Painesville, Ohio Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Painesville, Ohio had a total population of 20,548, the 84th largest city in Ohio, with a median household income of $51,516, which is 28% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 25.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (25.6%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Painesville Quick Facts
How Painesville 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 | 20,453 | 20,548 | +0.5% |
| Median household income | $50,455 | $51,516 | +2.1% |
| Median home value | $151,400 | $158,800 | +4.9% |
How Painesville 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+)
Painesville Rankings in Ohio
Explore Ohio Rankings
Other Cities in Lake County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mentor | 47,171 | $88,949 | 5.2% | $247,700 |
| Willoughby | 24,046 | $71,309 | 9.5% | $216,900 |
| Eastlake | 17,493 | $62,072 | 8.4% | $172,100 |
| Willowick | 14,162 | $77,228 | 5.7% | $166,000 |
| Wickliffe | 12,659 | $81,750 | 6.6% | $166,900 |
| Willoughby Hills | 9,975 | $67,214 | 5.6% | $328,600 |
| North Madison | 8,594 | $67,711 | 10.0% | $157,300 |
| Mentor-on-the-Lake | 7,111 | $67,188 | 8.5% | $188,500 |
| Kirtland | 6,911 | $110,455 | 4.7% | $391,300 |
| Madison | 3,417 | $94,928 | 4.1% | $207,100 |
Cities Similar to Painesville
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whitehall | 20,019 | $51,759 | $159,600 | 14.1% | 16.4% |
| Sidney | 20,501 | $60,668 | $169,900 | 18.6% | 14.2% |
| Parma Heights | 20,581 | $61,009 | $175,100 | 27.5% | 13.9% |
| Alliance | 21,478 | $56,106 | $125,400 | 17.0% | 23.8% |
| Chillicothe | 21,902 | $54,086 | $162,500 | 21.9% | 17.4% |
Population Overview
Painesville is a small city located in Ohio, within Lake County. The total population is 20,548. It ranks as the 84th most populous out of 1,264 Census-designated places in Ohio.
Age Demographics
The median age in Painesville is 34.5 years. This is 13% lower than the state median of 39.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Painesville is $51,516. This is 28% lower than the state median of $71,389. It is also 36% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 25.6%. This is 93% 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 6.5%. This is 36% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $158,800. Housing costs are 26% lower than the state median of $214,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x. 51.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 24% lower than the state average of 67.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Painesville is White (non-Hispanic), making up 61.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 25.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (25.8% vs 4.8%).
Education
22.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 28% 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 83.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Painesville, 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 Painesville, Ohio?
Painesville, Ohio has a population of 20,548 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Painesville, OH?
The median household income in Painesville is $51,516, which is 36% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Painesville, OH?
The poverty rate in Painesville is 25.6%. This means approximately 5,074 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Painesville, Ohio?
Painesville's population is 61.4% White, 7.6% Black, 25.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Painesville, OH?
The median home value in Painesville is $158,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x.
How educated is Painesville, Ohio?
22.7% of adults (25+) in Painesville hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.