Dayton
RANK #254 / 996 NAT · #28 / 49 OH · POP 536,121
1YR FORECAST: +2.4%
5YR OUTLOOK: +30%
Montgomery County, Ohio, is often recognized for its aviation heritage, as it was home to the Wright brothers and a center for early innovation in flight. Located in southwestern Ohio, with Dayton as its county seat, the county offers a blend of urban and suburban living. Commute times are generally manageable, and public transportation options, including the Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority, serve the area. The region also features extensive outdoor recreation opportunities through its Five Rivers MetroParks system, encompassing nearly 16,000 acres of green space with bike paths and natural areas.
Life in Montgomery County provides access to various amenities, including arts and cultural institutions. The public school systems in towns like Oakwood and Centerville are highly rated. The economy is driven by sectors such as aerospace, advanced manufacturing, and logistics, building on a history of innovation. Recent economic developments include investments in commercial and residential projects, as well as continued growth in technology-driven industries.
Below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 2.6x — 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
I-75 Rehabilitation in Dayton (S.R. 4/Needmore Rd.)
Ohio Department of Transportation
|
$105M | Under Construction |
|
onMain Mixed-Use Development (Former Fairgrounds)
University of Dayton and Premier Health
|
$100M | Under Construction |
|
Prairie Flyer Energy Storage Facility
Prairie Flyer Energy Storage LLC
|
$85M | Planned |
|
New Home Communities Portfolio
Various (e.g., Fischer Homes)
|
$75M | Under Construction |
|
Sewer Modernization and Revitalized Treatment (SMART) Project
Montgomery County Environmental Services
|
$65M | Completed |
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 74/100, Montgomery County sits in the upper half of all 996 ranked counties. Employment is expanding at +0.8%, and median household income stands at $61,942 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in OH.
By national standards, Montgomery County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $154,300, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.40 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $925/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Population and employment in Montgomery County are both close to flat — population 0.0% YoY and jobs +0.8%. Home values shifted +4.2% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.37% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Montgomery County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.