Ottawa County

As of the 2020 Census, Ottawa County, OH has a population of approximately 40,364. The racial composition is roughly 95.7% White, 1.4% African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.3% Asian, and 1.8% mixed race. Hispanics or Latinos of any race make up about 5.3% of the population. Approximately 23% of residents are aged 65 or older, and the median household income is around $56,925. The county covers an area of 585 square miles, with 255 square miles being land and 330 square miles water.

As of 2023, Ottawa County, OH has a median home value around $175,000. The median rent is approximately $850 per month. Homeownership rate stands at about 80%, with the average household size being 2.4 persons. Housing units in the county total around 26,000, with a vacancy rate of about 25%, largely due to seasonal homes in the Lake Erie region. Property taxes average approximately 1.2% of the home value annually. Population density varies, notably higher near Port Clinton and Oak Harbor.

As of the latest available information, elections in Ottawa County, Ohio typically include positions such as county commissioners, judges, and other local government roles. For instance, in the 2022 general elections, incumbent Republican Mark E. Stahl ran for County Commissioner against Democratic challenger Don Riddle. Another contested position was Ottawa County Auditor, where Republican Julie A. Gibbons opposed Democrat Jennifer Widmer.

Voter turnout in Ottawa County often ranges between 50-65% during general elections. In the 2020 Presidential Election, 35,182 ballots were cast, with a 75% turnout rate. The county tends to lean Republican in federal elections, as evidenced by the 2020 results, where Donald Trump received 60% of the votes, while Joe Biden garnered 38%.

For the most current election data, please refer to the Ottawa County Board of Elections website or the Ohio Secretary of State's office.

Ottawa County, OH exhibits strong educational attainment with 91.3% of residents having a high school diploma or higher, compared to the national average of 88.3% and the Ohio average of around 90.2%. Furthermore, 20.4% of the county's population holds a bachelor's degree or higher, which is slightly below the national average of 32.1% and the state's average of roughly 28.3%. These figures indicate that while Ottawa County performs well in basic educational attainment, there is room for improvement in the pursuit of higher education degrees.

Ottawa County, OH, has a diverse employment landscape. As of the most recent data, the county has approximately 20,000 employed individuals. The unemployment rate fluctuates around 4%, which is close to both the Ohio state average of about 4.5% and the national average, also near 4%.

Key industries in Ottawa County include manufacturing, healthcare, and tourism. Manufacturing employs around 25% of the workforce, notably higher than the national average of approximately 8.5% and the state average of 14%. Healthcare also plays a crucial role but at a rate closer to national and state averages, around 14-15%. The tourism sector, buoyed by attractions like Lake Erie, employs a significant percentage, contributing to nearly 10% of jobs, higher than the national average of about 2.6% for leisure and hospitality.

These statistics underscore Ottawa County's unique economic structure, with a strong emphasis on manufacturing and tourism compared to broader benchmarks.

Ottawa County, Ohio, boasts a median household income of approximately $60,114 as of recent estimates. This figure is slightly below the national median household income of around $70,784 and closely mirrors the Ohio state median of $61,938. While Ottawa County remains competitive within the state context, it lags behind the national average. Variables such as employment opportunities, cost of living, and industry presence significantly influence these figures.

Additional income-related data might further impact future economic planning and development strategies for Ottawa County to better align with state and federal averages.

As of the latest data, Ottawa County, OH has a relatively low crime rate compared to national averages. The overall crime rate in the county stands at approximately 927 incidents per 100,000 residents. Here's a breakdown of key crime statistics for Ottawa County:

These values are based on the most recent data sets available for the area. It's noteworthy that crime rates can fluctuate, so always consult local law enforcement or updated databases for the most current information.