City profile · Ohio · Census ACS 2023

Wooster, OH

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

27,012
Residents
$65,888
Median income
$198,400
Median home
$1,041
Median rent (state)

Wooster - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Wooster places in the 44th percentile for household income and the 25th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

44th
percentile, household income
42nd
percentile, home value
24th
percentile, median rent
25th
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: Wooster, OH

Ohio's Wooster is a small city, with 27,012 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. The typical household in Wooster brings in $65,888 a year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 5.0%. Home values in Wooster run a median of $198,400, and the median resident age is 39.0 years. About 34.4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 59.6% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 123 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Building Boom), up 435% from five years earlier. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: FBI UCR figures show 2351.1 crimes per 100,000 residents, near the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score). NOAA puts Wooster's yearly average temperature at 50.2°F with 41.3 inches of precipitation per year.

Living costs in Ohio run below the national norm: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Ohio scores 92.8 (Below Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,041 per month. Monthly utility costs average around $228 across Ohio, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Workers in Wooster report an average commute of 16.1 minutes, with 74.4% driving alone and 7.7% working from home. Natural-hazard exposure scores 64.9 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Moderate).

Population

27,012 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Ohio

Median Household Income

$65,888 /yr

Poverty 5.0%

Cost of Living Index (state)

92.8 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Ohio average

How does Wooster compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 44% higher than other cities
Home value 42% pricier than other cities
Median rent 24% pricier than other cities
Safety 25% 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, Wooster ranks #230 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 Wooster'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.

44thIncome percentile
25thSafety percentile

44th percentile nationally for median household income · 25th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Wooster's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Wooster'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 45 Avg. percentile National median
Wooster'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 Wooster's home value compares nationally

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

$198,400 Among the most affordable more affordable than 58% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Wooster $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 - Wooster, OH Wooster, OH's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Wooster, 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 Wooster, OH median $65,888/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%
Wooster, 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 Wooster, OH. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 34.4%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 5.0%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 59.6%

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

Population
27,012
Median Income
$65,888
Median Home Value
$198,400
Median Age
39.0
Poverty Rate
5.0%
Labor force participation
59.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
34.4%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2351.1
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
285.5
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2065.6
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
50.2°F
Annual Precipitation
41.3"
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 →
26,500 residents27,000 residents27,500 residents 202020212022202320242025 27,243 residents 27,115 residents ▼ -0.5%
Wooster's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
123
housing units authorized
Single-Family
77
detached homes
Multifamily
46
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
4.6
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 23
2020 86
2021 21
2022 39
2023 49
2024 123

Permit volume increased 435% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
16.1 minutes
Drive Alone
74.4%
Carpool
9.4%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
7.6%
Work from Home
7.7%
Other
0.9%

Based on 13,168 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 Wooster sits in

Cost of Living Index
92.8
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,041/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
64.9 / 100
Moderate
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Ohio

Kent
27,190 people
Troy
26,716 people
Green
27,381 people
Marysville
26,540 people
Medina
26,040 people
Xenia
25,555 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Wooster's 27,012 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Belmont, MA
27,009 people
Sun City West, AZ
27,003 people
Lemoore, CA
27,023 people
Fulshear, TX
26,986 people
Ossining, NY
26,979 people
Waukee, IA
26,974 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Wooster's $65,888 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Tull, AR
$65,893 median income
Altenburg, MO
$65,893 median income
Winchester, NH
$65,893 median income
Nittany, PA
$65,893 median income
Corsica, SD
$65,893 median income
Darien, WI
$65,893 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Wooster, 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 Wooster, OH - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 88.1% 6.2% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 3.1% White 88.1% Black or African American 2.6% Asian 1.9% American Indian 0.1% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 1.1% Two or more races 6.2% 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 Wooster 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
Wooster (this city) 27,012 $65,888
Kent 27,190 $42,524
Troy 26,716 $70,450
Green 27,381 $92,653
Census ACS 5-year FIPS OH FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Wooster, OH?

What is the population of Wooster, OH? +

Wooster, OH counts 27,012 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Median annual household income in Wooster runs $65,888, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Wooster? +

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

Wooster has a total crime rate of 2351.1 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 Wooster, OH? +

Homes in Wooster carry a median value of $198,400, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Wooster? +

Wooster has an average annual temperature of 50.2°F, 41.3 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

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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.