East Palestine, Ohio Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, East Palestine, Ohio had a total population of 4,696, the 303rd largest village in Ohio, with a median household income of $49,777, which is 30% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 30% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.5%.
East Palestine Quick Facts
How East Palestine 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 | 4,699 | 4,696 | -0.1% |
| Median household income | $49,006 | $49,777 | +1.6% |
| Median home value | $114,100 | $113,700 | -0.4% |
How East Palestine 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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 41 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
East Palestine Rankings in Ohio
Explore Ohio Rankings
Other Cities in Columbiana County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Liverpool | 9,783 | $34,009 | 32.9% | $81,300 |
| Columbiana | 6,903 | $54,688 | 8.3% | $191,700 |
| Calcutta | 4,754 | $58,793 | 9.0% | $158,000 |
| Wellsville | 3,063 | $31,720 | 32.9% | $78,600 |
| Lisbon | 2,832 | $46,667 | 25.9% | $110,000 |
| Leetonia | 1,862 | $62,143 | 11.8% | $109,800 |
| Glenmoor | 1,590 | $73,750 | 20.4% | $155,100 |
| Guilford Lake | 1,307 | $92,768 | 5.7% | $215,500 |
| Salineville | 992 | $47,917 | 21.5% | $89,700 |
| New Waterford | 950 | $46,875 | 21.8% | $154,200 |
Cities Similar to East Palestine
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newton Falls | 4,549 | $50,506 | $105,700 | 18.5% | 15.5% |
| Lexington | 4,774 | $52,196 | $192,300 | 25.9% | 13.8% |
| Crestline | 4,470 | $51,766 | $104,600 | 19.9% | 14.4% |
| Blanchester | 4,538 | $54,583 | $195,700 | 6.8% | 13.2% |
| Nelsonville | 4,279 | $49,750 | $99,200 | 12.7% | 16.6% |
Population Overview
East Palestine is a small community located in Ohio, within Columbiana County. The total population is 4,696. It ranks as the 303rd most populous out of 1,264 Census-designated places in Ohio.
Age Demographics
The median age in East Palestine is 44.5 years. This is 12% higher than the state median of 39.7 years. 14.9% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in East Palestine is $49,777. This is 30% lower than the state median of $71,389. It is also 38% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 15.6%. This is 17% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.3%. The unemployment rate is 1.5%. This is 68% lower than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $113,700. Housing costs are 47% lower than the state median of $214,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, East Palestine is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 68.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 1% higher than the state average of 67.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
East Palestine has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 88.9% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.9%. The Black or African American population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 12.0%.
Education
13.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 57% 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 84.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for East Palestine, 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 East Palestine, Ohio?
East Palestine, Ohio has a population of 4,696 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in East Palestine, OH?
The median household income in East Palestine is $49,777, which is 38% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in East Palestine, OH?
The poverty rate in East Palestine is 15.6%. This means approximately 713 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of East Palestine, Ohio?
East Palestine's population is 88.9% White, 0.1% Black, 5.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in East Palestine, OH?
The median home value in East Palestine is $113,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.3x.
How educated is East Palestine, Ohio?
13.7% of adults (25+) in East Palestine hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.