Your Guide to Cuyahoga County, Ohio
Looking for trusted businesses, services and local resources in Cuyahoga County, Ohio? FindItOhio.com helps residents and visitors discover local companies, professionals and community information across Cuyahoga County, including Cleveland, the county seat.
Quick answer: Cuyahoga County is one of Ohio’s 88 counties. Its county seat is Cleveland, it was established in 1807, and it has an estimated 1,232,925 residents as of 2025.
At a Glance
- County seat: Cleveland
- Established: Jun 7, 1807
- Formed from: Geauga County
- Named for: Cuyahoga River, which means “crooked river” in an Iroquoian language
- Estimated population (2025): 1,232,925
- Total area: 458.49 sq mi
- FIPS code: 39035
About Cuyahoga County
Cuyahoga County ( KY ə HOG ə or KY ə HOH gə, see Cuyahoga River § Pronunciation) is a large urban county in the U.S. state of Ohio. The county seat and most populous city is Cleveland. As of the 2025 census estimates, its population was 1,232,925, making it the second most populous county in the state and the most populous in Northeast Ohio.
Cuyahoga County is situated on the southern shore of Lake Erie, across the U.S., Canada maritime border. The county is bisected by the Cuyahoga River, after which it was named. “Cuyahoga” is an Iroquoian word meaning “crooked river”. It is the core county of the Cleveland, OH Metropolitan Statistical Area and Cleveland, Akron, Canton, OH Combined Statistical Area.
History of Cuyahoga County
The land that became Cuyahoga County was previously part of the French colony of Canada (New France), which was ceded in 1763 to Great Britain and renamed Province of Quebec. In the early 1790s, the land became part of the Connecticut Western Reserve in the Northwest Territory, and it was purchased by the Connecticut Land Company in 1795. Cleveland was established one year later by General Moses Cleaveland near the mouth of the Cuyahoga River.
Cuyahoga County was created on June 7, 1807, and organized on May 1, 1810. Cleveland (then also known as “Cleaveland”) was selected as the county seat in 1809. The county was later reduced in size by the creation of Huron, Lake, and Lorain counties.
In 1831, future U.S. President James A. Garfield was born in what was at the time Cuyahoga County’s Orange Township.
Cities and Villages in Cuyahoga County
Cities
Bay Village, Beachwood, Bedford, Bedford Heights, Berea, Brecksville, Broadview Heights, Brook Park, Brooklyn, Cleveland Heights, Cleveland †, East Cleveland, Euclid, Fairview Park, Garfield Heights, Highland Heights, Independence, Lakewood, Lyndhurst, Maple Heights, Mayfield Heights, Middleburg Heights, North Olmsted, North Royalton, Olmsted Falls, Parma, Parma Heights, Pepper Pike, Richmond Heights, Rocky River, Seven Hills, Shaker Heights, Solon, South Euclid, Strongsville, University Heights, Warrensville Heights, Westlake
Villages
Bentleyville, Bratenahl, Brooklyn Heights, Chagrin Falls, Cuyahoga Heights, Gates Mills, Glenwillow, Highland Hills, Hunting Valley, Linndale, Mayfield, Moreland Hills, Newburgh Heights, North Randall, Oakwood, Orange, Valley View, Walton Hills, Woodmere
Find Local Businesses in Cuyahoga County
Browse the FindItOhio.com business directory to find restaurants, contractors, professional services, shops and more serving Cuyahoga County. Own a business here? Add your free business listing so local customers can find you.
Background Checks, Process Serving and Private Investigations
Residents and employers in Cuyahoga County can get BCI and FBI LiveScan fingerprinting, FD-258 fingerprint cards, process serving and licensed private investigations from these Ohio providers:
- Ohio Security & Investigations, Youngstown: licensed private investigations and fingerprinting. Call (888) 341-6960 or visit ohioinvestigators.com.
- 10-8 Protective Services, Columbus: investigations, fingerprinting and process serving. Call (800) 949-8521 or visit 10-8protectiveservices.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the county seat of Cuyahoga County, Ohio?
Cleveland is the county seat of Cuyahoga County, Ohio.
When was Cuyahoga County established?
Cuyahoga County was established on Jun 7, 1807. It was formed from Geauga County.
Who or what is Cuyahoga County named for?
Cuyahoga County is named for Cuyahoga River, which means “crooked river” in an Iroquoian language.
How many people live in Cuyahoga County, Ohio?
Cuyahoga County has an estimated population of 1,232,925 as of 2025.
What cities are in Cuyahoga County, Ohio?
Cities in Cuyahoga County include Bay Village, Beachwood, Bedford, Bedford Heights, Berea, Brecksville, Broadview Heights, Brook Park and others.
Where can I find local businesses in Cuyahoga County?
Search the FindItOhio.com business directory to find local businesses and services in Cuyahoga County, Ohio.
How do I list my Cuyahoga County business on FindItOhio.com?
Visit the free business listing page on FindItOhio.com and submit your business name, address, phone number and website.
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County background adapted from the Wikipedia article Cuyahoga County, Ohio, available under the Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 4.0 license.