Ashland city, Ohio Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Ashland city is a small city located in Ohio, within Ashland County. The total population is 19,008. It ranks as the 96th most populous out of 1,264 cities and towns in Ohio.

Age Demographics

The median age in Ashland city is 39.0 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 39.6 years. 10.1% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Ashland city is $57,310. This is 18% lower than the state median of $69,680. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 27% lower. The poverty rate stands at 16.3%. This is 23% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 3.9%. This is 20% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $146,100. Housing costs are 27% lower than the state median of $199,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Ashland city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 65.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% lower than the state average of 67.0%.

Race & Ethnicity

Ashland city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.0% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.5%. The Black or African American population (2.4%) is well below the state average of 12.1%. The Asian population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 2.4%.

Education

23.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 23% lower than the state rate of 30.9%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 91.9%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Ashland city, Ohio is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. 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. For official data, visit data.census.gov.