RANK #564 / 1001 NAT · #40 / 49 OH · POP 536,096
1YR FORECAST: +1.6%
5YR OUTLOOK: +27%
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.
Montgomery County is one of 145 U.S. counties in this market profile — weaker than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +4.3% runs below the profile's typical +4.9%.
See all 145 Heartland Steady Growth counties →Below national median (11.3x)
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing is fairly valued at 6.0x 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.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
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 1001 counties.
Montgomery County scores 43/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 1001 U.S. counties (#564). Median household income is $66,139 and job growth is running at +0.7%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
By national standards, Montgomery County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $180,900, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.37 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $1,026/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Population and employment in Montgomery County are both close to flat — population +0.1% YoY and jobs +0.7%. Home values shifted +4.3% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.15% 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.