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Which counties in Ohio are people leaving?

23 of the 88 counties in Ohio had more residents move away to other U.S. counties than move in during 2025. Clark County had the largest net outflow for its size: 6.7 per 1,000 residents (−908 people). In people, Franklin County had the largest net outflow (−7,191).

Net out-migration does not always mean fewer residents: 5 of these 23 counties still had more residents in 2025 than in 2020.

Data as of 2025 · updated

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All 23 Ohio counties with net out-migration

Counties with the most out-migration in Ohio
RankCountyPer 1,000 residents, 2025Net movers 2025ResidentsPopulation change 2020–25
1Clark County−6.7−908135,340−0.4%
2Holmes County−6.0−27244,970+1.7%
3Hamilton County−5.5−4,650838,418+1.0%
4Hardin County−5.5−16430,072−2.1%
5Franklin County−5.3−7,1911,361,536+2.8%
6Fulton County−5.1−21541,853−1.9%
7Paulding County−3.9−7318,727−0.4%
8Cuyahoga County−3.4−4,2351,232,925−2.4%
9Lucas County−3.1−1,324423,347−1.7%
10Seneca County−2.4−13154,522−1.0%
11Allen County−2.1−209100,881−1.2%
12Fayette County−1.9−5328,552−1.4%
13Erie County−1.8−13573,296−2.9%
14Scioto County−1.8−12971,365−3.4%
15Wyandot County−1.3−2921,567−1.4%
16Williams County−1.3−4936,549−1.4%
17Mercer County−0.9−4042,737+0.5%
18Wayne County−0.8−95116,758−0.1%
19Shelby County−0.7−3548,065−0.2%
20Ottawa County−0.5−2139,481−2.0%
21Defiance County−0.5−1938,292+0.1%
22Huron County−0.3−1958,250−0.4%
23Auglaize County−0.2−845,909−1.2%

How this is ranked

Counties where more residents moved away to other U.S. counties than moved in (negative net domestic migration in the Census Bureau's population estimates for 2025), per 1,000 residents, largest net outflow first. Moves from and to other countries, births and deaths are not counted. Counties with fewer than 1,000 residents, or without a figure for the same period as the others, are left out, as on every ranking.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025). Figures come from public federal statistics and are informational only, not investment advice. Check the source before relying on a number. Methodology: how ranks and figures are built. More on every layer: data sources and licences.

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Questions

Which county in Ohio are the most people leaving?

For its size, Clark County: net domestic migration of −6.7 per 1,000 residents in 2025 (−908 people; Census Bureau population estimates). Next: Holmes County (−6.0) and Hamilton County (−5.5).

How many counties in Ohio have more people moving out than in?

23 of the 88 counties in Ohio had more residents move away to other U.S. counties than move in during 2025.

Does net out-migration mean a county is losing population?

Not always. Net domestic migration counts moves between U.S. counties only; births, deaths and international migration also change the total. 5 of these 23 counties still had more residents in 2025 than in 2020.

More county rankings for Ohio

Counties with the most out-migration in other states

Across the U.S.