Portage, OH

Ohio · Metropolitan Area

Portage is a small town in Ohio with a population of 445. Residents earn $54,175 per year, which is 28% below the national average.

3.6 /5.0
B+ Good
445 Population 299/sq mi density
$54,175 Median Income $28,147 per capita
$113,800 Home Value $172,481 Zillow
$845 Median Rent 18.1% income on rent
51°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.6 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Economy
2.3 / 5.0
$54,175 median income, 17.8% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$113,800 home value, $845/mo rent
B
Education
3.5 / 5.0
31.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $54,175
28% lower than US avg
Home Value $113,800
60% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 31.0%
8% lower than US avg
Median Rent $845
27% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 42.4%
32% higher than US avg
Unemployment 17.8%
394% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 17.1%
38% higher than US avg

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

People

Population445
Median Age49.4 yrs
Density299/mi²
Male / Female52% / 48%
Largest GroupWhite 61%
Veterans2.5%

Economy

C
Median Income$54,175
Per Capita$28,147
Unemployment17.8%
Poverty17.1%
County GDP$10,692M
Commute23 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$113,800
Rent$845
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$172,481
Rent Burden18.1%

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity42.4%
UninsuredN/A
Depression28.4%
Heart Disease6.9%

Climate

Avg Temp51°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain35.2 in/yr
Elevation680 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+31.0%
High School+84.9%
School Score6.19

Community

2024 VoteR 55% / D 44%
Commute23 min
Broadband88.5%
Libraries12

Is Portage a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Portage receives an overall livability score of 3.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Portage offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Portage is $54,175, 28% below the national average of $75,149. At 17.8%, unemployment is notably high. The poverty rate of 17.1% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Portage is $113,800, 60% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $845 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.1x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

31.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 84.9% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.2/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

Portage experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 51°F. Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 35.2 inches, including 21.3 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Portage has a population of 445 with a density of 299 people per square mile. The median age is 49.4 years, 27% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (60.9%), with 20.9% Black.

Population

445
Total Population
299
People / sq mi
49.4yrs
Median Age
27% above US avg
1.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 51.7%
Female 48.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Portage vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only87.9%
12% above US avg
Spanish12.1%
10% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Portage vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Portage is $54,175, which is 28% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 17.8% (above the 3.6% US average). 17.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Income: Portage vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$54,175
28% below US avg
Per Capita Income$28,147
Avg Weekly Wage$1,088
IRS Avg AGI$81,132

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment17.8%
394% above US avg
Poverty Rate17.1%
38% above US avg
Establishments (County)3,473
County GDP$10,692M

Business (County)

Restaurants337
Healthcare293
Retail345
Manufacturing171

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,555
87% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate5.76%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time22.6 min
Drive Alone89.8%
Public Transit2.1%
Work from Home5.3%

Walkability

The median home value in Portage is $113,800, 60% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $845 (27% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $172,481.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$113,800
60% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$172,481

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$845
27% below US avg
Rent Burden18.1%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$904
1 Bedroom$985
2 Bedrooms$1,268
3 Bedrooms$1,547
4 Bedrooms$1,681

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied41.4%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,555
87% above US avg
Effective Rate5.76%
In Portage, 42.4% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 28.4% report depression. 28.5% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity42.4%
32% above US avg
Diabetes12.4%
Heart Disease6.9%
High Blood Pressure35.1%
Asthma10.9%
COPD8.0%
Stroke3.4%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking18.2%
Physical Inactivity28.5%
Depression28.4%
Mental Distress19.1%
Physical Distress14.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate99.6%
Checkup Rate77.7%
Premature Death6,563/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.7/10
Exercise Access68.5%
Healthcare Facilities293

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)12

Safety Score

Portage has an average annual temperature of 51°F (10°C). Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 35.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

26°F Jan (-3°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average50.8°F
6% below US avg
January Average26°F (-3°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall35.2 inches
7% below US avg
Snowfall21.3 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood
Good Days %76.3%
Unhealthy Days2

Geography

Elevation680 ft (207 m)
Area1.5 sq mi (3.9 km²)
Population Density299/sq mi
Coordinates41.3232°N, 83.6468°W
County FIPS39173
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 31.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (8% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 10.2-point margin. 88.5% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 54.6%
D 44.4%

Winner: Republican by 10.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+31.0%
8% below US avg
High School+84.9%
School Test Score6.19
B Education Grade (3.5/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density299/sq mi
Total Area1.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access88.5%
Public Libraries12
Healthcare Facilities293
Restaurants337
Retail Stores345

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)12

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute22.6 min
Drive Alone89.8%
Public Transit2.1%
Work from Home5.3%

Nearby Cities

Compare Portage with another city: