City profile · Ohio · Census ACS 2023

Bowling Green, OH

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

30,051
Residents
$46,719
Median income
$217,300
Median home
$1,076
Median rent (state)

Bowling Green - the verdict

Nationally, Bowling Green sits in the 15th percentile for household income and the 63rd percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

15th
percentile, household income
48th
percentile, home value
26th
percentile, median rent
63rd
percentile, safety
📝 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: Bowling Green, OH

Bowling Green is a small city in Ohio, home to 30,051 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Bowling Green brings in $46,719 a year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 12.9%. Typical homes in Bowling Green are valued around $217,300, and the median resident age is 23.6 years. About 47.0% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 60.7% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Bowling Green reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR figures show 1026.8 crimes per 100,000 residents, below the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score).

Living costs in Ohio run below the national norm: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Ohio at 92.8 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Below Average). HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,076 per month. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Ohio's average monthly utility costs around $228 (state average). Natural-hazard exposure scores 65.7 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Moderate).

Population

30,051 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Ohio

Median Household Income

$46,719 /yr

Poverty 12.9%

Cost of Living Index (state)

92.8 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Ohio average

How does Bowling Green compare to other US cities?

Bowling Green measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 15% higher than other cities
Home value 48% pricier than other cities
Median rent 26% pricier than other cities
Safety 63% safer than other cities

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

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at Ohio, Bowling Green ranks #118 of 281 Ohio cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Bowling Green 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 is Bowling Green's strongest outlier among Ohio cities

Among the 1,196 Ohio cities PlainCities tracks with reported bachelor's degree or higher data, Bowling Green ranks #121 - the 90th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Bowling Green only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#982 of 1,145
14th percentile in Ohio
Median Gross Rent
#581 of 1,196
48th percentile in Ohio
Median Home Value
#260 of 1,164
78th percentile in Ohio
Poverty Rate
#324 of 1,196
72nd percentile in Ohio
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#121 of 1,196
90th 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.

15thIncome percentile
63rdSafety percentile

15th percentile nationally for median household income · 63rd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Bowling Green's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Bowling Green's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 47 Avg. percentile National median
Bowling Green's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Bowling Green's home value compares nationally

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

$217,300 Among the most affordable more affordable than 52% 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%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Bowling Green $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 - Bowling Green, OH Bowling Green, OH's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Bowling Green, 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 Bowling Green, OH median $46,719/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%
Bowling Green, 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 Bowling Green, OH. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 47.0%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 12.9%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 60.7%

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

Population
30,051
Median Income
$46,719
Median Home Value
$217,300
Median Age
23.6
Poverty Rate
12.9%
Labor force participation
60.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
47.0%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1026.8
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
69.3
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
957.5
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
8
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
28,000 residents29,000 residents30,000 residents31,000 residents32,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 30,796 residents 31,182 residents ▲ +1.3%
Bowling Green's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
73.1%
Carpool
7.0%
Public Transit
0.7%
Walk
8.6%
Work from Home
9.9%
Other
0.7%

Based on 14,913 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 Bowling Green sits in

Cost of Living Index
92.8
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,076/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
65.7 / 100
Moderate
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Ohio

Austintown
30,215 people
Garfield Heights
29,369 people
North Royalton
31,013 people
Shaker Heights
29,004 people
North Olmsted
32,031 people
Massillon
32,177 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Bowling Green's 30,051 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

McDonough, GA
30,056 people
Ruskin, FL
30,074 people
Summerlin South, NV
30,075 people
Drexel Hill, PA
30,015 people
Matthews, NC
29,959 people
Fridley, MN
29,944 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Bowling Green's $46,719 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Mammoth, AZ
$46,719 median income
Oakfield, ME
$46,719 median income
Freeburg, MO
$46,719 median income
Bardwell, KY
$46,711 median income
Hartwell, GA
$46,729 median income
Aurora, IN
$46,733 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Bowling Green, 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 Bowling Green, OH - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 84.8% 7.0% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 6.6% White 84.8% Black or African American 5.0% Asian 1.4% American Indian 0.3% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 1.5% Two or more races 7.0% 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 Bowling Green 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
Bowling Green (this city) 30,051 $46,719
Austintown 30,215 $50,855
Garfield Heights 29,369 $52,006
North Royalton 31,013 $81,810
Census ACS 5-year FIPS OH FBI UCR NCES CCD OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Bowling Green, OH?

What is the population of Bowling Green, OH? +

The population of Bowling Green, OH stands at 30,051 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Bowling Green, OH? +

Median annual household income in Bowling Green runs $46,719, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Bowling Green? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Bowling Green; 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.

Is Bowling Green, OH safe? +

Bowling Green has a total crime rate of 1026.8 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Bowling Green, OH? +

Bowling Green's median home value sits at $217,300, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, 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.