Unites States >> States >> Ohio
Ohio Population Overview (2026 Projection)
Ohio is a state in the Midwestern region of the United States, bordered by Lake Erie to the north, Pennsylvania to the east, West Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Indiana to the west, and Michigan to the northwest. Ohio is the seventh-most populous state in the United States.
The state has a population density of 282.3 people per square mile, ranking 10th in the nation, and a total land area of 40,948 square miles (34th largest in the U.S.).
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Ohio recorded a population of 11,799,448 in the 2020 Census. The latest population estimate (July 1, 2024) places Ohio’s population at 11,883,304 (11.88 million).
Based on recent Census trends, domestic migration, and natural population change, Ohio’s population is expected to grow steadily over the next few years.
Projected Population of Ohio (2026): ~12 million
Ohio Population Growth (2010–2020)
Ohio recorded a population growth rate of 2.3% between 2010 and 2020, adding approximately 262,944 residents over the decade.
Ohio Census Snapshot (2020)
| Indicators | Data |
| Total Population | 11,799,448 (11.80 million) |
| Median age | 39.3 years |
| Population Rank | 7th |
| Total Land Area | 40,948 sq mi (106,156 km2) |
| Area Rank | 34th |
| Population Density | 282/sq mi (109/km2) |
Source: US Census Bureau 2020 and population estimate
Ohio Historical Population
Ohio’s population has grown steadily over the past century, rising from about 4.77 million in 1910 to 11.8 million in 2020, an increase of over 7 million residents. The state experienced its fastest growth between 1910 and 1960, particularly during the mid-20th century, while growth slowed in the later decades. Between 2010 and 2020, Ohio recorded a population growth rate of 2.3%, reflecting steady but moderate long-term growth.
Decadal Population Change (1910–2020)
| Year | Population | % Change |
| 1910 | 4,767,121 | – |
| 1920 | 5,759,394 | 20.8% |
| 1930 | 6,646,697 | 15.4% |
| 1940 | 6,907,612 | 3.9% |
| 1950 | 7,946,627 | 15% |
| 1960 | 9,706,397 | 22.1% |
| 1970 | 10,652,017 | 9.7% |
| 1980 | 10,797,630 | 1.4% |
| 1990 | 10,847,115 | 0.5% |
| 2000 | 11,353,140 | 4.7% |
| 2010 | 11,536,504 | 1.6% |
| 2020 | 11,799,448 | 2.3% |
Source: US Census 2020
Ohio Demographics (Summary)
Religion in Ohio (Overview)
Christianity is the largest religion in Ohio, followed by about 73% of the population. The major Christian denominations are Protestant (53%) and Roman Catholic (18%). The unaffiliated population accounts for approximately 22%, representing residents who do not follow any religion.
Other non-Christian religions make up roughly 4% of the population, including Hinduism (1%), Buddhism (1%), Judaism (1%), Islam (1%), and other smaller faiths.
🔗 Read more: Religion in Ohio
Race and Ethnicity in Ohio (Overview)
In 2020, the White alone (non-Hispanic) population was the largest racial group in Ohio, comprising 75.9% of residents. It was followed by Black or African American (12.4%), Hispanic or Latino (4.2%), and Asian (2.5%) populations. Residents identifying with two or more races accounted for 4.3% of the population.
Ancestry in Ohio (Overview)
The most common ancestry groups in Ohio are German, Irish, English, American, and Italian. Nearly one-third of Ohio’s population under age 1 belongs to a minority group, and about 4.1% of residents are foreign-born.
🔗 Read more: Race and Ethnicity in Ohio
Cities and Counties in Ohio
Columbus, the state capital, is the largest and most populous city in Ohio, with approximately 850,000 residents. Other major cities include Cleveland (388,072), Cincinnati (298,550), Toledo (298,550), and Akron (197,542).
Ohio is divided into 88 counties. The most populated county in Ohio is Franklin County with 1,291,981 residents in its boundaries
🔗 Read more: Cities and Counties in Ohio
English
Español
Português
Deutsch