Where does this demographic data come from?

All demographic data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, which samples about 3.5 million households annually. The 5-year estimates provide the most reliable data for small geographies like municipalities.

What is the difference between Census data and ACS data?

The decennial Census (conducted every 10 years) is a full population count focusing on basic demographics. The ACS is an ongoing survey that collects detailed data on income, education, housing, commute patterns, and more. ACS data is updated annually but represents averages over a 5-year period.

How accurate is this data for small towns?

For smaller municipalities, ACS estimates have wider margins of error because fewer residents are sampled. The 5-year estimates reduce this uncertainty by averaging over a longer period. For towns under 5,000 people, treat specific numbers as approximations rather than precise counts.

Lancaster, OH Population, Income & Demographics 2026

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Demographics — 2024 ACS 5-Year Estimatesi

Census

Populationi

40,820

Median Agei

35.7

Race & Ethnicityi

Black

64.2%26,221

Hispanic/Latino

24.4%9,944

White

7.9%3,233

Two or More

2.3%948

Asian

0.9%369

Other

0.3%105

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

4%1,048

High School Diploma

24.5%6,369

Some College (<1 yr)

8.5%2,209

Some College (1+ yr)

14.8%3,839

Associate's Degree

8.9%2,309

Bachelor's Degree

15.6%4,050

Master's Degree

8%2,093

Professional Degree

0.3%75

Doctorate

1.4%370

HS or Higher

85.9%

BA or Higher

25.3%

Graduate+

9.8%

Housingi

Median Home Valuei

$246,300

Median Renti

$1,704

Tenure

Owner-Occupied

68.1%10,050

Renter-Occupied

31.9%4,698

Total Units

15,458

Homeownership

68.1%

Vacancy Rate

4.6%

Rent Distribution

Under $500

$500–$750

$750–$1,000

308

$1,000–$1,250

366

$1,250–$1,500

812

$1,500–$2,000

1,666

$2,000+

1,284

Year Built

2020 or later

1%147

2010–2019

9.9%1,523

2000–2009

23.6%3,642

1990–1999

16.8%2,604

1980–1989

17.9%2,760

1970–1979

10.8%1,668

1960–1969

8.3%1,288

1950–1959

6.7%1,036

1940–1949

3.2%488

1939 or earlier

2%302

Heating Fuel

Electricity

65%9,592

Utility Gas

32.2%4,756

No Fuel

1.5%215

Bottled/LP Gas

0.8%125

Solar

0.2%26

Wood

0.2%24

Other

0.1%10

Economyi

Median Household Incomei

$68,302

Mean Household Incomei

$85,731

Per Capita Incomei

$31,689

Poverty Ratei

14.8%

Unemploymenti

7.1%

Labor Forcei

20,232

Federally Subsidized Housingi

HUD

The federal government helps low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities afford housing through several programs. Residents typically pay about 30% of their income toward rent, with the government covering the rest. This data shows how many households in this community receive that assistance.

Subsidized Homesi

474

Residentsi

1,234

Avg. Tenant Renti

$635/mo

Avg. Waitlisti

66 months

Programs in this community

Housing Choice Vouchers458 homes81% occupied$635/mo rent

Rental vouchers (Section 8) that help tenants pay for private-market housing

Household Incomei

Based on area median of $68,302/yr

Extremely low incomeUnder $20K/yr

73%

Very low income$20K–$34K/yr

20%

Low income$34K–$55K/yr

Who Receives This Housing

92% of subsidized households are headed by a single mother

99% of subsidized households are minority

19% of subsidized households include someone with a disability

22% of subsidized households include a senior (62+)

Ancestry & Heritage

Self-reported ancestry groups. Residents may report multiple ancestries, so totals may exceed 100%.

Foreign-Born Populationi

Foreign-Borni

3,3018.1%

By Region

Top Countries

Mexico

2,633

India

102

China

Philippines

Canada

Workforce

Total Employed

18,694

Occupations

Industries

Social Characteristicsi

Veteransi

2,470(8.4% of civilian adults)

Health Insurancei

85.2%Insured

14.8%Uninsured