1st Advantage MortgageOttawa County households have a median income of $76,101 and median rent of $930 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). 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
- Who lives in Ottawa County
- Ottawa County housing compared with Ohio
- Income in Ottawa County compared with Ohio
- Employment and commuting in Ottawa County
- Ottawa County and the counties next door
- Places inside Ottawa County
- A Ottawa County household budget, worked through
- What the numbers mean for Ottawa County borrowers
- Ottawa County households compared
- Ohio rules that apply in Ottawa County
- Four steps for Ottawa County borrowers
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Ottawa County
With an estimated 39,994 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Ottawa County ranks 62nd of 88 in Ohio for population. Packed into 255 square miles, that is close to 157 residents for every square mile of land. It is one of the counties that make up the Sandusky, OH metropolitan statistical area (OMB, 2023). Of the 9 Census places inside Ottawa County, Port Clinton leads by population with about 5,970; 7 of the 9 are incorporated.
Ottawa County housing compared with Ohio
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $930 in Ottawa County versus $1,034 statewide. 44% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 18% spend half or more. With a median value of $219,900, a typical Ottawa County house costs 2.9 times what the median household earns in a year. 84% of Ottawa County households own their home and 16% rent. Median construction year: 1976.
| Cost | Ottawa County | Ohio figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $930/mo | $1,034/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $219,900 | $214,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 84% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 44% | 46% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 22% | 21% | n/a |
Because most Ottawa 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.
Income in Ottawa County compared with Ohio
At $76,101, the typical Ottawa County household income is 16% above the median U.S. county ($65,681). That places it 19th among Ohio's 88 county-level areas.
| Households earning | Ottawa County | +/- vs Ohio |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 19.7% | -4.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.0% | +1.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 29.2% | +3.8 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 8.1% | -1.0 pts |
The spread is wide: 37% of Ottawa County households make $100,000 or more, and 20% make less than $35,000. Census counts 8.4% of Ottawa County residents in poverty, against 13.3% across Ohio. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.465 (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.
Employment and commuting in Ottawa County
By the Census industry count, 23% of employed Ottawa County residents work in education and health care and 17% in manufacturing. The sharpest difference from the state is in manufacturing, at 17% locally and 15% for Ohio. Averaged over the five survey years, 3.1% of the labor force was out of work and looking. About 81% drive to work alone and 12% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Households without a car make up 3.5% of the total (7.5% statewide).
| Where residents work | Ottawa County | Difference from Ohio |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 22.6% | -1.7 pts |
| Manufacturing | 17.3% | +2.6 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 10.9% | +2.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.2% | -1.9 pts |
| Construction | 8.4% | +2.4 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 7.5% | -2.8 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Ottawa County and the counties next door
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (15 to 35 miles). None of the six report a higher median household income than Ottawa County; Wood County is highest at $74,216 and Lucas County lowest at $62,224.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ottawa County | - | $76,101 | $930/mo | 84% |
| Sandusky County, OH | 15 mi | $62,295 | $783/mo | 73% |
| Erie County, OH | 24 mi | $71,993 | $933/mo | 72% |
| Lucas County, OH | 25 mi | $62,224 | $934/mo | 62% |
| Seneca County, OH | 30 mi | $66,025 | $856/mo | 73% |
| Wood County, OH | 34 mi | $74,216 | $972/mo | 64% |
| Huron County, OH | 35 mi | $67,878 | $848/mo | 74% |
Places inside Ottawa County
Here are the 9 most populous of the county's 9 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 32% of Ottawa County residents live in one of the 9. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $46,211 in Oak Harbor to $96,250 in Marblehead. No Ottawa County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 9.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Port Clinton | city | 5,970 | $60,909 | $934 | 5 mi |
| Oak Harbor | village | 2,314 | $46,211 | $843 | 7 mi |
| Genoa | village | 1,872 | $65,550 | $927 | 18 mi |
| Marblehead | village | 876 | $96,250 | $1,000 | 15 mi |
| Lakeside | CDP | 508 | $92,500 | n/a | 13 mi |
| Clay Center | village | 388 | $61,875 | $908 | 18 mi |
| Williston | CDP | 287 | $46,731 | n/a | 17 mi |
| Rocky Ridge | village | 282 | $78,906 | $775 | 10 mi |
| Put-in-Bay | village | 126 | $63,750 | $719 | 13 mi |
A CDP is a named community without its own municipal government.
A Ottawa County household budget, worked through
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Ottawa County's medians:
- Monthly gross at the median, Ottawa County: $6,342
- 15% goes to median rent ($930)
- $1,797: what a 43% 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.
What the numbers mean for Ottawa County borrowers
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Ottawa County borrowers.
- Older households. A 50.6 median age means fixed-income borrowing is common; a fixed payment and short term limit risk.
- Getting ready. Gather pay stubs or benefit letters before you apply (checklist).
- Combining balances. It helps when total cost falls and the cards stay paid down (consolidation).
Ottawa County households compared
30% of Ottawa County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. About 4% go without health insurance.
| Measure | Ottawa County | Ohio statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 50.6 | 39.7 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 29.5% | 31.5% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 5.6% | 8.2% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 3.9% | 6.4% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 3.5% | 7.5% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 7.8% | 13.0% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 8.4% | 13.3% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.1% | 4.8% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 31.8% |
| 15 to 29 min | 34.8% |
| 30 to 44 min | 21.7% |
| 45 to 59 min | 6.3% |
| 60+ min | 5.4% |
Ohio rules that apply in Ottawa County
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Ottawa County borrowers answers to the Ohio Division of Financial Institutions. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. More on Ohio: Ohio personal loans.
Four steps for Ottawa County borrowers
Before you apply, wherever you live in Ottawa County:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Verify the Ohio license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Related local guides
The Ohio guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Ottawa County earn?
The median is $76,101; 37% earn $100,000 or more and 20% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
Is Ottawa County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $930 against $1,034 statewide, and 44% of renter households are cost-burdened.
I own my home in Ottawa County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 84% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
I live in a small Ottawa County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Port Clinton, Oak Harbor, Genoa, Marblehead, Lakeside and 4 more.
Does living in Ottawa County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Ottawa County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.