Sandusky, OH

Ohio · Metropolitan Area

Sandusky is a small city in Ohio with a population of 24,748. Residents earn $47,827 per year, which is 36% below the national average.

2.8 /5.0
C+ Fair
24,748 Population 2,567/sq mi density
$47,827 Median Income $28,315 per capita
$104,800 Home Value $144,339 Zillow
$848 Median Rent
52°F Avg Temperature
289 Violent Crime/100K 4,149 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.8 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.6 / 5.0
$47,827 median income, 6.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$104,800 home value, $848/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
289 violent crimes/100K (24% below avg)
C+
Education
2.6 / 5.0
20.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $47,827
36% lower than US avg
Home Value $104,800
63% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 289/100K
24% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 20.5%
39% lower than US avg
Median Rent $848
27% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 46.0%
43% higher than US avg
Unemployment 6.3%
75% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 19.2%
55% higher than US avg

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

People

Population24,748
Median Age36.2 yrs
Density2,567/mi²
Male / Female46% / 54%
Largest GroupWhite 65%

Economy

C+
Median Income$47,827
Per Capita$28,315
Unemployment6.3%
Poverty19.2%
County GDP$5,356M
Commute18 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$104,800
Rent$848
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$144,339

Crime

F
Violent289/100K
Property4,149/100K
Murder4.0/100K
Assault143/100K
Burglary971/100K

Health

Obesity46.0%
UninsuredN/A
Depression27.0%
Heart Disease7.2%

Climate

Avg Temp52°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain34.0 in/yr
Elevation588 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+20.5%
High School+87.7%
School Score5.69

Community

2024 VoteR 57% / D 42%
Commute18 min
EV Stations8
Libraries6

Is Sandusky a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Sandusky receives an overall livability score of 2.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low crime rates, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Sandusky has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Sandusky is $47,827, 36% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 6.3% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. The poverty rate of 19.2% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 18 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Sandusky is $104,800, 63% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $848 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

Violent crime in Sandusky is below the national average at 289 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 4,149 per 100,000, 112% above the national average.

Education

20.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 87.7% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Sandusky experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 52°F. Winters average 28°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 34.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Sandusky has a population of 24,748 with a density of 2,567 people per square mile. The median age is 36.2 years, 7% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (64.5%), with 22.4% Black.

Population

24,748
Total Population
2,567
People / sq mi
36.2yrs
Median Age
7% below US avg
9.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 46.3%
Female 53.7%

Race & Ethnicity

Sandusky vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only96.1%
22% above US avg
Spanish3.9%
71% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Sandusky vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Sandusky is $47,827, which is 36% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 6.3% (above the 3.6% US average). 19.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 18 minutes.

Income: Sandusky vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$47,827
36% below US avg
Per Capita Income$28,315
Avg Weekly Wage$961
IRS Avg AGI$66,569

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment6.3%
75% above US avg
Poverty Rate19.2%
55% above US avg
Establishments (County)2,074
County GDP$5,356M

Business (County)

Restaurants278
Healthcare223
Retail296
Manufacturing95

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,868
68% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate5.60%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time17.8 min
Work from Home3.4%

Walkability

The median home value in Sandusky is $104,800, 63% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $848 (27% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $144,339.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$104,800
63% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$144,339
Median List Price$215,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$215,000
$/Sq Ft$115
Homes Sold24
Sale-to-List Ratio97.4%
Price Drops16.9%
Inventory83

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$848
27% below US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,500

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$671
1 Bedroom$799
2 Bedrooms$973
3 Bedrooms$1,214
4 Bedrooms$1,313

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied49.1%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,868
68% above US avg
Effective Rate5.60%
In Sandusky, 46.0% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 27.0% report depression. 33.9% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity46.0%
43% above US avg
Diabetes14.7%
Heart Disease7.2%
High Blood Pressure40.0%
Asthma12.3%
COPD9.6%
Stroke4.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking16.0%
Physical Inactivity33.9%
Depression27.0%
Mental Distress21.5%
Physical Distress15.9%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate92.1%
Checkup Rate79.3%
Premature Death10,181/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.6/10
Exercise Access88.4%
Healthcare Facilities223
Sandusky has a violent crime rate of 289 per 100,000 residents, 24% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 4,149 per 100,000 (112% above US avg). The murder rate is 4.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent289.3/100K
24% below US avg
Murder4.0/100K
37% below US avg
Rape23.8/100K
Robbery118.9/100K
Assault142.7/100K

Property Crime

Total Property4,148.8/100K
112% above US avg
Burglary970.8/100K
Theft3,035.4/100K
Vehicle Theft142.7/100K
Arson11.9/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Sandusky has an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 28°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation is 34.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

28°F Jan (-2°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average52.0°F
4% below US avg
January Average28°F (-2°C)
July Average75°F (24°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall34.0 inches
10% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation588 ft (179 m)
Area9.6 sq mi (25.0 km²)
Population Density2,567/sq mi
Coordinates41.4559°N, 82.7144°W
County FIPS39043
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 20.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (39% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 14.1-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 56.6%
D 42.5%

Winner: Republican by 14.1 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+20.5%
39% below US avg
High School+87.7%
School Test Score5.69
C+ Education Grade (2.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density2,567/sq mi
Total Area9.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations8
Alt Fuel Stations11
Public Libraries6
Healthcare Facilities223
Restaurants278
Retail Stores296

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute17.8 min
Work from Home3.4%

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