Bowling Green, Ohio Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Bowling Green, Ohio had a total population of 29,983, the 50th largest city in Ohio, with a median household income of $45,154, which is 37% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 28.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 37% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (28.6%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Bowling Green Quick Facts
How Bowling Green 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 | 30,051 | 29,983 | -0.2% |
| Median household income | $46,719 | $45,154 | -3.3% |
| Median home value | $217,300 | $226,100 | +4.0% |
How Bowling Green 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+)
Bowling Green Rankings in Ohio
Explore Ohio Rankings
Other Cities in Wood County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perrysburg | 25,181 | $111,643 | 4.1% | $329,700 |
| Fostoria | 12,344 | $54,151 | 16.4% | $87,200 |
| Rossford | 6,323 | $71,199 | 10.3% | $174,900 |
| Northwood | 5,193 | $77,268 | 13.8% | $183,100 |
| North Baltimore | 3,584 | $60,396 | 14.0% | $117,900 |
| Walbridge | 3,034 | $55,469 | 13.3% | $137,600 |
| Weston | 1,638 | $60,714 | 12.6% | $128,800 |
| Pemberville | 1,371 | $88,269 | 5.4% | $184,800 |
| Haskins | 1,291 | $108,828 | 4.4% | $240,600 |
| Millbury | 1,259 | $80,833 | 11.2% | $216,000 |
Cities Similar to Bowling Green
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austintown | 30,164 | $52,978 | $144,300 | 22.1% | 16.9% |
| Garfield Heights | 29,269 | $54,593 | $109,900 | 14.6% | 22.0% |
| Kent | 27,116 | $42,964 | $219,900 | 47.1% | 27.1% |
| Lima | 35,010 | $46,240 | $107,200 | 12.8% | 23.9% |
| Massillon | 32,338 | $56,446 | $149,900 | 17.8% | 13.9% |
Population Overview
Bowling Green is a mid-sized community located in Ohio, within Wood County. The total population is 29,983. It ranks as the 50th most populous out of 1,264 Census-designated places in Ohio.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bowling Green is 23.5 years. This is 41% lower than the state median of 39.7 years. Only 13.4% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Bowling Green is $45,154. This is 37% lower than the state median of $71,389. It is also 44% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 28.6%. This is 115% 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 5.7%. This is 20% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $226,100. Housing costs are 5% higher than the state median of $214,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.0x. 34.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 49% lower than the state average of 67.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Bowling Green is White (non-Hispanic), making up 81.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 6.7%. The Black or African American population (4.6%) is well below the state average of 12.0%.
Education
44.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 40% higher 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 94.9%. Notably, 21.8% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bowling Green, 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 Bowling Green, Ohio?
Bowling Green, Ohio has a population of 29,983 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bowling Green, OH?
The median household income in Bowling Green is $45,154, which is 44% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Bowling Green, OH?
The poverty rate in Bowling Green is 28.6%. This means approximately 7,128 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bowling Green, Ohio?
Bowling Green's population is 81.8% White, 4.6% Black, 6.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bowling Green, OH?
The median home value in Bowling Green is $226,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.0x.
How educated is Bowling Green, Ohio?
44.2% of adults (25+) in Bowling Green hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 21.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.