Skip to main content

Defiance city, Ohio Demographics & Population 2026

Very AffordableHome value to income ratio of 2.1x is exceptionally low

As of 2026, Defiance city, Ohio has a total population of 16,830, the 114th largest city in Ohio, with a median household income of $63,118, which is 9% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.7%.

Key Takeaways

Defiance city Quick Facts

Population 16,830
Median Household Income $63,118
Median Home Value $134,600
Poverty Rate 14.7%
Unemployment Rate 5.5%
Median Age 41.3 years
Homeownership Rate 68.4%
Affordability Ratio 2.1x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 22.8%
High School Graduation Rate 91.7%
Diversity Index 36/100
Population 16,830 114th of 1,264
Median Income $63,118 average
Poverty Rate 14.7% 18% higher national
Median Home Value $134,600 average

How Defiance city Compares

Economy & Housing

Employment

5.5% Unemployment Rate State: 4.9% | National: 5.2%
62.3% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 68.4%
Renter 31.6%
Affordability Index Very Affordable
2.1x home value to income ratio

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

36out of 100
Low Diversity

A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.

State average: 39 | National average: 60

Education

Defiance city Rankings in Ohio

#114 Population of 1,264
#646 Median Income of 1,264
#473 Education of 1,264
#679 Home Value of 1,264

Cities Similar to Defiance city

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

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Eastlake city17,538$62,510$168,30021.0%7.7%
Norwalk city17,054$58,940$156,00020.3%15.0%
New Philadelphia city17,563$60,932$164,60022.6%15.6%
Mount Vernon city16,802$54,335$161,40024.7%18.4%
Fairview Park city17,049$77,688$225,80046.5%9.7%

Population Overview

Defiance city is a small city located in Ohio. The total population is 16,830. It ranks as the 114th most populous out of 1,264 cities and towns in Ohio.

Age Demographics

The median age in Defiance city is 41.3 years. This is 4% higher than the state median of 39.6 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Defiance city is $63,118. This is 9% lower than the state median of $69,680. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 20% lower. The poverty rate stands at 14.7%. This is 11% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 5.5%. This is 13% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $134,600. Housing costs are 32% lower than the state median of $199,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x, Defiance city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 68.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% higher than the state average of 67.0%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Defiance city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 78.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 16.0%. The Black or African American population (2.8%) is well below the state average of 12.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (16.0% vs 4.6%). The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 2.4%.

Education

22.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 26% 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 91.7%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Defiance 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.

Free data download: Get all Ohio city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Defiance city, Ohio?

Defiance city, Ohio has a population of 16,830 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

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

The median household income in Defiance city is $63,118, which is 20% lower the national median of $78,538.

What is the poverty rate in Defiance city, OH?

The poverty rate in Defiance city is 14.7%. This means approximately 2,383 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Defiance city, Ohio?

Defiance city's population is 78.3% White, 2.8% Black, 16.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.3% Asian.

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

The median home value in Defiance city is $134,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.1x.

How educated is Defiance city, Ohio?

22.8% of adults (25+) in Defiance city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.