1st Advantage MortgageIn Morgan County, Ohio, the typical household earns $59,351 a year and the typical rent is $742. For a Morgan County borrower, the useful steps are the same anywhere: price the need, gather three written offers, and check the Ohio license.
On this page
- Population and place: Morgan County
- The $59,351 median and what sits around it
- Renting and owning in Morgan County
- Employment and commuting in Morgan County
- Morgan County's most unusual numbers
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Morgan County
- $4,946 a month: the Morgan County median budget
- Reading the Morgan County data as a borrower
- Morgan County demographics against Ohio
- A Morgan County borrower's checklist
- Checking a lender's license in Ohio
- Other Ohio guides
- Frequently asked questions
Population and place: Morgan County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Morgan County's population at 13,651; only 85 of Ohio's 88 county-level areas are larger. Morgan County spans 416 square miles; with 13,651 people, that is 32.8 per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Morgan County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. Largest place: McConnelsville, about 1,955 residents (14% of Morgan County); 4 Census places in all.
The $59,351 median and what sits around it
Median household income in Morgan County: $59,351 (17% below Ohio, $71,389). In the state ranking that is 68th of 88.
| Income band | Share in Morgan County | Difference from Ohio |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 29.5% | +5.7 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 49.2% | +7.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 18.4% | -7.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 2.9% | -6.3 pts |
The spread is wide: 21% of Morgan County households make $100,000 or more, and 30% make less than $35,000. Poverty rate, Morgan County: 12.9%; Ohio: 13.3%. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.407 (0 is perfect equality). Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Renting and owning in Morgan County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $742 in Morgan County versus $1,034 statewide. 48% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 28% spend half or more. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $150,900, about 2.5 times the median household income. Owners occupy 79% of homes. Median construction year: 1978.
| Morgan County | Ohio | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owners | 79% | 67% | +11.7 pts |
| Burdened owners | 29% | 21% | +7.7 pts |
| Median home value | $150,900 | $214,800 | 30% lower |
| Median gross rent | $742/mo | $1,034/mo | 28% lower |
| Rent-burdened renters | 48% | 46% | +2.4 pts |
With 79% of Morgan County homes owner-occupied, equity is a real alternative for many readers; just remember a missed HELOC payment puts the home at risk.
Employment and commuting in Morgan County
Education and health care employs 24% of working residents, the largest share; manufacturing is next with 17%. Compared with Ohio, the county leans toward construction (11% against 6%). The survey's unemployment rate for Morgan County averages 3.5% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.8%). 23% of Morgan County workers get to work in under 15 minutes, while 43% need 45 or more. 383 Morgan County households, 6.7%, have no vehicle.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Morgan County | Gap to Ohio |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 24.2% | -0.1 pts |
| Manufacturing | 16.8% | +2.1 pts |
| Construction | 11.2% | +5.3 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.8% | -0.4 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 6.6% | -1.8 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 6.3% | -3.9 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Morgan County's most unusual numbers
- Morgan County ranks 2nd highest of 88 Ohio counties for the housing vacancy rate: 22%, against 8% statewide. Many empty units can point to seasonal housing.
- On the share of commutes over 45 minutes, Morgan County sits near the top of Ohio at 43%, the highest of 88. Long drives make car repairs a common emergency; get two written quotes.
- Morgan County ranks 3rd lowest of 88 Ohio counties for the share of households earning $100,000 or more: 21%, against 35% statewide. Few six-figure households means smaller loans are the norm.
Neighboring counties at a glance
Perry County is closest, 22 miles from center to center; the sixth, Wood County, is 34 miles off. Perry County leads the group on income ($67,460), Athens County trails ($56,001), and Morgan County out-earns 3 of the six. Some neighbors are in West Virginia. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Morgan County resident follows Ohio rules.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morgan County | - | $59,351 | $742/mo | 79% |
| Perry County, OH | 22 mi | $67,460 | $777/mo | 76% |
| Athens County, OH | 22 mi | $56,001 | $939/mo | 60% |
| Washington County, OH | 23 mi | $63,603 | $852/mo | 75% |
| Noble County, OH | 24 mi | $56,098 | $707/mo | 84% |
| Muskingum County, OH | 24 mi | $60,780 | $833/mo | 68% |
| Wood County, WV | 34 mi | $57,810 | $822/mo | 75% |
Cities, towns and CDPs in Morgan County
The table lists the 4 largest of 4 Census places in Morgan County, by population. Together all 4 hold about 3,547 people, so roughly 74% of residents live outside any named place. McConnelsville has the highest median household income on the list ($50,231) and Stockport the lowest ($34,744), counting places with at least 500 residents. Median rent ranges from $710 in McConnelsville to $934 in Stockport. From McConnelsville to the smallest crossroads, Morgan County residents share this guide.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| McConnelsville | village | 1,955 | $50,231 | $710 | 3 mi |
| Malta | village | 649 | $38,523 | $833 | 2 mi |
| Stockport | village | 617 | $34,744 | $934 | 6 mi |
| Chesterhill | village | 326 | $52,292 | $738 | 9 mi |
$4,946 a month: the Morgan County median budget
DTI math using Morgan County medians ($59,351 income, $742 rent):
- Median income divided by twelve: $4,946 before taxes
- Median rent: $742, or 15 cents of every gross dollar
- At 35%, room after rent is $989 a month
- Under a 45% cap, $2,226 total minus rent leaves $1,484
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Reading the Morgan County data as a borrower
Where the Morgan County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- 43% long commutes. A Morgan County repair bill is often urgent; compare the shop's financing with a loan in writing.
- Manufactured homes. 19% of Morgan County housing units are mobile homes, and their repairs are often paid with unsecured loans. Get the quote in writing.
- Rent squeeze. 48% of renters spend 30%+ of income on rent; borrow only if the loan cuts what you pay overall.
Morgan County demographics against Ohio
14% of Morgan County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. Uninsured, Morgan County: 6.4%; Ohio: 6.4%.
| People and households | Morgan County | Compared with Ohio | Compared with median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 14.4% | -17.1 pts | -7.8 pts |
| Work from home | 6.8% | -6.2 pts | -1.9 pts |
| Median age | 44.6 | +4.9 yrs | +3.1 yrs |
| No high school diploma | 12.2% | +4.0 pts | n/a |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.5% | -1.3 pts | -0.9 pts |
| No vehicle | 6.7% | -0.8 pts | +1.3 pts |
| Poverty rate | 12.9% | -0.4 pts | -0.3 pts |
| No health insurance | 6.4% | 0.0 pts | -1.4 pts |
| Commute length | Morgan County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 23.4% |
| 15 to 29 min | 22.0% |
| 30 to 44 min | 11.8% |
| 45 to 59 min | 17.4% |
| 60+ min | 25.5% |
A Morgan County borrower's checklist
Before you apply, wherever you live in Morgan County:
- Price the Morgan County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Morgan County-area credit union.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Ask a Morgan County credit union about member loans.
Checking a lender's license in Ohio
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Morgan County, check the Ohio Division of Financial Institutions. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. More on Ohio: Ohio personal loans.
Other Ohio guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Ohio guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Morgan County a high-income county?
Its $59,351 median ranks 68th of 88 Ohio counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
How does Morgan County rent compare with Ohio?
$742 locally versus $1,034 for the state, 28% below.
I live near McConnelsville. Which guide is mine?
This one. McConnelsville and the rest of Morgan County have no separate city guide.
Is the fit check different in Morgan County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Is there a Morgan County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In Ohio it is the Ohio Division of Financial Institutions.