City profile · Ohio · Census ACS 2023

Norwalk, OH

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

17,054
Residents
$58,940
Median income
$156,000
Median home
$973
Median rent (state)

Norwalk - the verdict

Norwalk ranks in the 34th percentile for household income and the 79th percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

34th
percentile, household income
29th
percentile, home value
12th
percentile, median rent
79th
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: Norwalk, OH

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 17,054 residents in Norwalk, a small town within Ohio. Norwalk households earn a median of $58,940 annually, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 10.2%. Home values in Norwalk run a median of $156,000, and the median resident age is 39.7 years. About 20.3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 58.0% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 10 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Building Boom), up 67% from five years earlier. Norwalk reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 652.5 incidents per 100,000 residents, below the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects 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. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $973 per month statewide. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Ohio run around $228, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 50.3 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Low).

Population

17,054 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Ohio

Median Household Income

$58,940 /yr

Poverty 10.2%

Cost of Living Index (state)

92.8 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Ohio average

How does Norwalk compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 34% higher than other cities
Home value 29% pricier than other cities
Median rent 12% pricier than other cities
Safety 79% safer than other cities

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

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Ohio alone, Norwalk ranks #66 of 281 Ohio cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

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 Norwalk'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.

34thIncome percentile
79thSafety percentile

34th percentile nationally for median household income · 79th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Norwalk's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Norwalk'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 64 Avg. percentile National median
Norwalk'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 Norwalk's home value compares nationally

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

$156,000 Among the most affordable more affordable than 71% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Norwalk $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 - Norwalk, OH Norwalk, OH's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Norwalk, 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 Norwalk, OH median $58,940/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%
Norwalk, 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 Norwalk, OH. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 20.3%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 10.2%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 58.0%

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

Population
17,054
Median Income
$58,940
Median Home Value
$156,000
Median Age
39.7
Poverty Rate
10.2%
Labor force participation
58.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
20.3%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
652.5
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
40.8
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
611.7
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
6
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
16,900 residents17,000 residents17,100 residents17,200 residents17,300 residents 202020212022202320242025 17,030 residents 17,191 residents ▲ +0.9%
Norwalk's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
10
housing units authorized
Single-Family
10
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.6
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 6
2020 9
2021 104
2022 61
2023 43
2024 10

Permit volume increased 67% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
82.6%
Carpool
10.0%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.8%
Work from Home
5.6%
Other
1.0%

Based on 7,780 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 Norwalk sits in

Cost of Living Index
92.8
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$973/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
50.3 / 100
Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Ohio

Fairview Park
17,049 people
Defiance
16,830 people
Mount Vernon
16,802 people
Aurora
17,386 people
Streetsboro
17,514 people
Eastlake
17,538 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Norwalk's 17,054 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

New Port Richey, FL
17,057 people
Safety Harbor, FL
17,040 people
Aberdeen, WA
17,040 people
Pendleton, OR
17,070 people
Ferndale, MD
17,076 people
Oswego, NY
17,028 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Norwalk's $58,940 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Zebulon, NC
$58,940 median income
Mendota, IL
$58,939 median income
Isabel, KS
$58,938 median income
Garland, NC
$58,938 median income
Petersburg, TN
$58,942 median income
New Albin, IA
$58,936 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Norwalk, 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 Norwalk, OH - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 89.2% 7.5% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 8.5% White 89.2% Black or African American 1.3% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 1.9% Two or more races 7.5% 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 Norwalk 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
Norwalk (this city) 17,054 $58,940
Fairview Park 17,049 $77,688
Defiance 16,830 $63,118
Mount Vernon 16,802 $54,335
Census ACS 5-year FIPS OH FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Norwalk, OH?

What is the population of Norwalk, OH? +

The population of Norwalk, OH stands at 17,054 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

The median household income in Norwalk is $58,940 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Norwalk? +

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

Norwalk has a total crime rate of 652.5 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 Norwalk, OH? +

Homes in Norwalk carry a median value of $156,000, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Verify with HUD →

Verify with FBI →

Verify with NOAA →

Verify with U.S. Census Bureau →

Verify with EPA →

Verify with FEMA →

Verify with BEA →

Verify with EIA →

Verify with NCES →

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.