RANK #116 / 996 · POP 313,101 · OH
PROJECTED GROWTH: +2.7%
Oberlin, home to the second-oldest continuously operating coeducational institute of higher learning in the world, Oberlin College, is one of Lorain County, Ohio's most notable towns. Located along the southern shore of Lake Erie, Lorain County is about 25 miles west of Cleveland, offering a mix of urban, suburban, and rural communities. Commutes vary, with major interstates like I-90, I-80 (Ohio Turnpike), and I-480 providing connections to Cleveland and other regional markets. The county boasts over 11,000 acres of parkland, including Lakeview Park with its sunsets over Lake Erie, and extensive trails for hiking and biking.
Lorain County offers a diverse lifestyle, with communities ranging from lakefront living in Avon Lake to the historic charm of Elyria, the county seat. Public schools in the county are generally above average, with various districts serving different communities. The economy is seeing growth, with projections for increases in domestic product and employment outpacing the state average in the coming years. This growth is driven by sectors such as manufacturing, healthcare, and information technology, with significant investment flowing into industrial and logistics development, including a large-scale industrial project near the Lorain County Regional Airport.
Above national median (4.7x)
Above national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Below national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 5.2x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Lorain County Mega Site Development
Lorain County Board of Commissioners / Liberty Development Company
|
$67M | Under Construction |
|
Lorain Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) Facility
EDL
|
$50M | Operating |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Lorain County has a Boom Town Index score of 88/100, ranking #116 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +0.4% and a median household income of $67,272, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Lorain County is $191,900 with median rent at $886/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3506, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.4% year-over-year. Job growth: +0.4%. Home values changed +4.8% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 3.11% of Lorain County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.