1st Advantage MortgageIn Licking County, Ohio, the typical household earns $84,426 a year and the typical rent is $1,078. A loan makes sense only if its total cost beats your alternatives and the payment fits your budget. Check the lender's Ohio license first.
On this page
- Licking County by the numbers
- Work, industries and travel time in Licking County
- Income in Licking County compared with Ohio
- Rent, home values and ownership in Licking County
- The communities that make up Licking County
- The counties around Licking County
- Who lives in Licking County, in numbers
- Local borrowing considerations for Licking County
- Budget math at the Licking County median
- Who licenses lenders for Licking County residents
- Checklist for Licking County applicants
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Licking County by the numbers
Roughly 181,837 residents live in Licking County, Ohio, 17th by population among the state's 88 counties and county equivalents. Land area is 682 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 266 per square mile. It is one of the counties that make up the Columbus, OH metropolitan statistical area (OMB, 2023). Newark is the biggest of its 21 Census places, at roughly 50,783 people (28% of the county total).
Work, industries and travel time in Licking County
Education and health care employs 23% of working residents, the largest share; retail trade is next with 13%. The sharpest difference from the state is in finance, insurance and real estate, at 9% locally and 7% for Ohio. The survey's unemployment rate for Licking County averages 3.2% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.8%). About 73% drive to work alone and 17% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Only 5.2% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Sector | Licking County | Compared with Ohio |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 23.4% | -0.9 pts |
| Retail trade | 13.1% | +2.0 pts |
| Manufacturing | 10.9% | -3.8 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 9.0% | +2.4 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 8.5% | -1.7 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.7% | -0.6 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Licking County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Income in Licking County compared with Ohio
The median household income in Licking County is $84,426; statewide it is $71,389, so Licking County runs 18% above Ohio as a whole. In the state ranking that is 11th of 88.
| Income band | Share in Licking County | Difference from Ohio |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 18.8% | -5.0 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 39.2% | -2.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 30.5% | +5.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 11.5% | +2.4 pts |
The spread is wide: 42% of Licking County households make $100,000 or more, and 19% make less than $35,000. Census counts 10.2% of Licking County residents in poverty, against 13.3% across Ohio. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Rent, home values and ownership in Licking County
Renters in Licking County pay a median of $1,078 a month, 4% above the Ohio figure of $1,034. By the Census definition, 41% of Licking County renters are cost-burdened. With a median value of $275,200, a typical Licking County house costs 3.3 times what the median household earns in a year. The ownership rate is 74%.
| Housing | Licking County | Ohio statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,078/mo | $1,034/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $275,200 | $214,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 74% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 41% | 46% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 20% | 21% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 4.8% | 3.4% | n/a |
Because most Licking 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.
The communities that make up Licking County
Here are the 14 most populous of the county's 21 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 60% of Licking County residents live in one of the 21. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $61,670 in Newark to $131,307 in Granville South. Rent is cheapest in Utica ($818) and steepest in Alexandria ($1,500). None of the 21 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newark | city | 50,783 | $61,670 | $973 | 3 mi |
| Pataskala | city | 18,223 | $92,033 | $1,387 | 13 mi |
| Heath | city | 10,644 | $71,917 | $1,129 | 5 mi |
| Granville | village | 5,999 | $124,408 | $1,129 | 3 mi |
| Johnstown | city | 5,286 | $91,713 | $886 | 11 mi |
| Beechwood Trails | CDP | 3,133 | $110,887 | n/a | 10 mi |
| Buckeye Lake | village | 2,525 | $79,286 | $863 | 11 mi |
| Hebron | village | 2,508 | $66,627 | $850 | 9 mi |
| Utica | village | 2,248 | $84,464 | $818 | 10 mi |
| Harbor Hills | CDP | 1,555 | $86,136 | $1,338 | 11 mi |
| Etna | CDP | 1,440 | $114,365 | $1,216 | 14 mi |
| Hanover | village | 1,180 | $83,393 | $887 | 11 mi |
| Granville South | CDP | 1,146 | $131,307 | n/a | 4 mi |
| Kirkersville | village | 547 | $87,802 | $1,333 | 12 mi |
The counties around Licking County
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (22 to 31 miles). Income ranges from $60,780 in Muskingum County to $133,540 in Delaware County; 2 of these neighbors top Licking County's median.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licking County | - | $84,426 | $1,078/mo | 74% |
| Knox County, OH | 22 mi | $73,878 | $950/mo | 76% |
| Fairfield County, OH | 25 mi | $90,966 | $1,172/mo | 75% |
| Perry County, OH | 27 mi | $67,460 | $777/mo | 76% |
| Franklin County, OH | 29 mi | $75,176 | $1,302/mo | 53% |
| Muskingum County, OH | 30 mi | $60,780 | $833/mo | 68% |
| Delaware County, OH | 31 mi | $133,540 | $1,492/mo | 79% |
Who lives in Licking County, in numbers
29% of Licking County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. 5.3% of residents have no health coverage.
| Indicator | Licking County | All of Ohio | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.3 | 39.7 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 29.3% | 31.5% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 6.5% | 8.2% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 5.3% | 6.4% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.2% | 7.5% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 15.8% | 13.0% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 10.2% | 13.3% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.2% | 4.8% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 28.2% |
| 15 to 29 min | 30.8% |
| 30 to 44 min | 23.9% |
| 45 to 59 min | 11.0% |
| 60+ min | 6.0% |
Local borrowing considerations for Licking County
Where the Licking County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Consolidation math. With 42% at six figures, card consolidation is common; it pays only if total cost falls (guide).
- Fraud. Gift cards, wire transfers or fees to unlock a loan mean walk away (report it).
- Know your credit. Review all three bureau reports for free (AnnualCreditReport.com).
Budget math at the Licking County median
How much room does a median Licking County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Monthly gross at the median, Licking County: $7,036
- Rent at the median, $1,078, takes 15% of that
- Under a 36% cap, $2,533 total minus rent leaves $1,455
- $1,947: what a 43% ratio leaves once rent is paid
If your rent is above $1,078, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Who licenses lenders for Licking County residents
The Ohio Division of Financial Institutions is the place to verify any lender's Ohio license. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. More on Ohio: Ohio personal loans.
Checklist for Licking County applicants
A short checklist for Licking County borrowers:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Ask a Licking County credit union about member loans.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Ohio guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Licking County?
$84,426 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $71,389 for Ohio. It ranks 11th of 88 in the state.
Is Licking County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $1,078 against $1,034 statewide, and 41% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Should Licking County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 74% of Licking 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 Newark?
Yes, along with the other 20 Census places in Licking County, such as Pataskala, Heath, Granville.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Licking County or elsewhere in Ohio, the same rules apply.