Martins Ferry, Ohio Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Martins Ferry, Ohio had a total population of 6,140, the 262nd largest city in Ohio, with a median household income of $37,467, which is 48% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 34.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 48% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (34.3%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 14.1% is notably above the national average.
Martins Ferry Quick Facts
How Martins Ferry 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 | 6,192 | 6,140 | -0.8% |
| Median household income | $43,073 | $37,467 | -13.0% |
| Median home value | $92,800 | $96,200 | +3.7% |
How Martins Ferry 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+)
Martins Ferry Rankings in Ohio
Explore Ohio Rankings
Other Cities in Belmont County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Clairsville | 5,003 | $76,480 | 11.6% | $199,000 |
| Barnesville | 3,945 | $42,443 | 26.2% | $114,800 |
| Bellaire | 3,800 | $38,205 | 31.8% | $85,400 |
| Shadyside | 3,387 | $54,153 | 8.2% | $143,100 |
| Bridgeport | 1,453 | $54,125 | 16.3% | $94,200 |
| Powhatan Point | 1,420 | $48,750 | 21.4% | $109,900 |
| Bethesda | 1,239 | $35,900 | 21.8% | $109,000 |
| Flushing | 1,149 | $66,850 | 16.1% | $96,600 |
| Wolfhurst | 1,058 | $28,833 | 33.3% | $75,000 |
| Neffs | 921 | $31,250 | 5.4% | $84,500 |
Cities Similar to Martins Ferry
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clyde | 6,331 | $50,574 | $129,600 | 21.4% | 11.3% |
| Willard | 6,164 | $53,542 | $115,700 | 16.6% | 18.5% |
| Jackson | 6,231 | $53,538 | $153,600 | 18.3% | 18.7% |
| Moraine | 6,536 | $48,788 | $156,800 | 17.3% | 22.8% |
| Geneva | 5,886 | $53,557 | $148,300 | 17.5% | 17.1% |
Population Overview
Martins Ferry is a small city located in Ohio, within Belmont County. The total population is 6,140. It ranks as the 262nd most populous out of 1,264 Census-designated places in Ohio.
Age Demographics
The median age in Martins Ferry is 40.6 years. This is 2% higher than the state median of 39.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Martins Ferry is $37,467. This is 48% lower than the state median of $71,389. It is also 54% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 34.3%. This is 158% 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 14.1%. This is 197% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $96,200. Housing costs are 55% lower than the state median of $214,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Martins Ferry is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 53.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 20% lower than the state average of 67.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Martins Ferry is White (non-Hispanic), making up 79.2% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 6.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 4.8%.
Education
13.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 57% 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 88.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Martins Ferry, 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 Martins Ferry, Ohio?
Martins Ferry, Ohio has a population of 6,140 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Martins Ferry, OH?
The median household income in Martins Ferry is $37,467, which is 54% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Martins Ferry, OH?
The poverty rate in Martins Ferry is 34.3%. This means approximately 2,024 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Martins Ferry, Ohio?
Martins Ferry's population is 79.2% White, 6.0% Black, 0.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Martins Ferry, OH?
The median home value in Martins Ferry is $96,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.6x.
How educated is Martins Ferry, Ohio?
13.4% of adults (25+) in Martins Ferry hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.