Dayton, Ohio Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Dayton, Ohio had a total population of 136,579, the 6th largest city in Ohio, with a median household income of $45,247, which is 37% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 26.9%.
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 (26.9%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x.
- Unemployment rate of 9.0% is notably above the national average.
Dayton Quick Facts
How Dayton 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 | 136,741 | 136,579 | -0.1% |
| Median household income | $43,454 | $45,247 | +4.1% |
| Median home value | $93,200 | $100,600 | +7.9% |
How Dayton 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+)
Dayton Rankings in Ohio
Explore Ohio Rankings
Other Cities in Montgomery County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kettering | 57,206 | $74,681 | 8.3% | $208,500 |
| Huber Heights | 43,455 | $79,131 | 9.6% | $177,300 |
| Centerville | 25,205 | $85,492 | 8.6% | $287,200 |
| Riverside | 24,435 | $61,352 | 15.3% | $147,800 |
| Trotwood | 23,041 | $50,113 | 21.5% | $113,200 |
| Springboro | 19,980 | $119,659 | 2.8% | $357,800 |
| Miamisburg | 19,948 | $82,900 | 11.8% | $231,300 |
| Vandalia | 15,053 | $73,275 | 9.0% | $197,000 |
| Englewood | 13,356 | $80,030 | 6.4% | $182,800 |
| Clayton | 13,277 | $92,879 | 7.0% | $208,200 |
Cities Similar to Dayton
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akron | 189,247 | $48,076 | $122,000 | 23.6% | 23.3% |
| Canton | 69,755 | $43,188 | $97,800 | 16.4% | 27.4% |
| Toledo | 267,463 | $49,724 | $114,500 | 21.9% | 24.3% |
| Parma | 79,870 | $69,295 | $170,100 | 24.4% | 10.1% |
| Lorain | 65,395 | $48,685 | $139,200 | 14.8% | 25.2% |
Population Overview
Dayton is a major urban center located in Ohio, within Montgomery County. The total population is 136,579. It ranks as the 6th most populous out of 1,264 Census-designated places in Ohio.
Age Demographics
The median age in Dayton is 34.1 years. This is 14% lower than the state median of 39.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Dayton is $45,247. 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 26.9%. This is 103% 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 9.0%. This is 89% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $100,600. Housing costs are 53% lower than the state median of $214,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, Dayton is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 48.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 28% lower than the state average of 67.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Dayton is White (non-Hispanic), making up 49.9% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 37.6%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (37.6% vs 12.0%).
Education
21.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 31% 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 88.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Dayton, 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 Dayton, Ohio?
Dayton, Ohio has a population of 136,579 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Dayton, OH?
The median household income in Dayton is $45,247, which is 44% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Dayton, OH?
The poverty rate in Dayton is 26.9%. This means approximately 33,612 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Dayton, Ohio?
Dayton's population is 49.9% White, 37.6% Black, 5.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Dayton, OH?
The median home value in Dayton is $100,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.2x.
How educated is Dayton, Ohio?
21.6% of adults (25+) in Dayton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.