Lima, Ohio Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lima, Ohio had a total population of 35,010, the 42nd largest city in Ohio, with a median household income of $46,240, which is 35% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 23.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 35% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x.
- Unemployment rate of 8.5% is notably above the national average.
Lima Quick Facts
How Lima 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 | 35,304 | 35,010 | -0.8% |
| Median household income | $43,370 | $46,240 | +6.6% |
| Median home value | $95,900 | $107,200 | +11.8% |
How Lima 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 41 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Lima Rankings in Ohio
Explore Ohio Rankings
Other Cities in Allen County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delphos | 7,143 | $61,037 | 12.2% | $129,600 |
| Fort Shawnee | 6,209 | $90,491 | 6.3% | $208,700 |
| Bluffton | 3,859 | $75,694 | 3.2% | $212,400 |
| Elida | 2,163 | $81,083 | 3.1% | $220,900 |
| Spencerville | 2,107 | $54,883 | 15.1% | $137,100 |
| Cairo | 581 | $83,125 | 6.9% | $114,500 |
| Westminster | 526 | $118,583 | 0.0% | $190,100 |
| Harrod | 453 | $72,813 | 9.7% | $103,400 |
| Beaverdam | 404 | $86,964 | 12.9% | $104,700 |
| Lafayette | 293 | $53,125 | 7.8% | $121,300 |
Cities Similar to Lima
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marion | 35,669 | $47,951 | $119,500 | 10.5% | 22.4% |
| Fairborn | 34,534 | $61,751 | $175,000 | 30.2% | 13.7% |
| Bowling Green | 29,983 | $45,154 | $226,100 | 44.2% | 28.6% |
| Massillon | 32,338 | $56,446 | $149,900 | 17.8% | 13.9% |
| Warren | 38,912 | $37,887 | $86,400 | 15.7% | 31.9% |
Population Overview
Lima is a mid-sized community located in Ohio, within Allen County. The total population is 35,010. It ranks as the 42nd most populous out of 1,264 Census-designated places in Ohio.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lima is 36.8 years. This is 7% lower than the state median of 39.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Lima is $46,240. This is 35% lower than the state median of $71,389. It is also 43% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 23.9%. This is 80% 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 8.5%. This is 78% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $107,200. Housing costs are 50% lower than the state median of $214,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, Lima is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 45.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 32% lower than the state average of 67.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Lima is White (non-Hispanic), making up 64.3% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 20.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (20.4% vs 12.0%). The Asian population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 2.5%.
Education
12.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 60% 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 88.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lima, 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 Lima, Ohio?
Lima, Ohio has a population of 35,010 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lima, OH?
The median household income in Lima is $46,240, which is 43% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Lima, OH?
The poverty rate in Lima is 23.9%. This means approximately 7,958 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lima, Ohio?
Lima's population is 64.3% White, 20.4% Black, 4.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lima, OH?
The median home value in Lima is $107,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.3x.
How educated is Lima, Ohio?
12.8% of adults (25+) in Lima hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.