01/15/2026
Jewish Cleveland in Focus: Insights from the 2022 Population Study
The 2022 Greater Cleveland Jewish Community Study commissioned by the Jewish Federation of Cleveland and conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago, offers a powerful, data-driven snapshot of our community. Based on responses from over 2,000 households, the study provides a detailed look at Jewish Cleveland—its size, diversity, challenges, and strengths.
But this is more than a report. It’s a roadmap for building a Jewish Cleveland that is stronger, more inclusive, and more connected than ever.
A Community That’s Large, Stable, and Deeply Connected
Jewish Cleveland is home to approximately 93,200 people living in 36,100 Jewish households. Of these, about 73,600 identify as Jewish, while 19,600 are non-Jewish members of Jewish households—mostly adults. Jewish households make up 4.1% of all households in the Cleveland area, a relatively high share compared to other U.S. cities.
While the overall population has remained stable since the last study in 2011, one trend stands out: Jewish Cleveland continues to attract new residents. In fact, 18% of Jewish adults moved to Cleveland in the past decade, and young adults ages 18–34 make up the majority of newcomers.
Aging and Youth: Two Generations, Distinct Needs
Jewish Cleveland is both aging and retaining a strong base of younger adults:
- 32% of Jewish Clevelanders are 65 or older (compared to about 21% of the general population in the Cleveland Metro area).
- 20% are ages 18–34.
Each generation faces its own challenges:
- Young adults report financial stress: 42% struggle to make ends meet, and about one-third have skipped Jewish communal activities in recent years due to cost.
- Older adults face issues of health and social isolation: nearly half having few people to rely on, and more than 20% report unmet social service needs.
Where We Live
The study divides Jewish Cleveland into six regions, each with its own character:
- Beachwood and The Heights are home to over 40% of Jewish Cleveland households, including 21% of households in The Heights (Cleveland Heights, University Heights, Shaker Heights) and 19% in Beachwood (including parts of Orange and Shaker Heights). The Heights is especially diverse, with 26% Orthodox and 50% identifying as “Just Jewish.”
- The East Side Suburbs saw the fastest growth, more than doubling their share of Jewish households--from 6% to 16% since 2011.
- The West Side & Central and Southeast regions remained relatively steady.
- The Northeast/Northern Heights region decreased from 24% to 15% of households, partly due to seniors moving to Beachwood or the East Side Suburbs.
Geographic distribution of the Cleveland Jewish community
A Community of Many Backgrounds and Identities
Jewish Cleveland reflects a wide range of religious identities, backgrounds, and family characteristics:
- Orthodox Jews now make up 14% of Jewish adults in Cleveland (up from 10% in 2011). Conservative adults represent another 14%, while Reform remains the largest group at 33%.
- 37% of adults don’t affiliate with a denomination, mirroring a national shift away from formal movement affiliation (32% nationally). Many in this group are highly engaged in Jewish life.
- 14% of households include an LGBTQ individual, 9% include someone who is non-white or Hispanic, and 4% include an Israeli citizen.
- 23% of Jewish households include children, and 24% are single adults living alone—most (62%) of them age 65 or older.
- Among married Jewish adults, 35% have non-Jewish partners (up from 23% in 2011, but below the 42% national average). These intermarried households vary widely in engagement--some are highly engaged, others less so.
Children and Jewish Identity: A Strong Foundation
Jewish identity among Cleveland’s children remains strong. Nearly 9 in 10 children (88%) in Jewish households are being raised Jewish—a rate nearly unchanged since 2011, even as intermarriage has risen. Of this group, the majority (77%) are being raised Jewish only and 11% are being raised Jewish plus another religion. Of the 12% not raised Jewish, most (9%) have no religion while 2% have not yet determined their religion, and 1% are being raised in another religion.
Even during the pandemic (school year 2021-2022 and summer 2022), the majority of school age children were engaged in Jewish education:
- 47% attend public school, 29% Jewish day school, 13% non-Jewish private school, and 11% other education arrangements such as homeschool.
- 15% attended congregational or Sunday school, though part-time Jewish education enrollment has been rising since study data was collected.
- 27% participate in informal programs like youth groups, teen programs, or Hebrew tutoring.
- 42% attended Jewish day or overnight camps in 2022.
- 95% of households with children discuss Jewish topics at home, and 80% read Jewish books.
Financial Vulnerability: A Hidden Challenge
The study reveals that 1 in 5 Jewish households is financially vulnerable.
- Young adults are most affected: 42% of those ages 18–34 are struggling compared to 14% of those ages 65-74 and 21% of those 75+.
- 27% of households reported that financial cost prevented them from participating in Jewish life in the past five years. Among households with children, that number rises to 41%.
- 9% of Jewish households cannot cover an unexpected $400 emergency expense, and another 5% would struggle to cover a $1,000 emergency.
Health and Isolation: A Growing Concern
Health challenges and social isolation shape how people experience Jewish life—especially for older adults and those with limited means.
- One quarter of households include someone with a health limitation or disability.
- 13% of households with seniors need help with daily activities.
- 63% of financially struggling households have few or no people they can rely on for support. Nearly half (49%) of adults age 75+ say the same.
Connection to Community: A Powerful Force
Amid the challenges, one strength stands out clearly: Jewish Cleveland is deeply connected.
- 98% feel connected to the Jewish people, with over half saying “a great deal.”
- 84% feel connected to the Cleveland Jewish community, and 72% say being part of it is important.
- Young adults show the strongest connection (87%) compared to other age groups, and interfaith households also report high belonging (74%).
What’s Next: Turning Data into Action
The Jewish Federation of Cleveland is already using these insights to shape programs and priorities, including:
- Strengthening the safety net for seniors, families, and those facing health or financial challenges.
- Welcoming newcomers and helping them find their place in Jewish Cleveland.
- Expanding Jewish education—from day schools to informal learning and inclusive programming.
- Investing in technology to better understand and respond to community needs in real time.
Explore More
To explore the full study click here.
Acknowledgements
The Federation’s Study Design Team and Community Planning Committee played a central role in shaping the study’s questions and overall approach, making sure we gathered insights that would be meaningful and actionable for Jewish Cleveland.
We are grateful to our partners at the University of Chicago’s National Opinion Research Center (NORC) and Brandeis University’s Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies. Their expertise in conducting similar studies nationwide helped ensure our survey questions were well-tested and our methods aligned with the highest research standards.
We would also like to thank all the donors to the Jewish Federation of Cleveland, whose generosity helped make this study possible, as well as supporting the other work we do throughout our local and international Jewish community.
