Akron, OH: what USGS's seismic model says

Under the seismic model IBC and ASCE 7 use for new construction, Akron is Category B. Low seismic hazard. Code requires basic seismic detailing (bracing, connections) but no special structural system restrictions. Rank it against the rest of the country and Akron sits at the 41th percentile for seismic hazard among 4,875 US cities.

Where Akron sits in Ohio

USGS's underlying values for Akron: 0.064g peak ground acceleration, 0.123g at short period, 0.049g at 1 second. Within Ohio alone, Akron ranks 180 of 254 cities by seismic hazard - the 29th percentile in-state. Akron has a population of about 189,664.

Bracing and bolting: the actual cost

A full earthquake retrofit typically runs $5,000-$10,000 nationally (around $7,000 typical), driven mainly by house size and foundation type, not by Ohio specifically. California's Earthquake Brace + Bolt grant, which covers a large share of this cost, is a California-only program and does not apply in Ohio.

Insuring against this, not just retrofitting

A Akron homeowner cannot buy a standalone earthquake policy in most cases - it is added to an existing homeowners policy as an endorsement, so the place to start is a regular home-insurance quote.

Where Akron's figures come from

Akron's Category B and every number above trace to USGS's own ASCE 7-16 Design Maps service - see the methodology guide. See the category explainer for what Category B does and doesn't tell you about Akron.