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Cincinnati city, Ohio Demographics & Population 2026

3rd Largest3rd most populous city in Ohio

As of 2026, Cincinnati city, Ohio has a total population of 309,595, the 3rd largest city in Ohio, with a median household income of $51,707, which is 26% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 24.5%.

Key Takeaways

Cincinnati city Quick Facts

Population 309,595
Median Household Income $51,707
Median Home Value $215,300
Poverty Rate 24.5%
Unemployment Rate 6.8%
Median Age 33.0 years
Homeownership Rate 38.9%
Affordability Ratio 4.2x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 41.3%
High School Graduation Rate 89.7%
Diversity Index 61/100
Population 309,595 3rd of 1,264
Median Income $51,707 bottom 30%
Poverty Rate 24.5% 97% higher national
Median Home Value $215,300 top 30%

How Cincinnati city Compares

Economy & Housing

Employment

6.8% Unemployment Rate State: 4.9% | National: 5.2%
65.9% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 38.9%
Renter 61.1%
Affordability Index Moderate
4.2x home value to income ratio

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

61out of 100
High Diversity

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

State average: 39 | National average: 60

Education

Cincinnati city Rankings in Ohio

#3 Population of 1,264
#906 Median Income of 1,264
#165 Education of 1,264
#269 Home Value of 1,264

Other Cities in Hamilton County

CityPopulationMedian IncomePovertyHome Value
Fairfield city 44,597 $70,166 9.1% $218,100
Forest Park city 19,994 $67,201 10.9% $163,200
Norwood city 19,023 $64,724 17.5% $228,300
Sharonville city 13,989 $70,781 5.7% $207,900
Blue Ash city 13,374 $116,663 5.3% $365,700
Springdale city 10,983 $72,500 12.3% $171,400
Montgomery city 10,816 $148,438 2.7% $505,800
Reading city 10,490 $60,167 12.9% $184,200
North College Hill city 9,564 $63,031 24.0% $125,200
Madeira city 9,454 $168,981 2.3% $463,600

Cities Similar to Cincinnati city

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

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Toledo city268,461$47,532$107,00021.0%24.5%
Cleveland city367,523$39,187$94,10021.3%30.8%
Akron city189,526$48,544$111,20023.3%22.9%
Dayton city136,741$43,454$93,20020.7%27.1%
Columbus city906,480$65,327$234,50038.2%17.8%

Population Overview

Cincinnati city is a major urban center located in Ohio, within Hamilton County. The total population is 309,595. It ranks as the 3rd most populous out of 1,264 cities and towns in Ohio.

Age Demographics

The median age in Cincinnati city is 33.0 years. This is 17% lower than the state median of 39.6 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Cincinnati city is $51,707. This is 26% lower than the state median of $69,680. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 34% lower. The poverty rate stands at 24.5%. This is 85% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. 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 6.8%. This is 40% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $215,300. Housing costs are 8% higher than the state median of $199,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x. 38.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 42% lower than the state average of 67.0%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Cincinnati city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 48.0% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 38.5%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (38.5% vs 12.1%).

Education

41.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 33% higher 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 89.7%. Notably, 18.0% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Cincinnati 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Cincinnati city, Ohio?

Cincinnati city, Ohio has a population of 309,595 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Cincinnati city, OH?

The median household income in Cincinnati city is $51,707, which is 34% lower the national median of $78,538.

What is the poverty rate in Cincinnati city, OH?

The poverty rate in Cincinnati city is 24.5%. This means approximately 72,846 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Cincinnati city, Ohio?

Cincinnati city's population is 48.0% White, 38.5% Black, 5.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.7% Asian.

What is the median home value in Cincinnati city, OH?

The median home value in Cincinnati city is $215,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x.

How educated is Cincinnati city, Ohio?

41.3% of adults (25+) in Cincinnati city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 18.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.