Newark
RANK #361 / 996 NAT · #35 / 49 OH · POP 178,844
1YR FORECAST: +1.6%
5YR OUTLOOK: +27%
Licking County, Ohio, is often recognized for the Newark Earthworks, a UNESCO World Heritage site built by the Hopewell culture between 100 BCE and 400 CE. These ancient geometric earthen enclosures served ceremonial and social purposes. Located directly east of Columbus, the county offers a blend of small-town charm and access to larger city amenities. Commute times to Columbus vary, but towns like Johnstown are within 20 minutes of downtown. The area boasts natural beauty, with outdoor recreation opportunities at places like Blackhand Gorge State Nature Preserve and Buckeye Lake State Park, offering hiking, biking, boating, and fishing.
Life in Licking County offers a lower cost of living compared to national averages, with diverse communities ranging from the New England-style village of Granville, home to Denison University, to the more commercial hub of Heath. Families are drawn to the area's schools, with districts like Granville Exempted Village and Johnstown-Monroe Local receiving positive ratings. The economy is experiencing growth, driven by investments in sectors such as advanced manufacturing, logistics, and high-tech data centers. This economic activity has contributed to job creation and a focus on workforce development initiatives.
Above national median (4.7x)
Above national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing is fairly valued at 4.9x 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
Microsoft Data Center Campuses (Heath, Hebron, New Albany)
Microsoft
|
$1,000M | Under Construction |
|
Harvey Solar Project
Leeward Renewable Energy (formerly Open Road Renewables)
|
$350M | Planned |
|
Flint Grid Battery Energy Storage System
EDP Renewables (formerly Eolian)
|
$200M | Operating |
|
Socrates South Power Generation Project (Natural Gas Plant)
Will-Power OH, LLC (subsidiary of Williams Companies) / Sidecat, LLC (affiliate of Meta Platforms, Inc.)
|
$200M | Planned |
|
PowerConneX New Albany Energy Center (Natural Gas Plant)
EdgeConneX
|
$120M | Under Construction |
|
Union Ridge Solar Project
RWE (acquired from Leeward Renewable Energy)
|
$98M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
With a Boom Town Index score of 64/100, Licking County sits in the upper half of all 996 ranked counties. Employment is expanding at +2.9%, and median household income stands at $78,505 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in OH.
Housing in Licking County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $232,200 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.34, with rents averaging $960/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Licking County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +0.8% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +2.9% clip. Home values shifted +2.4% in the past year.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.32% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Licking County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.