RANK #173 / 1001 NAT · #16 / 49 OH · POP 161,956
1YR FORECAST: +2.7%
5YR OUTLOOK: +34%
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.
Portage County is one of 145 U.S. counties in this market profile — near the profile average 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 →Overvalued relative to economy
Below-average climate & terrain
Below national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 10.6x — home prices are high 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
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 1001 counties.
Portage County ranks #173 out of 1001 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 83/100, placing it in the top tier nationally. Median household income is $75,766 and the underlying growth metrics (housing, migration, income) hold up against peer counties.
Housing in Portage County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $227,000 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.33, with rents averaging $1,064/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Population and employment in Portage County are both close to flat — population +0.3% YoY and jobs +0.4%. Home values shifted +4.3% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
In significant numbers — 5.85% 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.