why a new flag
update the flag
Cleveland, Ohio, deserves a new flag. The current Cleveland flag was designed in 1895. It no longer represents the city.
In 1890, the city’s population was 261,300. In 2020, Cleveland’s population was 372,624 with a peak population of 914,808 people in 1950 according to the U.S. census. When the current Cleveland flag was designed almost 130 years ago, Utah, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona, Alaska and Hawaii were not yet states.
Today, cities like Chicago, Portland, Washington D.C., Denver and Wichita have great flags. Their city flags are woven into their social fabric. They are proudly flown in public spaces and private homes. They adorn hats, t-shirts, patches and decals.
A well-designed, publicly loved and proudly flown flag is the ambassador of its respective city.
Flags are badges of membership. Flags unite. Flags are the spirit of the city manifest in color, shape and movement.
But, sadly, not in Cleveland.
The current Cleveland flag is a curiosity—a quick internet search, then quickly dismissed. It is a civic checklist item; ticked and forgotten. The current Cleveland flag holds no special meaning in Clevelander’s lives because the current Cleveland flag has no relevance to modern Cleveland. Stuffed with the iconography of yesteryear, the current Cleveland flag is relegated to municipal flagpoles and little more.
It doesn’t have to be this way.
Cleveland is a city renewed—a comeback city. Forged in fire, Cleveland is harder than the steel that put it on the map.
Yes, Cleveland faltered, lost its way. It has taken its punches and been a punchline. And, in spite of this, the people of Cleveland remain fiercely loyal—ready to defend the city they love to the bitter end.
Cleveland is a passionate, energetic, hopeful, ambitious, creative and resilient city. The people who call Cleveland home make it great. It is through them that the spirit of Cleveland endures.
Tried and tested, there is no pride like Cleveland pride.
Cleveland has earned a new flag—a symbol to tell the world what Clevelanders already know: Cleveland is amazing. Come see for yourself.
new flag benefits
A good city flag design is the cornerstone of a successful civic brand. It creates a framework of codified and consistent set of colors and symbols from which the city’s entire visual identity can be hung.
A well-thought out and organized flag can serve as the backbone for a city’s entire visual identity. Consistent promotion, in time, builds both familiarity and equity. This can help promote tourism and attract new business to Cleveland and Northeast Ohio.
