Lake
Ohio

What stands out

If you had to describe Lake County in numbers, start here: winter sunshine is in the bottom 3% of American counties (-1.8 on the USDA scale), the property tax rate is in the top 8% of American counties (1.73%), and the uninsured rate is in the bottom 13% of American counties (6.3%). Within Ohio it ranks 8th of 88 counties for winter sunshine, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Lake County, Ohio. 232,236 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.0% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +277).

Ohio has a flat 2.75% income tax on income over $26,050 and exempts Social Security. Cities and school districts can add their own income taxes, so the total rate depends on the municipality. Home prices are well below the national average in all three major metros. Ohio has allowed permitless concealed carry since June 2022 and legalized recreational marijuana by ballot in 2023.

Money

The typical household here brings in $76,835 a year, higher than 84% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $59,040. Unemployment runs 4.3%, higher than 77% of American counties. 11% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 21 minutes each way.

Ohio takes 1.8% of that median income in state income tax, about $1,397 a year.

Home

The median home costs $250K, pricier than 56% of American counties, about 1.9 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,048 a month. Property tax is 1.73% of home value, roughly $3,286 a year on that median home, higher than 92% of American counties. 75% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.5 per 1,000 residents, lower than 69% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 21 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 77.5 years, longer than 69% of American counties. There are 353 active physicians in the county, about 15.2 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 3.0 of 5 stars. 6.3% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.17 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 66% of American counties. 94% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 5 points. 73% of eligible voters turned out. Under Ohio law you can carry a concealed handgun without a permit, abortion is protected by state law, and marijuana is legal for adults.

Weather and risk

The year averages 50°F, highs near 59 and lows near 41, colder than 74% of American counties. About 40 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 56 out of 100, riskier than 57% of American counties; the county has had 15 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 277 Mbps down, faster than 87% of American counties. There are 5 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.8 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 6 breweries, 5 museums, 1 National Park Service site.