County · Ohio

Ottawa County, Ohio

Ottawa County, Ohio. Ottawa County had 39,481 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 2.2% since 2020, while Ohio grew 0.9%. It holds 23 places (8 cities, villages and boroughs, 12 towns and townships and 3 census-designated) and 15 census tracts. GEOID 39123.

Ottawa County is one of the 2 counties of the Sandusky, OH metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).

Residents, July 2025 estimate

39,481

Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 40,364 · ACS 2020-2024: 39,994

Median household income

$76,101

±$3,220 (90% margin)
Ohio: $71,389

Median home value

$219,900

±$7,998 (90% margin)
Ohio: $214,800

Median gross rent

$930

±$34 (90% margin)
Ohio: $1,034

How many people live in Ottawa County, and is it growing?

The 2020 Census counted 40,364 residents in Ottawa County. The Census Bureau estimates 39,481 for July 1, 2025, down 2.2% since 2020, while Ohio grew 0.9%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 39,994 over 255 square miles of land.

July 2020→2021 −160 (40,143)
2021→2022 −198 (39,945)
2022→2023 −135 (39,810)
2023→2024 −81 (39,729)
2024→2025 −248 (39,481)

Ottawa County in Ohio. Boundaries: Census Bureau 2024.

Counts, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates, with the change from 2015-2019
Measure	Ottawa County	Ohio	Change since 2015-2019
Total population	39,994	11,810,293	−638
Households	18,504±406	4,863,191	no clear change
Average household size	2.13±0.05	2.37	−0.07
Housing units	28,911±42	5,292,391	+432

Ottawa County's population since 2000

From 40,985 in 2000 to 39,481 in 2025: down 3.7%. 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.

2000 Census 40,985
2005 (estimate) 41,629
2010 Census 41,428
2015 (estimate) 40,761
2020 Census 40,364
2025 (estimate) 39,481

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 Ottawa County?

Ottawa County holds 23 places: 8 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 12 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 3 census-designated places. The largest is Port Clinton with 5,875 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.

Places in Ottawa County, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates. Ring: estimate with a coefficient of variation over 40%.

Port Clinton	city	6,025	5,970±28	$60,909	$152,300	17.5%	100%
Salem Township, Ottawa County	township	5,311	5,267±26	$61,962	$167,600	4.2%	100%
Danbury Township	township	4,924	4,894±18	$75,575	$308,800	6.2%	100%
Clay Township, Ottawa County	township	4,825	4,762±26	$86,250	$159,700	8.1%	100%
Allen Township, Ottawa County	township	3,773	3,738±35	$114,677	$248,200	5.8%	100%
Catawba Island Township	township	3,711	3,671±36	$92,438	$366,400	6.9%	100%
Harris Township	township	2,910	2,902±20	$89,471	$214,900	7.6%	100%
Oak Harbor	village	2,821	2,314±372	$46,211	$142,200	5.7%	100%
Benton Township, Ottawa CountyGEOID 3912305620	township	2,449	2,259±381	$115,660	$240,000	1.3%	100%
Genoa	village	2,232	1,872±398	$65,550	$144,100	7.7%	100%
Carroll Township	township	2,117	1,899±290	$74,625	$205,600	6.2%	100%
Elmore	village	1,370	1,643±259	$84,554	$171,700	6.1%	100%
Curtice	CDP	1,552	1,535±282	$104,226	$282,500	3.8%	82%
Portage Township, Ottawa CountyGEOID 3912364080	township	1,217	1,541±344	$85,325	$218,800	11.9%	100%
Erie Township	township	1,147	1,251±312	$50,046	$171,000	8.6%	100%
Bay TownshipGEOID 3912304304	township	1,142	1,113±261	$65,375	$165,900	12.9%	100%
Marblehead	village	865	876±189	$96,250	$376,400	2.3%	100%
Put-in-Bay Township	township	813	727±145	$71,250	$565,200	21.3%	100%
LakesideGEOID 3941552	CDP	668	508±146	$92,500	$445,200	5.6%	100%
WillistonGEOID 3985442	CDP	439	287±125	$46,731	$161,500	29.4%	100%
Rocky Ridge	village	312	282±141	$78,906	$97,100	10.9%	100%
Clay CenterGEOID 3915588	village	262	388±180	$61,875	$118,400	14.4%	100%
Put-in-BayGEOID 3965032	village	154	126±30	$63,750	$450,000	7.5%	100%

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 Ottawa County?

The median resident of Ottawa County is 50.6 years old; 17.5% are under 18 and 27.7% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 90.3%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 5.3%. 0.8% of residents were born outside the United States.

Age, origin and education, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates. Race groups are non-Hispanic; Hispanic includes any race.
Measure	Ottawa County	Ohio	Change since 2015-2019
Median age	50.6±0.3	39.7	+1.3
Under 18 years	17.5%±0.1 pts	22.0%	–
65 years and over	27.7%±0.4 pts	18.3%	–
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	5.3%	4.8%	+0.3 pts
White alone, not Hispanic	90.3%±0.6 pts	75.8%	−2.0 pts
Black or African American alone, not Hispanic	1.0%±0.3 pts	12.0%	no clear change
Asian alone, not Hispanic	0.4%±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	2.7%±0.7 pts	4.3%	–
Some other race alone, not Hispanic	0.3%±0.1 pts	0.4%	–
Born outside the United States	0.8%±0.2 pts	5.2%	−0.4 pts
Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+)	2.4%±0.5 pts	8.0%	–
Civilian veterans (age 18+)	7.9%±0.9 pts	6.6%	–
With a disability	15.6%±1.1 pts	14.4%	–
No health insurance coverage	3.9%±0.7 pts	6.4%	no clear change
High school graduate or higher (age 25+)	94.4%±1.1 pts	91.8%	–
Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+)	29.5%±1.6 pts	31.5%	+6.4 pts
Graduate or professional degree (age 25+)	11.4%±1.0 pts	12.2%	–
Moved from another state in the past year	1.2%±0.5 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 Ottawa County earn?

Half of Ottawa County's 18,504 households earn less than $76,101 a year (±$3,220), against $71,389 in Ohio. In 2015-2019 it was $72,733 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 8.4% of residents live below the poverty line.

Income and poverty in 2024 dollars, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
Measure	Ottawa County	Ohio	Change since 2015-2019
Median household income	$76,101±$3,220	$71,389	no clear change
Mean household income	$104,812±$12,543	$96,990	–
Per capita income	$49,306±$6,471	$40,552	+$6,773
People below the poverty line	8.4%±1.4 pts	13.3%	no clear change
Children under 18 below the poverty line	9.1%±3.4 pts	17.8%	−7.3 pts
Households receiving SNAP	7.8%±1.3 pts	12.5%	–
Households with a broadband subscription	87.8%±1.9 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 Ottawa County?

Owners occupy 83.6% of Ottawa County's occupied homes and renters 16.4%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $219,900 by its owner (±$7,998). The median renter pays $930 a month including utilities, and 33.4% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.

Housing, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
Measure	Ottawa County	Ohio	Change since 2015-2019
Median home value (owner-occupied)	$219,900±$7,998	$214,800	+$32,835
Median gross rent	$930±$34	$1,034	no clear change
Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent	33.4%±7.2 pts	37.3%	no clear change
Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage	$1,459±$47	$1,517	–
Owner-occupied homes	83.6%±1.9 pts	67.2%	+4.8 pts
Housing units	28,911±42	5,292,391	+432
Homeowner vacancy rate	0.9%±0.5 pts	0.8%	–
Rental vacancy rate	3.2%±2.5 pts	4.4%	–
Single-family detached homes	72.5%±1.7 pts	68.8%	–
Mobile homes	11.4%±1.4 pts	3.4%	–
Built 2020 or later	0.9%±0.3 pts	1.1%	–
Built 1939 or earlier	18.4%±1.4 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 Ottawa County building?

Builders took permits for 161 new housing units across Ottawa County in 2025 (145 single-family), 4.1 per 1,000 residents.

2019 136 units
2020 139 units
2021 172 units
2022 226 units
2023 149 units
2024 126 units
2025 161 units

Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey

How do people in Ottawa County get to work?

81.1% of Ottawa County's workers drive alone and 7.8% work from home. The average trip to work takes 24.8 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.1%.

Work and commuting, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
Measure	Ottawa County	Ohio	Change since 2015-2019
In the labor force (age 16+)	57.3%±1.8 pts	63.1%	–
Unemployment rate	3.1%±0.8 pts	4.8%	no clear change
Drove alone to work	81.1%±2.4 pts	75.1%	–
Carpooled	6.5%±1.8 pts	7.5%	–
Public transportation	0.4%±0.3 pts	1.0%	–
Walked	1.7%±0.6 pts	2.0%	–
Worked from home	7.8%±1.4 pts	13.0%	+3.8 pts
Mean travel time to work	24.8 min±1.9	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 Ottawa County's census tracts?

Ottawa County is divided into 15 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $44,937 (Tract 507) to $114,677 (Tract 511).

Census tracts of Ottawa County, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates; sort by any column

Tract 50139123050100	Put-in-Bay (31%)	813	727±145	$71,250	$565,200	$827	21.3%
Tract 502.0139123050201	–	2,024	1,884±160	$91,250	$350,700	$1,357	5.8%
Tract 502.0239123050202	–	1,687	1,787±155	$93,529	$380,900	$997	8.0%
Tract 503.0139123050301	–	2,761	2,736±251	$72,232	$292,400	$752	7.1%
Tract 503.0239123050302	Lakeside (50%)	2,163	2,158±253	$76,161	$338,600	$1,141	5.0%
Tract 50539123050500	Port Clinton (90%)	2,997	3,275±289	$66,914	$160,200	$941	19.3%
Tract 50639123050600	Port Clinton (81%)	3,179	2,893±350	$60,661	$152,700	$925	13.8%
Tract 50739123050700	Oak Harbor (72%)	3,462	3,104±315	$44,937	$154,600	$846	4.8%
Tract 50839123050800	Oak Harbor (1%)	3,966	4,062±350	$80,527	$207,700	$748	4.6%
Tract 50939123050900	Elmore (15%)	5,359	5,161±381	$102,619	$231,600	$588	4.8%
Tract 51039123051000	Genoa (40%)	4,825	4,762±26	$86,250	$159,700	$929	8.1%
Tract 51139123051100	Curtice (18%)	3,773	3,738±35	$114,677	$248,200	$967	5.8%
Tract 512.0139123051201	Port Clinton (3%)	1,109	1,337±306	$80,083	$145,400	$1,103	13.8%
Tract 512.0239123051202	Port Clinton (3%)	1,729	1,786±308	$51,442	$165,500	$962	11.3%
Tract 512.0339123051203	Port Clinton (14%)	517	584±143	$54,688	$254,100	$919	11.5%

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov

How does Ottawa County compare with Ohio's other counties?

Ottawa County's rank among Ohio's counties with a reliable estimate (1 = highest)
Measure	Rank
Population	62nd of 88
Growth 2020-2025	77th of 88
Residents per square mile	33rd of 88
Median household income	19th of 88
Median home value	23rd of 88
Median gross rent	29th of 88
Poverty rate	77th of 88
Bachelor's degree or higher	20th of 88
Median age	2nd of 88

Every county in Ohio

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 Ottawa 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.