Lancaster city, Ohio Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Lancaster city, Ohio has a total population of 40,902, the 31st largest city in Ohio, with a median household income of $54,901, which is 21% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.8%.
Lancaster city Quick Facts
How Lancaster 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+)
Lancaster city Rankings in Ohio
Explore Ohio Rankings
Cities Similar to Lancaster city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Findlay city | 40,280 | $57,344 | $183,300 | 29.8% | 13.6% |
| Reynoldsburg city | 41,032 | $71,381 | $230,300 | 32.1% | 10.9% |
| Fairborn city | 34,506 | $55,966 | $169,600 | 30.3% | 15.3% |
| Fairfield city | 44,597 | $70,166 | $218,100 | 30.8% | 9.1% |
| Middletown city | 50,607 | $54,985 | $148,300 | 16.1% | 19.0% |
Population Overview
Lancaster city is a mid-sized community located in Ohio, within Fairfield County. The total population is 40,902. It ranks as the 31st most populous out of 1,264 cities and towns in Ohio.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lancaster city is 36.9 years. This is 7% lower than the state median of 39.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Lancaster city is $54,901. This is 21% lower than the state median of $69,680. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 30% lower. The poverty rate stands at 14.8%. This is 12% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 5.0%. This is 3% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $180,200. Housing costs are 10% lower than the state median of $199,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x. 56.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 15% lower than the state average of 67.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
Lancaster city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 90.7% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.0%. The Black or African American population (1.7%) is well below the state average of 12.1%. The Asian population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 2.4%.
Education
21.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 31% 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 92.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lancaster 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 Lancaster city, Ohio?
Lancaster city, Ohio has a population of 40,902 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lancaster city, OH?
The median household income in Lancaster city is $54,901, which is 30% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Lancaster city, OH?
The poverty rate in Lancaster city is 14.8%. This means approximately 5,861 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lancaster city, Ohio?
Lancaster city's population is 90.7% White, 1.7% Black, 3.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lancaster city, OH?
The median home value in Lancaster city is $180,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x.
How educated is Lancaster city, Ohio?
21.3% of adults (25+) in Lancaster city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.