Lima, OH

Ohio · Metropolitan Area

Lima is a mid-size city in Ohio with a population of 35,304. Residents earn $43,370 per year, which is 42% below the national average.

2.6 /5.0
C+ Fair
35,304 Population 2,592/sq mi density
$43,370 Median Income $22,953 per capita
$95,900 Home Value $145,812 Zillow
$865 Median Rent
51°F Avg Temperature
923 Violent Crime/100K 4,882 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.6 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.6 / 5.0
$43,370 median income, 5.1% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$95,900 home value, $865/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
923 violent crimes/100K (143% above avg)
D
Education
1.9 / 5.0
11.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $43,370
42% lower than US avg
Home Value $95,900
66% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 923/100K
143% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 11.8%
65% lower than US avg
Median Rent $865
26% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 45.7%
42% higher than US avg
Unemployment 5.1%
42% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 21.2%
71% higher than US avg

How Lima Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population35,304
Median Age35.4 yrs
Density2,592/mi²
Male / Female51% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 64%

Economy

C+
Median Income$43,370
Per Capita$22,953
Unemployment5.1%
Poverty21.2%
County GDP$11,167M
Commute17 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$95,900
Rent$865
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$145,812

Crime

F
Violent923/100K
Property4,882/100K
Murder7.8/100K
Assault625/100K
Burglary1,547/100K

Health

Obesity45.7%
UninsuredN/A
Depression28.5%
Heart Disease7.8%

Climate

Avg Temp51°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain41.2 in/yr
Elevation879 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+11.8%
High School+87.8%
School Score5.90

Community

2024 VoteR 72% / D 28%
Commute17 min
EV Stations14
Libraries7

Is Lima a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Lima receives an overall livability score of 2.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, above-average unemployment, an elevated poverty rate. Lima has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Lima is $43,370, 42% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 5.1% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. The poverty rate of 21.2% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 17 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Lima is $95,900, 66% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $865 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.2x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

With 923 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, public safety is a notable concern — this is significantly above the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 4,882 per 100,000, 149% above the national average.

Education

11.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 87.8% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.9/10.

Climate & Weather

Lima experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 51°F. Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 41.2 inches, including 18.5 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Lima has a population of 35,304 with a density of 2,592 people per square mile. The median age is 35.4 years, 9% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (64%), with 3.1% Hispanic, 23.5% Black.

Population

35,304
Total Population
2,592
People / sq mi
35.4yrs
Median Age
9% below US avg
13.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 51.1%
Female 48.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Lima vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only96.7%
23% above US avg
Spanish3.3%
75% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Lima vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Lima is $43,370, which is 42% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 5.1% (above the 3.6% US average). 21.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 17 minutes.

Income: Lima vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$43,370
42% below US avg
Per Capita Income$22,953
Avg Weekly Wage$1,131
IRS Avg AGI$64,211

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment5.1%
42% above US avg
Poverty Rate21.2%
71% above US avg
Establishments (County)2,586
County GDP$11,167M

Business (County)

Restaurants216
Healthcare265
Retail361
Manufacturing118

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,999
43% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate5.21%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time17.2 min
Work from Home3.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Lima is $95,900, 66% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $865 (26% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $145,812.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$95,900
66% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$145,812
Median List Price$100,500

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$100,500
$/Sq Ft$99
Homes Sold26
Sale-to-List Ratio94.7%
Price Drops43.0%
Inventory107

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$865
26% below US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,151

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$816
1 Bedroom$873
2 Bedrooms$1,092
3 Bedrooms$1,388
4 Bedrooms$1,550

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied46.4%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,999
43% above US avg
Effective Rate5.21%
In Lima, 45.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 28.5% report depression. 35.7% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Lima vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity45.7%
42% above US avg
Diabetes16.2%
Heart Disease7.8%
High Blood Pressure40.1%
Asthma12.3%
COPD10.5%
Stroke4.4%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking15.9%
Physical Inactivity35.7%
Depression28.5%
Mental Distress21.9%
Physical Distress16.7%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate92.3%
Checkup Rate79.9%
Premature Death10,482/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.9/10
Exercise Access86.3%
Healthcare Facilities265
Lima has a violent crime rate of 923 per 100,000 residents, 143% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 4,882 per 100,000 (149% above US avg). The murder rate is 7.8 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Lima vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent922.5/100K
143% above US avg
Murder7.8/100K
24% above US avg
Rape104.5/100K
Robbery185.6/100K
Assault624.6/100K

Property Crime

Total Property4,881.8/100K
149% above US avg
Burglary1,547.1/100K
Theft3,138.6/100K
Vehicle Theft196.0/100K
Arson68.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)13

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Lima has an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 41.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

26°F Jan (-3°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average51.0°F
6% below US avg
January Average26°F (-3°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall41.2 inches
8% above US avg
Snowfall18.5 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation879 ft (268 m)
Area13.6 sq mi (35.3 km²)
Population Density2,592/sq mi
Coordinates40.7407°N, 84.1121°W
County FIPS39003
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 11.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (65% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 44.1-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 71.6%
D 27.5%

Winner: Republican by 44.1 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+11.8%
65% below US avg
High School+87.8%
School Test Score5.90
D Education Grade (1.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density2,592/sq mi
Total Area13.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations14
Alt Fuel Stations21
Public Libraries7
Healthcare Facilities265
Restaurants216
Retail Stores361

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)13
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute17.2 min
Work from Home3.1%

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