RANK #258 / 996 · POP 75,299 · OH
PROJECTED GROWTH: +1.7%
Erie County, Ohio, is defined by its Lake Erie shoreline and the city of Sandusky, known for its tourism and unique Masonic star-shaped street plan. Located in northern Ohio, the county is less than an hour from both Cleveland and Toledo, with accessible routes via the Ohio Turnpike and State Route 2. The community offers a blend of lakeside living and agricultural areas, with over 50% of the land dedicated to farming. Outdoor recreation is a significant draw, with opportunities for boating, fishing, and exploring 14 parks and preserves managed by Erie MetroParks, which feature over 30 miles of trails and diverse natural landscapes.
Life in Erie County offers a mix of small-town and rural settings, with public schools generally performing above average. Commute options within the county include the Sandusky Transit System's Dial-A-Ride, a curb-to-curb service, and regional rideshare programs. The economy, historically tied to manufacturing, has shifted towards tourism, with major attractions drawing visitors to the area. Recent economic developments show investment in commercial and residential projects, as well as in sectors like data centers and energy, supported by local initiatives aimed at business attraction and expansion.
Below national median
Below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks undervalued at 3.1x — 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
Emerson Creek Wind Farm
Apex Clean Energy (Firelands Wind LLC)
|
$615M | Under Construction |
|
Aligned Data Centers: NEO-01 Campus
Aligned Data Centers
|
$202M | Planned |
|
Battery Park Redevelopment
Marous Development Group
|
$200M | Under Construction |
|
Wheatsborough Solar Project
Apex Clean Energy
|
$150M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Erie County has a Boom Town Index score of 74/100, ranking #258 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +0.7% and a median household income of $65,171, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Erie County is $169,400 with median rent at $884/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3847, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: -0.3% year-over-year. Job growth: +0.7%. Home values changed +1.1% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 3.84% of Erie County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.