Parma, city, Cuyahoga county, northeastern Ohio, U.S., a southern suburb of Cleveland. Settled by New Englanders in 1816, it was known as Greenbriar until 1826, when it became the township of Parma, named for the Italian city. A small section seceded to form Parma Heights in 1911, and in 1924 the remainder of the township became the village of Parma. After a 1931 proposal for annexation to Cleveland was defeated, Parma was organized (1931) as a city. Because of industrial expansion during World War II and postwar urban flight from Cleveland to the suburbs, Parma’s population increased more than fivefold between 1940 and 1960. Manufactures now include automotive parts, tools, and dies. Pop. (2000) 85,655; (2010) 81,601.