Portage County

As of the most recent data, Portage County, OH, has a population of approximately 162,000 people. The racial composition is about 90% White, 5% Black or African American, 2% Asian, and 3% Hispanic or Latino. The median household income is around $54,000. The county has a balanced age distribution, with a median age of about 39 years. Educational attainment is relatively high, with approximately 30% holding a bachelor's degree or higher. The poverty rate stands at around 14%.

As of my last update in 2023, Portage County, OH, has a median home value of approximately $170,000. The median rent is around $900 per month. Homeownership rate stands at 66%. The housing market has shown a steady annual appreciation rate of about 5%. The average property tax rate is roughly 1.5%. New construction contributes to around 10% of housing availability, and the vacancy rate is about 6%. Housing affordability remains a key issue, with roughly 30% of households spending over 30% of their income on rent or mortgage.

As of 2023, Portage County, Ohio, conducts elections for various local, state, and national offices. The Board of Elections oversees voter registration, ballot counting, and election integrity. Key elections typically include County Commissioners, Judges, the Sheriff, and municipal positions like Mayors and Council Members.

For numerical specifics:

• Registered Voters: Approximately 116,000
• Voter Turnout (2022 General Election): Around 51%
• Recent Election (2023 Primary): Turnout at about 23%

Prominent candidates in recent elections:

• County Commissioner: Sabrina Christian-Bennett (R), Tony Badalamenti (D)
• Sheriff: Bruce Zuchowski (R), Greg Johnson (D)
• State Representative (District 75): Gail Pavliga (R), Kathleen Clyde (D)
• Portage County Municipal Court Judge: Becky Doherty, Kevin Poland

These numbers and candidates can vary, and it's best to consult the Portage County Board of Elections website for the latest information.

Portage County, OH has a range of educational statistics that reflect its academic standing. About 93% of residents aged 25 and older are high school graduates or higher, slightly exceeding the national average of around 89%. Approximately 29% hold a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of about 32% and the Ohio state average of roughly 28%.

The Kent City School District, located within Portage County, serves around 3,100 students. Kent State University, a major institution, significantly contributes to the education landscape with over 27,500 enrolled students on the Kent campus.

In summary, Portage County's educational attainment is fairly comparable to state and national levels, with a high school graduation rate slightly above the average and a college graduation rate slightly below the national average but above the state average.

As of the most recent data, Portage County, OH, has a labor force participation rate of approximately 63.7%, slightly above the national average of 61.7%. The unemployment rate stands at 4.8%, compared to the national average of 5.4% and the Ohio state average of 4.9%.

Top industries in Portage County include Education and Health Services, Manufacturing, Retail Trade, and Professional and Business Services. Education and Health Services employ around 25% of the workforce, significantly higher than the national average of 23.5%. Manufacturing is also robust, constituting 17% of the county’s employment, which is above both the national average of 10.6% and Ohio’s 16.5%. Retail Trade employs 12% of the workforce, in line with the national average of 11.7%.

Overall, Portage County has a relatively diverse employment landscape, with notable strengths in Education, Health Services, and Manufacturing.

As of the latest available data, Portage County, OH has a median household income of approximately $61,500. This compares to the national median household income of about $68,700 and the Ohio state median household income of around $58,000.

Income Statistics Table:

Portage County's median income is higher than the state average but lower than the national average, indicating a relatively stable economic condition within the county compared to broader benchmarks.

Based on the latest available data, Portage County, OH has experienced the following crime rates:

• Violent Crime Rate: 2.16 per 1,000 residents
• Property Crime Rate: 11.35 per 1,000 residents

The table below summarizes the specific types of crimes:

These statistics provide a snapshot of the crime landscape in Portage County, offering residents a sense of the relative safety of their community.