Oberlin, Ohio Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Oberlin, Ohio had a total population of 8,329, the 214th largest city in Ohio, with a median household income of $81,308, which is 14% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- 53.8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Ohio.
Oberlin Quick Facts
How Oberlin 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 | 8,054 | 8,329 | +3.4% |
| Median household income | $73,775 | $81,308 | +10.2% |
| Median home value | $207,500 | $225,600 | +8.7% |
How Oberlin 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+)
Oberlin Rankings in Ohio
Explore Ohio Rankings
Other Cities in Lorain County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lorain | 65,395 | $48,685 | 25.2% | $139,200 |
| 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 |
| Grafton | 5,657 | $90,724 | 9.2% | $216,100 |
| Wellington | 4,593 | $61,578 | 11.6% | $197,000 |
Cities Similar to Oberlin
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Marys | 8,301 | $79,516 | $148,500 | 17.5% | 6.6% |
| Orrville | 8,343 | $72,569 | $188,900 | 24.6% | 15.2% |
| Napoleon | 8,802 | $76,639 | $146,600 | 19.5% | 7.9% |
| Northridge | 7,817 | $84,974 | $193,800 | 23.1% | 8.2% |
| Blacklick Estates | 8,389 | $69,368 | $165,000 | 14.0% | 12.7% |
Population Overview
Oberlin is a small city located in Ohio, within Lorain County. The total population is 8,329. It ranks as the 214th most populous out of 1,264 Census-designated places in Ohio.
Age Demographics
The median age in Oberlin is 27.3 years. This is 31% lower than the state median of 39.7 years. Only 11.2% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 12.4% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Oberlin is $81,308. This is 14% higher than the state median of $71,389. It is also about the same as the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 16.1%. This is 21% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.3%. The unemployment rate is 5.6%. This is 17% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $225,600. Housing costs are 5% higher than the state median of $214,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, Oberlin is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 58.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% lower than the state average of 67.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Oberlin is White (non-Hispanic), making up 67.9% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 11.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (8.1% vs 4.8%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (3.9% vs 2.5%).
Education
53.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Oberlin in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 71% higher 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 96.0%. Notably, 38.3% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Oberlin, 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 Oberlin, Ohio?
Oberlin, Ohio has a population of 8,329 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Oberlin, OH?
The median household income in Oberlin is $81,308, which is about the same as the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Oberlin, OH?
The poverty rate in Oberlin is 16.1%. This means approximately 892 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Oberlin, Ohio?
Oberlin's population is 67.9% White, 11.6% Black, 8.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Oberlin, OH?
The median home value in Oberlin is $225,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.8x.
How educated is Oberlin, Ohio?
53.8% of adults (25+) in Oberlin hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 38.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.