Akron
RANK #239 / 996 NAT · #26 / 49 OH · POP 539,361
1YR FORECAST: +2.2%
5YR OUTLOOK: +31%
Summit County, Ohio, is often recognized by locals for its extensive park system, including a significant portion of Cuyahoga Valley National Park, one of the most visited national parks in the U.S.. Located in Northeast Ohio, with Akron as its county seat, Summit County sits approximately 30-40 miles south of Cleveland, offering residents a commute to the larger city while maintaining a distinct community feel. Towns like Hudson provide historic charm, while Cuyahoga Falls offers urban energy with a hometown atmosphere along the Cuyahoga River. The county's natural scenery and outdoor recreation opportunities, such as hiking and biking trails, are a notable draw.
Life in Summit County balances suburban comfort with access to urban amenities. The area attracts families due to its school districts and community-focused living, with public transportation options like METRO RTA connecting various communities. The economy, historically known for its rubber industry, has diversified into advanced materials, biomedical research, and advanced manufacturing. Recent economic developments show investment flowing into technology sectors, including data centers, contributing to job growth and economic opportunity across the county.
Below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Below national median (13x)
Housing looks undervalued at 3.1x — 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 →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Viking Data Centers (formerly Goodyear tire factory)
Viking Data Centers
|
$500M | Operating |
|
ark data centers Expansion (Akron and Independence)
ark data centers
|
$136M | Under Construction |
|
Summit County Public Safety Fiber and Communications Network (SCPSCFCN)
Summit County Government
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
Akron Amazon Fulfillment Center
Amazon
|
$13M | Operating |
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 76/100, Summit County sits in the upper half of all 996 ranked counties. and median household income stands at $68,360 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in OH.
By national standards, Summit County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $182,500, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.37 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $956/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Population and employment in Summit County are both close to flat — population -0.2% YoY and jobs -0.3%. Home values shifted +3.7% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.37% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Summit County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.