RANK #217 / 1001 NAT · #20 / 49 OH · POP 100,704
1YR FORECAST: +1.4%
5YR OUTLOOK: +33%
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.
Columbiana County's data profile doesn't fit any single market profile cleanly — its housing, labor, and demographic signals pull in different directions (home prices +2.4% YoY, population -0.5%, wages +3.8%). About 414 U.S. counties show this kind of mixed-signal pattern.
See all 414 Idiosyncratic Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Above national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 10.5x — home prices are high 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
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 1001 counties.
With a Boom Town Index score of 78/100, Columbiana County sits in the upper half of all 1001 ranked counties. and median household income stands at $58,180 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in OH.
By national standards, Columbiana County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $151,600, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.38 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $756/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Population and employment in Columbiana County are both close to flat — population -0.5% YoY and jobs -0.2%. Home values shifted +2.4% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.36% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Columbiana County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.