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Hamilton County, OH

RANK #452 / 996  ·  POP 827,671  ·  OH

PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.9%

Hamilton County sits in the middle of the pack — stable but not accelerating.

[01] Why Hamilton County?

Hamilton County, Ohio, is often recognized for Cincinnati, its most populous city and county seat, which anchors the larger metropolitan area. The county is situated in southwestern Ohio, bordered by the Ohio River, and features a landscape shaped by the valleys of the Ohio, Little Miami, and Great Miami rivers, offering scenic vistas and opportunities for outdoor recreation. Commute times average around 22.8 minutes, with most residents driving alone to work, though public bus service is available throughout the county and connects to surrounding areas. The community offers a blend of urban and suburban living, with diverse neighborhoods and a variety of parks, including the extensive Great Parks of Hamilton County system.

Life in Hamilton County offers a range of experiences, from the urban core of Cincinnati to family-oriented suburbs like Wyoming and Mariemont, which are known for their public schools. The county's economy is influenced by major corporations and a focus on business growth and expansion, with ongoing efforts in downtown revitalization attracting new residents, particularly young professionals. While the area has seen recent population growth, particularly in its urban centers, housing availability remains a factor, with local initiatives addressing affordable housing.

[02] Market Snapshot

Housing Ratio
2.0x

Undervalued relative to economy

GDP Growth
+0.1%

Well below national median

Home Prices
+2.0%

Outpacing national median

Climate & Terrain
-1.4

Below-average climate & terrain

Price/Rent
12x

Strong rental yield

Housing looks undervalued at 2.0x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.

[03] Signal Profile

[04] Home Value Growth vs National

Hamilton County U.S. National

The Numbers

DEMOGRAPHICS
Population
827,671
+0.11% YoY
Median Household Income
$68,249
Median Home Value
$205,000
+2.04% 12mo
Median Rent
$961
Average Annual Pay
$76,924
+4.4% YoY
Employment
515,652
-0.1% YoY
Income-to-Home-Value
0.3329
More affordable than average
Migration Inflow
2.42%
of pop. from another state

Market Activity

REAL ESTATE
Median Sale Price
$270,000
Days on Market
62
Slower market
Months of Supply
3.6
Balanced market
Sale-to-List Ratio
98.3%
Near asking price
Sold Above List
22.1%
Listings w/ Price Drops
18.9%
Building Permits (2024)
822
Single-Family Permits
566

Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →

[05] Capital Investment

$1,190M
TOTAL
PROJECT AMOUNT STATUS
Hamilton Innovation Center (Hyperscale Data Center)
Logistix Property Group
$1,000M Proposed
Ohio State Capital Budget Allocations for Hamilton County
State of Ohio
$100M Planned
CyrusOne Hamilton Data Center (CIN4)
CyrusOne
$50M Operating
Cincinnati Municipal Solar Array (100 MW)
City of Cincinnati
$40M Operating

Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.

[06] Score Breakdown

GDP Growth +0.1% 8 percentile
Population Growth +0.1% 34 percentile
Income Growth +8.2% 40 percentile
Vacancy Rate 1.1% 45 percentile
Home Price Change +2.0% 60 percentile
Rent Growth +3.1% 53 percentile
Price/Rent 12x 74 percentile

Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.

[07] Frequently Asked Questions

Is Hamilton County, OH a good place to move to?

Hamilton County has a Boom Town Index score of 55/100, ranking #452 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at -0.1% and a median household income of $68,249, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.

Is Hamilton County affordable?

The median home value in Hamilton County is $205,000 with median rent at $961/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3329, which is more affordable than the national average.

Is Hamilton County growing or shrinking?

Population growth: +0.1% year-over-year. Job growth: -0.1%. Home values changed +2.0% in the past 12 months.

Are people moving to Hamilton County?

Yes — 2.42% of Hamilton County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.

[08] Similar Metros

Monroe County, PA 65 Kent County, RI 65 Laurel County, KY 65 Oktibbeha County, MS 65 Boone County, MO 65 Beaver County, PA 65 Craighead County, AR 65 Catoosa County, GA 65