1st Advantage MortgagePike County (27,044 residents) has a $52,736 median household income and $907 median rent, by the latest Census five-year survey. Use those as context only. A lender looks at your own documented income and debts; compare APR and total repaid on every Pike County offer.
On this page
- Pike County, OH: the basics
- Pike County's most unusual numbers
- Work, industries and travel time in Pike County
- Housing costs in Pike County
- Earnings across Pike County households
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- Towns and communities in Pike County
- Pike County households compared
- Budget math at the Pike County median
- Before borrowing in Pike County
- Four steps for Pike County borrowers
- Verifying a lender from Pike County
- Beyond Pike County
- Frequently asked questions
Pike County, OH: the basics
Roughly 27,044 residents live in Pike County, Ohio, 79th by population among the state's 88 counties and county equivalents. Pike County spans 440 square miles; with 27,044 people, that is 61.4 per square mile. Metro status: none; Pike County sits outside the 2023 OMB metro areas. The Census Bureau counts 5 places in the county (3 incorporated, 2 census-designated); the largest is Waverly, with about 4,127 residents, or 15% of the county.
Pike County's most unusual numbers
The 3 Pike County numbers that rank furthest from typical in Ohio, and what each means for a borrower:
- The share of mobile homes: 19.3% in Pike County. Only 4 of 88 Ohio counties are higher. Repairs on manufactured homes are a common loan purpose; get written quotes.
- The poverty rate: 21.3% in Pike County. Only 3 of 88 Ohio counties are higher. Free help, such as utility and rent assistance, should come before any loan.
- Median household income: $52,736 in Pike County. Only 3 of 88 Ohio counties are lower. A lean local median makes the size of the loan the most important choice.
Work, industries and travel time in Pike County
The biggest employer of Pike County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 29% of workers, followed by manufacturing (12%). The sharpest difference from the state is in education and health care, at 29% locally and 24% for Ohio. 5.4% of Pike County's labor force reported being unemployed, averaged across 2020 to 2024. 21% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 5% work from home.
| Top industries | Pike County share | +/- vs Ohio |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 29.5% | +5.2 pts |
| Manufacturing | 12.4% | -2.3 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.3% | +0.1 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 11.1% | +2.7 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 7.6% | +1.7 pts |
| Construction | 6.7% | +0.8 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Housing costs in Pike County
A typical Pike County rental runs $907 a month including utilities, which is 12% below Ohio. By the Census definition, 48% of Pike County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $163,800, or 3.1 years of median income. Homeowners 68%, renters 32%. Median construction year: 1980.
| Cost | Pike County | Ohio figure | Higher or lower |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $907/mo | $1,034/mo | 12% lower |
| Median home value | $163,800 | $214,800 | 24% lower |
| Owners | 68% | 67% | +1.3 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 48% | 46% | +2.2 pts |
| Burdened owners | 25% | 21% | +3.5 pts |
| Vacant units | 10% | 8% | +2.1 pts |
Earnings across Pike County households
Half of Pike County households take in less than $52,736 a year and half take in more, 26% below the Ohio median of $71,389. That places it 85th among Ohio's 88 county-level areas.
| Income band | Share in Pike County | Difference from Ohio |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 35.0% | +11.2 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 38.6% | -3.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 21.7% | -3.8 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.7% | -4.4 pts |
35% under $35,000 and 26% at $100,000 or more: that is the Pike County income split. 21.3% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 13.3%). Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Neighboring counties at a glance
Six nearby counties, 17 to 33 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Income ranges from $50,264 in Adams County to $65,785 in Highland County; 4 of these neighbors top Pike County's median.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pike County | - | $52,736 | $907/mo | 68% |
| Ross County, OH | 17 mi | $61,303 | $906/mo | 70% |
| Scioto County, OH | 18 mi | $50,609 | $742/mo | 68% |
| Jackson County, OH | 24 mi | $57,106 | $769/mo | 74% |
| Adams County, OH | 28 mi | $50,264 | $732/mo | 72% |
| Highland County, OH | 30 mi | $65,785 | $780/mo | 74% |
| Vinton County, OH | 33 mi | $55,336 | $728/mo | 76% |
Towns and communities in Pike County
5 Census places fall mainly inside Pike County; the 5 biggest are below. They account for 7,141 residents, leaving about 74% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Median rent ranges from $679 in Beaver to $976 in Waverly. This guide covers each of the 5 places and the rural areas around them.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waverly | village | 4,127 | $55,172 | $976 | 5 mi |
| Piketon | village | 2,291 | $41,313 | $825 | 3 mi |
| Beaver | village | 534 | n/a | $679 | 12 mi |
| Cynthiana | CDP | 126 | n/a | n/a | 17 mi |
| Stockdale | CDP | 63 | n/a | n/a | 13 mi |
CDP: census-designated place, an unincorporated community mapped for statistics.
Pike County households compared
Bachelor's degree or higher: 16% of Pike County adults. 4.8% of residents have no health coverage.
| Measure | Pike County | Gap to Ohio | Gap to typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 16.3% | -15.2 pts | -5.8 pts |
| Poverty rate | 21.3% | +8.0 pts | +8.2 pts |
| Work from home | 5.2% | -7.8 pts | -3.5 pts |
| No high school diploma | 13.1% | +4.9 pts | n/a |
| No vehicle | 5.4% | -2.1 pts | 0.0 pts |
| Median age | 41.7 | +2.0 yrs | +0.2 yrs |
| No health insurance | 4.8% | -1.6 pts | -3.0 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.4% | +0.6 pts | +0.9 pts |
| One-way commute | Share of Pike County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 24.7% |
| 15 to 29 min | 37.2% |
| 30 to 44 min | 16.8% |
| 45 to 59 min | 9.3% |
| 60+ min | 12.0% |
Budget math at the Pike County median
How much room does a median Pike County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Median income divided by twelve: $4,395 before taxes
- Less median rent of $907, which is 21% of it
- $675: what a 36% ratio leaves once rent is paid
- Under a 43% cap, $1,890 total minus rent leaves $983
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Before borrowing in Pike County
What the Pike County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- 21% long commutes. A Pike County repair bill is often urgent; compare the shop's financing with a loan in writing.
- Manufactured homes. 19% of Pike County housing units are mobile homes, and their repairs are often paid with unsecured loans. Get the quote in writing.
- 21% below poverty. Emergency aid, payment plans and counseling (list) come first.
- Pike County rent burden. 48% of renters are cost-burdened; ask your landlord about a payment plan before borrowing for rent.
Four steps for Pike County borrowers
Steps that save money for Pike County residents:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Ask a Pike County credit union about member loans.
Verifying a lender from Pike County
Consumer lenders serving Pike County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Ohio that is the Ohio Division of Financial Institutions. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. State-level detail for Pike County borrowers is in the Ohio guide.
Beyond Pike County
The Ohio guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is $52,736 a good income in Pike County?
It is the county median, so half of Pike County households earn more and half less; 26% earn $100,000 or more.
What is the median rent in Pike County, OH?
$907 a month, utilities included, or $10,884 a year.
How many towns are in Pike County?
The Census Bureau counts 5 places mainly in the county, led by Waverly, Piketon, Beaver, Cynthiana, Stockdale.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Pike County or elsewhere in Ohio, the same rules apply.
What agency protects Pike County borrowers?
The Ohio Division of Financial Institutions at the state level and the CFPB federally.