Ottawa
Ohio

What stands out

What stands out about Ottawa County: the school test score is in the top 6% of American counties (3.46 where 3.0 is grade level), the restaurant count per person is in the top 7% of American counties (1.4 per 1,000), and unemployment is in the top 8% of American counties (5.2%). Within Ohio it ranks 6th of 88 counties for the school test score.

Where you are

You live in Ottawa County, Ohio. 40,367 people live here with you. The population shrank 0.4% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +114).

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 $69,515 a year, higher than 73% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $53,467. Unemployment runs 5.2%, higher than 92% of American counties. 6% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 23 minutes each way.

Ohio takes 1.7% of that median income in state income tax, about $1,195 a year.

Home

The median home costs $273K, pricier than 62% of American counties, about 1.9 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $862 a month. Property tax is 1.11% of home value, roughly $1,992 a year on that median home, higher than 67% of American counties. 82% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.6 per 1,000 residents, lower than 67% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 30 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 77.3 years, longer than 68% of American counties. There are 56 active physicians in the county, about 13.9 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 3.0 of 5 stars. 6.9% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.41 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 94% of American counties. 93% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 16 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 52°F, highs near 60 and lows near 43, colder than 68% of American counties. About 30 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 46 out of 100, safer than 54% of American counties; the county has had 13 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 213 Mbps down, faster than 56% of American counties. There are 8 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 1.4 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 2 breweries, 5 museums, 1 National Park Service site.