87 / 100

Sandusky County, OH

RANK #129 / 996  ·  POP 58,885  ·  OH

PROJECTED GROWTH: +2.6%

Sandusky County ranks among the top U.S. counties across nearly every economic indicator.

[01] Why Sandusky County?

Sandusky County, Ohio, is perhaps best known for Fremont, its county seat, which holds the distinction of being home to the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museums, the first presidential library in the United States. Located in northwestern Ohio, the county is roughly equidistant from Toledo and Cleveland, about 45-50 miles from each city. Commuting options within the county include local bus services like TRIPS Public Transportation, offering curb-to-curb service, and fixed-route bus service in Sandusky City. The community maintains a largely rural feel, with 70% of its acreage under cultivation, contributing to a quieter lifestyle. Outdoor recreation opportunities are available through the Sandusky County Park District, offering various parks and nature preserves.

Life in Sandusky County often appeals to families, with public schools generally performing above average. The economy is supported by a mix of agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism. Recent economic developments include significant investments in manufacturing facilities, such as an expansion by an automotive components supplier in Bellevue. Additionally, the county has seen the establishment of data centers, with one facility under construction in Sandusky, indicating growth in technology infrastructure. These developments contribute to job creation and retention across various sectors.

[02] Market Snapshot

Housing Ratio
2.8x

Undervalued relative to economy

GDP Growth
+2.1%

Below national median

Home Prices
+4.4%

Outpacing national median

Climate & Terrain
-2.5

Below-average climate & terrain

Price/Rent
16x

Above national median (13x)

Housing looks undervalued at 2.8x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.

[03] Signal Profile

[04] Home Value Growth vs National

Sandusky County U.S. National

The Numbers

DEMOGRAPHICS
Population
58,885
-0.22% YoY
Median Household Income
$60,814
Median Home Value
$142,300
+4.44% 12mo
Median Rent
$756
Average Annual Pay
$52,676
+1.9% YoY
Employment
24,936
-1.8% YoY
Income-to-Home-Value
0.4274
More affordable than average
Migration Inflow
2.64%
of pop. from another state

Market Activity

REAL ESTATE
Median Sale Price
$156,675
Days on Market
71
Slower market
Months of Supply
3.1
Balanced market
Sale-to-List Ratio
95.7%
Negotiation room for buyers
Sold Above List
19.2%
Listings w/ Price Drops
20.0%
Building Permits (2024)
26
Single-Family Permits
26

Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →

[05] Capital Investment

$650M
TOTAL
PROJECT AMOUNT STATUS
Aligned Data Centers NEO-01
Aligned Data Centers
$500M Under Construction
Sandusky Bay Pathway
City of Sandusky
$50M Under Construction
The Landing Waterfront Park
City of Sandusky
$50M Under Construction
Housing Development Accelerator
City of Sandusky
$50M Planned

Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.

[06] Score Breakdown

GDP Growth +2.1% 37 percentile
Population Growth -0.2% 20 percentile
Income Growth +7.8% 33 percentile
Vacancy Rate 1.2% 44 percentile
Home Price Change +4.4% 86 percentile
Price/Rent 16x 29 percentile

Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.

[07] Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sandusky County, OH a good place to move to?

Sandusky County has a Boom Town Index score of 87/100, ranking #129 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at -1.8% and a median household income of $60,814, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.

Is Sandusky County affordable?

The median home value in Sandusky County is $142,300 with median rent at $756/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.4274, which is more affordable than the national average.

Is Sandusky County growing or shrinking?

Population growth: -0.2% year-over-year. Job growth: -1.8%. Home values changed +4.4% in the past 12 months.

Are people moving to Sandusky County?

Yes — 2.64% of Sandusky County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.

[08] Similar Metros

Tazewell County, IL 97 Trumbull County, OH 97 Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region, CT 97 Marion County, OH 97 Ionia County, MI 97 Grand Forks County, ND 97 Marquette County, MI 97 Lackawanna County, PA 97