Signals
Lawrence
Wooster
Growth
44 · Bottom 39%
vs40 · Bottom 33%
Climate
62 · Bottom 37%
vs62 · Bottom 33%
Physical resilience
84 · Top 10%
vs86 · Top 8%
Housing affordability
82 · Bottom 22%
vs100 · Top 29%
Access
90 · Top 24%
vs91 · Top 22%
Economic stability
72 · Top 21%
vs78 · Top 16%
Measured values
| Metric | Lawrence | Wooster | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,302 | 116,588 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $69,746 | $73,574 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $40,695 | $35,229 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 264/sq mi | 210/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $309,400 | $222,100 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,099 | $881 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 50.1% | 76.6% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 53.2% | 25.1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 14.7% | 9.4% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 273 | 230 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 2.3 | 2.0 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | -22.7% | 1.8% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 91°F | 82°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 18°F | 18°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 35.6" | 36.9" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 20 mi | 24 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 22.5 min | 22.0 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 31.6 | 38.9 | 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
Lawrence
Elevated or high exposure: hail.
Wooster
Elevated or high exposure: tornado.
Full profiles: Lawrence, KS Metro Area · Wooster, OH Micro Area · How this is calculated: methodology