1st Advantage MortgageThe median Ross County household earns $61,303, and 16% of residents live below the poverty line. 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
- Ross County at a glance
- Housing costs in Ross County
- What Ross County households earn
- The Ross County job picture
- Ross County towns compared
- Ross County and the counties next door
- Ross County households compared
- Borrowing situations common in Ross County
- Debt-to-income at Ross County's medians
- Licensing and complaints for Ross County
- Before you sign
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Ross County at a glance
With an estimated 76,492 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Ross County ranks 32nd of 88 in Ohio for population. Land area is 689 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 111 per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. The Census Bureau counts 11 places in the county (7 incorporated, 4 census-designated); the largest is Chillicothe, with about 21,902 residents, or 29% of the county.
Housing costs in Ross County
A typical Ross County rental runs $906 a month including utilities, which is 12% below Ohio. By the Census definition, 48% of Ross County renters are cost-burdened. With a median value of $171,500, a typical Ross County house costs 2.8 times what the median household earns in a year. Owners occupy 70% of homes.
| Home costs | Ross County | Ohio | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $906/mo | $1,034/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $171,500 | $214,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 70% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 48% | 46% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 24% | 21% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 7% | 8% | n/a |
What Ross County households earn
Half of Ross County households take in less than $61,303 a year and half take in more, 14% below the Ohio median of $71,389. In the state ranking that is 62nd of 88.
| Income band | Share in Ross County | Difference from Ohio |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 27.6% | +3.8 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 45.0% | +3.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 22.6% | -2.9 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.8% | -4.3 pts |
About 28% of households earn under $35,000, while 27% clear $100,000. Census counts 15.7% of Ross County residents in poverty, against 13.3% across Ohio. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Ross County median.
The Ross County job picture
By the Census industry count, 25% of employed Ross County residents work in education and health care and 18% in manufacturing. The sharpest difference from the state is in manufacturing, at 18% locally and 15% for Ohio. The survey's unemployment rate for Ross County averages 3.8% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.8%). 18% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 5% work from home. Only 6.3% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Industry | Share of Ross County workers | vs Ohio |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 24.9% | +0.6 pts |
| Manufacturing | 18.2% | +3.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.4% | +0.3 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 9.4% | +1.1 pts |
| Construction | 6.8% | +0.8 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 6.4% | -3.8 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.
Ross County towns compared
11 Census places fall mainly inside Ross County; the 11 biggest are below. They account for 27,477 residents, leaving about 64% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $40,357 in Kingston to $67,500 in Frankfort. None of the 11 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chillicothe | city | 21,902 | $54,086 | $887 | 4 mi |
| Frankfort | village | 1,171 | $67,500 | $852 | 9 mi |
| Kingston | village | 703 | $40,357 | $693 | 13 mi |
| Massieville | CDP | 642 | $58,255 | $719 | 7 mi |
| Bainbridge | village | 617 | $56,250 | $910 | 13 mi |
| Bourneville | CDP | 509 | n/a | n/a | 6 mi |
| Andersonville | CDP | 495 | $83,355 | $879 | 8 mi |
| Richmond Dale | CDP | 473 | $64,438 | n/a | 16 mi |
| Clarksburg | village | 464 | $49,107 | $894 | 14 mi |
| Adelphi | village | 316 | $39,107 | $900 | 19 mi |
| South Salem | village | 185 | $60,625 | n/a | 13 mi |
Ross County and the counties next door
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Ross County's, from 17 to 32 miles away. 3 of the six report a higher median household income than Ross County; Pickaway County is highest at $74,040 and Pike County lowest at $52,736.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ross County | - | $61,303 | $906/mo | 70% |
| Pike County, OH | 17 mi | $52,736 | $907/mo | 68% |
| Pickaway County, OH | 22 mi | $74,040 | $1,020/mo | 74% |
| Fayette County, OH | 27 mi | $63,275 | $822/mo | 65% |
| Highland County, OH | 31 mi | $65,785 | $780/mo | 74% |
| Vinton County, OH | 31 mi | $55,336 | $728/mo | 76% |
| Jackson County, OH | 32 mi | $57,106 | $769/mo | 74% |
Ross County households compared
17% of Ross County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. About 7% go without health insurance.
| Residents | Ross County | Ohio | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.1 | 39.7 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 17.4% | 31.5% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 11.0% | 8.2% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 6.8% | 6.4% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 6.3% | 7.5% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 5.2% | 13.0% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 15.7% | 13.3% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.8% | 4.8% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Ross County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 31.7% |
| 15 to 29 min | 39.0% |
| 30 to 44 min | 11.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 6.4% |
| 60+ min | 11.8% |
Borrowing situations common in Ross County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Ross County borrowers.
- Keeping the car running. At 18% with long commutes, repairs are a frequent Ross County emergency; first decide if the car is worth fixing.
- Manufactured homes. 14% of Ross County housing units are mobile homes, and their repairs are often paid with unsecured loans. Get the quote in writing.
- Tight rental budgets. With 48% of Ross County renters cost-burdened, test a new payment against a lean month.
Debt-to-income at Ross County's medians
Here is the Ross County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Monthly gross at the median, Ross County: $5,109
- 18% goes to median rent ($906)
- 35% debt-to-income limit: $882 left for all other debt payments
- With a 45% ceiling, about $1,393 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Licensing and complaints for Ross County
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Ross County, check the Ohio Division of Financial Institutions. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. The Ohio guide covers state rules in more detail.
Before you sign
Steps that save money for Ross County residents:
- Price the Ross County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Ohio guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Ross County earn?
The median is $61,303; 27% earn $100,000 or more and 28% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
What do renters pay in Ross County?
$906 a month at the median, about 18% of median household income.
What are the biggest places in Ross County?
By population: Chillicothe, Frankfort, Kingston, Massieville, Bainbridge. The county has 11 Census places in all.
Does living in Ross 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 Ross County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.
Where can someone in Ross County check a lender's license?
With the Ohio Division of Financial Institutions. If a lender is unlicensed or asks for a fee before funding, walk away.