1st Advantage MortgageHarrison County households have a median income of $54,414 and median rent of $785 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). 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
- Harrison County by the numbers
- What Harrison County households earn
- Housing costs in Harrison County
- How Harrison County residents earn a living
- Regional comparison for Harrison County
- The communities that make up Harrison County
- Debt-to-income at Harrison County's medians
- Harrison County households compared
- Borrowing situations common in Harrison County
- Steps before you apply in Harrison County
- Licensing and complaints for Harrison County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Harrison County by the numbers
Roughly 14,306 residents live in Harrison County, Ohio, 84th by population among the state's 88 counties and county equivalents. Spread over 402 square miles, that works out to roughly 35.6 residents per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Harrison County is not part of any metropolitan area. Cadiz is the biggest of its 11 Census places, at roughly 2,988 people (21% of the county total).
What Harrison County households earn
Harrison County households have a median income of $54,414 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 84th of 88 in Ohio.
| Household income | Harrison County | vs Ohio |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 32.0% | +8.2 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 45.2% | +3.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 19.6% | -5.8 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.2% | -5.9 pts |
The spread is wide: 23% of Harrison County households make $100,000 or more, and 32% make less than $35,000. Census counts 13.1% of Harrison County residents in poverty, against 13.3% across Ohio. A household earning below the $54,414 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Housing costs in Harrison County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $785 in Harrison County versus $1,034 statewide. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 38% of renter households here. With a median value of $121,500, a typical Harrison County house costs 2.2 times what the median household earns in a year. Owners occupy 76% of homes. Half the housing stock was built before 1964.
| Harrison County | Ohio | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $785/mo | $1,034/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $121,500 | $214,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 76% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 38% | 46% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 31% | 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).
How Harrison County residents earn a living
By the Census industry count, 29% of employed Harrison County residents work in education and health care and 14% in manufacturing. The sharpest difference from the state is in education and health care, at 29% locally and 24% for Ohio. The survey's unemployment rate for Harrison County averages 4.6% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.8%). About 83% drive to work alone and 22% have trips of 45 minutes or more. 6.1% of households have no vehicle.
| Where residents work | Harrison County | Difference from Ohio |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 29.0% | +4.7 pts |
| Manufacturing | 13.9% | -0.8 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.3% | +0.2 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 8.6% | +2.6 pts |
| Construction | 7.4% | +1.4 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 7.1% | -3.1 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Regional comparison for Harrison County
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Harrison County's, from 19 to 27 miles away. 5 of the six report a higher median household income than Harrison County; Tuscarawas County is highest at $65,044 and Brooke County lowest at $54,316. The list crosses into West Virginia, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harrison County | - | $54,414 | $785/mo | 76% |
| Jefferson County, OH | 19 mi | $59,055 | $835/mo | 71% |
| Carroll County, OH | 20 mi | $64,835 | $863/mo | 79% |
| Belmont County, OH | 20 mi | $57,017 | $793/mo | 74% |
| Tuscarawas County, OH | 23 mi | $65,044 | $908/mo | 69% |
| Guernsey County, OH | 27 mi | $58,478 | $864/mo | 72% |
| Brooke County, WV | 27 mi | $54,316 | $645/mo | 75% |
The communities that make up Harrison County
Here are the 11 most populous of the county's 11 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 51% of Harrison County residents live in one of the 11. Incomes vary by place: $47,045 at the median in Hopedale, $41,667 in Scio. Median rent ranges from $780 in Cadiz to $1,058 in Adena. Live in one of these Harrison County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cadiz | village | 2,988 | $44,113 | $780 | 6 mi |
| Hopedale | village | 898 | $47,045 | $950 | 11 mi |
| Adena | village | 716 | $45,556 | $1,058 | 13 mi |
| Scio | village | 703 | $41,667 | $828 | 7 mi |
| Freeport | village | 469 | $40,673 | $714 | 11 mi |
| Bowerston | village | 420 | n/a | $564 | 11 mi |
| Jewett | village | 402 | $46,500 | $894 | 7 mi |
| New Athens | village | 267 | $56,875 | $713 | 9 mi |
| Harrisville | village | 185 | $62,679 | n/a | 13 mi |
| Tippecanoe | CDP | 144 | n/a | n/a | 10 mi |
| Deersville | village | 72 | $120,313 | n/a | 5 mi |
Debt-to-income at Harrison County's medians
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Harrison County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- Start: $4,534 gross per month ($54,414 / 12)
- 17% goes to median rent ($785)
- 43% debt-to-income limit: $1,165 left for all other debt payments
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Harrison County's.
Harrison County households compared
12% of Harrison County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. 12.2% of residents have no health coverage.
| People and households | Harrison County | Ohio | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 45.5 | 39.7 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 11.5% | 31.5% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 10.5% | 8.2% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 12.2% | 6.4% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 6.1% | 7.5% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 6.6% | 13.0% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 13.1% | 13.3% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.6% | 4.8% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Harrison County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 23.7% |
| 15 to 29 min | 28.6% |
| 30 to 44 min | 25.2% |
| 45 to 59 min | 12.7% |
| 60+ min | 9.8% |
Borrowing situations common in Harrison County
Based on the Harrison County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Uninsured care. 12% lack coverage here; nonprofit hospitals must publish an assistance policy, so ask for it first (guide).
- Vehicle repairs. 22% of Harrison County workers commute 45+ minutes, so a breakdown can cost a paycheck. Get two written estimates.
- Manufactured homes. 13% of Harrison County housing units are mobile homes, and their repairs are often paid with unsecured loans. Get the quote in writing.
- Benefit income. With half of residents older than 46, lenders often see pension and Social Security income, which counts like wages.
Steps before you apply in Harrison County
Quick steps for Harrison County:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Harrison County.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Ohio borrowers.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Licensing and complaints for Harrison County
Consumer lenders serving Harrison County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Ohio that is the Ohio Division of Financial Institutions. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. Statewide data and rules: Ohio guide.
Related local guides
The Ohio guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is Harrison County a high-income county?
Its $54,414 median ranks 84th of 88 Ohio counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
Is Harrison County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $785 against $1,034 statewide, and 38% of renter households are cost-burdened.
What are the biggest places in Harrison County?
By population: Cadiz, Hopedale, Adena, Scio, Freeport. The county has 11 Census places in all.
Are Harrison County applicants treated differently?
No. Everyone answers the same questions and is screened on the same objective points; lending partners set their own criteria under fair-lending laws.
Who regulates personal lenders for Harrison 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.