The 10 Happiest Cities In Ohio For 2024


The happiest cities in Ohio are Fairlawn and North Canton for 2024 based on Saturday Night Science.

Welcome to the happiest places in Ohio.

Using Saturday Night Science and data, we determined the cities and towns with the most rainbows, butterflies, puppies, and unicorns.

You know, the places where people have jobs, white-picked fences, and friendly neighbors – unicorn cities.

After analyzing the 255 largest cities, we happily present the happiest cities in the Buckeye State.


Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Summary | Table


Happiest Cities In Ohio Map

Read on below to see how we crunched the numbers and how your town ranked. If you have a smile on your face, you probably live in one of these cities.

Oh, and by the way, North College Hill is the most miserable place in Ohio.

For more Ohio reading, check out:

The 10 Happiest Places In Ohio For 2024

Overall SnackAbility

7
/10

Population: 7,697
Poverty Level: 6.8%
Median Home Price $275,067
Married Households 29.0%
Households With Kids 21.35%
More on Fairlawn: Data | Cost Of Living

Fairlawn is by far the happiest place in the state of Ohio. Let’s see why.
First off, having a solid family life is a good indication of how happy someone is. Lots of the residents of Fairlawn aren’t missing out on love; more than 28% of them are married. Plus, the average commute time here is only about 18 minutes each way. That means a lot more time with the spouse and kids.

North Canton, OH

Source: Wikipedia User Sanfranman59 | GFDL
Overall SnackAbility

8.5
/10

Population: 17,773
Poverty Level: 7.0%
Median Home Price $250,648
Married Households 35.0%
Households With Kids 20.59%
More on North Canton: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living

Things look to be pretty pleasant in North Canton. Crime is really low here, and the percentage of married residents (35%) mean there’s lots of stability at home.
In addition to those factors, there is a thriving amount of community involvement. Studies have shown that a key factor to happiness is when people volunteer, especially in their own neighborhoods.

Overall SnackAbility

8.5
/10

Population: 6,688
Poverty Level: 8.4%
Median Home Price $218,373
Married Households 35.0%
Households With Kids 15.44%
More on Columbiana: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living

The people who live in Columbiana have a lot going for them. 35% of them have college degrees, and they command some of the highest salaries in OH. 35% of the people here are married.
Most of these all tops in the entire state.

Orrville, OH

Source: Wikipedia User Ser Amantio di Nicolao at English Wikipedia | CC BY 3.0
Overall SnackAbility

8
/10

Population: 8,304
Poverty Level: 13.7%
Median Home Price $229,110
Married Households 40.0%
Households With Kids 25.4%
More on Orrville: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living

Orrville is where you can bet there are lots of smiley and happy people all over town. Crime is essentially something that just doesn’t happen here very often. And when you can let your guard down and relax a little, the lack of stress really makes a difference.
Same goes on the job front. Only 2.4% of residents here are out of work. Sounds like there are jobs for just about everyone who wants one. Which must be a good feeling to have.

Deer Park, OH

Source: Public domain
Overall SnackAbility

6
/10

Population: 5,399
Poverty Level: 9.2%
Median Home Price $237,309
Married Households 36.0%
Households With Kids 19.92%
More on Deer Park: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living

If you want to see a bunch of happy people, go to Deer Park. It seriously looks like something out of a commercial.
They have a 21 minute commute time, which means lots more time with the kids.

Grandview Heights, OH

Source: Wikipedia User Columbusite | CC BY 3.0
Overall SnackAbility

10
/10

Population: 8,258
Poverty Level: 5.4%
Median Home Price $493,867
Married Households 26.0%
Households With Kids 24.75%
More on Grandview Heights: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living

For those who say that money doesn’t buy happiness, you’re half right. Studies have shown that people are happy up to a certain point when it comes to annual salaries, somewhere around $72,000 a year. After that, it doesn’t matter how much you make, you’re not going to be much happier.
The residents of Grandview Heights have that covered. Plus about 26% of households are married.

Northwood, OH

Source: Public domain
Overall SnackAbility

8
/10

Population: 5,180
Poverty Level: 11.9%
Median Home Price $159,332
Married Households 43.0%
Households With Kids 28.21%
More on Northwood: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living

Most of the people in Northwood have to be ‘plum’ happy. True happiness is ‘Home Sweet Home’ with your kids and spouse, being reminded to do chores, run errands and fold the clothes right.

Oxford, OH

Source: Public domain
Overall SnackAbility

7
/10

Population: 22,051
Poverty Level: 46.3%
Median Home Price $307,130
Married Households 8.0%
Households With Kids 14.46%
More on Oxford: Data | Cost Of Living

Less than 10.9% of the residents in Oxford are jobless, which is just about as low as you’ll see.

Incomes are steady, and commute times are really low as well. That really takes away the stress factors that stop folks from relaxing and enjoying their ‘down time’ to do the little things that matter: Walks in the park, time alone with a book and extra face time with the children.

Upper Arlington, OH

Source: Public domain
Overall SnackAbility

10
/10

Population: 36,500
Poverty Level: 2.6%
Median Home Price $560,961
Married Households 39.0%
Households With Kids 36.35%
More on Upper Arlington: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living

About 78% of residents in Upper Arlington, OH have a college degree. While we’ve all heard the saying, ‘Ignorance is bliss,’ our argument is: Ignorance is also broke.

Not only are most of the residents of Upper Arlington smart, they’re safe, too.

Rocky River, OH

Source: Public domain
Overall SnackAbility

10
/10

Population: 21,552
Poverty Level: 5.1%
Median Home Price $346,739
Married Households 36.0%
Households With Kids 25.47%
More on Rocky River: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living

In Rocky River, most of the population is married, and most own their own homes.
The commute times (22 minutes each way) might eventually start to turn the corners of those smiles sideways.
But for now, it’s all roses in Rocky River.

Methodology: How We Measured The Happiest Cities In The Buckeye State

To rank the happiest places in Ohio, we had to determine what criteria make people happy. It isn’t a stretch to assume that happy people earn great salaries, are relatively stress-free, and have a stable home life.

So we went to the Census’s American Community Survey 2018-2022 report for the happy criteria, added some Saturday Night Science, and generated the answer.

Here are the criteria we used to measure happiness:

  • Percentage of residents with a college degree
  • Average commute times
  • Unemployment rates
  • Cost of living
  • % of married couples
  • % of families with kids
  • Poverty rate

After we decided on the criteria, we gathered the data for the 255 places in Ohio with over 5,000 people.

We then ranked each place from one to 255 for each of the seven criteria, with a score of one being the happiest.

Next, we averaged the seven rankings into a Happy Index for each place with the lowest overall Happy Index “earning” the title “Happiest City In Ohio.”

If you’d like to see the complete list of cities, happiest to saddest, scroll to the bottom of this post to see the unabridged chart.

We updated this article for 2024, and it’s our tenth time ranking the happiest cities in Ohio.

There You Have It – The Happiest Cities In Ohio

As we said earlier, trying to determine the most miserable cities in Ohio is usually a subjective matter.

But if you’re analyzing cities where people are not stable, where you’re stuck in traffic, and no one spent the time to go to college, then this is an accurate list.

The happiest cities in Ohio are Fairlawn, North Canton, Columbiana, Orrville, Deer Park, Grandview Heights, Northwood, Oxford, Upper Arlington, and Rocky River.

If you’re curious enough, here are the most miserable cities in Ohio, according to science:

  1. North College Hill
  2. Grafton
  3. Wellston

For more Ohio reading, check out:

Happiest Cities In Ohio For 2024

Rank City Population Poverty Level Median Home Value % Married % Kids
1 Fairlawn, OH 7,697 6.8% $275,067 29.0% 21.35%
2 North Canton, OH 17,773 7.0% $250,648 35.0% 20.59%
3 Columbiana, OH 6,688 8.4% $218,373 35.0% 15.44%
4 Orrville, OH 8,304 13.7% $229,110 40.0% 25.4%
5 Deer Park, OH 5,399 9.2% $237,309 36.0% 19.92%
6 Grandview Heights, OH 8,258 5.4% $493,867 26.0% 24.75%
7 Northwood, OH 5,180 11.9% $159,332 43.0% 28.21%
8 Oxford, OH 22,051 46.3% $307,130 8.0% 14.46%
9 Upper Arlington, OH 36,500 2.6% $560,961 39.0% 36.35%
10 Rocky River, OH 21,552 5.1% $346,739 36.0% 25.47%
11 Maumee, OH 13,824 5.2% $252,977 38.0% 25.65%
12 New Philadelphia, OH 17,602 15.1% $181,315 37.0% 23.67%
13 Sharonville, OH 14,023 7.8% $253,038 28.0% 20.74%
14 Oberlin, OH 8,194 21.6% $210,830 13.0% 14.49%
15 Tipp City, OH 10,266 5.3% $304,173 42.0% 31.8%
16 Athens, OH 22,698 43.0% $213,875 6.0% 12.69%
17 Independence, OH 7,539 1.0% $323,090 46.0% 25.8%
18 Kirtland, OH 6,914 4.4% $357,865 47.0% 25.67%
19 Bowling Green, OH 30,157 30.8% $238,887 16.0% 17.73%
20 Fairview Park, OH 17,137 10.2% $245,455 36.0% 23.79%
21 Seven Hills, OH 11,681 6.0% $264,289 42.0% 20.73%
22 Huron, OH 6,882 10.1% $271,537 34.0% 24.0%
23 Cortland, OH 7,073 10.1% $200,498 39.0% 20.97%
24 The Village Of Indian Hill, OH 6,051 1.3% $1,424,788 38.0% 26.39%
25 Centerville, OH 24,510 7.9% $286,617 28.0% 22.69%
26 Ada, OH 5,088 20.6% $196,467 16.0% 17.29%
27 Reading, OH 10,527 11.6% $213,295 35.0% 21.83%
28 Blue Ash, OH 13,325 4.6% $401,334 28.0% 32.25%
29 Celina, OH 10,974 10.8% $176,625 40.0% 28.74%
30 Port Clinton, OH 6,024 20.7% $252,815 30.0% 23.45%
31 Ontario, OH 6,642 7.3% $202,490 42.0% 23.01%
32 Middleburg Heights, OH 15,918 5.4% $246,379 32.0% 21.38%
33 Worthington, OH 14,997 2.5% $436,367 39.0% 34.01%
34 Beavercreek, OH 46,576 6.9% $295,087 28.0% 29.33%
35 Wooster, OH 27,021 10.8% $247,514 28.0% 24.61%
36 Kettering, OH 57,707 8.7% $218,052 32.0% 25.9%
37 Gahanna, OH 35,529 4.4% $341,909 32.0% 31.9%
38 Bay Village, OH 16,047 4.5% $361,384 44.0% 37.25%
39 Westerville, OH 38,911 5.3% $403,142 35.0% 35.73%
40 Wadsworth, OH 24,073 8.7% $279,596 39.0% 26.96%
41 Pepper Pike, OH 6,778 2.5% $590,591 29.0% 30.58%
42 Findlay, OH 40,408 13.3% $220,512 30.0% 26.26%
43 Highland Heights, OH 8,652 2.1% $375,331 48.0% 30.59%
44 Chardon, OH 5,248 11.9% $331,732 45.0% 32.55%
45 Reminderville, OH 5,305 5.7% $324,200 34.0% 25.75%
46 Broadview Heights, OH 19,815 3.4% $321,266 39.0% 27.1%
47 Canal Winchester, OH 9,357 5.1% $373,534 43.0% 28.85%
48 Wilmington, OH 12,669 21.1% $232,900 24.0% 23.37%
49 Oregon, OH 19,896 7.4% $199,183 43.0% 26.12%
50 Wapakoneta, OH 9,879 12.6% $200,907 44.0% 30.28%
51 Montgomery, OH 10,816 1.0% $566,117 33.0% 32.32%
52 Shelby, OH 8,360 15.3% $160,048 40.0% 24.69%
53 Ashland, OH 19,270 13.9% $163,698 36.0% 25.28%
54 Rossford, OH 6,314 11.3% $176,039 41.0% 25.44%
55 Bellbrook, OH 7,321 3.5% $281,184 36.0% 30.09%
56 Madeira, OH 9,426 1.7% $457,023 30.0% 43.56%
57 Munroe Falls, OH 5,034 5.3% $242,177 40.0% 21.08%
58 Grove City, OH 41,423 5.6% $300,301 41.0% 30.64%
59 Norwood, OH 19,018 19.4% $224,578 21.0% 20.03%
60 Beachwood, OH 13,846 4.7% $427,232 27.0% 24.73%
61 Wyoming, OH 8,720 1.3% $442,718 36.0% 46.36%
62 Lyndhurst, OH 13,952 3.0% $205,250 33.0% 18.81%
63 Tallmadge, OH 18,411 5.1% $250,321 40.0% 25.68%
64 Willoughby Hills, OH 9,972 7.9% $315,021 30.0% 20.4%
65 Westlake, OH 34,027 5.0% $364,251 31.0% 25.27%
66 Sylvania, OH 19,042 6.9% $290,474 37.0% 28.4%
67 Olmsted Falls, OH 8,670 5.4% $255,597 37.0% 24.19%
68 Marietta, OH 13,366 22.0% $183,370 21.0% 23.23%
69 Mentor, OH 47,302 4.8% $252,525 40.0% 25.59%
70 Avon Lake, OH 25,220 4.7% $364,413 43.0% 33.08%
71 Louisville, OH 9,500 8.8% $213,545 40.0% 31.92%
72 Perrysburg, OH 24,855 4.2% $310,361 34.0% 31.5%
73 Vandalia, OH 15,139 7.3% $211,642 34.0% 27.09%
74 Strongsville, OH 46,165 4.6% $319,958 40.0% 27.53%
75 Oakwood, OH 9,496 4.4% $362,725 28.0% 40.53%
76 Bexley, OH 13,537 3.5% $518,032 29.0% 44.61%
77 Toronto, OH 5,387 16.4% $119,136 36.0% 24.29%
78 Sunbury, OH 6,933 7.7% $430,380 34.0% 41.44%
79 Milford, OH 6,556 6.7% $295,639 25.0% 19.76%
80 Hudson, OH 23,005 3.4% $483,879 37.0% 39.92%
81 Green, OH 27,333 6.1% $281,652 43.0% 31.78%
82 Mount Vernon, OH 16,861 20.0% $219,414 28.0% 26.28%
83 North Olmsted, OH 32,244 11.0% $236,837 35.0% 26.49%
84 Lakewood, OH 50,605 11.8% $254,332 22.0% 15.91%
85 Willoughby, OH 23,823 7.2% $211,748 32.0% 18.78%
86 Hubbard, OH 7,618 8.2% $149,517 34.0% 24.56%
87 Groveport, OH 5,928 2.2% $290,309 36.0% 33.39%
88 Cuyahoga Falls, OH 50,916 9.5% $190,568 33.0% 23.67%
89 John, OH 5,183 9.1% $293,573 40.0% 38.62%
90 Eaton, OH 8,360 11.0% $213,970 29.0% 29.7%
91 Dover, OH 13,118 12.2% $202,856 37.0% 25.19%
92 University Heights, OH 13,649 11.2% $241,309 23.0% 28.74%
93 Bryan, OH 8,670 14.5% $175,007 27.0% 23.3%
94 Brecksville, OH 13,618 2.9% $379,607 42.0% 26.23%
95 Brookville, OH 6,035 10.1% $193,163 37.0% 22.93%
96 Napoleon, OH 8,888 13.3% $183,089 35.0% 33.08%
97 Upper Sandusky, OH 6,537 7.1% $166,406 38.0% 27.57%
98 Lebanon, OH 20,999 7.4% $352,816 34.0% 33.56%
99 Powell, OH 14,113 1.4% $544,262 37.0% 47.95%
100 Willowick, OH 14,213 6.1% $173,013 38.0% 23.13%
About Nick Johnson

Nick Johnson earned his masters in Business Administration from the Drucker School At Claremont Graduate University. He has written for 39 publications across the country and ran the media relations department at Movoto, a real estate portal based in San Francisco. He has been featured in over 500 publications as an expert in real estate and as an authority on real estate trends.

Nick's the creator of the HomeSnacks YouTube channel that now has over 900,000 subscribers and is an excellent source to learn about different parts of the country.