Fremont
RANK #55 / 996 NAT · #9 / 49 OH · POP 58,885
1YR FORECAST: +3.1%
5YR OUTLOOK: +39%
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.
Below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
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.
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 |
|---|---|---|
|
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.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Sandusky County ranks #55 out of 996 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 1.8% year-over-year). Median household income here is $60,814.
By national standards, Sandusky County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $142,300, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.43 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $756/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Sandusky County's job market is contracting (-1.8% YoY) while population is roughly stable (-0.2% change). Home values are +4.4% over the past 12 months. Hiring headwinds without an offsetting exodus — residents are staying, but local employers are shedding payroll.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.64% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Sandusky County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.