1st Advantage MortgageThe median Carroll County household earns $64,835, and 13% of residents live below the poverty line. Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in Ohio before sharing details.
On this page
- Carroll County, OH: the basics
- Paychecks and income spread in Carroll County
- What it costs to live in Carroll County
- The Carroll County job picture
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Carroll County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- More Carroll County figures
- Reading the Carroll County data as a borrower
- Budget math at the Carroll County median
- Steps before you apply in Carroll County
- Lender oversight for Carroll County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Carroll County, OH: the basics
Roughly 26,659 residents live in Carroll County, Ohio, 80th by population among the state's 88 counties and county equivalents. Land area is 395 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 68 per square mile. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Canton-Massillon, OH metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. Minerva is the biggest of its 8 Census places, at roughly 3,196 people (12% of the county total).
Paychecks and income spread in Carroll County
Carroll County households have a median income of $64,835 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 51st of 88 in Ohio.
| Yearly household income | Carroll County | Gap to Ohio |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 25.5% | +1.7 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 47.4% | +5.8 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 21.2% | -4.2 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.9% | -3.3 pts |
The spread is wide: 27% of Carroll County households make $100,000 or more, and 25% make less than $35,000. The poverty rate is 12.9%, the same as the state's 13.3%. 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 Carroll County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $863 in Carroll County versus $1,034 statewide. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 37% of renter households here. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $183,100, about 2.8 times the median household income. Owners occupy 79% of homes. Median construction year: 1974.
| Housing | Carroll County | Ohio statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $863/mo | $1,034/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $183,100 | $214,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 79% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 37% | 46% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 29% | 21% | n/a |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare).
The Carroll County job picture
Education and health care employs 22% of working residents, the largest share; manufacturing is next with 21%. Manufacturing stands out: 21% of workers here, versus 15% statewide. Averaged over the five survey years, 5.6% of the labor force was out of work and looking. Long commutes are common here: 23% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. 6.8% of households have no vehicle.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Carroll County | Gap to Ohio |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 21.8% | -2.5 pts |
| Manufacturing | 20.8% | +6.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.7% | -1.4 pts |
| Construction | 9.7% | +3.8 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 8.5% | -1.7 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 5.6% | +4.7 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Cities, towns and CDPs in Carroll County
Here are the 8 most populous of the county's 8 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 38% of Carroll County residents live in one of the 8. Incomes vary by place: $75,496 at the median in Lake Mohawk, $30,630 in Malvern. Median rent ranges from $528 in Malvern to $904 in Minerva. Live in one of these Carroll County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minerva | village | 3,196 | $54,380 | $904 | 10 mi |
| Carrollton | village | 2,810 | $55,750 | $755 | 0 mi |
| Malvern | village | 1,502 | $30,630 | $528 | 9 mi |
| Lake Mohawk | CDP | 1,409 | $75,496 | n/a | 8 mi |
| Pekin | CDP | 369 | $51,929 | n/a | 10 mi |
| Sherrodsville | village | 353 | $73,542 | $870 | 10 mi |
| Dellroy | village | 236 | $58,750 | $804 | 6 mi |
| Leesville | village | 221 | $70,208 | n/a | 11 mi |
CDP: census-designated place, an unincorporated community mapped for statistics.
Neighboring counties at a glance
Distances run center to center, from Harrison County at 20 miles out to Hancock County at 28. 2 of the six report a higher median household income than Carroll County; Stark County is highest at $67,934 and Harrison County lowest at $54,414. Some neighbors are in West Virginia. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Carroll County resident follows Ohio rules.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carroll County | - | $64,835 | $863/mo | 79% |
| Harrison County, OH | 20 mi | $54,414 | $785/mo | 76% |
| Columbiana County, OH | 21 mi | $58,180 | $756/mo | 73% |
| Jefferson County, OH | 21 mi | $59,055 | $835/mo | 71% |
| Stark County, OH | 22 mi | $67,934 | $909/mo | 69% |
| Tuscarawas County, OH | 22 mi | $65,044 | $908/mo | 69% |
| Hancock County, WV | 28 mi | $61,466 | $771/mo | 74% |
More Carroll County figures
College graduates make up 16% of the adult population. 10.1% of residents have no health coverage.
| People and households | Carroll County | Ohio | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 45.6 | 39.7 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 16.1% | 31.5% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 9.3% | 8.2% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 10.1% | 6.4% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 6.8% | 7.5% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 7.9% | 13.0% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 12.9% | 13.3% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.6% | 4.8% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 26.6% |
| 15 to 29 min | 26.8% |
| 30 to 44 min | 23.4% |
| 45 to 59 min | 9.7% |
| 60+ min | 13.5% |
Reading the Carroll County data as a borrower
A few patterns in the Carroll County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Hospital bills in Carroll County. For the 10% of residents without coverage, the provider's charity-care program comes before any loan (details).
- Commuter costs. 23% drive 45 minutes or more. Compare shop financing with a loan, and keep a small repair fund.
- Manufactured homes. 13% of Carroll County housing units are mobile homes, and their repairs are often paid with unsecured loans. Get the quote in writing.
- Retirees. At a median age of 45.6, many borrowers here rely on award letters as proof of income; favor no prepayment penalty.
Budget math at the Carroll County median
Carroll County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Start: $5,403 gross per month ($64,835 / 12)
- 16% goes to median rent ($863)
- 40% debt-to-income limit: $1,298 left for all other debt payments
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Carroll County's.
Steps before you apply in Carroll County
A short checklist for Carroll County borrowers:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Ohio borrowers.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
Lender oversight for Carroll County
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Carroll County borrowers answers to the Ohio Division of Financial Institutions. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. See the Ohio state guide for the statewide picture.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Ohio guide.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Carroll County household make?
About $64,835 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 9% below the Ohio median.
What do renters pay in Carroll County?
$863 a month at the median, about 16% of median household income.
What are the biggest places in Carroll County?
By population: Minerva, Carrollton, Malvern, Lake Mohawk, Pekin. The county has 8 Census places in all.
Will a Carroll County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming Ohio as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.
Where can someone in Carroll County check a lender's license?
With the Ohio Division of Financial Institutions. If a lender is unlicensed or asks for a fee before funding, walk away.