The community continues to grow and prosper because of the many immigrant groups that have roots here. Here are the brief stories of a few.
The Asian community has a long history in Cleveland. Over 25,000 Asians call NorthEast Ohio home.
According to the 2000 census, 1,122 Asians (25% of overall population) call the AsiaTown area
home and 6,644 live in the city of Cleveland. Coming for reasons including education, job
opportunities, and many other reasons, this population enriches the fabric of our community by adding
their story to the rich cultures that call the Cleveland area home.
The AsiaTown community is predominantly Chinese, though judging by the restaurants, shops and associations,
many other cultures call this area home. The Chinese are the oldest Asian immigrant group in Cleveland.
Their history goes back to the 1860's and in 1880 their census numbers totaled only 22. Their first
settlement was started on West 3rd Street. Later, as the population continued to increase, an area known
as Chinatown developed between East 21st and 22nd Street on Rockwell Avenue. Starting in the 1970's
businesses and residents began to shift east and establish the area now known as AsiaTown.
The Korean American Association of Greater Cleveland headquarters can be found in the neighborhood.
5000 members belong to this group stretching across the region.
Although the Vietnamese community is generally centered on the west side, restaurants serving their
national dishes have found a home in AsiaTown. Attracted to a location in close proximity to downtown,
these businesses have flourished.
The neighborhood has a long history of attracting people from throughout the world with its proximity
to manufacturing jobs and downtown. As manufacturing has taken new form in the neighborhood and the city,
this area is now attracting new immigrants, artists, small manufacturers and people who want the vibrancy
of a city neighborhood with terrific cultural appeal. We welcome people to experience a grassroots organic
renaissance in a historic neighborhood that is Authentic Cleveland!
