Population 6,145 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Portage Lakes
Household size in Portage Lakes
| Period | Portage Lakes | Akron area | Ohio | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.16 | 2.45 | 2.51 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.21 | 2.48 | 2.51 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.06 | 2.43 | 2.47 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 1.93 | 2.37 | 2.46 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.23 | −0.07 | −0.05 | −0.03 |
Portage Lakes is a place of small households, averaging 1.93 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Since 2006–10, household size has dropped from 2.16, a much bigger shift than nationally. Only one other Ohio city with 5,000+ people has smaller households.
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 Portage Lakes
| Period | Portage Lakes | Akron area | Ohio | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 40.6 | 39.7 | 39.0 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 43.1 | 40.6 | 40.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 44.9 | 41.6 | 40.7 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 48.9 | 42.2 | 40.8 | 40.1 |
| Change | +8.4 | +2.5 | +1.8 | +2.3 |
Portage Lakes skews older: half of its residents are older than 48.9, well above the national median of 40.1. That usually means more empty nesters and retirees, and fewer young families. The median age has climbed from 40.6 in 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Only 18 of the 372 Ohio cities with 5,000+ people are 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 Portage Lakes
| Period | Portage Lakes | Akron area | Ohio | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.2% | 10.4% | 11.7% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 7.3% | 10.9% | 11.9% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 8.7% | 10.8% | 11.7% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.3% | 11.1% | 11.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | −2.9 pts | +0.6 pts | −0.0 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 4.3% of households in Portage Lakes, well below the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share is down 2.9 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Only 18 of the 372 Ohio cities with 5,000+ people have a lower share of single-parent households.
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 Portage Lakes
Renters in Portage Lakes
| Period | Portage Lakes | Akron area | Ohio | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 35.4% | 30.6% | 30.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 38.5% | 32.5% | 33.1% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 40.5% | 33.4% | 33.9% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 39.1% | 31.9% | 32.8% | 34.8% |
| Change | +3.7 pts | +1.3 pts | +2.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renting is a bit more common in Portage Lakes than nationally: 39.1% of households rent their homes, against 34.8% for the U.S. Among owners, 43.0% have paid off their mortgages, above the national share of 39.8%. Rentals cluster in the north; owners are most common in the east. The renter share has risen 3.7 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally.
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 Portage Lakes
| Period | Portage Lakes | Akron area | Ohio | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.6% | 9.0% | 10.8% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 10.7% | 10.3% | 10.8% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 10.3% | 9.9% | 10.2% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 6.9% | 8.1% | 8.7% | 9.6% |
| Change | −0.7 pts | −0.9 pts | −2.2 pts | −1.8 pts |
Fewer homes sit empty in Portage Lakes than nationally: 6.9%, against 9.6% for the U.S. That is in line with the rest of the Akron area. Vacancy is down 0.7 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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 Portage Lakes
| Period | Portage Lakes | Akron area | Ohio | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1964 | 1968 | 1968 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1960 | 1968 | 1969 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1964 | 1969 | 1970 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1965 | 1970 | 1972 | 1980 |
| Change | +1 | +2 | +4 | +6 |
Portage Lakes is a place of older homes: half were built before 1965, while the national median is 1980. That means established neighborhoods, and more houses that may need updating. The newest homes are mostly in the north, the oldest in the southwest.
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 Portage Lakes
| Period | Portage Lakes | Akron area | Ohio | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $760 | $834 | $765 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $756 | $856 | $814 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $890 | $957 | $901 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,044 | $1,182 | $1,142 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$284 | +$349 | +$377 | +$606 |
The median renter in Portage Lakes pays $1,044 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $284 a month from 2006–10, a 37% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 24.1% of household income on rent, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, and a smaller share than renters pay nationally.
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 Portage Lakes
Bachelor's degrees in Portage Lakes
| Period | Portage Lakes | Akron area | Ohio | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 21.2% | 29.4% | 25.4% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 25.2% | 30.1% | 26.5% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 27.5% | 32.5% | 28.9% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 31.9% | 35.8% | 31.9% | 35.6% |
| Change | +10.7 pts | +6.5 pts | +6.5 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are a little less common in Portage Lakes than nationally: 31.9% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's or higher, against 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 10.7 points, as it has nationally.
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 Portage Lakes
| Period | Portage Lakes | Akron area | Ohio | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 90.0% | 89.9% | 87.7% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 92.8% | 90.9% | 88.9% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 92.8% | 92.0% | 90.4% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 95.1% | 92.8% | 91.7% | 89.3% |
| Change | +5.1 pts | +2.9 pts | +4.0 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Portage Lakes: 95.1% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. The share with a diploma is up 5.1 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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 Portage Lakes
| Period | Portage Lakes | Akron area | Ohio | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.2% | 8.7% | 8.7% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 10.1% | 9.7% | 9.4% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.6% | 5.6% | 5.5% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 8.2% | 5.2% | 4.9% | 5.4% |
| Change | +2.0 pts | −3.5 pts | −3.8 pts | −2.7 pts |
Finding work has been harder in Portage Lakes: 8.2% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well above the national rate of 5.4%. Only 20 of the 372 Ohio cities with 5,000+ people have higher unemployment. Unemployment is up 2.0 points from 2006–10, even as the national rate fell.
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).
Portage Lakes compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portage Lakes | 1.93 | 48.9 | 4.3% | 39.1% | 6.9% | 1965 | $1,044 | 31.9% | 95.1% | 8.2% |
| New Franklin | 2.45 | 46.3 | 7.2% | 11.9% | 5.2% | 1964 | $1,167 | 24.3% | 96.4% | 4.5% |
| Barberton | 2.30 | 42.2 | 15.3% | 35.9% | 7.4% | 1955 | $896 | 18.5% | 90.7% | 4.0% |
| Green | 2.51 | 43.1 | 8.2% | 24.8% | 7.8% | 1982 | $1,297 | 41.6% | 96.6% | 3.2% |
| Akron area | 2.37 | 42.2 | 11.1% | 31.9% | 8.1% | 1970 | $1,182 | 35.8% | 92.8% | 5.2% |
| Lakemore | 2.22 | 52.1 | 11.1% | 17.8% | 6.2% | 1966 | $1,084 | 14.6% | 87.2% | 4.4% |
| Norton | 2.36 | 47.1 | 6.7% | 12.7% | 6.0% | 1965 | $997 | 26.5% | 93.3% | 4.2% |
| Clinton | 2.77 | 41.8 | 5.9% | 8.4% | 3.6% | 1966 | $862 | 39.8% | 97.1% | 2.4% |
| Uniontown | 2.70 | 44.6 | 9.3% | 11.0% | 2.4% | 1983 | $1,094 | 39.0% | 94.6% | 2.5% |
| Copley | 2.75 | 45.6 | 15.9% | 2.1% | 2.8% | 1961 | $1,262 | 47.8% | 94.2% | 2.7% |
| Canal Fulton | 2.41 | 46.4 | 6.3% | 19.7% | 6.7% | 1981 | $970 | 31.9% | 97.2% | 2.9% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Caldwell, TX · Cambria, CA · Calverton, NY · Calverton, MD · Calvert City, KY · Calumet Park, IL · Calistoga, CA · Calipatria, CA · California, MO · Califon, NJ
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 Portage Lakes. 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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