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Which counties in Ohio are losing population?

49 of the 88 counties in Ohio had fewer residents in 2025 than in 2020. Lawrence County lost the largest share, down 4.2% (−2,436 people). Cuyahoga County lost the most residents (−29,694).

Of the 49 counties that lost residents between 2020 and 2025, the largest factor was natural change (more deaths than births) in 37 and net domestic migration (more residents moving to other U.S. counties than arriving) in 12 (Census Bureau components of population change).

Data as of 2025 · updated

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All 49 Ohio counties that lost residents

Counties losing population in Ohio
RankCountyChange 2020–25Residents lost 2020–25Residents 2025Largest factor 2020–25
1Lawrence County−4.2%−2,43655,710Natural change (−1,998)
2Scioto County−3.4%−2,48471,365Natural change (−2,285)
3Harrison County−3.0%−42814,070Natural change (−430)
4Erie County−2.9%−2,17573,296Natural change (−2,085)
5Belmont County−2.8%−1,85164,434Natural change (−2,263)
6Monroe County−2.7%−35612,994Natural change (−425)
7Meigs County−2.6%−58121,587Natural change (−736)
8Jefferson County−2.4%−1,56263,597Natural change (−2,319)
9Cuyahoga County−2.4%−29,6941,232,925Domestic migration (−42,360)
10Columbiana County−2.2%−2,28499,377Natural change (−2,704)
11Washington County−2.1%−1,26858,389Natural change (−1,472)
12Hardin County−2.1%−65230,072Domestic migration (−520)
13Ottawa County−2.0%−82239,481Natural change (−1,450)
14Hocking County−1.9%−52827,512Natural change (−553)
15Fulton County−1.9%−79441,853Domestic migration (−700)
16Lucas County−1.7%−7,484423,347Domestic migration (−9,172)
17Mahoning County−1.4%−3,300224,706Natural change (−5,448)
18Williams County−1.4%−53536,549Domestic migration (−393)
19Fayette County−1.4%−41728,552Natural change (−509)
20Wyandot County−1.4%−31121,567Natural change (−313)
21Trumbull County−1.3%−2,692198,972Natural change (−5,382)
22Vinton County−1.2%−15812,645Natural change (−248)
23Allen County−1.2%−1,235100,881Domestic migration (−1,483)
24Auglaize County−1.2%−55745,909Domestic migration (−342)
25Carroll County−1.1%−28626,475Natural change (−692)
26Seneca County−1.0%−53954,522Natural change (−556)
27Morgan County−0.9%−13013,626Natural change (−393)
28Tuscarawas County−0.9%−83292,373Domestic migration (−1,051)
29Preble County−0.8%−34340,664Natural change (−828)
30Ross County−0.8%−63876,429Natural change (−1,616)
31Ashtabula County−0.8%−78496,713Natural change (−1,907)
32Darke County−0.7%−38151,520Natural change (−322)
33Gallia County−0.5%−15429,072Natural change (−406)
34Paulding County−0.4%−8218,727Domestic migration (−137)
35Marion County−0.4%−27065,115Natural change (−881)
36Huron County−0.4%−23758,250Natural change (−390)
37Clark County−0.4%−548135,340Natural change (−2,049)
38Sandusky County−0.4%−22558,655Natural change (−1,064)
39Crawford County−0.3%−11741,896Natural change (−980)
40Summit County−0.3%−1,457538,376Natural change (−6,178)
41Henry County−0.2%−6527,598Natural change (−260)
42Shelby County−0.2%−9348,065Domestic migration (−612)
43Stark County−0.2%−705373,771Natural change (−4,850)
44Lake County−0.1%−300232,217Natural change (−4,003)
45Guernsey County−0.1%−4738,379Natural change (−688)
46Wayne County−0.1%−141116,758Domestic migration (−1,055)
47Richland County−0.1%−76124,893Natural change (−1,535)
48Putnam County−0.0%−1234,380Domestic migration (−454)
49Pike County−0.0%−327,061Natural change (−485)

How this is ranked

Counties whose Census Bureau resident population estimate for July 1, 2025 is lower than for July 1, 2020, steepest percentage decline first. The largest factor is the most negative of natural change (births minus deaths), net domestic migration and net international migration over the same years (Census Bureau components of population change). 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 is losing population fastest?

Lawrence County: down 4.2% between 2020 and 2025, to 55,710 residents (−2,436 people; Census Bureau population estimates). Next: Scioto County (−3.4%) and Harrison County (−3.0%).

How many counties in Ohio are losing population?

49 of the 88 counties in Ohio had fewer residents in 2025 than in 2020; the other 39 grew or held steady.

Why are counties in Ohio losing population?

Of the 49 counties that lost residents between 2020 and 2025, the largest factor was natural change (more deaths than births) in 37 and net domestic migration (more residents moving to other U.S. counties than arriving) in 12 (Census Bureau components of population change).

More county rankings for Ohio

Counties losing population in other states

Across the U.S.