Portage, Ohio Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Portage, Ohio had a total population of 498, the 884th largest village in Ohio, with a median household income of $56,316, which is 21% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 24.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x.
- Unemployment rate of 28.0% is notably above the national average.
Portage Quick Facts
How Portage 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 | 445 | 498 | +11.9% |
| Median household income | $54,175 | $56,316 | +4.0% |
| Median home value | $113,800 | $131,700 | +15.7% |
How Portage 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+)
Portage Rankings in Ohio
Explore Ohio Rankings
Other Cities in Wood County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bowling Green | 29,983 | $45,154 | 28.6% | $226,100 |
| Perrysburg | 25,181 | $111,643 | 4.1% | $329,700 |
| Fostoria | 12,344 | $54,151 | 16.4% | $87,200 |
| Rossford | 6,323 | $71,199 | 10.3% | $174,900 |
| Northwood | 5,193 | $77,268 | 13.8% | $183,100 |
| North Baltimore | 3,584 | $60,396 | 14.0% | $117,900 |
| Walbridge | 3,034 | $55,469 | 13.3% | $137,600 |
| Weston | 1,638 | $60,714 | 12.6% | $128,800 |
| Pemberville | 1,371 | $88,269 | 5.4% | $184,800 |
| Haskins | 1,291 | $108,828 | 4.4% | $240,600 |
Cities Similar to Portage
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bourneville | 509 | N/A | $84,300 | 12.3% | 4.9% |
| Rayland | 507 | $57,188 | $118,000 | 13.8% | 17.4% |
| Bergholz | 510 | $56,875 | $65,300 | 12.4% | 23.7% |
| Tuppers Plains | 515 | $56,250 | $142,500 | 11.4% | 18.6% |
| Stewart | 479 | N/A | $73,900 | 7.6% | 0.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 498, Portage's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Portage is a small community located in Ohio, within Wood County. The total population is 498. It ranks as the 884th most populous out of 1,264 Census-designated places in Ohio.
Age Demographics
The median age in Portage is 44.8 years. This is 13% higher than the state median of 39.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Portage is $56,316. This is 21% lower than the state median of $71,389. It is also 30% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 24.5%. This is 84% 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 28.0%. This is 488% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $131,700. Housing costs are 39% lower than the state median of $214,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, Portage is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 46.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 30% lower than the state average of 67.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Portage is White (non-Hispanic), making up 68.1% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 18.3%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (18.3% vs 12.0%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (9.6% vs 4.8%).
Education
34.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 8% 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 90.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Portage, 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.
Free data download: Get all Ohio city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Portage, Ohio?
Portage, Ohio has a population of 498 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Portage, OH?
The median household income in Portage is $56,316, which is 30% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Portage, OH?
The poverty rate in Portage is 24.5%. This means approximately 122 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Portage, Ohio?
Portage's population is 68.1% White, 18.3% Black, 9.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Portage, OH?
The median home value in Portage is $131,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.3x.
How educated is Portage, Ohio?
34.0% of adults (25+) in Portage hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.