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 254 largest cities, we happily present the happiest cities in the Buckeye State.
Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Summary | Table
The 10 Happiest Places In Ohio
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, New Carlisle is the most miserable place in Ohio.
For more Ohio reading, check out:
The 10 Happiest Places In Ohio For 2025
/10
Population: 5,195
Poverty Level: 13.5%
Median Home Price $168,400
Married Households 44.0%
Households With Kids 27.09%
More on Northwood: Data
Northwood 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 Northwood aren’t missing out on love; more than 44% 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.
/10
Population: 6,800
Poverty Level: 9.7%
Median Home Price $187,000
Married Households 37.0%
Households With Kids 14.48%
More on Columbiana: Data
Things look to be pretty pleasant in Columbiana. Crime is really low here, and the percentage of married residents (37%) 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.
/10
Population: 8,422
Poverty Level: 6.1%
Median Home Price $548,100
Married Households 26.0%
Households With Kids 22.68%
More on Grandview Heights: Data
The people who live in Grandview Heights have a lot going for them. 79% of them have college degrees, and they command some of the highest salaries in OH. 26% of the people here are married.
Most of these all tops in the entire state.
/10
Population: 5,380
Poverty Level: 9.7%
Median Home Price $189,400
Married Households 36.0%
Households With Kids 17.82%
More on Deer Park: Data
Deer Park 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 2.7% 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.
/10
Population: 17,746
Poverty Level: 6.2%
Median Home Price $194,200
Married Households 36.0%
Households With Kids 20.11%
More on North Canton: Data
If you want to see a bunch of happy people, go to North Canton. It seriously looks like something out of a commercial.
They have a 19 minute commute time, which means lots more time with the kids.
/10
Population: 23,211
Poverty Level: 41.6%
Median Home Price $242,200
Married Households 7.0%
Households With Kids 12.77%
More on Athens: Data
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 Athens have that covered. Plus about 7% of households are married.
/10
Population: 7,689
Poverty Level: 7.4%
Median Home Price $267,000
Married Households 25.0%
Households With Kids 26.2%
More on Fairlawn: Data
Most of the people in Fairlawn have to be âplum’ happy. True happiness is âHome Sweet Home’ with your kids and spouse, being reminded to do chores, run errands and fold the clothes right.
/10
Population: 36,319
Poverty Level: 2.9%
Median Home Price $568,200
Married Households 39.0%
Households With Kids 35.34%
More on Upper Arlington: Data
Less than 2.0% of the residents in Upper Arlington 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 âdown time’ to do the little things that matter: Walks in the park, time alone with a book and extra face time with the children.
/10
Population: 21,490
Poverty Level: 4.9%
Median Home Price $327,600
Married Households 35.0%
Households With Kids 25.12%
More on Rocky River: Data
About 64% of residents in Rocky River, OH have a college degree. While we’ve all heard the saying, âIgnorance is bliss,’ our argument is: Ignorance is also broke.
Not only are most of the residents of Rocky River smart, they’re safe, too.
/10
Population: 6,048
Poverty Level: 2.8%
Median Home Price $1,156,800
Married Households 39.0%
Households With Kids 28.6%
More on The Village Of Indian Hill: Data
In The Village of Indian Hill, most of the population is married, and most own their own homes.
The commute times (23 minutes each way) might eventually start to turn the corners of those smiles sideways.
But for now, it’s all roses in The Village of Indian Hill.
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 2019-2023 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 254 places in Ohio with over 5,000 people.
We then ranked each place from one to 254 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 2025, 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 Northwood, Columbiana, Grandview Heights, Deer Park, North Canton, Athens, Fairlawn, Upper Arlington, Rocky River, and The Village of Indian Hill.
If you’re curious enough, here are the most miserable cities in Ohio, according to science:
- New Carlisle
- Grafton
- Whitehall
For more Ohio reading, check out:
- Best Places To Live In Ohio
- Cheapest Places To Live In Ohio
- Most Dangerous Cities In Ohio
- Richest Cities In Ohio
- Safest Places In Ohio
- Worst Places To Live In Ohio
- Most Expensive Places To Live In Ohio
Happiest Cities In Ohio For 2025
| Rank | City | Population | Poverty Level | Median Home Value | % Married | % Kids |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northwood, OH | 5,195 | 13.5% | $168,400 | 44.0% | 27.09% |
| 2 | Columbiana, OH | 6,800 | 9.7% | $187,000 | 37.0% | 14.48% |
| 3 | Grandview Heights, OH | 8,422 | 6.1% | $548,100 | 26.0% | 22.68% |
| 4 | Deer Park, OH | 5,380 | 9.7% | $189,400 | 36.0% | 17.82% |
| 5 | North Canton, OH | 17,746 | 6.2% | $194,200 | 36.0% | 20.11% |
| 6 | Athens, OH | 23,211 | 41.6% | $242,200 | 7.0% | 12.77% |
| 7 | Fairlawn, OH | 7,689 | 7.4% | $267,000 | 25.0% | 26.2% |
| 8 | Upper Arlington, OH | 36,319 | 2.9% | $568,200 | 39.0% | 35.34% |
| 9 | Rocky River, OH | 21,490 | 4.9% | $327,600 | 35.0% | 25.12% |
| 10 | The Village Of Indian Hill, OH | 6,048 | 2.8% | $1,156,800 | 39.0% | 28.6% |
| 11 | Oxford, OH | 22,069 | 45.5% | $232,200 | 7.0% | 13.89% |
| 12 | Orrville, OH | 8,361 | 14.3% | $178,500 | 39.0% | 24.69% |
| 13 | Cortland, OH | 7,091 | 10.2% | $199,300 | 38.0% | 22.22% |
| 14 | Centerville, OH | 24,815 | 8.9% | $262,300 | 30.0% | 21.18% |
| 15 | Bowling Green, OH | 30,051 | 29.7% | $217,300 | 17.0% | 18.48% |
| 16 | Maumee, OH | 13,765 | 6.2% | $185,600 | 37.0% | 25.01% |
| 17 | Independence, OH | 7,543 | 1.8% | $305,500 | 48.0% | 25.16% |
| 18 | Kirtland, OH | 6,913 | 5.0% | $377,500 | 44.0% | 24.4% |
| 19 | Rossford, OH | 6,315 | 12.1% | $173,500 | 40.0% | 22.87% |
| 20 | Oberlin, OH | 8,054 | 18.8% | $207,500 | 11.0% | 18.35% |
| 21 | Sharonville, OH | 13,989 | 5.7% | $207,900 | 26.0% | 19.2% |
| 22 | Fairview Park, OH | 17,049 | 9.7% | $225,800 | 37.0% | 23.74% |
| 23 | Seven Hills, OH | 11,628 | 4.6% | $239,600 | 44.0% | 21.6% |
| 24 | Tipp City, OH | 10,344 | 5.3% | $237,400 | 41.0% | 32.94% |
| 25 | Findlay, OH | 40,280 | 13.6% | $183,300 | 31.0% | 24.6% |
| 26 | New Philadelphia, OH | 17,563 | 15.6% | $164,600 | 37.0% | 25.45% |
| 27 | Westerville, OH | 38,543 | 5.4% | $343,200 | 35.0% | 35.13% |
| 28 | Lyndhurst, OH | 13,854 | 3.2% | $198,900 | 34.0% | 18.24% |
| 29 | Pepper Pike, OH | 6,807 | 2.2% | $558,300 | 29.0% | 29.71% |
| 30 | Mentor, OH | 47,215 | 5.4% | $229,500 | 39.0% | 25.68% |
| 31 | Highland Heights, OH | 8,619 | 1.9% | $342,400 | 47.0% | 31.26% |
| 32 | Wapakoneta, OH | 9,867 | 13.1% | $146,000 | 43.0% | 27.22% |
| 33 | Celina, OH | 11,017 | 10.7% | $158,800 | 36.0% | 26.42% |
| 34 | Blue Ash, OH | 13,374 | 5.3% | $365,700 | 29.0% | 32.84% |
| 35 | Reading, OH | 10,490 | 12.9% | $184,200 | 34.0% | 21.89% |
| 36 | Wooster, OH | 27,012 | 10.0% | $198,400 | 30.0% | 23.33% |
| 37 | Gahanna, OH | 35,438 | 5.6% | $322,300 | 33.0% | 33.49% |
| 38 | Beavercreek, OH | 46,787 | 6.6% | $261,200 | 27.0% | 28.34% |
| 39 | Oregon, OH | 19,821 | 7.2% | $191,300 | 43.0% | 27.76% |
| 40 | Mount Vernon, OH | 16,802 | 18.4% | $161,400 | 27.0% | 25.66% |
| 41 | Munroe Falls, OH | 5,019 | 4.0% | $223,800 | 39.0% | 20.45% |
| 42 | Middleburg Heights, OH | 15,817 | 4.4% | $213,100 | 32.0% | 21.75% |
| 43 | Ashland, OH | 19,008 | 16.2% | $146,100 | 36.0% | 24.61% |
| 44 | Norwood, OH | 19,023 | 17.5% | $228,300 | 22.0% | 20.47% |
| 45 | Wadsworth, OH | 24,302 | 7.5% | $235,600 | 41.0% | 27.82% |
| 46 | Hubbard, OH | 7,600 | 7.0% | $123,600 | 36.0% | 21.04% |
| 47 | Grove City, OH | 41,831 | 6.8% | $283,300 | 41.0% | 30.35% |
| 48 | Broadview Heights, OH | 19,768 | 3.6% | $292,500 | 37.0% | 26.23% |
| 49 | Bay Village, OH | 15,992 | 4.2% | $332,500 | 42.0% | 36.62% |
| 50 | Kettering, OH | 57,442 | 8.5% | $192,500 | 33.0% | 25.92% |
| 51 | Canal Winchester, OH | 9,659 | 4.9% | $314,800 | 47.0% | 30.2% |
| 52 | Port Clinton, OH | 5,999 | 16.3% | $142,100 | 34.0% | 22.56% |
| 53 | Chardon, OH | 5,246 | 10.0% | $274,500 | 42.0% | 31.07% |
| 54 | North Olmsted, OH | 32,031 | 10.1% | $202,400 | 36.0% | 25.06% |
| 55 | Huron, OH | 6,824 | 8.5% | $205,900 | 35.0% | 19.57% |
| 56 | Bellbrook, OH | 7,344 | 2.9% | $246,200 | 37.0% | 30.65% |
| 57 | Worthington, OH | 14,754 | 2.9% | $417,700 | 39.0% | 33.36% |
| 58 | Milford, OH | 6,525 | 9.5% | $228,200 | 26.0% | 20.88% |
| 59 | St. Clairsville, OH | 5,043 | 8.3% | $197,600 | 14.0% | 21.34% |
| 60 | Wilmington, OH | 12,637 | 21.2% | $162,700 | 24.0% | 20.84% |
| 61 | Vandalia, OH | 15,100 | 8.8% | $186,500 | 33.0% | 22.1% |
| 62 | Madeira, OH | 9,454 | 2.3% | $463,600 | 32.0% | 46.03% |
| 63 | Toronto, OH | 5,452 | 14.6% | $102,800 | 37.0% | 22.43% |
| 64 | Louisville, OH | 9,560 | 8.1% | $192,700 | 43.0% | 32.29% |
| 65 | Westlake, OH | 34,036 | 5.1% | $336,100 | 31.0% | 25.88% |
| 66 | Brookville, OH | 6,234 | 7.1% | $170,900 | 39.0% | 23.6% |
| 67 | Upper Sandusky, OH | 6,580 | 5.8% | $151,300 | 41.0% | 27.12% |
| 68 | Tiffin, OH | 17,814 | 12.3% | $129,200 | 29.0% | 22.95% |
| 69 | Kent, OH | 27,190 | 24.8% | $210,700 | 19.0% | 20.83% |
| 70 | Strongsville, OH | 46,022 | 5.1% | $279,600 | 38.0% | 26.92% |
| 71 | Willoughby Hills, OH | 9,979 | 8.7% | $305,800 | 27.0% | 21.57% |
| 72 | Norton, OH | 11,576 | 6.4% | $181,900 | 41.0% | 25.54% |
| 73 | Avon Lake, OH | 25,456 | 3.9% | $337,200 | 43.0% | 33.65% |
| 74 | St. Marys, OH | 8,319 | 9.7% | $138,500 | 41.0% | 29.34% |
| 75 | Cuyahoga Falls, OH | 50,864 | 9.8% | $174,700 | 33.0% | 23.09% |
| 76 | Bexley, OH | 13,324 | 2.9% | $488,600 | 30.0% | 43.64% |
| 77 | Green, OH | 27,381 | 6.3% | $269,400 | 42.0% | 31.26% |
| 78 | Lakewood, OH | 50,229 | 10.8% | $241,500 | 22.0% | 15.38% |
| 79 | Beachwood, OH | 13,850 | 3.5% | $381,600 | 24.0% | 24.1% |
| 80 | Napoleon, OH | 8,561 | 8.5% | $139,500 | 36.0% | 27.92% |
| 81 | Willoughby, OH | 23,934 | 8.9% | $206,200 | 33.0% | 19.08% |
| 82 | Montgomery, OH | 10,816 | 2.7% | $505,800 | 33.0% | 34.53% |
| 83 | Perrysburg, OH | 25,065 | 3.7% | $306,500 | 35.0% | 34.15% |
| 84 | Willowick, OH | 14,182 | 5.3% | $156,100 | 37.0% | 21.49% |
| 85 | Avon, OH | 25,082 | 3.8% | $377,100 | 42.0% | 39.96% |
| 86 | Solon, OH | 23,970 | 4.0% | $375,700 | 36.0% | 34.8% |
| 87 | Clayton, OH | 13,269 | 6.0% | $189,100 | 34.0% | 28.8% |
| 88 | Clyde, OH | 6,322 | 11.0% | $133,000 | 43.0% | 28.85% |
| 89 | Jackson, OH | 6,222 | 22.9% | $128,300 | 33.0% | 30.68% |
| 90 | Hilliard, OH | 36,560 | 5.2% | $360,000 | 34.0% | 39.13% |
| 91 | Hudson, OH | 23,007 | 3.3% | $444,800 | 38.0% | 40.66% |
| 92 | Tallmadge, OH | 18,394 | 5.2% | $226,400 | 40.0% | 24.47% |
| 93 | Sylvania, OH | 19,038 | 5.3% | $233,700 | 39.0% | 30.62% |
| 94 | Canfield, OH | 7,651 | 2.6% | $225,100 | 39.0% | 20.33% |
| 95 | Reminderville, OH | 5,370 | 8.2% | $316,200 | 34.0% | 27.32% |
| 96 | Marietta, OH | 13,282 | 19.0% | $145,700 | 20.0% | 22.77% |
| 97 | John, OH | 5,247 | 8.7% | $314,600 | 40.0% | 36.64% |
| 98 | Brecksville, OH | 13,656 | 3.0% | $360,100 | 43.0% | 28.49% |
| 99 | Twinsburg, OH | 19,346 | 3.6% | $288,700 | 36.0% | 31.67% |
| 100 | Wickliffe, OH | 12,639 | 6.8% | $158,400 | 33.0% | 23.52% |