Ridgeway: Demographics & People
Census counts 224 people in Ridgeway, in 111 households. Population shrank 10.8% from 251 (2022) to 224 (2024). Median age 52.3 years. (10.4y older than Logan County; 14.2y older than Ohio). Children under 18 are 17% of the population. Population is 96% White (non-Hispanic). The community is relatively homogeneous (Simpson index 0.06). 66% of households are family-led. County is gaining 360 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 45% adult obesity, 26% smoke.
- 2.0 people per household (vs Ohio avg 2.4).
- 34% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs Ohio 44%).
- 65 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Ohio 67).
Population & Trend
Population shrank 10.8% from 251 (2022) to 224 (2024). Estimated 2026 population: ~200 (extrapolated at -5.4%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 171.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 30,696 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | -10.8% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 251 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 224 |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | shrinking |
| Population | 224 people (vs Ohio 29,269) |
| Population Estimate | 171 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 52.3y is 13.4 years older than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 17% — below the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 52.3 years (vs Ohio 38.1y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 17.0% |
| Age Summary · Character | retirement community |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 224 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 38 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 25.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 111.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 50 |
| Population under 18 | 38 |
| Median age | 52.3 years (vs Ohio 38.1y) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — place-level B01001 query · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 224 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.06 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as relatively homogeneous.
| White residents | 249 |
|---|---|
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 8 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 6.0% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | relatively homogeneous |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 2 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 96.9% |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 96.4% (vs Ohio 77.9%) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Ancestry
Self-reported ancestry from Census ACS — what residents report as their ethnic origin, separate from race. Counts can exceed population because people can list multiple ancestries.
Top (8)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS).
| Residents born in this state | 198 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 23 |
| Share born in this state | 88.4% |
| Share born in another state | 11.6% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 10.3% |
| Naturalized citizens | 1.3% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 10 |
Households & Family Composition
111 households. Averaging 2.5 people each — matches the U.S. average of 2.5. 66% are family households — near the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 74 families, 26% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 63 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 74 |
| Married couples with children | 19 |
| Average household size | 2.49 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 13.6% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 1 |
| Family households | 73 households (vs Ohio 7,027) |
| Households that are families | 65.8% (vs Ohio 55.9%) |
| Total households | 111 households (vs Ohio 12,056) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Residential Stability & Migration
How long residents have lived here and where they came from. 3.2% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is gaining 360 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 3.2% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 25,658 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 25,298 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 360 |
| Migration · Population growing | Yes |
| Migration · Year | 2022-2023 |
Sources: IRS SOI Migration 2021-2022 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Disability
Census ACS measures self-reported functional limitations — vision, hearing, mobility, cognitive, self-care, or independent-living. The U.S. baseline disability rate is about 12–13%; rates trend higher with median age.
| Residents with a disability | 13 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 4.5% |
Other
| Congressional District · District | 4 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Formatted | OH-04 |
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 39065 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 39 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 065 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Hardin |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 19.7% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 16.40 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 23.50 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 39065 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Hardin County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Noncore |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 890 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 39065 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Hardin County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 42.4% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 39.7% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 52.1% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 31,365 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Non-metro |
| Family Score · Score | 7.50 |
| Family Score · Schools | 13 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 17.0% |
| Family Score · Rating | excellent |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 224, shrinking, retirement community, middle-class, blue collar |
| Town Summary · Population | 224 people (vs Ohio 29,269) |
| Town Summary · County | Hardin County |
Sources: Census place-to-CD118 crosswalk (place_fips) · federal dataset cascade