Population 39,994 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Ottawa County
Household size in Ottawa County
| Period | Ottawa County | Ohio | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.33 | 2.51 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.35 | 2.51 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.23 | 2.47 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.17 | 2.46 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.16 | −0.05 | −0.03 |
Ottawa County is a place of small households, averaging 2.17 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Household size has dropped from 2.33 in 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Ottawa County has the smallest households of any Ohio county.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Ottawa County
| Period | Ottawa County | Ohio | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 45.9 | 39.0 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 46.7 | 40.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 48.6 | 40.7 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 49.6 | 40.8 | 40.1 |
| Change | +3.7 | +1.8 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 49.6, Ottawa County is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 45.9, as it has nationally. Only one other Ohio county is older.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Ottawa County
| Period | Ottawa County | Ohio | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.2% | 11.7% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 8.6% | 11.9% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 8.9% | 11.7% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 9.3% | 11.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | +0.1 pts | −0.0 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are less common in Ottawa County than nationally: 9.3%, against 11.6%. Compared with other Ohio counties, Ottawa County has a lower share of single-parent households than most.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Ottawa County
Renters in Ottawa County
| Period | Ottawa County | Ohio | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 17.9% | 30.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 20.1% | 33.1% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 21.2% | 33.9% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 16.4% | 32.8% | 34.8% |
| Change | −1.4 pts | +2.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 16.4% of households in Ottawa County rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. Nearly half of owners (47.3%) have paid off their mortgages, above the national share of 39.8%. Since 2006–10, the renter share has edged down 1.4 points, even as the national share rose. Of Ohio's 88 counties, only two have a lower share of renters.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Ottawa County
| Period | Ottawa County | Ohio | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 22.7% | 10.8% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 24.3% | 10.8% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 25.0% | 10.2% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 25.1% | 8.7% | 9.6% |
| Change | +2.4 pts | −2.2 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Ottawa County: 25.1% of homes are empty, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Vacancy has risen 2.4 points since 2006–10, even as the national rate fell.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Ottawa County
| Period | Ottawa County | Ohio | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1966 | 1968 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1966 | 1969 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1967 | 1970 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1970 | 1972 | 1980 |
| Change | +3 | +4 | +6 |
The housing in Ottawa County is old by national standards: the median home dates to 1970, against 1980 for the U.S., so buyers will find more older houses, some of them due for updates. The median year built has moved up from 1966 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the northeast, while the west has the oldest housing.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Ottawa County
| Period | Ottawa County | Ohio | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $729 | $765 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $737 | $814 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $772 | $901 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $918 | $1,142 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$189 | +$377 | +$606 |
The median renter in Ottawa County pays $918 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $189 a month since 2006–10, up 26%, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 28.1% of household income on rent, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, and a smaller share than renters pay nationally. Rents run highest in the southeast and lowest in the southwest.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Ottawa County
Bachelor's degrees in Ottawa County
| Period | Ottawa County | Ohio | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 19.0% | 25.4% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 21.6% | 26.5% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 23.1% | 28.9% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 28.9% | 31.9% | 35.6% |
| Change | +9.9 pts | +6.5 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are less common in Ottawa County than nationally: 28.9% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's or higher, against 35.6%. The share with a degree is up 9.9 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country. College graduates are most concentrated in the northeast and least in the center.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Ottawa County
| Period | Ottawa County | Ohio | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 89.7% | 87.7% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 92.2% | 88.9% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 91.4% | 90.4% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 94.5% | 91.7% | 89.3% |
| Change | +4.8 pts | +4.0 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Ottawa County: 94.5% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 4.8 points, in line with the national trend. Ottawa County has a higher share of high school graduates than at least four in five Ohio counties.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Ottawa County
| Period | Ottawa County | Ohio | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.1% | 8.7% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 6.6% | 9.4% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.8% | 5.5% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.2% | 4.9% | 5.4% |
| Change | −3.9 pts | −3.8 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Ottawa County has been low: just 3.2% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 3.9 points, in line with the national trend. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Ottawa County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ottawa County | 2.17 | 49.6 | 9.3% | 16.4% | 25.1% | 1970 | $918 | 28.9% | 94.5% | 3.2% |
| Erie County | 2.26 | 45.2 | 12.9% | 28.1% | 13.2% | 1966 | $947 | 27.7% | 93.0% | 5.1% |
| Wood County | 2.37 | 38.9 | 8.1% | 35.6% | 7.1% | 1979 | $1,135 | 37.9% | 95.0% | 4.4% |
| Lucas County | 2.38 | 40.0 | 14.8% | 38.0% | 9.6% | 1965 | $1,045 | 29.8% | 91.3% | 6.5% |
| Fulton County | 2.49 | 41.6 | 9.0% | 19.8% | 5.8% | 1969 | $908 | 20.3% | 94.6% | 3.8% |
| Cuyahoga County | 2.30 | 41.7 | 13.2% | 40.6% | 9.7% | 1959 | $1,234 | 36.9% | 91.4% | 6.9% |
| Williams County | 2.37 | 41.9 | 13.0% | 23.7% | 6.5% | 1965 | $796 | 13.9% | 91.8% | 4.1% |
| Lake County | 2.33 | 44.8 | 8.8% | 24.2% | 5.7% | 1974 | $1,162 | 31.6% | 94.3% | 3.8% |
| Geauga County | 2.76 | 44.6 | 5.7% | 12.8% | 5.6% | 1978 | $1,361 | 40.7% | 90.2% | 2.9% |
| Steuben County | 2.42 | 43.2 | 8.6% | 20.5% | 21.4% | 1976 | $934 | 26.2% | 92.3% | 6.8% |
| Noble County | 2.64 | 39.5 | 11.3% | 22.9% | 10.8% | 1974 | $832 | 18.3% | 82.5% | 3.0% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Macoupin County, IL · Pasquotank County, NC · Osage County, OK · Marshall County, KY · Marshall County, IN · Marshall County, IA · Marion County, IL · Marion County, IA · Manati Municipio, PR · Manassas City, VA
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Ottawa County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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