1st Advantage MortgageIn Brown County, Ohio, the typical household earns $71,270 a year and the typical rent is $817. Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- Brown County by the numbers
- Income in Brown County compared with Ohio
- What it costs to live in Brown County
- Jobs and commutes in Brown County
- Places inside Brown County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- A Brown County household budget, worked through
- What the numbers mean for Brown County borrowers
- People and households in Brown County
- Checklist for Brown County applicants
- Ohio rules that apply in Brown County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Brown County by the numbers
Roughly 43,845 residents live in Brown County, Ohio, 55th by population among the state's 88 counties and county equivalents. Land area is 490 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 90 per square mile. It is one of the counties that make up the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metropolitan statistical area (OMB, 2023). The Census Bureau counts 12 places in the county (9 incorporated, 3 census-designated); the largest is Mount Orab, with about 4,987 residents, or 11% of the county.
Income in Brown County compared with Ohio
At $71,270, the typical Brown County household income is 9% above the median U.S. county ($65,681). That places it 37th among Ohio's 88 county-level areas.
| Household income | Brown County | vs Ohio |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 25.8% | +2.0 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.0% | +1.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 24.3% | -1.2 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.9% | -2.2 pts |
Some 26% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 31% have six-figure incomes. Census counts 19.6% of Brown County residents in poverty, against 13.3% across Ohio. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.453 here. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
What it costs to live in Brown County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $817 in Brown County versus $1,034 statewide. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 49% of renter households here. Home values center on $196,200, or 2.8 years of median income. 77% of Brown County households own their home and 23% rent. Median construction year: 1982.
| Brown County | Ohio | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $817/mo | $1,034/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $196,200 | $214,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 77% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 49% | 46% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 23% | 21% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 14.9% | 3.4% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 12% | 8% | n/a |
Because most Brown County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral.
Jobs and commutes in Brown County
By the Census industry count, 21% of employed Brown County residents work in education and health care and 14% in manufacturing. Construction stands out: 9% of workers here, versus 6% statewide. Averaged over the five survey years, 4.9% of the labor force was out of work and looking. Long commutes are common here: 33% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. Only 5.9% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Top industries | Brown County share | +/- vs Ohio |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 21.2% | -3.1 pts |
| Manufacturing | 14.5% | -0.2 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.6% | +0.5 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 9.1% | -1.2 pts |
| Construction | 8.5% | +2.6 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 8.1% | +2.1 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Places inside Brown County
Here are the 12 most populous of the county's 12 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 42% of Brown County residents live in one of the 12. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $41,607 in Georgetown to $114,201 in Lake Lorelei. No Brown County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 12.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Orab | village | 4,987 | $58,347 | $805 | 7 mi |
| Georgetown | village | 3,899 | $41,607 | $760 | 5 mi |
| Lake Lorelei | CDP | 1,746 | $114,201 | n/a | 19 mi |
| Ripley | village | 1,610 | $49,006 | $745 | 14 mi |
| Aberdeen | village | 1,517 | $45,484 | $588 | 19 mi |
| Lake Waynoka | CDP | 1,266 | $82,434 | n/a | 5 mi |
| Sardinia | village | 1,138 | $58,438 | $653 | 6 mi |
| Hamersville | village | 918 | $66,554 | $884 | 6 mi |
| Russellville | village | 717 | $65,268 | $787 | 6 mi |
| Fayetteville | village | 324 | $85,417 | $863 | 18 mi |
| Higginsport | village | 278 | $53,125 | $619 | 11 mi |
| St. Martin | CDP | 171 | $55,962 | n/a | 19 mi |
Neighboring counties at a glance
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (17 to 28 miles). Income ranges from $50,264 in Adams County to $85,510 in Clermont County; 2 of these neighbors top Brown County's median. Some neighbors are in Kentucky. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Brown County resident follows Ohio rules.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brown County | - | $71,270 | $817/mo | 77% |
| Clermont County, OH | 17 mi | $85,510 | $1,107/mo | 74% |
| Bracken County, KY | 22 mi | $66,319 | $756/mo | 79% |
| Adams County, OH | 22 mi | $50,264 | $732/mo | 72% |
| Highland County, OH | 23 mi | $65,785 | $780/mo | 74% |
| Mason County, KY | 23 mi | $52,178 | $727/mo | 66% |
| Campbell County, KY | 28 mi | $77,567 | $1,145/mo | 71% |
A Brown County household budget, worked through
How much room does a median Brown County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- $5,939 a month: gross income for a household at the Brown County median
- Less median rent of $817, which is 14% of it
- With a 40% ceiling, about $1,559 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
What the numbers mean for Brown County borrowers
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Brown County borrowers.
- Vehicle repairs. 33% of Brown County workers commute 45+ minutes, so a breakdown can cost a paycheck. Get two written estimates.
- Repairs on manufactured housing. With 15% of homes here, compare a personal loan with any dealer or park repair program.
- 20% below poverty. Emergency aid, payment plans and counseling (list) come first.
- Tight rental budgets. With 49% of Brown County renters cost-burdened, test a new payment against a lean month.
People and households in Brown County
College graduates make up 16% of the adult population. 6.4% of residents have no health coverage.
| Measure | Brown County | Ohio statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.5 | 39.7 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 15.7% | 31.5% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 12.7% | 8.2% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 6.4% | 6.4% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.9% | 7.5% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 6.5% | 13.0% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 19.6% | 13.3% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.9% | 4.8% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Brown County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 18.5% |
| 15 to 29 min | 25.4% |
| 30 to 44 min | 23.2% |
| 45 to 59 min | 13.7% |
| 60+ min | 19.2% |
Checklist for Brown County applicants
Quick steps for Brown County:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- A Ohio license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
Ohio rules that apply in Brown County
The Ohio Division of Financial Institutions is the place to verify any lender's Ohio license. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. The Ohio guide covers state rules in more detail.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Ohio guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Brown County?
$71,270 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $71,389 for Ohio. It ranks 37th of 88 in the state.
Is Brown County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $817 against $1,034 statewide, and 49% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Should Brown County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 77% of Brown County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
What are the biggest places in Brown County?
By population: Mount Orab, Georgetown, Lake Lorelei, Ripley, Aberdeen. The county has 12 Census places in all.
Is the fit check different in Brown County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.