FAQ’s - frequently asked questions
We’ve seen some repeated questions out there about Cleveland, so we’re adding this page to provide a quick reference for the public.
LOCATION
1. What country is Cleveland in? Cleveland is a major city in the United States and is one the country’s primary cities. Of note, it is a major center for medicine (people travel from over 100 countries per year to Cleveland for innovative and experienced medical treatment), as well as home to higher education, manufacturing, and the arts. The Cleveland Orchestra and the Cleveland Museum of Art are both within the top five in the world for orchestras and art museums. The city sits between New York and Chicago—an approximately one hour flight from either city, or a seven-hour drive from NYC or a six-hour drive from Chicago. Cleveland is located on the south shore of Lake Erie, one of the Great Lakes, making Cleveland a coastal city, and the Port of Cleveland is the only port on the Great Lakes with regular, scheduled container and bulk service to Europe.
2. What state is Cleveland in? Cleveland is the state of Ohio. Metropolitan Cleveland is the largest metropolitan city in the state in terms of population and economy and is comprised of two US-designated metropolitan statistical areas—Cleveland MSA and Akron MSA—with a population of 2.9 million. The city sits along the shores of Lake Erie, making Cleveland a coastal city with beaches and a port with direct shipping to Europe.
3. What time zone is Cleveland in? Cleveland is in the Eastern Time Zone; it is the same time zone as New York City.
4. What is the Area Code for Cleveland? The core city of Cleveland area code is 216. However, the full Cleveland region has five local area codes: 216 is in the city’s core and certain close-in suburbs, 440 and 436 in the Eastern and Western suburbs, and 330 and 234 in the Southern region of Cleveland. Being in the US, the country code is +1.
TRANSPORTATION
1. Which is the best Cleveland airport to fly into? Cleveland has three airports that serve the city: 1.) Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE/KCLE), which is the region’s primary commercial airport, is the preferred airport if flying commercially, given the number of cities served directly, frequency of service, number of airlines, ground connectivity options, and location within the region. Approximately ten airlines, including all major US airlines, serve Cleveland Hopkins, and the airport has direct rail service from the main terminal to Downtown Cleveland other points in the city. 2.) Cleveland Burke Lakefront Airport (BKL/KBKL), which is very conveniently located in Downtown Cleveland, but currently serves only charter and corporate flights as the city is denying commercial operators from serving other passengers. 3) Akron-Canton Airport (CAK/KCAK), which is a smaller airport in the southern part of the Cleveland region—located between Akron and Canton—with a limited number of flights. No rail service connects CAK with Downtown Cleveland and travel by car is approximately one hour.
2. Does Cleveland have trains in the city? Yes, Cleveland has both heavy rail and light rail. Both systems are operated by the Regional Transit Authority, the city’s public transit operator, which also operates bus, bus rapid transit (BRT), and paratransit. In fact, Cleveland’s heavy rail line, the “Red Line”, operated the first airport-to-downtown rail transit line in the United States.
ECONOMY & POPULATION
1. How big is Cleveland’s economy? Cleveland is a major US city. Its 2023 GDP was $220.4 Billion, making Cleveland the 25th largest economy in the United States. (To see the full list of top 30 cities, scroll down to “Economic Data” on this page.)
2. Is Cleveland the biggest economy in Ohio? Yes. Cleveland’s economy was $220.4B in 2023, making it the 25th largest in the US. Metropolitan Cleveland’s economy is the combination of the Cleveland MSA and Akron MSA given that it is one trading area and that some Cleveland suburbs fall within the Akron MSA vs the Cleveland MSA, given that MSA boundaries use county lines versus urban area boundaries. The second largest urban economy in Ohio is Cincinnati, at $198.9B (30th in the US), followed by Columbus, Dayton, and Toledo.
3. How big is the Cleveland Air Market or Cleveland Catchment Area? : The population of the area for which Cleveland Hopkins International Airport is the closest major airport serving the area is 4,878,056. A map showing this area relative to the other airports can be seen here - scroll down to geographic definition #8.
4. How big is the Cleveland media market? Cleveland’s Designated Market Area (DMA), as established by Nielsen Media Research is 3.9 million people, or 1.6 million households. It is the 19th largest media market in the US.