County · Ohio
Lorain County, Ohio
Lorain County, Ohio. Lorain County had 323,219 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 3.3% since 2020, faster than Ohio (+0.9%). It holds 36 places (16 cities, villages and boroughs, 18 towns and townships and 2 census-designated) and 80 census tracts. GEOID 39093.
Lorain 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
323,219
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 312,964 · ACS 2020-2024: 317,129
Median household income
$73,347
±$1,501 (90% margin)
Ohio: $71,389
Median home value
$223,200
±$3,747 (90% margin)
Ohio: $214,800
Median gross rent
$966
±$21 (90% margin)
Ohio: $1,034
How many people live in Lorain County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 312,964 residents in Lorain County. The Census Bureau estimates 323,219 for July 1, 2025, up 3.3% since 2020, faster than Ohio (+0.9%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 317,129 over 491 square miles of land.
| Measure | Lorain County | Ohio | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 317,129 | 11,810,293 | +9,459 |
| Households | 127,544±756 | 4,863,191 | +7,263 |
| Average household size | 2.42±0.01 | 2.37 | −0.06 |
| Housing units | 136,548±129 | 5,292,391 | +5,337 |
Lorain County's population since 2000
From 284,664 in 2000 to 323,219 in 2025: up 13.5%. 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 Lorain County?
Lorain County holds 36 places: 16 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 18 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 2 census-designated places. The largest is Lorain with 65,366 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Lorain | 65,211 | $48,685 |
|---|---|---|
| Elyria | 52,656 | $54,945 |
| North Ridgeville | 35,280 | $96,698 |
| Avon Lake | 25,206 | $115,567 |
| Avon | 24,847 | $135,915 |
| Amherst | 12,681 | $90,725 |
| Sheffield Lake | 8,957 | $69,632 |
| Oberlin | 8,555 | $81,308 |
| Brownhelm Township | 7,877 | $62,452 |
| Columbia Township, Lorain County | 7,411 | $94,393 |
| Carlisle Township | 7,124 | $86,944 |
| LaGrange Township | 6,560 | $90,966 |
| Amherst Township | 6,492 | $82,554 |
| Wellington Township | 6,140 | $71,298 |
| Vermilion | 10,659 | $69,701 |
| Grafton | 5,895 | $90,724 |
| Eaton Township | 5,828 | $77,143 |
| Wellington | 4,799 | $61,578 |
| Sheffield | 4,135 | $107,837 |
| Sheffield Township, Lorain County | 3,963 | $48,433 |
| Elyria Township | 3,250 | $62,179 |
| Grafton Township | 2,789 | $89,946 |
| LaGrange | 2,595 | $94,922 |
| New Russia Township | 2,404 | $82,583 |
| Penfield TownshipGEOID 3909361532 | 1,835 | $98,563 |
| Henrietta Township | 1,779 | $71,597 |
| South Amherst | 1,581 | $86,194 |
| Pittsfield Township | 1,573 | $73,000 |
| Camden Township | 1,508 | $60,156 |
| Pheasant RunGEOID 3962404 | 1,362 | $64,830 |
| Huntington Township, Lorain CountyGEOID 3909336876 | 1,361 | $103,750 |
| Eaton EstatesGEOID 3924262 | 1,155 | $78,564 |
| Brighton TownshipGEOID 3909308770 | 855 | $71,167 |
| Rochester TownshipGEOID 3909367776 | 792 | $90,962 |
| KiptonGEOID 3940544 | 209 | $69,107 |
| RochesterGEOID 3967762 | 159 | $59,861 |
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 Lorain County?
The median resident of Lorain County is 42.1 years old; 21.5% are under 18 and 19.8% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 75.5%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 11.0%. 3.1% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Lorain County | Ohio | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.1±0.2 | 39.7 | +0.3 |
| Under 18 years | 21.5% | 22.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 19.8%±0.1 pts | 18.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 11.0% | 4.8% | +1.0 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 75.5%±0.2 pts | 75.8% | −2.7 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 7.1%±0.4 pts | 12.0% | −0.8 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.4%±0.1 pts | 2.5% | +0.2 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 | 4.5%±0.5 pts | 4.3% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.1 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 3.1%±0.3 pts | 5.2% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 7.8%±0.5 pts | 8.0% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.5%±0.4 pts | 6.6% | – |
| With a disability | 15.3%±0.6 pts | 14.4% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.3%±0.4 pts | 6.4% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 91.8%±0.4 pts | 91.8% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 28.5%±0.8 pts | 31.5% | +3.6 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 10.7%±0.5 pts | 12.2% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.1%±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 Lorain County earn?
Half of Lorain County's 127,544 households earn less than $73,347 a year (±$1,501), against $71,389 in Ohio. In 2015-2019 it was $71,906 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 12.1% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Lorain County | Ohio | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $73,347±$1,501 | $71,389 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $98,714±$2,668 | $96,990 | – |
| Per capita income | $40,798±$1,016 | $40,552 | +$2,735 |
| People below the poverty line | 12.1%±0.7 pts | 13.3% | −1.4 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 17.7%±1.8 pts | 17.8% | −2.9 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 11.4%±0.8 pts | 12.5% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 88.9%±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 Lorain County?
Owners occupy 74.0% of Lorain County's occupied homes and renters 26.0%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $223,200 by its owner (±$3,747). The median renter pays $966 a month including utilities, and 38.7% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Lorain County | Ohio | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $223,200±$3,747 | $214,800 | +$37,981 |
| Median gross rent | $966±$21 | $1,034 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 38.7%±2.4 pts | 37.3% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,525±$26 | $1,517 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 74.0%±0.9 pts | 67.2% | +1.7 pts |
| Housing units | 136,548±129 | 5,292,391 | +5,337 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.7%±0.2 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 7.5%±1.4 pts | 4.4% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 76.4%±0.9 pts | 68.8% | – |
| Mobile homes | 1.9%±0.2 pts | 3.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.7%±0.2 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 13.9%±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 Lorain County building?
Builders took permits for 1,082 new housing units across Lorain County in 2025 (949 single-family), 3.3 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 Lorain County get to work?
77.9% of Lorain County's workers drive alone and 11.7% work from home. The average trip to work takes 25.4 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.3%.
| Measure | Lorain County | Ohio | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 61.1%±0.7 pts | 63.1% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.3%±0.4 pts | 4.8% | −1.2 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 77.9%±1.0 pts | 75.1% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.5%±0.7 pts | 7.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Walked | 1.5%±0.3 pts | 2.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 11.7%±0.7 pts | 13.0% | +8.2 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 25.4 min±0.6 | 23.4 min | +0.8 min |
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 Lorain County's census tracts?
Lorain County is divided into 80 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $19,565 (Tract 973) to $167,636 (Tract 131.02).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Lorain County compare with Ohio's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 9th of 88 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 12th of 88 |
| Residents per square mile | 10th of 88 |
| Median household income | 29th of 88 |
| Median home value | 20th of 88 |
| Median gross rent | 21st of 88 |
| Poverty rate | 52nd of 88 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24th of 88 |
| Median age | 27th 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 Lorain 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.