Wooster, Ohio Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Wooster, Ohio had a total population of 26,971, the 56th largest city in Ohio, with a median household income of $66,898, which is 6% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 9.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Wooster Quick Facts
How Wooster 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 | 27,012 | 26,971 | -0.2% |
| Median household income | $65,888 | $66,898 | +1.5% |
| Median home value | $198,400 | $214,200 | +8.0% |
How Wooster 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+)
Wooster Rankings in Ohio
Explore Ohio Rankings
Other Cities in Wayne County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orrville | 8,343 | $72,569 | 15.2% | $188,900 |
| Doylestown | 3,048 | $79,181 | 3.1% | $268,500 |
| Dalton | 1,636 | $68,571 | 4.1% | $183,300 |
| Shreve | 1,552 | $66,220 | 10.3% | $145,200 |
| Smithville | 1,330 | $71,944 | 6.7% | $197,100 |
| West Salem | 1,033 | $62,042 | 13.9% | $125,900 |
| Apple Creek | 963 | $71,250 | 7.4% | $191,400 |
| Marshallville | 707 | $59,821 | 6.0% | $172,300 |
| Kidron | 608 | $70,227 | 1.6% | $201,900 |
| Fredericksburg | 452 | $75,909 | 1.3% | $168,400 |
Cities Similar to Wooster
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Troy | 26,842 | $68,830 | $217,400 | 33.2% | 12.6% |
| Medina | 25,950 | $77,385 | $243,600 | 35.6% | 8.3% |
| Xenia | 25,689 | $56,029 | $162,400 | 21.9% | 17.9% |
| Riverside | 24,435 | $61,352 | $147,800 | 22.5% | 15.3% |
| Willoughby | 24,046 | $71,309 | $216,900 | 36.6% | 9.5% |
Population Overview
Wooster is a mid-sized community located in Ohio, within Wayne County. The total population is 26,971. It ranks as the 56th most populous out of 1,264 Census-designated places in Ohio.
Age Demographics
The median age in Wooster is 40.1 years. This is 1% higher than the state median of 39.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Wooster is $66,898. This is 6% lower than the state median of $71,389. It is also 17% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 9.2%. This is 31% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.3%. The unemployment rate is 3.8%. This is 20% lower than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $214,200. Housing costs are about the same as the state median of $214,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 65.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% lower than the state average of 67.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Wooster has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 87.1% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.5%. The Black or African American population (2.2%) is well below the state average of 12.0%.
Education
36.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 17% 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 94.2%. Notably, 16.9% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Wooster, 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 Wooster, Ohio?
Wooster, Ohio has a population of 26,971 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Wooster, OH?
The median household income in Wooster is $66,898, which is 17% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Wooster, OH?
The poverty rate in Wooster is 9.2%. This means approximately 2,151 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Wooster, Ohio?
Wooster's population is 87.1% White, 2.2% Black, 3.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Wooster, OH?
The median home value in Wooster is $214,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
How educated is Wooster, Ohio?
36.9% of adults (25+) in Wooster hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 16.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.