Did you want to view this article ad free? Get access to this article and unlimited access to all our articles Click here to read this article ad free and start your free trial today.
✓ Ad-free reading experience
✓ Join the conversation in our comments section
✓ The option to receive email updates upon new articles added
People are really confused about the whole Northfield situation around here. Yes, there is a zip code called Northfield: 44067. But what many don’t realize is that within that zip code, there are actually three separate communities: Northfield Village, Northfield Center Township and Sagamore Hills Township.
Some people that moved into this area or businesses that have moved into this area simply do not know that the two Northfield entities are VERY different from each other.
Let me make this crystal clear: Northfield Center is a township with Trustees. Northfield Village is a village and has a village council. These are completely different governing structures!
When newcomers don’t understand these distinctions, it can lead to confusion about who to contact for local services, which services apply to them, and even which local laws and regulations they need to follow.
Here is how this all got started.
According to the Northfield Village website:
“Olde Northfield Township, established in 1807, was the original name of the area that now encompasses the communities of Macedonia, Northfield Village, Northfield Center Township, and Sagamore Hills. It started as 27 square miles in the northeast corner of Portage County, before Summit County was established. Isaac Bacon of Massachusetts, the first settler, came by covered wagon and arrived with his family in 1807 at their new homestead on the north side of Valley View Road west of Boyden Road.
Olde Northfield Township was later separated into four communities. The Village of Macedonia was settled in 1905 and became a township in 1912. Also in 1912, Olde Northfield evolved from a township to a Village, followed by the separation and creation of Sagamore Hills Township in 1932, and finally in 1935, the separation of Northfield Center Township from the Village.”
To make matters more confusing are the community borders. They are very jagged and not clear-cut as you would think.
The Historical Society of Olde Northfield explains how it all got started in the Chronology of Olde Northfield.
Here is the population for each town according to the 2020 census.
- Northfield Center Township 5,597.
- Sagamore Hills Township 10,845.
- Northfield Village 3,541 at the 2020 census.
- The City of Macedonia 12,168 at the 2020 census.
I should also mention Boston Heights. After all, Boston Heights is included in the Nordonia Hills School District. Although not all of Boston Heights is in our school district.
I find it amusing that while our school district consists of multiple communities, there’s one community divided among several school districts. One resident I spoke with was surprised to learn she didn’t actually belong to the school district she thought she did!
But I digress. More information about our diverse area can be found on The Historical Society of Olde Northfield website.
When moving to the area or establishing a business here, make sure to verify exactly which community you’re in by checking your property records or contacting the county auditor’s office. This small step can prevent headaches when it comes to taxes, services, and community participation.
