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Strongsville is a city in Cuyahoga County, Ohio. The population is 43,858 as of the 2000 Census. The current mayor isThomas Perciak. The city's nickname is 'Crossroads of the Nation,' as this is where the Ohio Turnpike and Interstate 71 intersect.

 Geography

The city has a total area of 24.6 square miles. The east branch of the Rocky River enters Strongsville from North Royalton and flows into Berea.  A portion of the Cleveland Metroparks, named Mill Stream Run, includes Bonnie Park. Abutting the Rocky River, It offers visitors a pavilion, picnicking facilities, two small ponds, and several sport fields. Bonnie Park serves as a hub for hiking, bridle, and paved multi-purpose trails.

 Education

Strongsville High School serves over 2,750 students in grades 9 through 12, a staff of over 250 teachers. Center and Albion middle schools hold the 7th and 8th grades. The eight elementary schools serve pre-kindergarten through 6th grade: Allen, Chapman, Drake, Kinsner, Muraski, Surrarrer, Whitney, and Zellers. A private Catholic school, St. Joseph and John's, serves children through the 8th grade. A branch of ITT Technical Institute is located on Sprague Road.

 History

 Strongsville became a township in 1818, a village in 1923, and a city in 1961. Founded by settlers arriving in the newly purchased Connecticut Western Reserve, the city was named after John Stoughton Strong, the group's leader. Many of the main streets in the city are named after other principle figures in the city's history, e.g. Howe, Drake, Shurmer, Whitney, et al.

In the mid 1800s, the Pomeroy House, then called The Homestead, was a stop on the underground railroad. Alanson Pomeroy, the home owner and a prominent Strongsville resident, concealed runaway slaves on his property. From this residence in Strongsville, the runaway slaves were taken to boats on Rocky River for transport to Cananda.^[4]

 Demographics

As of the 2000 census, there were 43,858 people, 16,209 households, and 12,383 families residing in the city.  

 The average household size was 2.69 and the average family size was 3.13. The median income for a household in the city is $68,660, and the median income for a family was $76,964 (these figures had risen to $79,715 and $90,870 respectively as of a 2007 estimate^[5]). 
 
 Points of interest

• Strongsville Commons and Clocktower
• Walter F. Ehrnfelt Covered Bridge
• Strongsville Historical Society
• Gardenview Horticultural Park
• Southpark Mall
• The Pomeroy House- A former stop on the Underground Railroad.

 References

1. ^ ^{a b} "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
2. ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. http://geonames.usgs.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
3. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2005-05-03. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
4. ^ "Ohio History Central http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/entry.php?rec=3452
5. ^ http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ACSSAFFFacts?_event=Search&geo_id=16000US3733120&_geoContext=01000US%7C04000US37%7C16000US3733120&_street=&_county=strongsville&_cityTown=strongsville&_state=04000US39&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&ActiveGeoDiv=geoSelect&_useEV=&pctxt=fph&pgsl=160&_submenuId=factsheet_1&ds_name=ACS_2007_3YR_SAFF&_ci_nbr=null&qr_name=null&reg=null%3Anull&_keyword=&_industry=