Wellston, Ohio Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Wellston, Ohio had a total population of 5,452, the 279th largest city in Ohio, with a median household income of $56,193, which is 21% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 25.0%.
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 2.2x.
Wellston Quick Facts
How Wellston 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 | 5,426 | 5,452 | +0.5% |
| Median household income | $55,159 | $56,193 | +1.9% |
| Median home value | $107,900 | $124,000 | +14.9% |
How Wellston 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+)
Wellston Rankings in Ohio
Explore Ohio Rankings
Other Cities in Jackson County
Cities Similar to Wellston
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto | 5,293 | $55,972 | $108,800 | 19.4% | 15.2% |
| Canal Fulton | 5,337 | $62,044 | $189,000 | 22.0% | 13.9% |
| New Carlisle | 5,544 | $64,443 | $131,800 | 11.0% | 18.7% |
| Geneva | 5,886 | $53,557 | $148,300 | 17.5% | 17.1% |
| Mount Orab | 4,987 | $58,347 | $267,400 | 13.9% | 39.3% |
Population Overview
Wellston is a small city located in Ohio, within Jackson County. The total population is 5,452. It ranks as the 279th most populous out of 1,264 Census-designated places in Ohio.
Age Demographics
The median age in Wellston is 40.1 years. This is 1% higher than the state median of 39.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Wellston is $56,193. 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 25.0%. This is 88% 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 3.5%. This is 28% lower than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $124,000. Housing costs are 42% lower than the state median of $214,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, Wellston is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 70.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% higher than the state average of 67.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Wellston has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 97.7% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 0.2%. The Black or African American population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 12.0%.
Education
12.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 62% 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 86.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Wellston, 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 Wellston, Ohio?
Wellston, Ohio has a population of 5,452 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Wellston, OH?
The median household income in Wellston is $56,193, which is 30% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Wellston, OH?
The poverty rate in Wellston is 25.0%. This means approximately 1,290 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Wellston, Ohio?
Wellston's population is 97.7% White, 0.2% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Wellston, OH?
The median home value in Wellston is $124,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.2x.
How educated is Wellston, Ohio?
12.0% of adults (25+) in Wellston hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.