City profile · Ohio · Census ACS 2023

West Union, OH

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

2,832
Residents
$29,934
Median income
$118,400
Median home
$973
Median rent (state)

West Union - the verdict

West Union ranks in the 3rd percentile for household income nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS.

3rd
percentile, household income
17th
percentile, home value
12th
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: West Union, OH

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 2,832 residents in West Union, a small town within Ohio. West Union households earn a median of $29,934 annually, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 28.1%. West Union's housing stock carries a median value of $118,400, and the median resident age is 42.8 years. Educational attainment runs 13.9% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 37.4% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 5 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Building Boom), up 150% from five years earlier.

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). Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $973 monthly. Monthly utility costs average around $228 across Ohio, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Natural-hazard exposure scores 43.8 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Low).

Population

2,832 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Ohio

Median Household Income

$29,934 /yr

Poverty 28.1%

Cost of Living Index (state)

92.8 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Ohio average

How does West Union compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 3% higher than other cities
Home value 17% pricier than other cities
Median rent 12% 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 West Union against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Ohio only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Ohio-relative analysis

Median Gross Rent places West Union near the bottom of Ohio's cities

Among the 1,196 Ohio cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, West Union ranks #830 - the 0th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares West Union only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#1,132 of 1,145
1st percentile in Ohio
Median Gross Rent
#830 of 1,196
0th percentile in Ohio
Median Home Value
#793 of 1,164
32nd percentile in Ohio
Poverty Rate
#65 of 1,196
95th percentile in Ohio
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#763 of 1,196
36th 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.

3rdIncome percentile

3rd percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How West Union's home value compares nationally

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

$118,400 Among the most affordable more affordable than 83% 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. West Union $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 - West Union, OH West Union, OH's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not West Union, 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 West Union, OH median $29,934/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%
West Union, 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 West Union, OH. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 13.9%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 28.1%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 37.4%

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

Population
2,832
Median Income
$29,934
Median Home Value
$118,400
Median Age
42.8
Poverty Rate
28.1%
Labor force participation
37.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
13.9%

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 →
2,950 residents3,000 residents3,050 residents3,100 residents3,150 residents 202020212022202320242025 3,003 residents 3,091 residents ▲ +2.9%
West Union's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
5
housing units authorized
Single-Family
5
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1.8
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 2
2020 1
2021 3
2022 24
2023 14
2024 5

Permit volume increased 150% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
80.8%
Carpool
8.2%
Public Transit
1.2%
Walk
3.3%
Work from Home
6.5%

Based on 806 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 West Union 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
43.8 / 100
Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Ohio

North Zanesville
2,836 people
Sabina
2,842 people
Arcanum
2,850 people
St. Henry
2,812 people
South Bloomfield
2,808 people
Garrettsville
2,806 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to West Union's 2,832 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Roman Forest, TX
2,832 people
Ithaca, MI
2,831 people
Dannemora, NY
2,831 people
Ford City, PA
2,833 people
Almont, MI
2,830 people
Hickman, NE
2,834 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to West Union's $29,934 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Walker, MO
$29,922 median income
Tallaboa comunidad, PR
$29,917 median income
Temple, OK
$29,914 median income
Palmona Park, FL
$29,912 median income
Carrollton, AL
$29,957 median income
Lake Ellsworth Addition, OK
$29,904 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - West Union, 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 West Union, OH - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 95.2% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 1.1% White 95.2% Black or African American 0.5% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 1.1% Two or more races 3.3% 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 West Union 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
West Union (this city) 2,832 $29,934
North Zanesville 2,836 $104,725
Sabina 2,842 $45,957
Arcanum 2,850 $52,380
Census ACS 5-year FIPS OH NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about West Union, OH?

What is the population of West Union, OH? +

The population of West Union, OH stands at 2,832 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in West Union, OH? +

The median household income in West Union is $29,934 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in West Union? +

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

Homes in West Union carry a median value of $118,400, 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.