SEVEN HILLS, originally part of Independence Twp., incorporated as a village in 1927 and as a city in 1961. It is located in central Cuyahoga County 13 miles south of Cleveland, and is bounded by BROOKLYN HTS. on the north, INDEPENDENCE on the east, BROADVIEW HTS. on the south, and PARMA on the west. It occupies 4.86 sq. mi.
The early history of Seven Hills is closely tied to the development of 2 neighboring communities, Independence and BROOKLYN. Even before the CIVIL WAR, Independence Twp. was known for its orchards, vineyards and stone quarries. Later, large areas of land were cleared and used for farming (see AGRICULTURE). In 1914 the township’s eastern portion was incorporated as the village of Independence. Thirteen years later the remainder became the village of Seven Hills, operating under the mayor-council type of government. The area’s hilly terrain probably gave rise to the name, but early residents also may have been referencing the 7 hills of Rome.
With only 12 farms left by 1938, Seven Hills has become a largely residential community. Its population grew from 333 in 1938 to 1,350 in 1950 and about 16,000 in 1980. The number then began to decline: to 12,080 in 2000 and 11,584 in 2020. The median age of a Seven Hills resident is 52 years—significantly older that the Ohio median of 39.6. The suburb is 95% white and median income is 50% higher than the state as a whole. Seven Hills has no central business district or town square. Seven Hills, Parma and PARMA HTS. make up the Parma City School District. The CLEVELAND ELECTRIC ILLUMINATING CO. is the area’s largest employer.
Updated by Christopher Roy
Last updated: 4/1/2021