Northside, Cincinnati

Did You Know?

• The Gay & Lesbian Community Center of Greater Cincinnati was located in Northside from 1999 until November 9, 2013, when it became an online entity.
• Two LEED-certified 'Green' homes were built at the corner of Chase and Fergus to replace a troubled corner and combat crime.

History

The area was a small Native American settlement until the Miami and Erie Canal arrived in the 1820s, spurring population growth. It became known as Cumminsville after David Cummins, an early settler who ran a tannery and served as a judge in Indiana. Cincinnati annexed Cumminsville in 1873, and the business district, Knowlton's Corner, grew into one of the city's busiest commercial areas through the 1920s. The later highway system prompted migration to the suburbs, causing housing prices to drop and an economic decline that continued through the 1960s. In the 1980s, undervalued homes began attracting new residents.

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, Northside had 8,096 residents and 4,685 housing units. The racial composition was 65.2% White, 23.8% Black or African American, 1.7% Asian, 0.3% Native American, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.5% from other races, and 7.4% from two or more races; 3.2% were Hispanic or Latino. Of 3,910 households, 41.5% were families and 20.6% were individuals. The median household income for 2016-2020 was $56,169, with 10.5% of families below the poverty line, and 49.6% of adults held a bachelor's degree or higher.

Culture

Northside is described as hip, alternative, progressive, and liberal, with numerous independently owned shops and restaurants. It is considered one of the best dining neighborhoods in Cincinnati, featuring many vegan and vegetarian options. The community operates an urban garden co-op and a volunteer bicycle co-op, and replaced a troubled corner with two green homes to combat crime. Northside is a primary LGBTQ neighborhood; the Gay & Lesbian Community Center of Greater Cincinnati was located there from 1999 until 2013. The Cincinnati Pride Parade and Festival was held in Hoffner Park along Hamilton Avenue from 2000 to 2009, after which the parade moved downtown. Local residents held Northside Pride events from 2010 to 2012, and the July 4 parade continues to have a strong LGBTQIA+ allied presence.