Mentor
RANK #381 / 996 NAT · #37 / 49 OH · POP 232,236
1YR FORECAST: +2.1%
5YR OUTLOOK: +26%
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.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
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 →
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
With a Boom Town Index score of 62/100, Lake County sits in the upper half of all 996 ranked counties. Employment is expanding at +0.8%, and median household income stands at $76,835 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in OH.
By national standards, Lake County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $189,600, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.41 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $1,027/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Population and employment in Lake County are both close to flat — population +0.0% YoY and jobs +0.8%. Home values shifted +3.3% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.06% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Lake County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.