, I'd add in Cincinnati, Columbus, Springfield, and Lima...which would be substantially larger than 4.3 million. But hey, this thread is about Akron (which I love love love) so let's keep it that way.

 

does it really matter? ask yourself CMD..You're the one that first put in population numbers of Cincy/Dayton which has nothing to do w/this thread. Why are people down south so obsessed w/this? NEO is bigger get over it.

 

Because I was addressing your fellow NEOer's comment about Cincy/Dayton.  Otherwise, I would've just spoken my piece about the Akron friends.  Next time, read the whole thread.

Well clearly this is just turning into an Akron thread rather than addressing the question.  Why is that?

For Akronites to let off some steam? ;)

 

I think JamesMatthew, gotribe, and JRC answered the question rather well.

Suffice it to say, I think the divide (if there is one) gets bigger the further south you go.... as one can logically assume it naturally would.  There just is no clear dividing line.  There is no line where 'Akron' starts and 'Cleveland' stops.

 

I think some Akronites do not care for Cleveland.  Some I know love it.  I know people from Akron who frequent our attractions beyond sports.  On the other hand, I think most Clevelanders have no particular feelings about Akron one way or the other.  Perhaps moreso than Akronites, we view NEO as a region.  For instance, if an Akron team was playing a Cincy team for the state championship in HS sports, I would think that most Clevelanders who have any interest are rooting for the Akron team because they view it as a NEO team.  I am not sure how Akron folks would feel if Glenville or Iggy were playing.  We root for UofA.  We root for the Aeros (naturally with them being our AA team).  There simply is no animosity from Cleveland directed at Akron.... the other way around may be a different story (especially if you read between the lines of JM's post ;)) 

Though I think a continuing question is do Clevelanders really really feel connected to Akron?  Macedonia suburbs/CSA bull-ish aside, is there really an acknoweldgement of Akron as a part of the "Cleveland area" or is it "that place south on I-77?"  How well do Clevelanders know Highland Square, Portage Path, etc?

^Actually, and Cleveland-Akron-Canton are generally around the same size, both being in the lower 3 millions range.

 

Cleveland-Akron-Elyria CSA - 2,917,801

Canton-Massillon, OH MSA - 409,764

Cleveland-Akron-Canton CSA - 3,327,565

 

Cincinnati-Middletown-Wilmington CSA - 2,198,337

Dayton-Springfield-Greenville CSA - 1,073,513

Cincinnati-Dayton-Springfield CSA - 3,271,850

 

And downtown to downtown for CinDayLand is around 50 miles, which is comparable to other CSA's such as Baltimore-Washington and Boston-Providence.

 

But back to Akron hating Cleveland ;)...

Cincinnati to Springfield is 77 miles! Where's the mention of Warren/Youngstown for Cleveland, how about Sandusky/Hurron/Vermilion, also much closer than 77 miles. Heck, if 77 miles is the standard, Cleveland should pick up Mansfield, Ashland, Wooster.... That would push the Cleveland "mega CSA" to what 4.5 - 5 million?

 

Cleveland and Akron, like all of NEO are intertwined. People living in Cleveland work at Goodyear, Timken; fly in/out of CAK; their kids go to college at Akron/Kent, etc.. Just as people living in Akron work at the Clinic, Progressive; and their kids go to school at CSU, Case, JC, BW, etc..

 

Anyone who creates an imaginary line somewhere along Rte. 8, say in Hudson or Macedonia or maybe Stow, and says they like this side of the line, but not the other is nothing more than childish stereotyping. It is one area, aka NEO, whether 5% of the population wants to recognize it as one or not.

 

So Cincinnati to Springfield is "77 miles" and Cleveland to Canton is "60 miles," does it really matter? Both are sprawling monsters with the same population. And FYI, if you wanted to include Youngstown (in fairness, Dayton might as well include Columbus or Cincinnati include Lexington if that's the case but just for the sake of arguement...)...

 

Cleveland-Akron-Youngstown-Canton-Warren-Ravenna CSA - 3,898,269 Adding in Mansfield, Wooster, Huron, and Sandusky (again, for the sake of arguement) would only bring up about 400,000 more with a grand total of around 4.3 million.

 

But let's flip it and say 77 miles from Dayton, I'd add in Cincinnati, Columbus, Springfield, and Lima...which would be substantially larger than 4.3 million. But hey, this thread is about Akron (which I love love love) so let's keep it that way.

 

does it really matter? ask yourself CMD..You're the one that first put in population numbers of Cincy/Dayton which has nothing to do w/this thread. Why are people down south so obsessed w/this? NEO is bigger get over it.

 

Because I was addressing your fellow NEOer's comment about Cincy/Dayton. Otherwise, I would've just spoken my piece about the Akron friends. Next time, read the whole thread.

You were the first to bring up population on this thread.  You were also the first to associate "hate" with Cleveland/Akron.  So once again, another open topic about Cleveland is turned into another Cleveland belittling/devualing/demotion exercise. 

 

It's becoming so predictable & tiresome.  We get it, you hate anything Cleveland, okay..

For Akronites to let off some steam? ;)

 

I think JamesMatthew, gotribe, and JRC answered the question rather well.

 

 

I have no steam to let off..

I dont associate with Cleveland other than sports. Simple as that.

I dont feel a connectivity. Akron has its own identity.

The older generations may have a different view on this though.

^^^I think so.  I think we view Akron as being part of the Cleveland area, Greater Cleveland, Cleveland+, whatever you want to call it.  To be honest, we probably view all of NEO that way.  A one team concept, if you will.  As far as familiarity, it depends on the Clevelander.  I make it down to Akron a lot for work, so I certainly am familiar with the City.  I also use the Airport, which isn't THAT much farther than Hopkins for me.

 

Here is an interesting question:  With Route 8 and the eastside suburbs which happen to fall in Summit County's geographic boundaries, I am wondering whether there is a difference in how this issue is viewed by eastside and westside Clevelanders.

 

FWIW, I feel much more connected to Akron than I do to the western suburbs of Cleveland.  I go there more often and I know my way around better.  But that is understandable.... who wants to go to the westside anyways.... it smells over there like trash... and then you have the rubbish to deal with too (just.... kidding.... no.... really)

I'll chime in seeing that I live in Lakewood, work in DT Akron and grew up halfway between Ytown and Akron with parents from Youngstown. I tend to agree to with those that are saying the Akron-Cleveland divide really is just a little more pronounced than the East-West Cleveland divide. I think Canton overlaps with Akron but not Cleveland due to the hour drive. I think there is a lot of professional overlap between Cleveland and Akron, a ton of people who live in one city are willing to take jobs in the other but drive and don't move. Culture institutions differ (swensons, shopping malls, HS Sports, etc) but like I said before I don't think it is much more pronounced than the east-west Cleveland divide.

 

 

8Titles, you've got to be joking.

 

Let's look at timeline:

 

dwirthwein says:

 

While I personally don't sense a rivalry, I find it funny that Cincy and Dayton, which are still metro areas miles apart from each other and with more separate identities than CAK and CLE, may end up one huge metro area in this Census, Ohio's biggest (which folks down there are rooting for) while the much larger Canton, Akron, Cleveland area, which is a continuous 60 miles from downtown to downtown, likely won't be counted as one metro...... and nobody seems to care. Another case of NEO taking the backseat...

 

ColDayMan corrects him with population stats showing both are similar sized metropolitan areas and wants to go back to topic with a (;)).

 

8Titles (as usual) shows up nine posts later to point out something that was old news and factually incorrectly points out some useless "NEO" population statistic.

 

ColDayMan (as usual) corrects the fellow poster as well and THEN gets back to topic AGAIN with the post below.

 

Then, Clefan98 and 8Titles are blah-blah-blah'ing about something about "hating Cleveland" and "down south obsessions" like this is an Idris Elba/Beyonce movie.

 

Tiresome indeed.

 

But if you have ANYTHING to contribute to this thread about Akron and Cleveland's "divide," go ahead and address it.  The population thing was literally yesterday's news.

For Akronites to let off some steam? ;)

 

I think JamesMatthew, gotribe, and JRC answered the question rather well.

 

 

I have no steam to let off..

I dont associate with Cleveland other than sports. Simple as that.

I dont feel a connectivity. Akron has its own identity.

The older generations may have a different view on this though.

 

No, I understand.  I imagine Akron might have a tougher time since it does not have its own media market than, say, Dayton, Providence, or Baltimore.  Akron certainly has its own identity, Fortune 500 companies, metro, culture, blah blah.  But I guess the OP wanted to know if Canton had any sort of connection to Akron moreso than Cleveland.  I'm guessing that depends on what side of Summit County you live in (?)

^^^I think so.  I think we view Akron as being part of the Cleveland area, Greater Cleveland, Cleveland+, whatever you want to call it.  To be honest, we probably view all of NEO that way.  A one team concept, if you will.  As far as familiarity, it depends on the Clevelander.  I make it down to Akron a lot for work, so I certainly am familiar with the City.  I also use the Airport, which isn't THAT much farther than Hopkins for me.

 

Here is an interesting question:  With Route 8 and the eastside suburbs which happen to fall in Summit County's geographic boundaries, I am wondering whether there is a difference in how this issue is viewed by eastside and westside Clevelanders.

 

FWIW, I feel much more connected to Akron than I do to the western suburbs of Cleveland.  I go there more often and I know my way around better.  But that is understandable.... who wants to go to the westside anyways.... it smells over there like trash... and then you have the rubbish to deal with too (just.... kidding.... no.... really)

 

So it essentially comes down to geography, which makes the most sense.  Somebody in Hudson or Stow probably go to Beachwood or Eton Collection moreso than somebody in Wadsworth or Fairlawn.  I'm sure the Cuyahoga National Park has a huge impact on Akron's self-identity from being swollowed up by that whole Brecksville crowd.

DAMMIT can we stop with the Cleveland/Cincinnati regional population comparisons?!!  In reality- who really cares and why does it really matter?  Just for "boasting rights", in a STATE which will be declining in population in five years according to the Census bureau which everyone here relies on for statistics for their region, right?  Let's just let it go...

 

But to get back on topic- there might be somewhat of a divide which hasn't been, and would be worthless to find statistically between the two.  This whole "divide" wasn't really brought up until a certain loved/hated person brought his own (worthless) personal notions regarding Cleveland to light during a recent magazine interview. There might be somewhat of a divide in what urban center the populations mostly connect with, but not much else.  As for this said person's own opinion, well... that's just his opinion (as if it really makes a difference). There is no hate towards Cleveland from Akronites- maybe rivalries that local youths have, but again not much else.

 

Also, let's not act as if other regions don't have the same divides (Minneapolis/St Paul, Baltimore/D.C., etc) regarding where the population feels connected to the most based on location in the region  I would assume that the youth in these other areas might perpetuate the same "divide" as was mentioned by the certain said person, but in reality it doesn't make a difference IMO.  Akron and Cleveland will be connected till the end, same as other regions.

As a Clevelander eastsider, I know people who struggle with geography of the Westside suburbs, let alone Akron. Clevelanders are generally east-west oriented, and don't necessarily think south. 

 

Two examples:

 

My friend my from Little Italy: "Seven Hills?  I dunno, I never go to the Westside unless Edgewater Park or something."

 

(Seven Hills is south of Cleveland on the way to Akron)

 

My friend from Cleveland Hts: "I not sure if I could ever live on the Westside.  I mean, it's OK to visit Tremont and Ohio City, but living there..."

 

(that's the Westside for most eastside Clevelanders..)

 

The easiest answer for most life-long Clevelanders -- they are simply indifferent about Akron/Canton, and associate it as NEO.

The dichotomy between akron and cleveland is largly because the 40 mile difference, while not far, is far.  However, in the past 10 to 15 years or so, the I-77 corridor is now one continuous built-up area between canton and cleveland.  We now have people (especially from the eastern burbs) who use CAK over CLE on some flights.  The completion of I-480 to the southeast linking up with the TPK also further connects the two areas.  If the NE ohio region begins to grow again, then the relative short distance between the two cities will be irrelevant.  I would imagine that its already the case and we just haven't wrapped our minds around that fact.

Though I think a continuing question is do Clevelanders really really feel connected to Akron?  Macedonia suburbs/CSA bull-ish aside, is there really an acknoweldgement of Akron as a part of the "Cleveland area" or is it "that place south on I-77?"  How well do Clevelanders know Highland Square, Portage Path, etc?

 

Yeah, I consider Akron a part of the larger region in which I live, but I'll freely admit that I don't know the city that well.  In fact, you hit the nail on the head--I know parts of Macedonia and northern Summit County fairly well, but anything south of that may as well be another planet.  I guess this is more of a study of human geography.  You put a dot on the map where one lives, and draw circles around it.  Past a certain circle, you'll find that most people start becoming very unfamiliar with those areas unless they have a specific reason to frequent a certain area.  So you may have "regions" that are interconnected, but a lot of people in those regions unfamiliar with many other parts of the region.

DAMMIT can we stop with the Cleveland/Cincinnati regional population comparisons?!!  In reality- who really cares and why does it really matter?  Just for "boasting rights", in a STATE which will be declining in population in five years according to the Census bureau which everyone here relies on for statistics for their region, right?  Let's just let it go...

 

But to get back on topic- there might be somewhat of a divide which hasn't been, and would be worthless to find statistically between the two.  This whole "divide" wasn't really brought up until a certain loved/hated person brought his own (worthless) personal notions regarding Cleveland to light during a recent magazine interview. There might be somewhat of a divide in what urban center the populations mostly connect with, but not much else.  As for this said person's own opinion, well... that's just his opinion (as if it really makes a difference). There is no hate towards Cleveland from Akronites- maybe rivalries that local youths have, but again not much else.

 

Also, let's not act as if other regions don't have the same divides (Minneapolis/St Paul, Baltimore/D.C., etc) regarding where the population feels connected to the most based on location in the region  I would assume that the youth in these other areas might perpetuate the same "divide" as was mentioned by the certain said person, but in reality it doesn't make a difference IMO.  Akron and Cleveland will be connected till the end, same as other regions.

 

Good points.  Unfortunately "said person" has used his fame and soapbox to propagate the idea that there is a big separation between the two areas, and it seems that a lot of people from outside of the region (media members included) are taking his word for it.

But let's flip it and say 77 miles from Dayton, I'd add in Cincinnati, Columbus, Springfield, and Lima...which would be substantially larger than 4.3 million.  But hey, this thread is about Akron (which I love love love) so let's keep it that way.

 

Sorry, I know we're getting away form the Cincinnati/Cleveland comparisons.  I just have to interject to say that this comment is dumb.  Picking Dayton as the center point of the CSA you are creating to try to prove SW Ohio has more people than a NEO CSA?  That would be like saying we are creating a CSA with Youngstown as a center point and going 77 miles out, which would include Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Youngstown, Warren, Akron, and Canton, which would have WAYYYYY more than 4.3 million.  But, hey, this thread is about Akron...

The point IN GENERAL IS DUMB.  Arguing 77 miles versus 60 miles of continuous urbanity and saying "gee, Cincy to Springfield is far!  But Cleveland to Canton is okay!  Then to interject Sandusky, Youngstown, Wooster, and Mansfield into this "mega-NEO region" is JUST AS SILLY as me putting a 80 miles radius around Dayton and including Van Wert.  It's only 60 miles!"  It's ridiculous.  Sprawl is sprawl, no matter how far-flung it is.

Re: Cleveland/Akron Divide?

 

Answer: It's called The Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Next question.

You wouldn't say the Winking Lizard in Peninsula?

is JUST AS SILLY as me putting a 80 miles radius around Dayton and including Van Wert.  It's only 60 miles!"  It's ridiculous.

 

then why interject?

I was answering a statement made by the second poster.  Then, nine posts later, it was brought up again by 8Titles.  Or am I missing something?  Do people actually read these threads or they just see "ColDayMan posted _____ Cleveland CSA _____ Cincinnati CSA _____" and think "he hates Cleveland!"

 

I'm starting to see why this whole mosque controversy in New York exists in the first place.

Steve Jobs has spoken, the Red Square is where the new Apple Store at Summit mall is going to open. NEO is officially Westside Cleveland, Eastside Cleveland and Akron...

 

Everbody else needs to use the internet or drive an hour to get all their ipod, ipad, macbook goodness...

It's a Triangle of Technology!

It's a Triangle of Technology!

 

Take that research triangle in  North Carolina!

Durham, the Akron of North Carolina.

 

Or would that be Winston-Salem?

They all hate Charolette though on UrbanNC.com

 

(perhaps I should reign this in a little)

 

Charlotte, the Columbus of the Carolinas! (with better bbq)

I live in Akron. Only associate myself with Cleveland sports, mainly the Browns. I've only been to Cleveland 3 times yet I do alot of traveling. There isnt enough draw in Cleveland for me to go there. I've been to Pittsburgh the same amount of times as Cleveland and I'd prefer Pburgh. (Better looking downtown if you ask me)

 

I went to College in Canton and Cincinnati. Most of my travels are back to the Cincinnati area due to the fact of knowing people and places. I really have no reason to drive to Cleveland other than for an event. (And it has to be a big event)

 

Akron is a great city. Although crime is going up, Akron is relatively safe. It has cultural attractions of its own and will be picking up more in the future.

 

I believe that Cleveland will lose population and Akron will gain population in the future. Cleveland just does not draw me on any level. Although I will be appearing for a Browns game this season!

 

So it doesn't have a draw for you on any level but you'll be here for a Browns game...

 

Akron:  "Cleveland, what do you think of me."

Cleveland:  "I don't think of you.  Cincinatti either."

 

I just couldn't resist.