Signals
Ashland
Norwalk
Growth
28 · Bottom 16%
vs46 · Bottom 42%
Climate
62 · Bottom 38%
vs68 · Top 46%
Physical resilience
90 · Top 5%
vs82 · Top 12%
Housing affordability
100 · Top 27%
vs100 · Top 27%
Access
98 · Top 7%
vs92 · Top 21%
Economic stability
58 · Top 42%
vs61 · Top 38%
Measured values
| Metric | Ashland | Norwalk | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 52,256 | 58,319 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $69,860 | $67,878 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $33,219 | $33,599 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 124/sq mi | 118/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $186,800 | $166,000 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $888 | $848 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 77.9% | 74.0% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.6% | 16.7% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 13.3% | 13.2% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 57 | 82 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 1.1 | 1.4 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | -10.9% | 100.0% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 83°F | 82°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 19°F | 22°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 42.5" | 34.0" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 13 mi | 23 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 24.9 min | 23.8 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 41.2 | 40.1 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Ashland
Elevated or high exposure: strong wind, tornado.
Norwalk
Elevated or high exposure: strong wind.
Full profiles: Ashland, OH Micro Area · Norwalk, OH Micro Area · How this is calculated: methodology