1st Advantage MortgageThe median Meigs County household earns $46,873, and 22% of residents live below the poverty line. Borrow only what the expense needs, pick the shortest affordable term, and walk away from any lender asking a Meigs County applicant for an upfront fee.
On this page
- 21,896 residents: Meigs County basics
- What Meigs County households earn
- The Meigs County job picture
- The Meigs County housing market in figures
- Meigs County's most unusual numbers
- Towns and communities in Meigs County
- Nearby counties: income, rent, ownership
- Age, degrees and coverage in Meigs County
- Budget math at the Meigs County median
- Before borrowing in Meigs County
- Licensing and complaints for Meigs County
- Four steps for Meigs County borrowers
- More guides for Meigs County
- Frequently asked questions
21,896 residents: Meigs County basics
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Meigs County's population at 21,896; only 80 of Ohio's 88 county-level areas are larger. Land area is 430 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 51 per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Meigs County is not part of any metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 6 places in the county (5 incorporated, 1 census-designated); the largest is Middleport, with about 2,167 residents, or 10% of the county.
What Meigs County households earn
At $46,873, the typical Meigs County household income is 29% below the median U.S. county ($65,681).
| Households earning | Meigs County | +/- vs Ohio |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 37.0% | +13.2 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 44.8% | +3.2 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 16.8% | -8.7 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 1.4% | -7.7 pts |
37% under $35,000 and 18% at $100,000 or more: that is the Meigs County income split. Poverty rate, Meigs County: 21.8%; Ohio: 13.3%. Meigs County scores 0.438 on the Gini index, where higher means more unequal incomes. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
The Meigs County job picture
Education and health care (24%), retail trade (15%) and manufacturing (12%) lead Meigs County's job mix. Compared with Ohio, the county leans toward transportation, warehousing and utilities (10% against 6%). 5.4% of Meigs County's labor force reported being unemployed, averaged across 2020 to 2024. 23% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 5% work from home.
| Sector | Meigs County | Compared with Ohio |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 23.8% | -0.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 14.8% | +3.7 pts |
| Manufacturing | 11.9% | -2.8 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 10.4% | +4.4 pts |
| Construction | 9.2% | +3.3 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 6.5% | -1.9 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
The Meigs County housing market in figures
Half of Meigs County renters pay more than $722 a month and half pay less; the Ohio midpoint is $1,034. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 48% of renter households here. With a median value of $119,300, a typical Meigs County house costs 2.5 times what the median household earns in a year. Homeowners 75%, renters 25%.
| Housing | Meigs County | Ohio statewide | Meigs County vs state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owners | 75% | 67% | +8.2 pts |
| Median home value | $119,300 | $214,800 | 44% lower |
| Burdened owners | 25% | 21% | +4.1 pts |
| Median gross rent | $722/mo | $1,034/mo | 30% lower |
| Rent-burdened renters | 48% | 46% | +1.9 pts |
In an owner-heavy county like Meigs 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.
Meigs County's most unusual numbers
Out of every Ohio county, Meigs County is most unusual on these measures.
- On the share of households earning $100,000 or more, Meigs County sits near the bottom of Ohio at 18%, the lowest of 88. Few six-figure households means smaller loans are the norm.
- On the poverty rate, Meigs County sits near the top of Ohio at 21.8%, the highest of 88. Nonprofit credit counseling is free or low cost and worth a call first.
- Median household income: $46,873 in Meigs County, the lowest of 88 in Ohio. Where incomes run low, free assistance and credit-union small-dollar loans deserve a look first.
- Median home value: $119,300 in Meigs County, the lowest of 88 in Ohio. With modest home values, equity borrowing is rarely large.
Towns and communities in Meigs County
Here are the 6 most populous of the county's 6 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 31% of Meigs County residents live in one of the 6. Incomes vary by place: $56,250 at the median in Tuppers Plains, $33,333 in Pomeroy. From Middleport to the smallest crossroads, Meigs County residents share this guide.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Middleport | village | 2,167 | $42,118 | $728 | 7 mi |
| Pomeroy | village | 1,565 | $33,333 | $491 | 4 mi |
| Racine | village | 1,098 | $42,500 | $714 | 11 mi |
| Rutland | village | 956 | $53,603 | n/a | 6 mi |
| Syracuse | village | 593 | $46,250 | $846 | 7 mi |
| Tuppers Plains | CDP | 515 | $56,250 | n/a | 11 mi |
A CDP is a named community without its own municipal government.
Nearby counties: income, rent, ownership
Distances run center to center, from Athens County at 17 miles out to Wood County at 29. Richest neighbor: Jackson County, $58,845. Poorest: Mason County, $49,761. Meigs County: $46,873. Some neighbors are in West Virginia. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Meigs County resident follows Ohio rules.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meigs County | - | $46,873 | $722/mo | 75% |
| Athens County, OH | 17 mi | $56,001 | $939/mo | 60% |
| Mason County, WV | 22 mi | $49,761 | $671/mo | 82% |
| Gallia County, OH | 24 mi | $56,830 | $813/mo | 75% |
| Jackson County, WV | 26 mi | $58,845 | $716/mo | 79% |
| Vinton County, OH | 27 mi | $55,336 | $728/mo | 76% |
| Wood County, WV | 29 mi | $57,810 | $822/mo | 75% |
Age, degrees and coverage in Meigs County
College graduates make up 12% of the adult population. Uninsured, Meigs County: 6.6%; Ohio: 6.4%.
| Meigs County | vs Ohio | vs U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 12.2% | -19.3 pts | -10.0 pts |
| Poverty rate | 21.8% | +8.5 pts | +8.6 pts |
| Work from home | 5.1% | -7.9 pts | -3.6 pts |
| No high school diploma | 13.6% | +5.5 pts | n/a |
| Median age | 44.1 | +4.4 yrs | +2.6 yrs |
| No vehicle | 6.4% | -1.1 pts | +1.0 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.4% | +0.6 pts | +1.0 pts |
| No health insurance | 6.6% | +0.2 pts | -1.3 pts |
| Minutes to work | Meigs County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 23.2% |
| 15 to 29 min | 28.5% |
| 30 to 44 min | 25.5% |
| 45 to 59 min | 9.3% |
| 60+ min | 13.4% |
Budget math at the Meigs County median
DTI math using Meigs County medians ($46,873 income, $722 rent):
- $3,906 a month: gross income for a household at the Meigs County median
- Housing at the median rent of $722 uses 18%
- Under a 36% cap, $1,406 total minus rent leaves $684
- $958: what a 43% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Two-income households and single earners in Meigs County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Before borrowing in Meigs County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Meigs County borrowers.
- Vehicle repairs. 23% of Meigs County workers commute 45+ minutes, so a breakdown can cost a paycheck. Get two written estimates.
- Manufactured housing (26%). Meigs County owners should get two written repair quotes before borrowing.
- Free help first. 22% of residents live below the poverty line; utility, rent and food programs cost nothing to repay (free options).
- Rent squeeze. 48% of renters spend 30%+ of income on rent; borrow only if the loan cuts what you pay overall.
Licensing and complaints for Meigs County
Consumer lenders serving Meigs County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Ohio that is the Ohio Division of Financial Institutions. Nationally, Meigs County residents can file with the CFPB. More on Ohio: Ohio personal loans.
Four steps for Meigs County borrowers
A short checklist for Meigs County borrowers:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Verify the Ohio license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
More guides for Meigs County
Statewide:
Frequently asked questions
Where does Meigs County rank on income in Ohio?
88th of 88, with a median of $46,873. The state median is $71,389.
How much is rent in Meigs County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $722 a month; 48% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Is Tuppers Plains covered?
Yes. Tuppers Plains is one of 6 Census places in Meigs County, and this guide covers all of them.
Are Meigs 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.
Is there a Meigs County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In Ohio it is the Ohio Division of Financial Institutions.