County · Ohio
Lake County, Ohio
Lake County, Ohio. Lake County had 232,217 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 0.1% since 2020, while Ohio grew 0.9%. It holds 23 places (18 cities, villages and boroughs, 4 towns and townships and 1 census-designated) and 60 census tracts. GEOID 39085.
Lake County is one of the 6 counties of the Cleveland, OH metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
232,217
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 232,603 · ACS 2020-2024: 232,216
Median household income
$80,925
±$2,084 (90% margin)
Ohio: $71,389
Median home value
$214,100
±$3,838 (90% margin)
Ohio: $214,800
Median gross rent
$1,113
±$21 (90% margin)
Ohio: $1,034
How many people live in Lake County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 232,603 residents in Lake County. The Census Bureau estimates 232,217 for July 1, 2025, down 0.1% since 2020, while Ohio grew 0.9%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 232,216 over 229 square miles of land.
| Measure | Lake County | Ohio | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 232,216 | 11,810,293 | +2,262 |
| Households | 101,144±664 | 4,863,191 | +4,783 |
| Average household size | 2.27±0.01 | 2.37 | −0.08 |
| Housing units | 106,331±82 | 5,292,391 | +3,367 |
Lake County's population since 2000
From 227,511 in 2000 to 232,217 in 2025: up 2.1%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Lake County?
Lake County holds 23 places: 18 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 4 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Mentor with 47,010 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Mentor | 47,450 | $88,949 |
|---|---|---|
| Willoughby | 23,959 | $71,309 |
| Painesville | 20,312 | $51,516 |
| Concord Township, Lake County | 19,254 | $121,527 |
| Madison Township, Lake County | 18,492 | $73,533 |
| Eastlake | 17,670 | $62,072 |
| Willowick | 14,204 | $77,228 |
| Wickliffe | 12,652 | $81,750 |
| Willoughby Hills | 10,019 | $67,214 |
| Perry Township, Lake County | 8,862 | $103,882 |
| North Madison | 8,188 | $67,711 |
| Mentor-on-the-Lake | 7,131 | $67,188 |
| Kirtland | 6,937 | $110,455 |
| Madison | 3,435 | $94,928 |
| Leroy Township | 3,128 | $114,250 |
| Fairport Harbor | 3,108 | $52,308 |
| Perry | 1,602 | $93,917 |
| North Perry | 915 | $98,611 |
| Kirtland Hills | 692 | $239,688 |
| Timberlake | 629 | $81,375 |
| Waite Hill | 543 | $163,750 |
| Grand River | 394 | $78,947 |
| Lakeline | 216 | $72,083 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Lake County?
The median resident of Lake County is 44.1 years old; 19.3% are under 18 and 21.7% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 84.2%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 5.3%. 5.4% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Lake County | Ohio | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 44.1±0.1 | 39.7 | +0.3 |
| Under 18 years | 19.3%±0.1 pts | 22.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 21.7%±0.1 pts | 18.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 5.3% | 4.8% | +0.9 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 84.2%±0.4 pts | 75.8% | −4.0 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 4.7%±0.2 pts | 12.0% | +0.6 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.5%±0.1 pts | 2.5% | +0.3 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.8%±0.5 pts | 4.3% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.2 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 5.4%±0.5 pts | 5.2% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 8.3%±0.6 pts | 8.0% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.1%±0.4 pts | 6.6% | – |
| With a disability | 14.0%±0.6 pts | 14.4% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 4.5%±0.5 pts | 6.4% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 94.4%±0.5 pts | 91.8% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 31.6%±1.0 pts | 31.5% | +4.2 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 11.2%±0.7 pts | 12.2% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.9%±0.2 pts | 1.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Lake County earn?
Half of Lake County's 101,144 households earn less than $80,925 a year (±$2,084), against $71,389 in Ohio. In 2015-2019 it was $79,338 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 8.3% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Lake County | Ohio | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $80,925±$2,084 | $71,389 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $102,598±$1,956 | $96,990 | – |
| Per capita income | $45,279±$889 | $40,552 | +$2,932 |
| People below the poverty line | 8.3%±0.8 pts | 13.3% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 12.6%±2.2 pts | 17.8% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 7.5%±0.8 pts | 12.5% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 92.8%±0.7 pts | 90.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Lake County?
Owners occupy 75.8% of Lake County's occupied homes and renters 24.2%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $214,100 by its owner (±$3,838). The median renter pays $1,113 a month including utilities, and 38.4% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Lake County | Ohio | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $214,100±$3,838 | $214,800 | +$21,866 |
| Median gross rent | $1,113±$21 | $1,034 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 38.4%±3.0 pts | 37.3% | +8.1 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,500±$25 | $1,517 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 75.8%±0.9 pts | 67.2% | +1.6 pts |
| Housing units | 106,331±82 | 5,292,391 | +3,367 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.3%±0.2 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.3%±0.8 pts | 4.4% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 72.0%±1.0 pts | 68.8% | – |
| Mobile homes | 1.9%±0.3 pts | 3.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.2%±0.2 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 9.6%±0.7 pts | 19.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Lake County building?
Builders took permits for 426 new housing units across Lake County in 2025 (409 single-family), 1.8 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Lake County get to work?
76.5% of Lake County's workers drive alone and 13.6% work from home. The average trip to work takes 23.1 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.9%.
| Measure | Lake County | Ohio | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 65.8%±0.6 pts | 63.1% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.9%±0.4 pts | 4.8% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 76.5%±1.2 pts | 75.1% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.3%±0.8 pts | 7.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.5%±0.2 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Walked | 1.1%±0.3 pts | 2.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 13.6%±0.9 pts | 13.0% | +9.5 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 23.1 min±0.5 | 23.4 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Lake County's census tracts?
Lake County is divided into 60 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $42,837 (Tract 2044) to $139,382 (Tract 2051).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Lake County compare with Ohio's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 11th of 88 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 43rd of 88 |
| Residents per square mile | 7th of 88 |
| Median household income | 13th of 88 |
| Median home value | 24th of 88 |
| Median gross rent | 9th of 88 |
| Poverty rate | 78th of 88 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16th of 88 |
| Median age | 11th of 88 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Lake County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.