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Akron, Ohio Demographics & Population 2026

5th Largest5th most populous city in Ohio

During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Akron, Ohio had a total population of 189,247, the 5th largest city in Ohio, with a median household income of $48,076, which is 33% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 23.3%.

Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes

Key Takeaways

Akron Quick Facts

Population 189,247
Median Household Income $48,076
Median Home Value $122,000
Poverty Rate 23.3%
Unemployment Rate 7.8%
Median Age 36.9 years
Homeownership Rate 50.7%
Affordability Ratio 2.5x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 23.6%
High School Graduation Rate 88.3%
Diversity Index 62/100
Population 189,247 5th of 1,264
Median Income $48,076 bottom 20%
Poverty Rate 23.3% 87% higher than national
Median Home Value $122,000 below average

How Akron Changed

Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.

Metric2019–20232020–2024Change
Population189,526189,247-0.1%
Median household income$48,544$48,076-1.0%
Median home value$111,200$122,000+9.7%

How Akron Compares

Economy & Housing

Household Income Distribution

Under $25K 25.9%
$25K-$50K 25.8%
$50K-$100K 28.9%
$100K+ 19.3%
Detailed income brackets
Under $10K
8.5%
$10K-$15K
7.0%
$15K-$20K
5.3%
$20K-$25K
5.2%
$25K-$30K
5.3%
$30K-$35K
5.3%
$35K-$40K
5.0%
$40K-$45K
4.9%
$45K-$50K
5.3%
$50K-$60K
7.5%
$60K-$75K
9.8%
$75K-$100K
11.6%
$100K-$125K
8.3%
$125K-$150K
4.0%
$150K-$200K
4.1%
$200K+
2.9%

Employment

7.8% Unemployment Rate State: 4.8%|National: 5.2%
63.1% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 50.7%
Renter 49.3%
Affordability Index Very Affordable
2.5x home value to income ratio
Median gross rent $955/mo 23.8% of median household income annually

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

62out of 100
High Diversity

A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.

State average: 41 | National average: 61

Education

Akron Rankings in Ohio

#5 Population of 1,264
#1015 Median Income of 1,191
#457 Education of 1,264
#849 Home Value of 1,206

Other Cities in Summit County

CityPopulationMedian IncomePovertyHome Value
Cuyahoga Falls 50,909 $72,705 10.5% $183,300
Stow 34,240 $93,727 5.2% $248,000
Green 27,393 $95,047 7.1% $280,200
Barberton 24,844 $52,267 15.6% $135,200
Hudson 23,039 $171,427 3.7% $466,500
Twinsburg 19,410 $99,144 4.2% $318,800
Tallmadge 18,335 $89,410 5.0% $232,500
New Franklin 13,843 $90,244 6.1% $214,300
Macedonia 12,152 $101,285 4.1% $308,500
Norton 11,524 $90,464 6.1% $200,800

Cities Similar to Akron

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Dayton136,579$45,247$100,60021.6%26.9%
Toledo267,463$49,724$114,50021.9%24.3%
Cincinnati311,224$52,909$230,90041.8%25.5%
Cleveland366,097$40,801$102,00022.4%30.6%
Parma79,870$69,295$170,10024.4%10.1%

Population Overview

Akron is a major urban center located in Ohio, within Summit County. The total population is 189,247. It ranks as the 5th most populous out of 1,264 Census-designated places in Ohio.

Age Demographics

The median age in Akron is 36.9 years. This is 7% lower than the state median of 39.7 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Akron is $48,076. This is 33% lower than the state median of $71,389. It is also 40% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 23.3%. This is 76% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.3%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 7.8%. This is 64% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $122,000. Housing costs are 43% lower than the state median of $214,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Akron is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 50.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 25% lower than the state average of 67.2%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Akron is White (non-Hispanic), making up 53.5% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 29.0%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (29.0% vs 12.0%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (4.9% vs 2.5%).

Education

23.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 25% lower than the state rate of 31.5%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 88.3%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Akron, Ohio is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Ohio state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,264 Census-designated places in Ohio. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Akron, Ohio?

Akron, Ohio has a population of 189,247 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Akron, OH?

The median household income in Akron is $48,076, which is 40% lower than the national median of $80,734.

What is the poverty rate in Akron, OH?

The poverty rate in Akron is 23.3%. This means approximately 43,168 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Akron, Ohio?

Akron's population is 53.5% White, 29.0% Black, 4.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.9% Asian.

What is the median home value in Akron, OH?

The median home value in Akron is $122,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.

How educated is Akron, Ohio?

23.6% of adults (25+) in Akron hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.