Thanks for providing this overview that documents just how different Middletown is from Parma.  Also, thanks for other data that documents Parma has far, far fewer Section 8 units than Middletown even though it is 30,000+ larger in population.

 

You're correct Miss Vivian, it appears that the recent 96-page Section 8 report by One Donham Plaza staff  is based upon a much larger Ohio community with far, far less Section 8 units and a much healthier economy.

 

 

PARMA, OHIO

As of the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Census,_2000 - census of 2000, ^{http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parma,_Ohio#cite_note-GR2-1 - [2]} there were 85,655 people, 35,126 households, and 23,323 families residing in the city. The http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Population_density - population density was 4,291.4 people per square mile (1,656.9/km²). There were 36,414 housing units at an average density of 1,824.3/sq mi (704.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.67% http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_%28U.S._Census%29 - White , 1.06% http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_American_%28U.S._Census%29 - Black , 0.14% http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Native_American_%28U.S._Census%29 - Native American , 1.57% http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asian_%28U.S._Census%29 - Asian , 0.02% http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_Islander_%28U.S._Census%29 - Pacific Islander , 0.45% from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Race_%28United_States_Census%29 - other races , and 1.09% from two or more races. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hispanic_%28U.S._Census%29 - Hispanic or http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latino_%28U.S._Census%29 - Latino of any race were 1.54% of the population.

There were 35,126 households out of which 27.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.7% were http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marriage - married couples living together, 10.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.6% were non-families. 29.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the city the population was spread out with 22.3% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 29.6% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 19.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 91.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $43,920, and the median income for a family was $52,436. Males had a median income of $39,801 versus $27,701 for females. The http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Per_capita_income - per capita income for the city was $21,293. About 3.3% of families and 4.9% of the population were below the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poverty_line - poverty line , including 6.6% of those under age 18 and 4.0% of those age 65 or over.

Parma ranks as one of the safest cities in the United States with a population between http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_cities_by_crime_rate_%2860,000-100,000%29 - 60,000 and 100,000. Parma's ranking has declined in recent years from 17th safest to 19th safest. As of 3 November 2006, the rank has fallen further to 32nd. ^{http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parma,_Ohio#cite_note-17 - [18]} Much of the recent rise in crime in Parma has occurred along the city's northern border with the city of Cleveland, particularly along Brookpark Road.