Toledo
RANK #103 / 996 NAT · #11 / 49 OH · POP 430,014
1YR FORECAST: +3.3%
5YR OUTLOOK: +36%
Lucas County, Ohio, distinguishes itself with the Maumee River, a significant waterway that flows into Lake Erie and is renowned for its annual walleye run, attracting anglers from across the country. Located in northwest Ohio, bordering Michigan, the county seat of Toledo is approximately an hour's drive from Detroit. The community offers a blend of urban and suburban living, with towns like Maumee and Sylvania providing distinct atmospheres. The Metroparks of the Toledo area, including the expansive Oak Openings Preserve, offer over 12,000 acres of natural land and 120 miles of trails for hiking, biking, and other outdoor pursuits.
Life in Lucas County offers a range of experiences, from the cultural attractions of Toledo, including the Toledo Museum of Art, to the quieter, family-friendly suburbs with above-average public schools. Commute times average around 20.5 minutes, with many residents driving alone to work, though public transit options are available through TARTA. The economy, historically rooted in manufacturing, healthcare, and education, is undergoing diversification. Recent economic development efforts focus on attracting new businesses and investment, particularly in sectors like logistics and technology, with initiatives to streamline development and permitting processes.
Below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 2.4x — 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 →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Proposed Oregon Data Center
Capacity LLC
|
$1,000M | Planned |
|
Oregon Energy Center
Clean Energy Future-Oregon LLC (now CPV Oregon Holdings, LLC)
|
$950M | Under Construction |
|
Oregon Clean Energy Center
Ares Management, L.P. and I Squared Capital
|
$800M | Operating |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Lucas County ranks #103 out of 996 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 90/100. The composite score reflects long-term strength — housing, income, and migration patterns — but near-term hiring is soft (employment is down 0.7% year-over-year). Median household income here is $57,265.
By national standards, Lucas County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $144,200, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.40 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $879/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Population and employment in Lucas County are both close to flat — population -0.3% YoY and jobs -0.7%. Home values shifted +5.0% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.02% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Lucas County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.
Home values climbed +5.0% year-over-year, which is a solid pace of appreciation. The median home in Lucas County is now valued at $144,200. That kind of growth typically reflects sustained demand rather than speculative frenzy.