Zanesville
RANK #478 / 996 NAT · #42 / 49 OH · POP 86,393
1YR FORECAST: +1.4%
5YR OUTLOOK: +24%
Muskingum County, Ohio, is perhaps best known for Zanesville's distinctive Y-Bridge, an iconic structure spanning the confluence of the Licking and Muskingum Rivers. Located in east-central Ohio, Zanesville, the county seat, sits about an hour east of Columbus. The community offers a blend of rural and suburban living, with rolling hills and natural scenery. Outdoor recreation is a notable draw, with opportunities for hiking, biking, fishing, and boating at places like Dillon State Park and along the Muskingum River. The Muskingum Valley Park District maintains over 560 acres of parks and trails.
Life in Muskingum County offers a generally stable community with a mix of families and long-term residents. Public schools in the county are considered above average. Commute times are generally manageable, and public transportation, including fixed-route bus services, is available through South East Area Transit (SEAT). The economy, historically tied to natural resources and pottery manufacturing, has diversified to include manufacturing, healthcare, and logistics. Recent efforts have focused on attracting further investment in these sectors and improving infrastructure to support business growth and development.
Well below national median
Well below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Below national median (13x)
Housing looks undervalued at 3.4x — 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 →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
AMG Vanadium Plant Expansion
AMG Vanadium
|
$350M | Operating |
|
New Muskingum County Jail Facility
Muskingum County
|
$88M | Planned |
|
I-70 Reconstruction in Downtown Zanesville
Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT)
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
Grupo Bimbo Production Facility
Grupo Bimbo
|
$50M | Planned |
|
Rural Broadband Expansion
Spectrum (Charter Communications)
|
$31M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Muskingum County scores 52/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 996 U.S. counties (#478). Median household income is $56,810 and job growth is running at +0.3%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
By national standards, Muskingum County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $156,100, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.36 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $776/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Population and employment in Muskingum County are both close to flat — population +0.1% YoY and jobs +0.3%. Home values shifted +0.6% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.49% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Muskingum County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.