City profile · Ohio · Census ACS 2023

Bluffton, OH

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Bluffton - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

3,799
Residents
$77,382
Median income
$192,500
Median home
$1,127
Median rent (state)

Bluffton - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Bluffton places in the 59th percentile for household income. Source: Census ACS.

59th
percentile, household income
40th
percentile, home value
31st
percentile, median rent
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Bluffton, OH

Bluffton is a small town in Ohio, home to 3,799 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Bluffton brings in $77,382 a year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 1.5%. Home values in Bluffton run a median of $192,500, and the median resident age is 35.4 years. About 41.9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 56.9% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 8 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Building Boom), up 100% from five years earlier.

Living costs in Ohio run below the national norm: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Ohio scores 92.8 (Below Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,127 monthly. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Ohio run around $228, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Commute times here average 15.4 minutes, with 69.9% driving alone and 11.5% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 54.1 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Low).

Population

3,799 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Ohio

Median Household Income

$77,382 /yr

Poverty 1.5%

Cost of Living Index (state)

92.8 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Ohio average

How does Bluffton compare to other US cities?

Where Bluffton sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 59% higher than other cities
Home value 40% pricier than other cities
Median rent 31% pricier than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Bluffton against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Ohio only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Ohio-relative analysis

Bachelor's Degree or Higher places Bluffton toward the top of Ohio's cities

Among the 1,196 Ohio cities PlainCities tracks with reported bachelor's degree or higher data, Bluffton ranks #155 - the 87th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Bluffton only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#336 of 1,145
71st percentile in Ohio
Median Gross Rent
#465 of 1,196
60th percentile in Ohio
Median Home Value
#333 of 1,164
71st percentile in Ohio
Poverty Rate
#976 of 1,196
18th percentile in Ohio
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#155 of 1,196
87th percentile in Ohio

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Ohio only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

59thIncome percentile

59th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Bluffton's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$192,500 Among the most affordable more affordable than 60% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). This entry sits in this band. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Bluffton $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Bluffton, OH Bluffton, OH's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Bluffton, OH-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Bluffton, OH median $77,382/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Bluffton, OH's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Bluffton, OH. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 41.9%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 1.5%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 56.9%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
3,799
Median Income
$77,382
Median Home Value
$192,500
Median Age
35.4
Poverty Rate
1.5%
Labor force participation
56.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
41.9%

Schools

Total Schools
3
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
3,850 residents3,900 residents3,950 residents4,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 3,962 residents 3,875 residents ▼ -2.2%
Bluffton's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
8
housing units authorized
Single-Family
4
detached homes
Multifamily
4
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
2.1
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 4
2020 7
2021 5
2022 4
2023 9
2024 8

Permit volume increased 100% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
15.4 minutes
Drive Alone
69.9%
Carpool
8.8%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
9.9%
Work from Home
11.5%

Based on 1,644 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Ohio - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$105
avg/month
Natural Gas
$78
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$45
avg/month
Total Utilities
$228
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Ohio state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Ohio state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Bluffton sits in

Cost of Living Index
92.8
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,127/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
54.1 / 100
Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Ohio

Nelsonville
3,816 people
Golf Manor
3,771 people
New Lebanon
3,768 people
Fort McKinley
3,832 people
Wintersville
3,835 people
Amberley
3,838 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Bluffton's 3,799 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Boonsboro, MD
3,799 people
Williamston, MI
3,800 people
Montgomery, NY
3,800 people
Pocono Woodland Lakes, PA
3,800 people
Bunker Hill, TX
3,801 people
Horicon, WI
3,797 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Bluffton's $77,382 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Marquette Heights, IL
$77,386 median income
Canajoharie, NY
$77,375 median income
Hopewell Junction, NY
$77,391 median income
Flushing, MI
$77,372 median income
Coral Terrace, FL
$77,396 median income
Plymouth, NH
$77,368 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Bluffton, OH Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Bluffton, OH - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 88.5% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 1.7% White 88.5% Black or African American 2.4% Asian 3.4% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 2.7% Two or more races 3.0% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Bluffton compares to nearby Ohio cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Bluffton (this city) 3,799 $77,382
Nelsonville 3,816 $42,281
Golf Manor 3,771 $44,598
New Lebanon 3,768 $64,286
Census ACS 5-year FIPS OH NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Bluffton, OH?

What is the population of Bluffton, OH? +

The population of Bluffton, OH stands at 3,799 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Bluffton, OH? +

Median annual household income in Bluffton runs $77,382, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Bluffton? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Bluffton; the closest available measure is the Ohio state average, a cost of living index of 92.8 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Ohio vary by metro area.

What is the median home value in Bluffton, OH? +

Bluffton's median home value sits at $192,500, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.