Upper
RANK #551 / 996 NAT · #45 / 49 OH · POP 57,994
1YR FORECAST: +1.2%
5YR OUTLOOK: +23%
Along the Ohio River, Lawrence County is Ohio's southernmost county, bordering Kentucky and West Virginia. Ironton, the county seat, was founded on the iron industry and is known for its historic architecture. The county offers access to the Wayne National Forest and Lake Vesuvius Recreation Area, providing opportunities for hiking, fishing, and kayaking. Commutes are generally manageable, with US Route 52 connecting to Interstate 64 for travel to nearby cities like Huntington, WV, and Ashland, KY. The community maintains a small-town feel, with local parks and events like the annual Ironton-Lawrence County Memorial Day Parade.
Life in Lawrence County offers a balance of natural scenery and community living. The area is attracting new residents, including families and remote workers, due to its lower cost of living. Education is supported by several local school districts, including Fairland, Symmes Valley, and Chesapeake Union. The economy is experiencing growth in manufacturing and data center infrastructure, with new investments creating jobs in these sectors. Healthcare and education also remain significant employers in the county.
Below national median (4.7x)
Contracting economy
Below-average climate & terrain
Below national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 4.4x 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 →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
AI Data Center Campus
Strata Expanse
|
$500M | Under Construction |
|
Advanced Battery Chemicals Production Base (Lithium-ion Electrolytes)
Capchem USA
|
$75M | Under Construction |
|
Chesapeake Bypass Phase 2
Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT)
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
Chesapeake Landing (Senior Affordable Housing)
Ironton Lawrence County Area Community Action Organization
|
$50M | Planned |
|
Manufacturing Facility Expansion (Thermal Chain Technologies for AI Data Centers)
Vertiv Corporation
|
$49M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Lawrence County scores 44/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 996 U.S. counties (#551). Median household income is $51,846 and job growth is running at -0.2%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
By national standards, Lawrence County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $127,900, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.41 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $806/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Lawrence County is losing population (-1.0% YoY) while the job market is essentially flat (-0.2% employment change). Home values are +4.8% over the past 12 months. A slow-bleed pattern — not a collapse, but residents are leaving faster than employers are hiring.
Not particularly — 1.56% of Lawrence County's population moved in from another state, which is below the national average. Most residents are long-term locals rather than recent transplants.