Ashland, Ohio Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Ashland, Ohio had a total population of 18,911, the 97th largest city in Ohio, with a median household income of $60,029, which is 16% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Ashland Quick Facts
How Ashland Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 19,008 | 18,911 | -0.5% |
| Median household income | $57,310 | $60,029 | +4.7% |
| Median home value | $146,100 | $157,900 | +8.1% |
How Ashland Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 41 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Ashland Rankings in Ohio
Explore Ohio Rankings
Other Cities in Ashland County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loudonville | 3,230 | $56,005 | 10.4% | $168,900 |
| Sullivan | 1,027 | $67,964 | 8.8% | $205,900 |
| Cinnamon Lake | 933 | $79,320 | 1.3% | $214,500 |
| Perrysville | 822 | $54,125 | 18.6% | $114,000 |
| Hayesville | 580 | $76,250 | 5.3% | $145,300 |
| Jeromesville | 547 | $68,750 | 13.2% | $136,400 |
| Nankin | 421 | $145,536 | 9.3% | $148,200 |
| Polk | 380 | $68,125 | 20.8% | $132,700 |
| Bailey Lakes | 314 | $75,000 | 9.9% | $146,900 |
| Savannah | 306 | $73,750 | 5.6% | $165,300 |
Cities Similar to Ashland
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sidney | 20,501 | $60,668 | $169,900 | 18.6% | 14.2% |
| New Philadelphia | 17,520 | $58,547 | $169,500 | 24.4% | 15.9% |
| Tiffin | 17,818 | $56,198 | $142,200 | 27.4% | 14.8% |
| Parma Heights | 20,581 | $61,009 | $175,100 | 27.5% | 13.9% |
| Eastlake | 17,493 | $62,072 | $172,100 | 21.7% | 8.4% |
Population Overview
Ashland is a small city located in Ohio, within Ashland County. The total population is 18,911. It ranks as the 97th most populous out of 1,264 Census-designated places in Ohio.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ashland is 38.2 years. This is 4% lower than the state median of 39.7 years. 10.5% 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 is $60,029. This is 16% lower than the state median of $71,389. It is also 26% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 16.6%. This is 25% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.3%. The unemployment rate is 3.8%. This is 20% lower than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $157,900. Housing costs are 26% lower than the state median of $214,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Ashland is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 63.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% lower than the state average of 67.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Ashland has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.4% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.4%. The Black or African American population (1.7%) is well below the state average of 12.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.4%) is well below the state average of 4.8%. The Asian population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 2.5%.
Education
23.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 24% 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 92.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Ashland, 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.
Free data download: Get all Ohio city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Ashland, Ohio?
Ashland, Ohio has a population of 18,911 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ashland, OH?
The median household income in Ashland is $60,029, which is 26% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Ashland, OH?
The poverty rate in Ashland is 16.6%. This means approximately 2,935 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Ashland, Ohio?
Ashland's population is 91.4% White, 1.7% Black, 2.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ashland, OH?
The median home value in Ashland is $157,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.6x.
How educated is Ashland, Ohio?
23.8% of adults (25+) in Ashland hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.