Kent
RANK #228 / 996 NAT · #23 / 49 OH · POP 161,217
1YR FORECAST: +2.2%
5YR OUTLOOK: +31%
Portage County, Ohio, is characterized by the presence of Kent, a notable college town that blends academic energy with natural beauty, as the Cuyahoga River runs through its downtown. Located in Northeast Ohio, the county sits approximately 20 miles from Akron and less than 40 miles from Cleveland, offering residents access to larger metropolitan areas. Commuting is supported by major interstates like I-76 and the Ohio Turnpike (I-80), which traverse the county. The community maintains a rural atmosphere with open spaces, uncongested roads, and small towns, alongside significant outdoor recreation opportunities. Three state parks—Wingfoot Lake, West Branch, and Nelson-Kennedy Ledges—provide extensive options for hiking, boating, fishing, and exploring unique geological formations.
Life in Portage County blends country living with suburban conveniences. Many residents own their homes, and public schools are generally above average. The county's economy is diverse, with agriculture remaining a component, alongside manufacturing and distribution. Recent economic developments include investments in the power industry, with a company expanding its manufacturing facility in Streetsboro, creating new jobs. Educational institutions, including Kent State University, Hiram College, and Northeast Ohio Medical University, contribute to the local workforce and serve as significant employers. These institutions also drive ongoing educational and workforce development initiatives.
Above national median (4.7x)
Well below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing is fairly valued at 4.8x 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
Kent State University Capital Projects
Kent State University
|
$59M | Planned |
|
LayerZero Power Systems Expansion
LayerZero Power Systems, Inc.
|
$50M | Under Construction |
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 77/100, Portage County sits in the upper half of all 996 ranked counties. and median household income stands at $69,796 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in OH.
By national standards, Portage County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $197,100, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.35 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $990/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Population and employment in Portage County are both close to flat — population -0.4% YoY and jobs 0.0%. Home values shifted +3.8% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
In significant numbers — 5.58% of Portage County's current population relocated from another state, well above the national norm. That level of in-migration usually signals a county where jobs, affordability, or quality of life are pulling people in from elsewhere.