Nelsonville, Ohio Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Nelsonville, Ohio had a total population of 4,279, the 319th largest city in Ohio, with a median household income of $49,750, which is 30% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 30% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x.
- Unemployment rate of 11.6% is notably above the national average.
Nelsonville Quick Facts
How Nelsonville 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 | 3,816 | 4,279 | +12.1% |
| Median household income | $42,281 | $49,750 | +17.7% |
| Median home value | $90,700 | $99,200 | +9.4% |
How Nelsonville 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+)
Nelsonville Rankings in Ohio
Explore Ohio Rankings
Other Cities in Athens County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Athens | 23,396 | $38,204 | 40.0% | $247,000 |
| The Plains | 2,748 | $59,688 | 19.0% | $233,500 |
| Glouster | 1,473 | $38,375 | 28.0% | $82,600 |
| Albany | 1,013 | $52,070 | 9.3% | $145,600 |
| Coolville | 664 | $47,333 | 18.1% | $128,600 |
| Chauncey | 655 | $35,200 | 34.7% | $74,400 |
| Stewart | 479 | N/A | 0.0% | $73,900 |
| Trimble | 466 | $47,120 | 17.6% | $60,400 |
| Buchtel | 451 | $70,000 | 13.8% | $150,000 |
| Jacksonville | 344 | $66,875 | 12.2% | $88,100 |
Cities Similar to Nelsonville
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sebring | 4,146 | $49,541 | $90,300 | 16.0% | 20.3% |
| Crestline | 4,470 | $51,766 | $104,600 | 19.9% | 14.4% |
| Newton Falls | 4,549 | $50,506 | $105,700 | 18.5% | 15.5% |
| Waverly | 4,127 | $55,172 | $168,900 | 23.4% | 15.3% |
| East Palestine | 4,696 | $49,777 | $113,700 | 13.7% | 15.6% |
Population Overview
Nelsonville is a small community located in Ohio, within Athens County. The total population is 4,279. It ranks as the 319th most populous out of 1,264 Census-designated places in Ohio.
Age Demographics
The median age in Nelsonville is 31.2 years. This is 21% lower than the state median of 39.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Nelsonville is $49,750. This is 30% lower than the state median of $71,389. It is also 38% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 16.6%. This is 25% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.3%. The unemployment rate is 11.6%. This is 144% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $99,200. Housing costs are 54% lower than the state median of $214,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x, Nelsonville is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 39.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 41% lower than the state average of 67.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Nelsonville has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 89.6% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 4.1%. The Black or African American population (4.1%) is well below the state average of 12.0%. The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 2.5%.
Education
12.7% 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 86.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Nelsonville, 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 Nelsonville, Ohio?
Nelsonville, Ohio has a population of 4,279 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Nelsonville, OH?
The median household income in Nelsonville is $49,750, which is 38% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Nelsonville, OH?
The poverty rate in Nelsonville is 16.6%. This means approximately 602 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Nelsonville, Ohio?
Nelsonville's population is 89.6% White, 4.1% Black, 3.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Nelsonville, OH?
The median home value in Nelsonville is $99,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.0x.
How educated is Nelsonville, Ohio?
12.7% of adults (25+) in Nelsonville hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.