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Columbiana County, OH

RANK #400 / 996  ·  POP 101,723  ·  OH

PROJECTED GROWTH: +1.1%

Columbiana County's economy is holding up, but population decline raises questions about long-term trajectory.

[01] Why Columbiana County?

Columbiana, a town within Columbiana County, Ohio, was named the "Nicest Place in America" by Reader's Digest in 2019, reflecting a strong sense of community. Located on Ohio's eastern edge, the county is predominantly rural, with northern areas aligning with Northeast Ohio and southern communities along the Ohio River sharing cultural ties with the Upper Ohio Valley. The landscape varies, with glaciated, fertile land in the north and hilly, rugged terrain in the unglaciated south, offering diverse natural scenery. Outdoor recreation is accessible, with opportunities for hiking, fishing, kayaking, and camping at locations like Beaver Creek State Park and the Little Beaver Creek Greenway Bike Trail. Commute options within the county include the Community Action Rural Transit System (CARTS), which provides demand-response service to towns like Salem, Columbiana, East Liverpool, and Wellsville, and can extend to nearby counties for employment or healthcare needs.

Life in Columbiana County offers a blend of small-town living and access to outdoor activities. The public schools in the county are generally above average. The economy, historically rooted in the pottery industry, now sees activity in manufacturing, healthcare, and retail. Recent economic developments indicate a focus on downtown revitalization in several towns, with efforts to attract new businesses and encourage private investment in commercial and residential sectors. These initiatives aim to create job opportunities and address housing needs, appealing to families and individuals seeking a more tranquil environment with community focus.

[02] Market Snapshot

Housing Ratio
3.4x

Undervalued relative to economy

GDP Growth
+2.8%

Above national median

Home Prices
+0.5%

Well below national median

Climate & Terrain
-0.2

Below-average climate & terrain

Price/Rent
15x

Above national median (13x)

Housing looks undervalued at 3.4x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.

[03] Signal Profile

[04] Home Value Growth vs National

Columbiana County U.S. National

The Numbers

DEMOGRAPHICS
Population
101,723
-0.59% YoY
Median Household Income
$55,473
Median Home Value
$124,400
+0.47% 12mo
Median Rent
$696
Average Annual Pay
$49,319
+4.2% YoY
Employment
28,452
+0.3% YoY
Income-to-Home-Value
0.4459
More affordable than average
Migration Inflow
3.17%
of pop. from another state

Market Activity

REAL ESTATE
Median Sale Price
$164,900
Days on Market
82
Slower market
Months of Supply
3.2
Balanced market
Sale-to-List Ratio
96.0%
Negotiation room for buyers
Sold Above List
15.4%
Listings w/ Price Drops
17.4%
Building Permits (2024)
43
Single-Family Permits
31

Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →

[05] Capital Investment

$1,645M
TOTAL
PROJECT AMOUNT STATUS
South Field Energy Combined-Cycle Power Plant
Advanced Power (South Field Energy)
$1,300M Operating
TownCenter at Firestone Farms and surrounding developments
Various (anchored by TownCenter)
$160M Under Construction
Kensington Solar Project
Kensington PV I, LLC
$135M Proposed
Master Plan Builders Mixed-Use Development
Master Plan Builders
$50M Planned

Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.

[06] Score Breakdown

GDP Growth +2.8% 52 percentile
Population Growth -0.6% 9 percentile
Income Growth +7.4% 24 percentile
Vacancy Rate 0.8% 72 percentile
Home Price Change +0.5% 37 percentile
Price/Rent 15x 36 percentile

Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.

[07] Frequently Asked Questions

Is Columbiana County, OH a good place to move to?

Columbiana County has a Boom Town Index score of 60/100, ranking #400 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +0.3% and a median household income of $55,473, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.

Is Columbiana County affordable?

The median home value in Columbiana County is $124,400 with median rent at $696/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.4459, which is more affordable than the national average.

Is Columbiana County growing or shrinking?

Population growth: -0.6% year-over-year. Job growth: +0.3%. Home values changed +0.5% in the past 12 months.

Are people moving to Columbiana County?

Yes — 3.17% of Columbiana County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.

[08] Similar Metros

Pickaway County, OH 70 Campbell County, KY 70 Kings County, NY 70 Dauphin County, PA 70 Lehigh County, PA 70 Providence County, RI 70 Anchorage Municipality, AK 70 Otero County, NM 70