City profile · Ohio · Census ACS 2023

Sandusky, OH

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

24,748
Residents
$47,827
Median income
$104,800
Median home
$1,106
Median rent (state)

Sandusky - the verdict

Nationally, Sandusky sits in the 16th percentile for household income and the 16th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

16th
percentile, household income
11th
percentile, home value
29th
percentile, median rent
16th
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: Sandusky, OH

Sandusky is a small city in Ohio, home to 24,748 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Sandusky households earn a median of $47,827 annually, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 19.2%. Sandusky's housing stock carries a median value of $104,800, and the median resident age is 36.2 years. About 20.5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 58.4% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 13 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Building Boom), up 117% from five years earlier. Sandusky's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: per-100,000 total crime stands at 2977.4 in FBI UCR data, above the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA puts Sandusky's yearly average temperature at 52.0°F with 34.0 inches of precipitation per year.

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 $1,106 per month. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Ohio run around $228, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Workers in Sandusky report an average commute of 17.2 minutes, with 78.4% driving alone and 3.4% working from home. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 61.4 out of 100 (Moderate).

Population

24,748 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Ohio

Median Household Income

$47,827 /yr

Poverty 19.2%

Cost of Living Index (state)

92.8 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Ohio average

How does Sandusky compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 16% higher than other cities
Home value 11% pricier than other cities
Median rent 29% pricier than other cities
Safety 16% safer than other cities

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

Zoom in to just Ohio and the picture shifts: Sandusky ranks #246 of 281 Ohio cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile 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 Sandusky'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.

16thIncome percentile
16thSafety percentile

16th percentile nationally for median household income · 16th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Sandusky's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Sandusky'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
Sandusky'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 Sandusky's home value compares nationally

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

$104,800 Among the most affordable more affordable than 89% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Sandusky $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 - Sandusky, OH Sandusky, OH's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Sandusky, 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 Sandusky, OH median $47,827/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%
Sandusky, 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 Sandusky, OH. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 20.5%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 19.2%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 58.4%

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

Population
24,748
Median Income
$47,827
Median Home Value
$104,800
Median Age
36.2
Poverty Rate
19.2%
Labor force participation
58.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
20.5%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2977.4
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
387.8
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2589.6
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.

Climate

Avg Temperature
52.0°F
Annual Precipitation
34.0"
Annual Snowfall
N/A

Schools

Total Schools
10
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
23,500 residents24,000 residents24,500 residents25,000 residents25,500 residents 202020212022202320242025 25,084 residents 24,001 residents ▼ -4.3%
Sandusky's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
13
housing units authorized
Single-Family
13
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.5
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 6
2020 18
2021 14
2022 20
2023 16
2024 13

Permit volume increased 117% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
17.2 minutes
Drive Alone
78.4%
Carpool
10.9%
Public Transit
2.3%
Walk
3.0%
Work from Home
3.4%
Other
2.0%

Based on 11,269 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 Sandusky sits in

Cost of Living Index
92.8
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,106/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
61.4 / 100
Moderate
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Ohio

Zanesville
24,726 people
Centerville
24,815 people
Barberton
24,977 people
Riverside
24,432 people
Perrysburg
25,065 people
Avon
25,082 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Sandusky's 24,748 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Ardmore, OK
24,757 people
Big Spring, TX
24,769 people
Fort Dodge, IA
24,788 people
Pecan Grove, TX
24,798 people
Yukon, OK
24,802 people
Morton Grove, IL
24,687 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Sandusky's $47,827 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Icard, NC
$47,825 median income
West Peavine, OK
$47,829 median income
Spring Ridge, PA
$47,829 median income
Ponchatoula, LA
$47,821 median income
Brownwood, TX
$47,821 median income
Cumberland, MD
$47,819 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Sandusky, 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 Sandusky, OH - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 64.5% 22.4% 9.8% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 6.2% White 64.5% Black or African American 22.4% Asian 0.5% American Indian 0.2% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 2.7% Two or more races 9.8% 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 Sandusky 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
Sandusky (this city) 24,748 $47,827
Zanesville 24,726 $39,085
Centerville 24,815 $81,500
Barberton 24,977 $48,943
Census ACS 5-year FIPS OH FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Sandusky, OH?

What is the population of Sandusky, OH? +

Sandusky, OH has a population of 24,748 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

The median household income in Sandusky is $47,827 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Sandusky? +

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

Sandusky has a total crime rate of 2977.4 per 100,000 residents, which is above 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 Sandusky, OH? +

A typical home in Sandusky is worth $104,800, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Sandusky? +

Sandusky has an average annual temperature of 52.0°F, 34.0 inches of precipitation. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, 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.