RANK #375 / 1001 NAT · #30 / 49 OH · POP 63,142
1YR FORECAST: +2.8%
5YR OUTLOOK: +30%
Gambier, Ohio, home to Kenyon College, offers a distinctive starting point for understanding Knox County. This private liberal arts college, founded in 1824, is the oldest in Ohio and contributes to the area's intellectual and cultural atmosphere. Located in central Ohio, Knox County is approximately an hour northeast of Columbus, providing a balance of rural living with access to a major city. The community maintains a relaxed feel, characterized by rolling hills, picturesque farmland, and woodlands. Outdoor recreation is a notable feature, with nearly 35 miles of multi-use trails like the Kokosing Gap Trail, and opportunities for hiking, fishing, canoeing, and kayaking along the Kokosing and Mohican State Scenic Rivers.
Life in Knox County is shaped by its blend of small-town environments and connections to larger urban areas. Mount Vernon, the county seat, serves as an economic hub with historic neighborhoods and local businesses. The public school systems in the county are considered above average. The local economy is supported by a manufacturing base, along with healthcare and educational services. Recent economic developments include investments in manufacturing operations and broader initiatives focused on community development and workforce training.
Knox County is one of 145 U.S. counties in this market profile — weaker than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +5.6% runs above the profile's typical +4.9%.
See all 145 Heartland Steady Growth counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Below-average climate & terrain
Prices detached from rents
Housing looks overvalued at 12.8x — 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
Frasier Solar Project
Open Road Renewables
|
$120M | Under Construction |
|
Becker Mining America, Inc. Expansion
Becker Mining Systems
|
$50M | Operating |
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 62/100, Knox County sits in the upper half of all 1001 ranked counties. and median household income stands at $73,878 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in OH.
Housing in Knox County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $239,400 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.31, with rents averaging $950/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Population and employment in Knox County are both close to flat — population +0.4% YoY and jobs -1.0%. Home values shifted +5.6% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.01% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Knox County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.
Home values climbed +5.6% year-over-year, which is a solid pace of appreciation. The median home in Knox County is now valued at $239,400. That kind of growth typically reflects sustained demand rather than speculative frenzy.