As of the census of 2000, there were 15,542 people, 6,705 households, and 4,257 families residing in the city. The population density was 743.6/km² (1,924.8/mi²). There were 7,094 housing units at an average density of 339.4/km² (878.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.63% White, 1.33% African American, 0.15% Native American, 2.26% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.28% from other races, and 1.28% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.27% of the population.
There were 6,705 households out of which 21.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.0% were married couples living together, 8.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.5% were non-families. 31.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 2.84.
In the city the population was spread out with 17.7% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 27.7% from 25 to 44, 25.7% from 45 to 64, and 21.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 90.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $47,893, and the median income for a family was $60,015. Males had a median income of $44,707 versus $28,608 for females. The per capita income for the city was $25,201. About 2.0% of families and 3.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.2% of those under age 18 and 2.6% of those age 65 or over.
One of the city's more notable businesses is RMS Aquaculture. Unlike many pet stores, RMS (which stands for Rob, Mike, and Steve - the founders of the company) specializes in fresh- and saltwater fishes. Although the "Aquarium Superstore"'s headquarters is in Middleburg Heights, the business expanded to include a fishfarm, stores at two different locations in Parma, as well as stores in Willoughby, Ohio and Strongsville, Ohio, respectively, and an online pet supplies and live animals ordering service. The company currently has three stores in the Greater Cleveland area, including one in Parma, which has carried such exotic animals as pigs, sting rays, basset hounds, eels, chinchillas, snakes, lizards, octopuses, stone fish, snakeheads, skunks, and sugar gliders.
-Middleburg Heights was once known as the onion capital of the United States as it was built upon an onion farm.
-In the parking lot of the Middleburg Heights Regal Cinema one can find a ten by ten patch of grass containing the remains of the founder of Middleburg Heights. It is also known to be the place of an Indian burial ground.
-It is home to a Dollar Paradise which boasts that it is the "world's largest dollar store".
-During a Homedays Festival in the early 90's the city conducted a fireworks show at one of the baseball diamonds. The fireworks were shot off from the outfield while viewers were seated in the bleachers. This was a tragic mistake, for there was not enough distance between the two resulting in hot embers raining down upon the viewers setting several Homedays tents on fire and burning many citizens. The fires were put out without much damage.
-One of Middleburg Heights' most notable attractions is its gazebo located near the City Hall. It is often used for prom photos, wedding photos, and various events.
-Saint Bartholomew Catholic Church as of 2006 has celebrated its 50th anniversary.
-Rumor has it that the founder of Middleburg Heights reportedly conceived of the name of the city while dicing onions one day. While dicing these onions he accidentally chopped off his finger at the second knuckle or "middle knuckle". He put the remnant of his finger in a crate of cold chopped onions. He later forgot to get the remnant of his "middle knuckle" and it was reportedly shipped in the onion box to University Heights. He then named the suburb Middleburb Heights. However, the illiterate farmer's 'b' looked very much like his 'g'. The city was then known as Middleburg Heights.
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