Cincinnati, Ohio Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Cincinnati, Ohio had a total population of 311,224, the 3rd largest city in Ohio, with a median household income of $52,909, which is 26% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 25.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Cincinnati is the 3rd largest city in Ohio with a population of 311,224.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (25.5%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Cincinnati Quick Facts
How Cincinnati 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 | 309,595 | 311,224 | +0.5% |
| Median household income | $51,707 | $52,909 | +2.3% |
| Median home value | $215,300 | $230,900 | +7.2% |
How Cincinnati 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 41 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Cincinnati Rankings in Ohio
Explore Ohio Rankings
Other Cities in Hamilton County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fairfield | 44,828 | $77,937 | 8.4% | $234,500 |
| Forest Park | 20,025 | $75,956 | 10.6% | $190,400 |
| White Oak | 19,216 | $70,341 | 8.2% | $203,700 |
| Norwood | 19,114 | $71,611 | 17.5% | $258,700 |
| Sharonville | 14,030 | $74,649 | 9.1% | $223,800 |
| Bridgetown | 13,464 | $80,564 | 5.7% | $183,600 |
| Blue Ash | 13,455 | $115,313 | 4.0% | $403,200 |
| Loveland | 13,197 | $94,323 | 7.8% | $321,300 |
| Harrison | 13,084 | $100,000 | 6.9% | $229,400 |
| Finneytown | 12,506 | $83,424 | 8.9% | $207,100 |
Cities Similar to Cincinnati
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toledo | 267,463 | $49,724 | $114,500 | 21.9% | 24.3% |
| Cleveland | 366,097 | $40,801 | $102,000 | 22.4% | 30.6% |
| Akron | 189,247 | $48,076 | $122,000 | 23.6% | 23.3% |
| Dayton | 136,579 | $45,247 | $100,600 | 21.6% | 26.9% |
| Columbus | 914,802 | $66,082 | $252,900 | 38.2% | 18.1% |
Population Overview
Cincinnati is a major urban center located in Ohio, within Hamilton County. The total population is 311,224. It ranks as the 3rd most populous out of 1,264 Census-designated places in Ohio.
Age Demographics
The median age in Cincinnati is 33.2 years. This is 16% lower than the state median of 39.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Cincinnati is $52,909. This is 26% lower than the state median of $71,389. It is also 34% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 25.5%. This is 92% 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 6.8%. This is 43% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $230,900. Housing costs are 7% higher than the state median of $214,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.4x. 39.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 41% lower than the state average of 67.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Cincinnati is White (non-Hispanic), making up 48.2% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 36.3%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (36.3% vs 12.0%).
Education
41.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 33% 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 90.0%. Notably, 18.1% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Cincinnati, 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 Cincinnati, Ohio?
Cincinnati, Ohio has a population of 311,224 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Cincinnati, OH?
The median household income in Cincinnati is $52,909, which is 34% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Cincinnati, OH?
The poverty rate in Cincinnati is 25.5%. This means approximately 76,141 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Cincinnati, Ohio?
Cincinnati's population is 48.2% White, 36.3% Black, 6.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Cincinnati, OH?
The median home value in Cincinnati is $230,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.4x.
How educated is Cincinnati, Ohio?
41.8% of adults (25+) in Cincinnati hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 18.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.