1st Advantage MortgageIn Hamilton County, Ohio, the typical household earns $72,470 a year and the typical rent is $1,075. 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
- A quick profile of Hamilton County
- Housing costs in Hamilton County
- Income in Hamilton County compared with Ohio
- Jobs and commutes in Hamilton County
- Counties near Hamilton County
- Towns and communities in Hamilton County
- More Hamilton County figures
- Borrowing situations common in Hamilton County
- Debt-to-income at Hamilton County's medians
- Lender oversight for Hamilton County
- Before you sign
- More guides for Hamilton County
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Hamilton County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Hamilton County's population at 830,774; only 2 of Ohio's 88 county-level areas are larger. It covers 405 square miles of land, or about 2,049 people per square mile. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. Cincinnati is the biggest of its 85 Census places, at roughly 311,224 people (37% of the county total).
Housing costs in Hamilton County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $1,075 in Hamilton County versus $1,034 statewide. By the Census definition, 49% of Hamilton County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $241,900, or 3.3 years of median income. Owners occupy 59% of homes.
| Hamilton County | Ohio | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,075/mo | $1,034/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $241,900 | $214,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 59% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 49% | 46% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 22% | 21% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 0.9% | 3.4% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 7% | 8% | n/a |
Income in Hamilton County compared with Ohio
Half of Hamilton County households take in less than $72,470 a year and half take in more, 2% above the Ohio median of $71,389. In the state ranking that is 33rd of 88.
| Income band | Share in Hamilton County | Difference from Ohio |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 24.7% | +0.9 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 38.8% | -2.8 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 25.0% | -0.5 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 11.5% | +2.4 pts |
Some 25% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 36% have six-figure incomes. 15.0% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 13.3%). Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.508 here. A household earning below the $72,470 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Jobs and commutes in Hamilton County
The biggest employer of Hamilton County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 25% of workers, followed by professional and administrative services (14%). The sharpest difference from the state is in professional and administrative services, at 14% locally and 10% for Ohio. The survey's unemployment rate for Hamilton County averages 5.0% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.8%). Long commutes are the exception here: 7% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. 10.3% of households have no vehicle.
| Where residents work | Hamilton County | Difference from Ohio |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 25.2% | +0.9 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 14.1% | +3.9 pts |
| Manufacturing | 11.7% | -2.9 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.5% | -0.6 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.9% | +0.5 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 8.0% | +1.4 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Counties near Hamilton County
Six nearby counties, 17 to 23 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. All of the six report a higher median household income than Hamilton County; Boone County is highest at $99,414 and Campbell County lowest at $77,567. Some neighbors are in Indiana and Kentucky. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Hamilton County resident follows Ohio rules.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hamilton County | - | $72,470 | $1,075/mo | 59% |
| Butler County, OH | 17 mi | $81,590 | $1,135/mo | 70% |
| Kenton County, KY | 18 mi | $80,548 | $1,069/mo | 71% |
| Campbell County, KY | 19 mi | $77,567 | $1,145/mo | 71% |
| Boone County, KY | 19 mi | $99,414 | $1,373/mo | 76% |
| Clermont County, OH | 23 mi | $85,510 | $1,107/mo | 74% |
| Dearborn County, IN | 23 mi | $84,735 | $845/mo | 85% |
Towns and communities in Hamilton County
The table lists the 14 largest of 85 Census places in Hamilton County, by population. Together all 85 hold about 758,878 people, so roughly 9% of residents live outside any named place. The Village of Indian Hill has the highest median household income on the list ($234,821) and Lincoln Heights the lowest ($26,860), counting places with at least 500 residents. City guides exist for the linked Hamilton County places; everyone else in the county can use this page.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati | city | 311,224 | $52,909 | $1,001 | 4 mi |
| Forest Park | city | 20,025 | $75,956 | $1,306 | 6 mi |
| White Oak | CDP | 19,216 | $70,341 | $1,091 | 3 mi |
| Norwood | city | 19,114 | $71,611 | $981 | 5 mi |
| Sharonville | city | 14,030 | $74,649 | $1,171 | 9 mi |
| Bridgetown | CDP | 13,464 | $80,564 | $1,015 | 6 mi |
| Blue Ash | city | 13,455 | $115,313 | $1,555 | 9 mi |
| Harrison | city | 13,084 | $100,000 | $1,153 | 14 mi |
| Finneytown | CDP | 12,506 | $83,424 | $1,456 | 2 mi |
| Monfort Heights | CDP | 12,441 | $88,457 | $1,065 | 3 mi |
| Dent | CDP | 11,973 | $86,636 | $1,108 | 6 mi |
| Mack | CDP | 11,516 | $121,609 | n/a | 8 mi |
| Springdale | city | 11,033 | $67,903 | $1,226 | 7 mi |
| Montgomery | city | 10,855 | $150,995 | $1,605 | 11 mi |
A CDP is a named community without its own municipal government.
More Hamilton County figures
College graduates make up 42% of the adult population. 5.8% of residents have no health coverage.
| Measure | Hamilton County | Ohio statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 36.9 | 39.7 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 41.8% | 31.5% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 7.3% | 8.2% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 5.8% | 6.4% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 10.3% | 7.5% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 15.3% | 13.0% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 15.0% | 13.3% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.0% | 4.8% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 24.8% |
| 15 to 29 min | 45.5% |
| 30 to 44 min | 22.3% |
| 45 to 59 min | 3.9% |
| 60+ min | 3.6% |
Borrowing situations common in Hamilton County
Where the Hamilton County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Renters under pressure. When 49% pay 30% or more for rent, the smallest loan that solves the problem is the right size.
- Debt consolidation. One fixed payment can save money only if the written APR and fees beat what you pay now (guide).
- Paperwork. ID, proof of income and a bank account are the basics (requirements).
Debt-to-income at Hamilton County's medians
Hamilton County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Median income divided by twelve: $6,039 before taxes
- 18% goes to median rent ($1,075)
- $1,039: what a 35% ratio leaves once rent is paid
- 45% debt-to-income limit: $1,643 left for all other debt payments
Two-income households and single earners in Hamilton County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Lender oversight for Hamilton County
The Ohio Division of Financial Institutions is the place to verify any lender's Ohio license. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. The Ohio guide covers state rules in more detail.
Before you sign
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Price the Hamilton County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- A Ohio license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
More guides for Hamilton County
Guides that cover parts of Hamilton County:
Frequently asked questions
Is Hamilton County a high-income county?
Its $72,470 median ranks 33rd of 88 Ohio counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
How does Hamilton County rent compare with Ohio?
$1,075 locally versus $1,034 for the state, 4% above.
Does this page cover Cincinnati?
Yes, along with the other 84 Census places in Hamilton County, such as Forest Park, White Oak, Norwood.
Will a Hamilton County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming Ohio as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.
Who regulates personal lenders for Hamilton County residents?
The Ohio Division of Financial Institutions licenses consumer lenders in Ohio; the CFPB takes complaints about any lender, and the FTC wants to hear about fee-first offers.