Stark
Ohio

What stands out

If you had to describe Stark County in numbers, start here: winter sunshine is in the bottom 6% of American counties (-1.5 on the USDA scale) and the overdose death rate is in the top 15% of American counties (29 per 100,000). Within Ohio it ranks 29th of 88 counties for winter sunshine, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Stark County, Ohio. 374,199 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.0% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +403).

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 $63,130 a year, higher than 58% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $54,631. Unemployment runs 4.0%, higher than 70% of American counties. 9% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 20 minutes each way.

Ohio takes 1.6% of that median income in state income tax, about $1,020 a year.

Home

The median home costs $220K, cheaper than 56% of American counties, about 2.0 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $841 a month. Property tax is 1.37% of home value, roughly $2,257 a year on that median home, higher than 80% of American counties. 68% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.9 per 1,000 residents, higher than 50% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 29 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 75.4 years, shorter than 55% of American counties. There are 1,116 active physicians in the county, about 29.8 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 3.7 of 5 stars. 7.4% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.14 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 66% of American counties. 93% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 13 points. 66% 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 61 and lows near 40, colder than 73% of American counties. About 36 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 82 out of 100, riskier than 82% of American counties; the county has had 12 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 213 Mbps down, faster than 56% of American counties. There are 10 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.6 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 8 breweries, 9 museums, 1 National Park Service site.