Lorain, Ohio Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lorain, Ohio had a total population of 65,395, the 9th largest city in Ohio, with a median household income of $48,685, which is 32% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 25.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 32% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (25.2%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Lorain Quick Facts
How Lorain 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 | 65,207 | 65,395 | +0.3% |
| Median household income | $45,799 | $48,685 | +6.3% |
| Median home value | $123,500 | $139,200 | +12.7% |
How Lorain 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 41 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Lorain Rankings in Ohio
Explore Ohio Rankings
Other Cities in Lorain County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elyria | 53,035 | $54,945 | 16.7% | $156,100 |
| North Ridgeville | 36,627 | $96,698 | 5.7% | $270,100 |
| Avon Lake | 25,752 | $115,567 | 3.1% | $368,300 |
| Avon | 25,317 | $135,915 | 3.0% | $395,900 |
| Amherst | 12,906 | $90,725 | 6.2% | $239,200 |
| Vermilion | 10,343 | $69,701 | 6.7% | $183,600 |
| Sheffield Lake | 8,966 | $69,632 | 14.8% | $167,000 |
| Oberlin | 8,329 | $81,308 | 16.1% | $225,600 |
| Grafton | 5,657 | $90,724 | 9.2% | $216,100 |
| Wellington | 4,593 | $61,578 | 11.6% | $197,000 |
Cities Similar to Lorain
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hamilton | 63,468 | $55,166 | $165,200 | 16.5% | 19.6% |
| Canton | 69,755 | $43,188 | $97,800 | 16.4% | 27.4% |
| Springfield | 58,190 | $47,143 | $116,800 | 16.8% | 23.1% |
| Elyria | 53,035 | $54,945 | $156,100 | 17.8% | 16.7% |
| Youngstown | 59,331 | $34,408 | $63,300 | 15.5% | 37.3% |
Population Overview
Lorain is a mid-sized community located in Ohio, within Lorain County. The total population is 65,395. It ranks as the 9th most populous out of 1,264 Census-designated places in Ohio.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lorain is 39.8 years. This is about the same as the state median of 39.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Lorain is $48,685. This is 32% lower than the state median of $71,389. It is also 40% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 25.2%. This is 90% 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 6.3%. This is 33% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $139,200. Housing costs are 35% lower than the state median of $214,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Lorain is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 57.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 15% lower than the state average of 67.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Lorain is White (non-Hispanic), making up 49.1% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 28.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (28.3% vs 4.8%). The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 2.5%.
Education
14.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 53% 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 Lorain, 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 Lorain, Ohio?
Lorain, Ohio has a population of 65,395 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lorain, OH?
The median household income in Lorain is $48,685, which is 40% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Lorain, OH?
The poverty rate in Lorain is 25.2%. This means approximately 16,295 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lorain, Ohio?
Lorain's population is 49.1% White, 16.5% Black, 28.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lorain, OH?
The median home value in Lorain is $139,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.9x.
How educated is Lorain, Ohio?
14.8% of adults (25+) in Lorain hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.