Kent, Ohio Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Kent, Ohio had a total population of 27,116, the 55th largest city in Ohio, with a median household income of $42,964, which is 40% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 27.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 40% 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%.
- Unemployment rate of 11.2% is notably above the national average.
Kent Quick Facts
How Kent 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 | 27,190 | 27,116 | -0.3% |
| Median household income | $42,524 | $42,964 | +1.0% |
| Median home value | $210,700 | $219,900 | +4.4% |
How Kent 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+)
Kent Rankings in Ohio
Explore Ohio Rankings
Other Cities in Portage County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Streetsboro | 17,661 | $90,274 | 5.6% | $220,500 |
| Aurora | 17,581 | $127,886 | 3.4% | $387,800 |
| Ravenna | 11,274 | $59,971 | 19.1% | $139,700 |
| Brimfield | 2,979 | $90,377 | 4.2% | $200,100 |
| Garrettsville | 2,752 | $66,404 | 11.2% | $191,000 |
| Windham | 2,020 | $54,219 | 23.0% | $128,700 |
| Hiram | 1,201 | $75,313 | 14.8% | $223,400 |
| Suffield | 1,126 | $61,667 | 8.4% | $215,600 |
| Brady Lake | 831 | $44,205 | 11.6% | $175,400 |
| Atwater | 745 | $56,467 | 4.4% | $130,400 |
Cities Similar to Kent
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zanesville | 24,740 | $43,280 | $123,700 | 15.1% | 24.1% |
| Bowling Green | 29,983 | $45,154 | $226,100 | 44.2% | 28.6% |
| Sandusky | 24,606 | $50,139 | $113,100 | 22.0% | 25.6% |
| Barberton | 24,844 | $52,267 | $135,200 | 18.0% | 15.6% |
| Xenia | 25,689 | $56,029 | $162,400 | 21.9% | 17.9% |
Population Overview
Kent is a mid-sized community located in Ohio, within Portage County. The total population is 27,116. It ranks as the 55th most populous out of 1,264 Census-designated places in Ohio.
Age Demographics
The median age in Kent is 23.8 years. This is 40% lower than the state median of 39.7 years. Only 12.5% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Kent is $42,964. This is 40% lower than the state median of $71,389. It is also 47% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 27.1%. This is 104% 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 11.2%. This is 136% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $219,900. Housing costs are 2% higher than the state median of $214,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.1x. 40.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 39% lower than the state average of 67.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Kent is White (non-Hispanic), making up 81.0% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 8.5%.
Education
47.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 50% higher 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 94.8%. Notably, 21.3% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Kent, 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 Kent, Ohio?
Kent, Ohio has a population of 27,116 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Kent, OH?
The median household income in Kent is $42,964, which is 47% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Kent, OH?
The poverty rate in Kent is 27.1%. This means approximately 5,845 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Kent, Ohio?
Kent's population is 81.0% White, 8.5% Black, 2.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Kent, OH?
The median home value in Kent is $219,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.1x.
How educated is Kent, Ohio?
47.1% of adults (25+) in Kent hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 21.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.