RANK #263 / 996 NAT · #29 / 49 OH · POP 313,101
1YR FORECAST: +3.8%
5YR OUTLOOK: +30%
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.
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 |
|---|---|---|
|
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.
With a Boom Town Index score of 73/100, Lorain County sits in the upper half of all 996 ranked counties. and median household income stands at $67,272 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in OH.
By national standards, Lorain County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $191,900, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.35 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $886/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Population and employment in Lorain County are both close to flat — population +0.4% YoY and jobs +0.4%. Home values shifted +4.8% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.11% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Lorain County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.