1st Advantage MortgageAbout 80% of Paulding County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $67,731. Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- Paulding County, OH: the basics
- Income in Paulding County compared with Ohio
- Jobs and commutes in Paulding County
- Renting and owning in Paulding County
- Paulding County towns compared
- The counties around Paulding County
- A Paulding County household budget, worked through
- Local borrowing considerations for Paulding County
- More Paulding County figures
- Before you sign
- Licensing and complaints for Paulding County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Paulding County, OH: the basics
Paulding County is home to about 18,791 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 83rd most populous of 88 county-level areas in Ohio. Spread over 416 square miles, that works out to roughly 45.1 residents per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Paulding County is not part of any metropolitan area. Paulding is the biggest of its 11 Census places, at roughly 3,230 people (17% of the county total).
Income in Paulding County compared with Ohio
Half of Paulding County households take in less than $67,731 a year and half take in more, 5% below the Ohio median of $71,389.
| Income band | Share in Paulding County | Difference from Ohio |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 22.8% | -1.0 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 47.1% | +5.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 24.0% | -1.5 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.2% | -3.0 pts |
Some 23% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 30% have six-figure incomes. The poverty rate is 8.9%, 4 points lower than the state's 13.3%. None of these numbers decides a Paulding County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Jobs and commutes in Paulding County
The biggest employer of Paulding County residents, by industry, is manufacturing at 29% of workers, followed by education and health care (24%). Manufacturing stands out: 29% of workers here, versus 15% statewide. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 3.6% in Paulding County. Long commutes are the exception here: 13% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Paulding County | Gap to Ohio |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 28.7% | +14.0 pts |
| Education and health care | 24.1% | -0.3 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.9% | -1.2 pts |
| Construction | 6.3% | +0.3 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 5.5% | +4.6 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 5.2% | -3.2 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Renting and owning in Paulding County
A typical Paulding County rental runs $812 a month including utilities, which is 21% below Ohio. 40% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 21% spend half or more. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $140,800, about 2.1 times the median household income. Owners occupy 80% of homes. Half the housing stock was built before 1971.
| Housing | Paulding County | Ohio statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $812/mo | $1,034/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $140,800 | $214,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 80% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 40% | 46% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 15% | 21% | n/a |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare).
Paulding County towns compared
Here are the 11 most populous of the county's 11 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 46% of Paulding County residents live in one of the 11. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $53,750 in Paulding to $63,438 in Payne. This guide covers each of the 11 places and the rural areas around them.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paulding | village | 3,230 | $53,750 | $822 | 2 mi |
| Antwerp | village | 1,916 | $58,036 | $806 | 9 mi |
| Payne | village | 1,418 | $63,438 | $759 | 8 mi |
| Oakwood | village | 499 | $46,172 | $585 | 11 mi |
| Grover Hill | village | 435 | $71,944 | $920 | 9 mi |
| Melrose | village | 404 | $93,269 | n/a | 9 mi |
| Haviland | village | 186 | $74,500 | $725 | 7 mi |
| Latty | village | 182 | $90,000 | $633 | 2 mi |
| Scott | village | 160 | $44,712 | $692 | 9 mi |
| Cecil | village | 138 | $76,250 | n/a | 7 mi |
| Broughton | village | 118 | $46,818 | n/a | 3 mi |
The counties around Paulding County
Distances run center to center, from Defiance County at 15 miles out to Henry County at 30. All of the six report a higher median household income than Paulding County; Putnam County is highest at $84,928 and Van Wert County lowest at $67,917. Some neighbors are in Indiana. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Paulding County resident follows Ohio rules.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paulding County | - | $67,731 | $812/mo | 80% |
| Defiance County, OH | 15 mi | $73,064 | $846/mo | 79% |
| Van Wert County, OH | 18 mi | $67,917 | $782/mo | 82% |
| Putnam County, OH | 24 mi | $84,928 | $855/mo | 87% |
| Allen County, IN | 26 mi | $70,737 | $1,021/mo | 69% |
| DeKalb County, IN | 29 mi | $74,331 | $861/mo | 82% |
| Henry County, OH | 30 mi | $80,099 | $849/mo | 83% |
A Paulding County household budget, worked through
Paulding County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Median income divided by twelve: $5,644 before taxes
- Less median rent of $812, which is 14% of it
- $1,446: what a 40% ratio leaves once rent is paid
If your rent is above $812, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Local borrowing considerations for Paulding County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Paulding County borrowers.
- Paperwork. ID, proof of income and a bank account are the basics (requirements).
- Debt consolidation. One fixed payment can save money only if the written APR and fees beat what you pay now (guide).
- Know your credit. Review all three bureau reports for free (AnnualCreditReport.com).
More Paulding County figures
College graduates make up 17% of the adult population. About 5% go without health insurance.
| Residents | Paulding County | Ohio | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.0 | 39.7 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 16.9% | 31.5% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 9.5% | 8.2% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 5.2% | 6.4% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 3.2% | 7.5% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 4.1% | 13.0% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 8.9% | 13.3% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.6% | 4.8% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Paulding County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 30.3% |
| 15 to 29 min | 34.1% |
| 30 to 44 min | 23.0% |
| 45 to 59 min | 8.3% |
| 60+ min | 4.4% |
Before you sign
Quick steps for Paulding County:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Paulding County.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Ohio borrowers.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
Licensing and complaints for Paulding County
Before sharing details with a lender, a Paulding County resident can confirm its license with the Ohio Division of Financial Institutions. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. Statewide data and rules: Ohio guide.
Related local guides
The Ohio guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Paulding County?
$67,731 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $71,389 for Ohio. It ranks 45th of 88 in the state.
What do renters pay in Paulding County?
$812 a month at the median, about 14% of median household income.
I own my home in Paulding County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 80% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
What are the biggest places in Paulding County?
By population: Paulding, Antwerp, Payne, Oakwood, Grover Hill. The county has 11 Census places in all.
Does living in Paulding 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 Paulding County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.