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Lucas County, OH

RANK #119 / 996  ·  POP 430,014  ·  OH

PROJECTED GROWTH: +2.7%

Lucas County ranks among the top U.S. counties across nearly every economic indicator.

[01] Why Lucas County?

Lucas County, Ohio, distinguishes itself with the Maumee River, a significant waterway that flows into Lake Erie and is renowned for its annual walleye run, attracting anglers from across the country. Located in northwest Ohio, bordering Michigan, the county seat of Toledo is approximately an hour's drive from Detroit. The community offers a blend of urban and suburban living, with towns like Maumee and Sylvania providing distinct atmospheres. The Metroparks of the Toledo area, including the expansive Oak Openings Preserve, offer over 12,000 acres of natural land and 120 miles of trails for hiking, biking, and other outdoor pursuits.

Life in Lucas County offers a range of experiences, from the cultural attractions of Toledo, including the Toledo Museum of Art, to the quieter, family-friendly suburbs with above-average public schools. Commute times average around 20.5 minutes, with many residents driving alone to work, though public transit options are available through TARTA. The economy, historically rooted in manufacturing, healthcare, and education, is undergoing diversification. Recent economic development efforts focus on attracting new businesses and investment, particularly in sectors like logistics and technology, with initiatives to streamline development and permitting processes.

[02] Market Snapshot

Housing Ratio
2.4x

Undervalued relative to economy

GDP Growth
+1.8%

Below national median

Home Prices
+5.0%

Outpacing national median

Climate & Terrain
-0.9

Below-average climate & terrain

Price/Rent
11x

Strong rental yield

Housing looks undervalued at 2.4x — 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

Lucas County U.S. National

The Numbers

DEMOGRAPHICS
Population
430,014
-0.28% YoY
Median Household Income
$57,265
Median Home Value
$144,200
+5.04% 12mo
Median Rent
$879
Average Annual Pay
$62,231
+3.7% YoY
Employment
194,869
-0.7% YoY
Income-to-Home-Value
0.3971
More affordable than average
Migration Inflow
2.02%
of pop. from another state

Market Activity

REAL ESTATE
Median Sale Price
$170,000
Days on Market
51
Moderate pace
Months of Supply
3.2
Balanced market
Sale-to-List Ratio
98.2%
Near asking price
Sold Above List
30.3%
Listings w/ Price Drops
16.5%
Building Permits (2024)
413
Single-Family Permits
287

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

[05] Capital Investment

$2,750M
TOTAL
PROJECT AMOUNT STATUS
Proposed Oregon Data Center
Capacity LLC
$1,000M Planned
Oregon Energy Center
Clean Energy Future-Oregon LLC (now CPV Oregon Holdings, LLC)
$950M Under Construction
Oregon Clean Energy Center
Ares Management, L.P. and I Squared Capital
$800M Operating

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

[06] Score Breakdown

GDP Growth +1.8% 30 percentile
Population Growth -0.3% 16 percentile
Income Growth +7.7% 30 percentile
Vacancy Rate 1.2% 38 percentile
Home Price Change +5.0% 90 percentile
Rent Growth +4.0% 67 percentile
Price/Rent 11x 82 percentile

Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.

[07] Frequently Asked Questions

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

Lucas County has a Boom Town Index score of 88/100, ranking #119 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at -0.7% and a median household income of $57,265, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.

Is Lucas County affordable?

The median home value in Lucas County is $144,200 with median rent at $879/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3971, which is more affordable than the national average.

Is Lucas County growing or shrinking?

Population growth: -0.3% year-over-year. Job growth: -0.7%. Home values changed +5.0% in the past 12 months.

Are people moving to Lucas County?

Yes — 2.02% of Lucas County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.

[08] Similar Metros

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