Kent city, Ohio Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Kent city, Ohio has a total population of 27,190, the 54th largest city in Ohio, with a median household income of $42,524, which is 39% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 24.8%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 39% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- 46.6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Ohio.
- Unemployment rate of 10.4% is notably above the national average.
Kent city Quick Facts
How Kent 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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 39 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Kent city Rankings in Ohio
Explore Ohio Rankings
Other Cities in Portage County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Streetsboro city | 17,514 | $82,273 | 6.5% | $197,000 |
| Aurora city | 17,386 | $125,567 | 2.5% | $371,400 |
| Ravenna city | 11,286 | $52,368 | 21.2% | $129,400 |
| Garrettsville village | 2,806 | $69,821 | 11.8% | $193,100 |
| Windham village | 1,807 | $43,036 | 30.3% | $124,700 |
| Hiram village | 1,363 | $93,199 | 9.9% | $225,900 |
| Mantua village | 694 | $48,920 | 18.9% | $169,100 |
| Sugar Bush Knolls village | 349 | $166,087 | 1.4% | $408,200 |
Cities Similar to Kent city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zanesville city | 24,726 | $39,085 | $106,900 | 13.4% | 26.8% |
| Bowling Green city | 30,051 | $46,719 | $217,300 | 47.0% | 29.7% |
| Sandusky city | 24,748 | $47,827 | $104,800 | 20.5% | 24.2% |
| Barberton city | 24,977 | $48,943 | $120,100 | 17.9% | 16.9% |
| Garfield Heights city | 29,369 | $52,006 | $100,000 | 15.6% | 21.4% |
Population Overview
Kent city is a mid-sized community located in Ohio, within Portage County. The total population is 27,190. It ranks as the 54th most populous out of 1,264 cities and towns in Ohio.
Age Demographics
The median age in Kent city is 24.2 years. This is 39% lower than the state median of 39.6 years. Only 13.5% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Kent city is $42,524. This is 39% lower than the state median of $69,680. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 46% lower. The poverty rate stands at 24.8%. This is 87% 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 10.4%. This is 114% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $210,700. Housing costs are 6% higher than the state median of $199,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.0x. 42.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 37% lower than the state average of 67.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Kent city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 79.9% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 8.3%.
Education
46.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Kent city in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 50% higher 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 95.2%. Notably, 23.2% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Kent 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 Kent city, Ohio?
Kent city, Ohio has a population of 27,190 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Kent city, OH?
The median household income in Kent city is $42,524, which is 46% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Kent city, OH?
The poverty rate in Kent city is 24.8%. This means approximately 5,387 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Kent city, Ohio?
Kent city's population is 79.9% White, 8.3% Black, 2.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Kent city, OH?
The median home value in Kent city is $210,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.0x.
How educated is Kent city, Ohio?
46.6% of adults (25+) in Kent city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 23.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.