RANK #181 / 996 NAT · #18 / 49 OH · POP 97,666
1YR FORECAST: +4.3%
5YR OUTLOOK: +32%
Ashtabula County, Ohio, stands out for its nineteen covered bridges, including both the longest and shortest in the United States. Located in the northeastern corner of Ohio, it is roughly an hour's drive from both Cleveland and Erie, Pennsylvania. The community offers a blend of rural landscapes and Lake Erie shoreline, with Geneva-on-the-Lake providing a resort-town feel with its attractions and Geneva State Park offering beaches and trails. Outdoor recreation is a significant draw, with opportunities for hiking, biking on the Western Reserve Greenway Trail, fishing in Lake Erie and Pymatuning Reservoir, and exploring four wild and scenic rivers. Life in Ashtabula County offers an affordable cost of living. The county provides various educational opportunities, including public school districts like Jefferson Area Local and Geneva Area City, as well as Kent State University at Ashtabula and the Ashtabula County Technical and Career Campus. The local economy has a history in manufacturing and has seen recent growth, particularly in sectors such as composites, chemicals, and energy. The Ashtabula County Port Authority actively promotes economic development and job creation.
Below national median (4.7x)
Above national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 4.0x 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 →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Nodular Pig Iron Plant
Petmin
|
$474M | Operating |
|
Ashtabula Windfarm (Proposed)
SGR Site Associates LLC
|
$105M | Proposed |
|
Risberg Natural Gas Pipeline
RH energytrans
|
$86M | Operating |
|
Plastpro Manufacturing Facility Expansion
Plastpro
|
$53M | Planned |
|
Ashtabula County Broadband Infrastructure Upgrades (Connect Ashtabula)
Ashtabula County Commissioners / Eastgate Regional Council of Governments
|
$50M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Ashtabula County ranks #181 out of 996 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 82/100. The composite score reflects long-term strength — housing, income, and migration patterns — but near-term hiring is soft (employment is down 1.4% year-over-year). Median household income here is $53,663.
By national standards, Ashtabula County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $139,000, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.39 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $811/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Ashtabula County's job market is contracting (-1.4% YoY) while population is roughly stable (-0.2% change). Home values are +5.0% over the past 12 months. Hiring headwinds without an offsetting exodus — residents are staying, but local employers are shedding payroll.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.07% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Ashtabula County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.
Home values climbed +5.0% year-over-year, which is a solid pace of appreciation. The median home in Ashtabula County is now valued at $139,000. That kind of growth typically reflects sustained demand rather than speculative frenzy.