1st Advantage MortgageThe median Lawrence County household earns $58,325, and 18% 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
- Lawrence County by the numbers
- What it costs to live in Lawrence County
- Household income in Lawrence County
- The Lawrence County job picture
- Regional comparison for Lawrence County
- The communities that make up Lawrence County
- A Lawrence County household budget, worked through
- Who lives in Lawrence County, in numbers
- Local borrowing considerations for Lawrence County
- Four steps for Lawrence County borrowers
- Checking a lender's license in Ohio
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Lawrence County by the numbers
Lawrence County is home to about 56,819 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 46th most populous of 88 county-level areas in Ohio. Packed into 453 square miles, that is close to 125 residents for every square mile of land. It is one of the counties that make up the Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH metropolitan statistical area (OMB, 2023). Of the 9 Census places inside Lawrence County, Ironton leads by population with about 10,768; 7 of the 9 are incorporated.
What it costs to live in Lawrence County
Renters in Lawrence County pay a median of $848 a month, 18% below the Ohio figure of $1,034. By the Census definition, 44% of Lawrence County renters are cost-burdened. With a median value of $144,000, a typical Lawrence County house costs 2.5 times what the median household earns in a year. 72% of Lawrence County households own their home and 28% rent. Half the housing stock was built before 1975.
| Housing | Lawrence County | Ohio statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $848/mo | $1,034/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $144,000 | $214,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 72% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 44% | 46% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 22% | 21% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 15% | 8% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Lawrence County, many borrowers can also choose a home equity loan or line of credit. Those can price lower but put the house on the line, so compare the two in writing; our personal loan vs. HELOC guide walks through it.
Household income in Lawrence County
The median household income in Lawrence County is $58,325; statewide it is $71,389, so Lawrence County runs 18% below Ohio as a whole.
| Household income | Lawrence County | vs Ohio |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 30.6% | +6.8 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 45.9% | +4.2 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 18.8% | -6.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.8% | -4.4 pts |
About 31% of households earn under $35,000, while 24% clear $100,000. 17.7% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 13.3%). None of these numbers decides a Lawrence County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
The Lawrence County job picture
Education and health care employs 33% of working residents, the largest share; retail trade is next with 12%. Compared with Ohio, the county leans toward education and health care (33% against 24%). The survey's unemployment rate for Lawrence County averages 2.7% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.8%). 11% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 5% work from home. 6.8% of households have no vehicle.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Lawrence County | Gap to Ohio |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 33.2% | +8.9 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.9% | +0.8 pts |
| Manufacturing | 11.5% | -3.2 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 8.5% | -1.8 pts |
| Construction | 7.1% | +1.1 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 6.4% | +0.4 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Regional comparison for Lawrence County
Distances run center to center, from Gallia County at 19 miles out to Jackson County at 29. Boyd County leads the group on income ($61,118), Mason County trails ($49,761), and Lawrence County out-earns 4 of the six. Some neighbors are in Kentucky and West Virginia. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Lawrence County resident follows Ohio rules.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lawrence County | - | $58,325 | $848/mo | 72% |
| Gallia County, OH | 19 mi | $56,830 | $813/mo | 75% |
| Boyd County, KY | 19 mi | $61,118 | $849/mo | 70% |
| Cabell County, WV | 20 mi | $55,832 | $923/mo | 64% |
| Greenup County, KY | 23 mi | $60,751 | $860/mo | 80% |
| Mason County, WV | 29 mi | $49,761 | $671/mo | 82% |
| Jackson County, OH | 29 mi | $57,106 | $769/mo | 74% |
The communities that make up Lawrence County
The table lists the 9 largest of 9 Census places in Lawrence County, by population. Together all 9 hold about 21,336 people, so roughly 62% of residents live outside any named place. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $31,058 in Burlington to $80,341 in South Point. Rent is cheapest in Burlington ($720) and steepest in Coal Grove ($939). This guide covers each of the 9 places and the rural areas around them.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ironton | city | 10,768 | $47,648 | $782 | 10 mi |
| South Point | village | 3,099 | $80,341 | $872 | 13 mi |
| Burlington | CDP | 2,807 | $31,058 | $720 | 13 mi |
| Coal Grove | village | 2,022 | $61,250 | $939 | 10 mi |
| Chesapeake | village | 1,060 | $54,219 | $857 | 13 mi |
| Proctorville | village | 635 | $35,744 | $869 | 14 mi |
| Miller | CDP | 467 | $79,063 | n/a | 12 mi |
| Athalia | village | 336 | $46,250 | $1,021 | 13 mi |
| Hanging Rock | village | 142 | $67,188 | $675 | 12 mi |
A Lawrence County household budget, worked through
How much room does a median Lawrence County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Median income divided by twelve: $4,860 before taxes
- Less median rent of $848, which is 17% of it
- $902: what a 36% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Who lives in Lawrence County, in numbers
19% of Lawrence County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. The uninsured rate is 5.5%, against 6.4% for Ohio.
| Lawrence County | Ohio | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.9 | 39.7 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 18.5% | 31.5% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 9.9% | 8.2% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 5.5% | 6.4% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 6.8% | 7.5% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 5.2% | 13.0% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 17.7% | 13.3% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.7% | 4.8% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Lawrence County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 24.3% |
| 15 to 29 min | 46.9% |
| 30 to 44 min | 17.8% |
| 45 to 59 min | 5.7% |
| 60+ min | 5.3% |
Local borrowing considerations for Lawrence County
A few patterns in the Lawrence County data, and the practical point behind each:
- 16% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- Scams. A fee demanded before funding is a red flag; report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov (spotting scams).
- Know your credit. Review all three bureau reports for free (AnnualCreditReport.com).
Four steps for Lawrence County borrowers
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Ohio.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
Checking a lender's license in Ohio
Consumer lenders serving Lawrence County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Ohio that is the Ohio Division of Financial Institutions. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. See the Ohio state guide for the statewide picture.
Nearby and statewide guides
The Ohio guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Lawrence County earn?
The median is $58,325; 24% earn $100,000 or more and 31% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How much is rent in Lawrence County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $848 a month; 44% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Should Lawrence County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 72% of Lawrence County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
Does this page cover Ironton?
Yes, along with the other 8 Census places in Lawrence County, such as South Point, Burlington, Coal Grove.
Will a Lawrence County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming Ohio as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.