RANK #56 / 1001 NAT · #5 / 49 OH · POP 125,099
1YR FORECAST: +3.2%
5YR OUTLOOK: +38%
Richland County, Ohio, is often recognized for the Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, a historic landmark and filming location for "The Shawshank Redemption." Located in north-central Ohio, roughly equidistant from Cleveland and Columbus, the county offers a blend of small-town living and access to larger metropolitan areas, with commutes to these cities typically around an hour. The community maintains a relaxed pace, with numerous parks, trails, and lakes providing opportunities for outdoor recreation, including hiking, fishing, and camping.
Life in Richland County is characterized by a lower cost of living compared to major metros, with a notable percentage of residents owning their homes. The public school districts in the county are generally considered above average. The local economy, historically rooted in manufacturing, has diversified into sectors like sensor and plastics industries, and specialized manufacturing for energy transmission. Recent economic development efforts focus on attracting new businesses and supporting existing ones, with investments in downtown revitalization and infrastructure.
Richland County is one of 145 U.S. counties in this market profile — stronger than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +8.2% runs above 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 8.0x — 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 →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Milliron - Brookside 138 kV II Battery Project
Undisclosed (Cleanview)
|
$252M | Planned |
|
I-71 Resurfacing
Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT)
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
US 42 Minor Rehabilitation (Lexington)
Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT)
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
SR 13 Resurfacing
Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT)
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
Richland County ranks #56 out of 1001 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 94/100. The composite score reflects long-term strength — housing, income, and migration patterns — but near-term hiring is soft (employment is down 0.9% year-over-year). Median household income here is $59,509.
By national standards, Richland County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $164,800, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.36 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $824/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Population and employment in Richland County are both close to flat — population -0.0% YoY and jobs -0.9%. Home values shifted +8.2% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.61% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Richland County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.
Home values climbed +8.2% year-over-year, which is a solid pace of appreciation. The median home in Richland County is now valued at $164,800. That kind of growth typically reflects sustained demand rather than speculative frenzy.