Dayton city, Ohio Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Dayton city, Ohio has a total population of 136,741, the 6th largest city in Ohio, with a median household income of $43,454, which is 38% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 27.1%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 38% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (27.1%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x.
- Unemployment rate of 9.7% is notably above the national average.
Dayton city Quick Facts
How Dayton city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 39 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Dayton city Rankings in Ohio
Explore Ohio Rankings
Other Cities in Montgomery County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kettering city | 57,442 | $71,619 | 8.5% | $192,500 |
| Huber Heights city | 43,266 | $76,551 | 8.6% | $161,900 |
| Riverside city | 24,432 | $59,271 | 16.6% | $139,100 |
| Trotwood city | 23,041 | $49,082 | 21.7% | $99,500 |
| Vandalia city | 15,100 | $76,290 | 8.8% | $186,500 |
| Englewood city | 13,388 | $72,808 | 7.3% | $168,800 |
| Clayton city | 13,269 | $90,886 | 6.0% | $189,100 |
| West Carrollton city | 13,008 | $57,758 | 15.0% | $137,700 |
| Oakwood city | 9,480 | $158,968 | 3.2% | $350,100 |
| Moraine city | 6,503 | $44,648 | 27.4% | $128,100 |
Cities Similar to Dayton city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akron city | 189,526 | $48,544 | $111,200 | 23.3% | 22.9% |
| Canton city | 70,105 | $39,754 | $94,400 | 15.4% | 28.4% |
| Toledo city | 268,461 | $47,532 | $107,000 | 21.0% | 24.5% |
| Parma city | 80,131 | $67,425 | $157,600 | 24.3% | 9.8% |
| Lorain city | 65,207 | $45,799 | $123,500 | 14.3% | 27.4% |
Population Overview
Dayton city is a major urban center located in Ohio, within Montgomery County. The total population is 136,741. It ranks as the 6th most populous out of 1,264 cities and towns in Ohio.
Age Demographics
The median age in Dayton city is 34.2 years. This is 14% lower than the state median of 39.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Dayton city is $43,454. This is 38% lower than the state median of $69,680. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 45% lower. The poverty rate stands at 27.1%. This is 105% 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 9.7%. This is 101% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $93,200. Housing costs are 53% lower than the state median of $199,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x, Dayton city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 48.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 28% lower than the state average of 67.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Dayton city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 50.0% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 37.8%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (37.8% vs 12.1%).
Education
20.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 33% 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 87.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Dayton 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 Dayton city, Ohio?
Dayton city, Ohio has a population of 136,741 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Dayton city, OH?
The median household income in Dayton city is $43,454, which is 45% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Dayton city, OH?
The poverty rate in Dayton city is 27.1%. This means approximately 33,777 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Dayton city, Ohio?
Dayton city's population is 50.0% White, 37.8% Black, 5.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Dayton city, OH?
The median home value in Dayton city is $93,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.1x.
How educated is Dayton city, Ohio?
20.7% of adults (25+) in Dayton city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.