Ohio's 5th largest city is Akron, with a population which is roughly 200,000. The city of Akron is situated in the northeastern area of the state in the Great Lakes region and serves as the county seat of Summit County. Akron City sits along the Little Cuyahoga River around 60 km south of Lake Erie. Akron's economic base has transitioned from heavy manufacturing to research, high technology and financial trades.
Akron City was first established during the year 1825. The city of Akron saw much early growth, as it was positioned at the summit of the Erie and Ohio Canal. From 1860 to 1870, the thriving coal, railroad and manufacturing industries caused another spurt in population growth.
When B.F. Goodrich, in the year 1969 started the first rubber business within Akron City, the city saw its largest expansion due to the burgeoning rubber business as General Tire and Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company soon followed. The city of Akron soon became called "The Rubber Capital of the World," and immigrants from Europe flocked there to look for work in the rubber factories. Akron's rubber business declined during the latter part of the 20th century, beat out by superior European radial tires. By the 1990's only Goodyear still remained in the city.
Akron's economy has diversified since that time. At present, there are now more than 400 companies involved in the polymer business. The city of Akron is now been dubbed "The Polymer Valley" and is no longer the Rubber Capital. Aeronautics and motor vehicle production are other important industries. Companies within Akron City make biomedical products, metals, plastics and metals. Significant companies comprise Newell Rubber Maid, Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, L'Oreal Cosmetics, Spectrum Brands, Lockheed-Martin, First Energy, Includis Manufacturing Software and RJS Manufacturing.
There are positions for people with university and college degrees, like for example teachers, registered nurses, manufacturing and wholesale sales representatives, mechanical engineers, management analysts, industrial engineers, computer applications software engineers, network and computer systems administrators and financial managers.
The city of Akron could draw top-notch performances with its three performance halls. The biggest of these Halls is the E.J. Thomas Hall, that can seat approximately 2,950 divided amongst three tiers. Due to the an adjustable counter-weighted ceiling which alters the physical dimensions of the hall giving the hall fine acoustics. Each year 400,000 tourists come to Akron to see Broadway musicals, comedies, lectures, ballets, and other kinds of entertainment. Musical events are offered by Children's Concert Society, Tuesday Musical Club and Akron Symphony Orchestra.