City profile · Ohio · Census ACS 2023

Nelsonville, OH

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

3,816
Residents
$42,281
Median income
$90,700
Median home
$1,092
Median rent (state)

Nelsonville - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Nelsonville places in the 10th percentile for household income and the 19th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

10th
percentile, household income
7th
percentile, home value
28th
percentile, median rent
19th
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: Nelsonville, OH

3,816 people live in Nelsonville, Ohio - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Nelsonville brings in $42,281 a year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 12.8%. Home values in Nelsonville run a median of $90,700, and the median resident age is 29.4 years. 13.4% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 47.4% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Crime here tracks close to the national norm: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 2715.9 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, near the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Living costs in Ohio run below the national norm: the state registers 92.8 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Below Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,092 monthly. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Ohio's average monthly utility costs around $228 (state average). On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 68.7 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Moderate).

Population

3,816 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Ohio

Median Household Income

$42,281 /yr

Poverty 12.8%

Cost of Living Index (state)

92.8 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Ohio average

How does Nelsonville compare to other US cities?

Here's how Nelsonville stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 10% higher than other cities
Home value 7% pricier than other cities
Median rent 28% pricier than other cities
Safety 19% 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, Nelsonville ranks #241 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

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Nelsonville's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Ohio, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

10thIncome percentile
19thSafety percentile

10th percentile nationally for median household income · 19th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Nelsonville's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Nelsonville'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 37 Avg. percentile National median
Nelsonville'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 Nelsonville's home value compares nationally

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

$90,700 Among the most affordable more affordable than 93% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Above this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $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. Nelsonville $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 - Nelsonville, OH Nelsonville, OH's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Nelsonville, 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 Nelsonville, OH median $42,281/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%
Nelsonville, 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 Nelsonville, OH. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 13.4%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 12.8%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 47.4%

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

Population
3,816
Median Income
$42,281
Median Home Value
$90,700
Median Age
29.4
Poverty Rate
12.8%
Labor force participation
47.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
13.4%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2715.9
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
155.8
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2560.1
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
4
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
4,450 residents4,500 residents4,550 residents4,600 residents4,650 residents 202020212022202320242025 4,592 residents 4,488 residents ▼ -2.3%
Nelsonville's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
81.6%
Carpool
7.0%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
6.7%
Work from Home
3.6%
Other
1.1%

Based on 1,410 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 Nelsonville sits in

Cost of Living Index
92.8
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,092/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
68.7 / 100
Moderate
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Ohio

Fort McKinley
3,832 people
Bluffton
3,799 people
Wintersville
3,835 people
Amberley
3,838 people
Mulberry
3,850 people
Bellaire
3,852 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Nelsonville's 3,816 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Merchantville, NJ
3,815 people
Unicoi, TN
3,815 people
Booneville, AR
3,814 people
St. Anthony, ID
3,818 people
Malden, MO
3,818 people
Troutman, NC
3,813 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Nelsonville's $42,281 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Carl, GA
$42,281 median income
Forest Park, GA
$42,286 median income
Earl, NC
$42,287 median income
Alderson, OK
$42,292 median income
Central, TN
$42,292 median income
Hillsboro, WV
$42,292 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Nelsonville, 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 Nelsonville, OH - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 92.2% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 4.0% White 92.2% Black or African American 5.0% Asian 0.2% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.0% Two or more races 2.5% 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 Nelsonville 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
Nelsonville (this city) 3,816 $42,281
Fort McKinley 3,832 $47,176
Bluffton 3,799 $77,382
Wintersville 3,835 $74,648
Census ACS 5-year FIPS OH FBI UCR NCES CCD OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Nelsonville, OH?

What is the population of Nelsonville, OH? +

Nelsonville, OH counts 3,816 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

In Nelsonville, the typical household earns $42,281 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Nelsonville? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Nelsonville; 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 Nelsonville, OH safe? +

Nelsonville has a total crime rate of 2715.9 per 100,000 residents, which is near 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 Nelsonville, OH? +

Homes in Nelsonville carry a median value of $90,700, 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 Editorial

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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.