RANK #6 / 1001 NAT · #1 / 49 OH · POP 101,348
1YR FORECAST: +4.1%
5YR OUTLOOK: +44%
Allen County, Ohio, is perhaps best known for Lima, its largest city and county seat, which gained pop culture recognition as the setting for the television show "Glee." Located in northwestern Ohio, Lima sits along Interstate 75, roughly 72 miles north of Dayton and 78 miles south of Toledo, making commutes to larger cities accessible. The community offers a blend of urban amenities and small-town charm, with a variety of parks and natural areas like the Johnny Appleseed Metropolitan Park District providing opportunities for hiking, biking, and enjoying green spaces.
Life in Allen County offers a balance of affordability and community focus. Public schools in the county are highly rated, with several districts serving the area. The economy is driven by manufacturing, healthcare, and education, with institutions like Ohio State University at Lima and Rhodes State College contributing to the educational landscape. Recent years have seen significant investment in commercial and residential developments, alongside growth in data center and logistics sectors, indicating a forward-looking economic picture for residents.
Allen County is one of 145 U.S. counties in this market profile — stronger than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +7.7% runs above the profile's typical +4.9%.
See all 145 Heartland Steady Growth counties →Below national median (11.3x)
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing is fairly valued at 5.5x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Google Data Center (Project BOSC)
Google
|
$500M | Planned |
|
Downtown Lima Revitalization Projects
Various (public and private)
|
$60M | Completed |
|
Infrastructure Improvements (associated with Google Data Center)
Allen County (funded by Google)
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
Ohio Logistics Spec Buildings (2 x 100,000 sq ft)
Ohio Logistics
|
$50M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
Allen County ranks #6 out of 1001 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 100/100, putting it in the top tier nationally. Job growth of +0.7% and a median household income of $64,038 point to a county with active economic momentum.
By national standards, Allen County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $165,300, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.39 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $922/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Population and employment in Allen County are both close to flat — population -0.3% YoY and jobs +0.7%. Home values shifted +7.7% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.38% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Allen County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.
Home values climbed +7.7% year-over-year, which is a solid pace of appreciation. The median home in Allen County is now valued at $165,300. That kind of growth typically reflects sustained demand rather than speculative frenzy.