Where does this demographic data come from?

All demographic data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, which samples about 3.5 million households annually. The 5-year estimates provide the most reliable data for small geographies like municipalities.

What is the difference between Census data and ACS data?

The decennial Census (conducted every 10 years) is a full population count focusing on basic demographics. The ACS is an ongoing survey that collects detailed data on income, education, housing, commute patterns, and more. ACS data is updated annually but represents averages over a 5-year period.

How accurate is this data for small towns?

For smaller municipalities, ACS estimates have wider margins of error because fewer residents are sampled. The 5-year estimates reduce this uncertainty by averaging over a longer period. For towns under 5,000 people, treat specific numbers as approximations rather than precise counts.

Shaker Heights, OH Population, Income & Demographics 2026

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Demographics — 2024 ACS 5-Year Estimatesi

Census

Populationi

28,922

Median Agei

41.8

Race & Ethnicityi

White

53.4%15,438

Black

32.9%9,529

Two or More

4.6%1,334

Hispanic/Latino

4.3%1,248

Asian

3.8%1,090

Other

0.9%267

American Indian/Alaska Native

0.1%16

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

1%198

High School Diploma

7.1%1,463

Some College (<1 yr)

3%616

Some College (1+ yr)

10.8%2,220

Associate's Degree

6.5%1,336

Bachelor's Degree

29.1%5,968

Master's Degree

22.6%4,642

Professional Degree

9.8%2,019

Doctorate

7.8%1,609

HS or Higher

97.7%

BA or Higher

69.3%

Graduate+

40.3%

Housingi

Median Home Valuei

$303,200

Median Renti

$1,168

Tenure

Owner-Occupied

60.3%7,725

Renter-Occupied

39.7%5,081

Total Units

13,947

Homeownership

60.3%

Vacancy Rate

8.2%

Home Values

Under $50K

2.6%198

$50K–$100K

5.2%403

$100K–$150K

6.8%526

$150K–$200K

9.5%733

$200K–$300K

25.3%1,957

$300K–$500K

30%2,321

$500K–$1M

18.7%1,441

$1M+

1.9%146

Rent Distribution

Under $500

220

$500–$750

444

$750–$1,000

1,084

$1,000–$1,250

1,085

$1,250–$1,500

872

$1,500–$2,000

888

$2,000+

365

Year Built

2020 or later

0.1%14

2010–2019

2.1%294

2000–2009

2.4%329

1990–1999

2.7%378

1980–1989

2%284

1970–1979

4.6%643

1960–1969

7.6%1,061

1950–1959

20.6%2,876

1940–1949

15.6%2,173

1939 or earlier

42.3%5,895

Heating Fuel

Utility Gas

78%9,983

Electricity

16.7%2,143

No Fuel

2.1%272

Other

2%262

Bottled/LP Gas

0.7%94

Fuel Oil

0.2%30

Wood

0.2%22

Economyi

Median Household Incomei

$104,073

Mean Household Incomei

$165,179

Per Capita Incomei

$72,806

Poverty Ratei

8.3%

Unemploymenti

4.6%

Labor Forcei

15,331

Household Income Distribution

Under $10K

3.9%496

$10K–$15K

1.6%202

$15K–$20K

2.1%264

$20K–$25K

2.7%351

$25K–$30K

4.7%604

$30K–$35K

3.6%466

$35K–$40K

2.2%287

$40K–$45K

1.7%224

$45K–$50K

4%518

$50K–$60K

4.5%576

$60K–$75K

8.3%1,067

$75K–$100K

8.7%1,116

$100K–$125K

10.5%1,339

$125K–$150K

4.1%525

$150K–$200K

12.8%1,642

$200K+

24.4%3,129

Federally Subsidized Housingi

HUD

The federal government helps low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities afford housing through several programs. Residents typically pay about 30% of their income toward rent, with the government covering the rest. This data shows how many households in this community receive that assistance.

Subsidized Homesi

406

Residentsi

756

Avg. Tenant Renti

$420/mo

Avg. Waitlisti

33 months

Programs in this community

Housing Choice Vouchers277 homes95% occupied$422/mo rent

Rental vouchers (Section 8) that help tenants pay for private-market housing

Project Based Section 8123 homes98% occupied$415/mo rent

Privately owned apartments with rent subsidies tied to the building

811/PRAC6 homes

Household Incomei

Based on area median of $104,073/yr

Extremely low incomeUnder $31K/yr

76.5%

Very low income$31K–$52K/yr

18.7%

Low income$52K–$83K/yr

4.1%

Moderate / aboveOver $83K/yr

0.7%

Who Receives This Housing

83.2% of subsidized households are headed by a single mother

93.7% of subsidized households are minority

21.9% of subsidized households include someone with a disability

42.8% of subsidized households include a senior (62+)

Commute & Transportationi

Workersi

14,335

Avg. Commutei

22.2 min

How People Get to Work

Travel Time to Work

Workforce

Total Employed

14,620

Occupations

Industries

Social Characteristicsi

Marital Status (15+)i

Veteransi

1,147(5.2% of civilian adults)