University of Akron Parent Guide
Welcome to the Greater Akron area!
Settled among the rolling hills of the Old Connecticut Western Reserve and along the shores of the Ohio & Erie Canalway, the city of Akron is a place of rich heritage and cultural diversity.
Its unique location – the city is within 500 miles of half of the nation’s population – is reflected in the ethnicity, lifestyles and social diversity of its residents and visitors.
Due to its ample water access, many pioneering industrialists and businesses, including rubber mogul B.F. Goodrich, the Quaker Oats Company and Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, sought Akron out.
Today, the city continues to beckon entrepreneurs and to support technological change. Akron is considered one of the world’s leading polymer centers, and there are currently more than 150 Fortune 500 companies located in the area.
