RANK #170 / 996 · POP 232,236 · OH
PROJECTED GROWTH: +2.3%
Headlands Beach State Park in Mentor, Ohio, stands out as the longest natural sand beach in the state, offering a mile of shoreline along Lake Erie. Lake County, Ohio's smallest county by land area, is situated just 25-30 minutes east of downtown Cleveland. The community offers a mix of suburban, small-town, and rural living options. Beyond the beaches, outdoor recreation includes 40 diverse Lake Metroparks with over 60 miles of trails, and the Holden Arboretum in Kirtland, featuring 3,600 acres of gardens and natural areas, including a canopy walk and emergent tower with Lake Erie views. Commute options to Cleveland are available via Laketran's Park-n-Ride service.
Life in Lake County often appeals to families and retirees seeking green space and a relaxed atmosphere. The economy has a diverse base, with over 600 manufacturing firms and nationally recognized nursery and wine industries. Public schools in Lake County are above average, and teachers' wages are among the highest in the state. Recent economic developments in the broader Lake to River region, which includes Lake County, have focused on advanced manufacturing and energy, with significant capital investments and job creation. The county also has a low percentage of residents living below the poverty line.
Above national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 3.6x — 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 →
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Lake County has a Boom Town Index score of 83/100, ranking #170 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +0.8% and a median household income of $76,835, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Lake County is $189,600 with median rent at $1,027/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.4052, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.0% year-over-year. Job growth: +0.8%. Home values changed +3.3% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 3.06% of Lake County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.