1st Advantage MortgageIn Preble County, Ohio, the typical household earns $69,223 a year and the typical rent is $794. Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in Ohio before sharing details.
On this page
- Preble County by the numbers
- What Preble County households earn
- Preble County housing compared with Ohio
- How Preble County residents earn a living
- Preble County and the counties next door
- Towns and communities in Preble County
- Who lives in Preble County, in numbers
- Before borrowing in Preble County
- A Preble County household budget, worked through
- Checklist for Preble County applicants
- Licensing and complaints for Preble County
- More guides for Preble County
- Frequently asked questions
Preble County by the numbers
Preble County is home to about 40,765 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 61st most populous of 88 county-level areas in Ohio. It covers 424 square miles of land, or about 96 people per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Preble County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. Of the 12 Census places inside Preble County, Eaton leads by population with about 8,339; 11 of the 12 are incorporated.
What Preble County households earn
The median household income in Preble County is $69,223; statewide it is $71,389, so Preble County runs 3% below Ohio as a whole.
| Households earning | Preble County | +/- vs Ohio |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 22.5% | -1.3 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 46.4% | +4.8 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 27.2% | +1.8 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.8% | -5.3 pts |
The spread is wide: 31% of Preble County households make $100,000 or more, and 23% make less than $35,000. Census counts 12.6% of Preble County residents in poverty, against 13.3% across Ohio. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.406 here. For a borrower in Preble County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
Preble County housing compared with Ohio
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $794 in Preble County versus $1,034 statewide. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 37% of renter households here. Home values center on $180,900, or 2.6 years of median income. 80% of Preble County households own their home and 20% rent. The median home was built in 1972, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Preble County | Ohio | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $794/mo | $1,034/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $180,900 | $214,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 80% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 37% | 46% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 23% | 21% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 3.2% | 3.4% | n/a |
Because most Preble 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.
How Preble County residents earn a living
Manufacturing employs 23% of working residents, the largest share; education and health care is next with 22%. Manufacturing stands out: 23% of workers here, versus 15% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for Preble County averages 3.2% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.8%). About 83% drive to work alone and 18% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Sector | Preble County | Compared with Ohio |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 23.1% | +8.4 pts |
| Education and health care | 21.7% | -2.6 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.4% | -0.8 pts |
| Construction | 8.6% | +2.7 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.4% | -0.9 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 5.9% | -4.4 pts |
Where long drives are the norm, a car repair is one of the most common surprise bills. A small repair fund can keep a breakdown from turning into a loan.
Preble County and the counties next door
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (17 to 30 miles). Butler County leads the group on income ($81,590), Wayne County trails ($55,692), and Preble County out-earns 4 of the six. The list crosses into Indiana, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preble County | - | $69,223 | $794/mo | 80% |
| Union County, IN | 17 mi | $76,424 | $760/mo | 80% |
| Montgomery County, OH | 19 mi | $66,139 | $1,026/mo | 62% |
| Wayne County, IN | 21 mi | $55,692 | $815/mo | 69% |
| Butler County, OH | 21 mi | $81,590 | $1,135/mo | 70% |
| Darke County, OH | 27 mi | $64,486 | $779/mo | 72% |
| Fayette County, IN | 30 mi | $59,321 | $791/mo | 72% |
Towns and communities in Preble County
12 Census places fall mainly inside Preble County; the 12 biggest are below. They account for 21,799 residents, leaving about 47% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Lake Lakengren has the highest median household income on the list ($87,135) and New Paris the lowest ($38,527), counting places with at least 500 residents. No Preble County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 12.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eaton | city | 8,339 | $51,467 | $764 | 1 mi |
| Lake Lakengren | CDP | 3,445 | $87,135 | $1,345 | 4 mi |
| Camden | village | 2,029 | $49,063 | $894 | 7 mi |
| Lewisburg | village | 1,927 | $75,379 | $817 | 9 mi |
| New Paris | village | 1,582 | $38,527 | $733 | 11 mi |
| West Alexandria | village | 1,340 | $59,973 | $701 | 6 mi |
| Eldorado | village | 841 | $68,966 | $1,054 | 12 mi |
| Gratis | village | 725 | $77,500 | $825 | 9 mi |
| Verona | village | 653 | $66,250 | $627 | 13 mi |
| College Corner | village | 429 | $53,224 | $635 | 15 mi |
| West Manchester | village | 341 | $61,875 | $1,150 | 11 mi |
| West Elkton | village | 148 | $50,833 | $1,417 | 11 mi |
CDPs are unincorporated communities the Census Bureau defines for counting.
Who lives in Preble County, in numbers
Degree holders: 18% of adults over 25. 5.4% of residents have no health coverage.
| Residents | Preble County | Ohio | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.3 | 39.7 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 18.5% | 31.5% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 7.5% | 8.2% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 5.4% | 6.4% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.0% | 7.5% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 7.3% | 13.0% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 12.6% | 13.3% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.2% | 4.8% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Preble County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 26.9% |
| 15 to 29 min | 33.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 21.4% |
| 45 to 59 min | 11.1% |
| 60+ min | 7.3% |
Before borrowing in Preble County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Preble County borrowers.
- Keeping the car running. At 18% with long commutes, repairs are a frequent Preble County emergency; first decide if the car is worth fixing.
- Paperwork. ID, proof of income and a bank account are the basics (requirements).
- Scams. A fee demanded before funding is a red flag; report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov (spotting scams).
A Preble County household budget, worked through
How much room does a median Preble 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: $5,769 before taxes
- Rent at the median, $794, takes 14% of that
- At 36%, room after rent is $1,283 a month
- At 43%, room after rent is $1,686 a month
Two-income households and single earners in Preble County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Checklist for Preble County applicants
Quick steps for Preble County:
- Price the Preble County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Preble County-area credit union.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Ohio borrowers.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
Licensing and complaints for Preble County
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Preble County, check the Ohio Division of Financial Institutions. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. See the Ohio state guide for the statewide picture.
More guides for Preble County
The Ohio guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Preble County household make?
About $69,223 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 3% below the Ohio median.
How does Preble County rent compare with Ohio?
$794 locally versus $1,034 for the state, 23% below.
What are the biggest places in Preble County?
By population: Eaton, Lake Lakengren, Camden, Lewisburg, New Paris. The county has 12 Census places in all.
Can Preble County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every Ohio county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.
Is there a Preble County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In Ohio it is the Ohio Division of Financial Institutions.