RANK #400 / 996 · POP 101,723 · OH
PROJECTED GROWTH: +1.1%
Columbiana, a town within Columbiana County, Ohio, was named the "Nicest Place in America" by Reader's Digest in 2019, reflecting a strong sense of community. Located on Ohio's eastern edge, the county is predominantly rural, with northern areas aligning with Northeast Ohio and southern communities along the Ohio River sharing cultural ties with the Upper Ohio Valley. The landscape varies, with glaciated, fertile land in the north and hilly, rugged terrain in the unglaciated south, offering diverse natural scenery. Outdoor recreation is accessible, with opportunities for hiking, fishing, kayaking, and camping at locations like Beaver Creek State Park and the Little Beaver Creek Greenway Bike Trail. Commute options within the county include the Community Action Rural Transit System (CARTS), which provides demand-response service to towns like Salem, Columbiana, East Liverpool, and Wellsville, and can extend to nearby counties for employment or healthcare needs.
Life in Columbiana County offers a blend of small-town living and access to outdoor activities. The public schools in the county are generally above average. The economy, historically rooted in the pottery industry, now sees activity in manufacturing, healthcare, and retail. Recent economic developments indicate a focus on downtown revitalization in several towns, with efforts to attract new businesses and encourage private investment in commercial and residential sectors. These initiatives aim to create job opportunities and address housing needs, appealing to families and individuals seeking a more tranquil environment with community focus.
Above national median
Well below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks undervalued at 3.4x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
South Field Energy Combined-Cycle Power Plant
Advanced Power (South Field Energy)
|
$1,300M | Operating |
|
TownCenter at Firestone Farms and surrounding developments
Various (anchored by TownCenter)
|
$160M | Under Construction |
|
Kensington Solar Project
Kensington PV I, LLC
|
$135M | Proposed |
|
Master Plan Builders Mixed-Use Development
Master Plan Builders
|
$50M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Columbiana County has a Boom Town Index score of 60/100, ranking #400 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +0.3% and a median household income of $55,473, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Columbiana County is $124,400 with median rent at $696/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.4459, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: -0.6% year-over-year. Job growth: +0.3%. Home values changed +0.5% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 3.17% of Columbiana County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.