RANK #79 / 996 NAT · #10 / 49 OH · POP 52,522
1YR FORECAST: +4.4%
5YR OUTLOOK: +37%
Ashland County, Ohio, is often recognized by locals for its annual BalloonFest, a tradition celebrating the city's past as the "balloon capital of the world" due to its history in rubber product manufacturing. Located in northeastern Ohio, roughly 60 miles southwest of Cleveland and 80 miles northeast of Columbus, the county offers a blend of small-town atmosphere and access to larger urban amenities. Commutes within the county are generally short, with an average one-way trip of under 20 minutes. The area features extensive outdoor recreation, including Mohican State Park and Forest, offering thousands of acres for hiking, birdwatching, and other activities. The Ashland County Park District also maintains 18 parks and numerous trails.
Life in Ashland County offers a community-focused environment with above-average public schools, including the Ashland City School District and Mapleton Local School District. Ashland University, a private institution, contributes to the local culture and provides educational opportunities. The economy, historically rooted in manufacturing, has seen recent developments, including an e-commerce company establishing a regional hub and ongoing housing projects. These initiatives aim to expand housing options, potentially attracting families and workers to the area. The county also benefits from its location with convenient access to interstates.
Below national median (4.7x)
Below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 4.6x 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.
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 →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
PumpHouse District Redevelopment (Apartments & Hotel)
Vision Development
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Ashland County ranks #79 out of 996 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 92/100, putting it in the top tier nationally. Job growth of +0.6% and a median household income of $62,254 point to a county with active economic momentum.
By national standards, Ashland County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $163,600, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.38 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $815/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Population and employment in Ashland County are both close to flat — population -0.3% YoY and jobs +0.6%. Home values shifted +5.4% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
In significant numbers — 5.07% of Ashland County's current population relocated from another state, well above the national norm. That level of in-migration usually signals a county where jobs, affordability, or quality of life are pulling people in from elsewhere.
Home values climbed +5.4% year-over-year, which is a solid pace of appreciation. The median home in Ashland County is now valued at $163,600. That kind of growth typically reflects sustained demand rather than speculative frenzy.