Sandusky, Ohio Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Sandusky, Ohio had a total population of 24,606, the 66th largest city in Ohio, with a median household income of $50,139, which is 30% 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%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x.
Sandusky Quick Facts
How Sandusky 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 | 24,748 | 24,606 | -0.6% |
| Median household income | $47,827 | $50,139 | +4.8% |
| Median home value | $104,800 | $113,100 | +7.9% |
How Sandusky 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+)
Sandusky Rankings in Ohio
Explore Ohio Rankings
Other Cities in Erie County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bellevue | 8,187 | $53,875 | 18.9% | $152,800 |
| Huron | 6,757 | $78,333 | 5.6% | $222,500 |
| Milan | 1,774 | $97,973 | 7.1% | $193,100 |
| Castalia | 1,230 | $55,455 | 36.6% | $186,300 |
| Berlin Heights | 1,089 | $93,417 | 13.5% | $177,900 |
| Bay View | 622 | $79,792 | 4.5% | $169,300 |
| Whites Landing | 386 | $34,132 | 27.7% | $200,800 |
| Bloomingville | 302 | $126,792 | 0.0% | $242,500 |
| Mitiwanga | 228 | $78,651 | 0.0% | $284,400 |
| Birmingham | 132 | N/A | 12.9% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Sandusky
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barberton | 24,844 | $52,267 | $135,200 | 18.0% | 15.6% |
| Trotwood | 23,041 | $50,113 | $113,200 | 19.3% | 21.5% |
| Zanesville | 24,740 | $43,280 | $123,700 | 15.1% | 24.1% |
| Maple Heights | 23,258 | $53,414 | $97,900 | 16.1% | 25.4% |
| Xenia | 25,689 | $56,029 | $162,400 | 21.9% | 17.9% |
Population Overview
Sandusky is a small city located in Ohio, within Erie County. The total population is 24,606. It ranks as the 66th most populous out of 1,264 Census-designated places in Ohio.
Age Demographics
The median age in Sandusky is 36.5 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 39.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Sandusky is $50,139. 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 25.6%. This is 92% 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 7.8%. This is 63% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $113,100. Housing costs are 47% lower than the state median of $214,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, Sandusky is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 50.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 25% lower than the state average of 67.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Sandusky is White (non-Hispanic), making up 60.4% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 21.8%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (21.8% vs 12.0%).
Education
22.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 30% 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 89.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Sandusky, 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 Sandusky, Ohio?
Sandusky, Ohio has a population of 24,606 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Sandusky, OH?
The median household income in Sandusky is $50,139, which is 38% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Sandusky, OH?
The poverty rate in Sandusky is 25.6%. This means approximately 6,205 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Sandusky, Ohio?
Sandusky's population is 60.4% White, 21.8% Black, 6.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Sandusky, OH?
The median home value in Sandusky is $113,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.3x.
How educated is Sandusky, Ohio?
22.0% of adults (25+) in Sandusky hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.