Belmont County, Ohio: commercial real estate data.
Belmont County, Ohio had an estimated 64,692 residents on July 1, 2024, down 2.7 percent since the 2020 census base of 66,491, across 532 square miles. County output reached $3.54 bn in 2024, 1,379 establishments operate here, and the SBA record carries 101 7(a) approvals worth $35.7 m since FY2020.
Underlined figures are computed by MMCG Analytics, not published by the agency.
Belmont County
How many people live in Belmont County
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-202465,473
- Households27,195
- Average household size2.41
- Median household income$57,017
- Median age44.1
- Median gross rent$793 per month
- Median owner-occupied home value$154,900
- Home value to household income2.7 times
- Annual rent as a share of median income16.7 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a bachelor degree or higher18.9 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a graduate degree7.3 percent
- Adults 25 and over48,063
- Population under 1812,261
- Share under 1818.7 percent
- Population 65 and over14,378
- Share 65 and over22.0 percent
- Working age population, 18 to 6438,834
- Civilian labor force29,775
- Unemployment rate5.4 percent
- Labor force participation, adults 18 and over56.0 percent
- Rank by population among Ohio counties37th of 88
- Rank by population among US county-equivalents, Puerto Rico included839th of 3,222
Belmont County is the 37th largest of 88 Ohio counties by population. A median home costs 2.7 times median household income, which is affordable by national standards. Residents 65 and over outnumber those under 18, at 22.0 percent against 18.7 percent, which points demand at health care, services and single story product rather than schools.
US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Belmont County
Is Belmont County's population growing?
- Population, July 1, 202464,692
- Census 2020 base population66,491
- Population change since the 2020 census base-2.71 percent
- Population change, 2023 to 2024-288
- Births, 2024391
- Deaths, 2024849
- Natural change, 2024-458
- Net domestic migration, 2024143
- Net international migration, 202430
- Total net migration, 2024173
- Cumulative net domestic migration, 2021 to 2024234
- Rank by growth among US county-equivalents2682nd of 3,144
The county has lost 2.71 percent of its population since the 2020 census base. Deaths exceeded births in 2024 by more than net migration added, so the population fell even though more people moved in than left.
US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
Belmont County
Where are people moving to Belmont County from?
- Tax returns filed by households arriving1,202
- People arriving, from those returns2,036
- Tax returns filed by households leaving1,139
- Net household movement63
- Adjusted gross income arriving$53.9 m
- Net adjusted gross income movement$-687,000
- Average income of an arriving household$44,811
- Average income of a leaving household$47,893
- Largest single originOhio County (211 households)
- Largest single destinationOhio County (149 households)
| Origin | Households | People | Adjusted gross income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio County | 211 | 344 | $8.5 m |
| Jefferson County | 137 | 232 | $5.5 m |
| Marshall County | 97 | 173 | $4.7 m |
| Franklin County | 65 | 96 | $2.7 m |
| Guernsey County | 50 | 112 | $2.3 m |
| Monroe County | 47 | 76 | $2.7 m |
| Harrison County | 28 | 55 | $1.0 m |
| Washington County | 22 | 36 | $777,000 |
Households arriving report $3,082 less average income than households leaving, which drains spending power even where headcount holds up. The largest single source of arrivals is Ohio County, which is the catchment a retail or multifamily study should look at first.
US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Belmont County
What is the Belmont County economy?
- County GDP, 2024$3.54 bn
- County GDP, 2023$3.64 bn
- GDP change, 2023 to 2024-2.6 percent
- GDP change over five years25.2 percent
- Rank by GDP among the Ohio areas BEA publishes45th of 88
- Rank by GDP among the US county areas BEA publishes884th of 3,127
- GDP per resident$54,127
Output grew -2.6 percent in the latest year and 25.2 percent over five, which is the trend line a lender will read behind any single year figure.
US Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional, table CAGDP2, CAGDP2, through 2024.
Belmont County
Employment by industry in Belmont County
- Covered employment, annual average20,616
- Establishments reporting1,642
- Average annual pay$49,753
- Average weekly wage$957
- Retail trade, employment3,811
- Retail trade, average annual pay$31,422
- Health care and social assistance, employment3,068
- Health care and social assistance, average annual pay$49,084
- Accommodation and food services, employment2,537
- Accommodation and food services, average annual pay$20,130
- Construction, employment995
- Construction, average annual pay$66,780
- Transportation and warehousing, employment967
- Administrative and support and waste management services, employment955
| Sector | Employment | Establishments | Average annual pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retail trade | 3,811 | 254 | $31,422 |
| Health care and social assistance | 3,068 | 186 | $49,084 |
| Accommodation and food services | 2,537 | 149 | $20,130 |
| Construction | 995 | 132 | $66,780 |
| Transportation and warehousing | 967 | 64 | $72,500 |
| Administrative and support and waste management services | 955 | 81 | $54,337 |
| Other services, except public administration | 726 | 136 | $33,445 |
| Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction | 720 | 52 | $101,911 |
Retail trade is the largest private sector at 3,811 jobs, 18.5 percent of covered employment.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
Belmont County
How many businesses are in Belmont County?
- Establishments, all industries1,379
- Employment at those establishments18,121
- Annual payroll$869.8 m
- Establishments per 1,000 residents21.1
These are counts of establishments physically operating in the county, not listings, so they are the supply side a feasibility study measures demand against. County Business Patterns counts private establishments with paid employees in March 2023, while the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages above counts every unemployment-insured employer, public ones included, as a 2024 annual average, so the two establishment and employment counts differ.
US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Belmont County
Building permits in Belmont County
- Housing units authorized by permit, 20241
- Declared construction value permitted$150,000
- Single family units authorized1
- Multifamily units authorized0
- Multifamily share of units0.0 percent
- Average declared value per unit$150,000
- Units authorized per 1,000 households0.0
Single-family homes are 100.0 percent of units authorized, so the pipeline is predominantly single-family.
US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
Belmont County
SBA loans in Belmont County (7(a) and 504)
- 7(a) approvals recorded101
- 7(a) gross approval dollars$35.7 m
- Average 7(a) approval$353,359
- Median 7(a) approval$50,000
- 10th percentile approval$15,000
- 90th percentile approval$1,435,000
- Largest single approval$3,786,000
- Jobs reported supported, 7(a)579
- Jobs per approval5.7
- Distinct 7(a) lenders active16
- Distinct industries receiving approvals53
- Median 7(a) term120 months
- Share of loans on real estate terms, 240 months or longer14.9 percent
- Loans on real estate terms15
- Loans on working capital terms, 120 months or shorter85
- Franchise loans9
- Franchise share of approvals8.9 percent
- Most active lenderThe Huntington National Bank (76)
- 504 approvals recorded1
- 504 gross approval dollars$2.0 m
- Average 504 approval$2,036,000
- Median 504 approval$2,036,000
- Distinct CDCs active1
- 504 jobs per approval18.0
- 504 jobs per million dollars approved8.8
- Combined SBA approval dollars, 7(a) FY2020 to FY2026 and 504 FY2010 to FY2026$37.7 m
The average approval of $353,359 sits well above the median of $50,000, pulled up by a few larger deals, so the median is the better guide to what a typical borrower here gets. Only 14.9 percent of approvals run on real estate terms, so SBA credit here is mostly working capital and equipment rather than property acquisition.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30. US Small Business Administration, 504 FOIA release, FY2010 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Belmont County
SBA loan default and charge-off rates in Belmont County
Do SBA loans in Belmont County get paid back?
- Loans with a final outcome recorded20
- Paid in full18
- Charged off2
- Status: Paid in full18
- Status: Cancelled6
- Status: Exempt from disclosure71
- Status: Charged off2
- Status: Committed, not yet disbursed4
Only 20 loans have reached a final outcome, fewer than the 30 a charge-off rate needs, so no rate is published.
Compare against the national and state SBA charge-off rates, computed the same way over resolved loans only.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Belmont County
SBA lending by place in Belmont County
- Borrower cities with recorded lending14
- St. Clairsville, approvals41
- Bridgeport, approvals15
- Barnesville, approvals10
- Shadyside, approvals7
- Martins Ferry, approvals7
- Belmont, approvals5
| Borrower city | Approvals | Gross approval dollars |
|---|---|---|
| St. Clairsville | 41 | $18,035,000 |
| Bridgeport | 15 | $4,952,000 |
| Barnesville | 10 | $8,228,000 |
| Shadyside | 7 | $685,000 |
| Martins Ferry | 7 | $616,100 |
| Belmont | 5 | $347,200 |
| Bellaire | 4 | $197,000 |
| Powhatan Point | 4 | $97,000 |
| 6 other borrower cities | 8 | $2,532,000 |
St. Clairsville accounts for 41 approvals against 15 in Bridgeport. County level figures average over that gap, which is why a site decision is made at the submarket rather than the county.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Belmont County
How large is Belmont County?
- Land area532 sq mi
- Rank by land area among Ohio counties17th of 88
- Width, east to west28.3 mi
- Height, north to south22.2 mi
- Geographies sharing a boundary7
- Residents per square mile of land123
- Establishments per square mile2.59
US Census Bureau county boundary geometry, TIGER, adjacency computed from shared boundary vertices, TIGER county boundaries. US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year. US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Belmont County
Flood risk in Belmont County
- Participation of the county's own NFIP community Belmont County, unincorporated areasParticipating, community 390762
- Communities in the county in the NFIP Community Status Book11
- Of those, participating in the NFIP11
- NFIP participation rate100.0 percent
- Communities carrying a CRS class0
- Radon levels in Belmont County, EPA zone predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/LZone 1
The county's own community in the status book, unincorporated Belmont County (community 390762), participates in the National Flood Insurance Program and carries no Community Rating System class, so no CRS premium discount applies there. The EPA places Belmont County in radon zone 1, a predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/L. The zone is a screening prediction for the county and does not substitute for a test at an address. 100.0 percent of the county's listed communities participate in the National Flood Insurance Program, per Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26.
Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26. US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Coverage
What this page does not hold.
Traffic counts, zoning and the flood zone at an address are not on this page; they resolve at the address in the platform. How this page was built →
Feasibility studies
When a Belmont County site needs a document a lender will accept.
The same data layer behind this page is the one the studies are written from. A study for a Belmont County site starts with the figures you are reading, carrying the same source and period into the credit file.
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-202465,473
- Households27,195
- Average household size2.41
- Median household income$57,017
- Median age44.1
Common questions
Belmont County questions, answered from the record.
How many people live in Belmont County, Ohio?
The Census Bureau estimates 64,692 residents on July 1, 2024 (US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024). The American Community Survey 2020-2024 five-year estimate is 65,473, in 27,195 households, ranking 37th of 88 Ohio counties. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Is Belmont County's population growing?
The population has fallen 2.71 percent since the 2020 census base of 66,491, to 64,692 on July 1, 2024. In 2024 there were 391 births against 849 deaths, with net migration of 173. Source: US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
What is the median household income in Belmont County?
$57,017. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $154,900, which is 2.7 times income, and median gross rent is $793 per month. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
How many businesses are in Belmont County?
1,379 establishments, employing 18,121 people with an annual payroll of $869.8 m. These are establishments physically operating in the county, not listings. Source: US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
What is employment by industry in Belmont County?
Retail trade is the largest private sector at 3,811 jobs, 18.5 percent of covered employment. Covered employment averages 20,616 jobs at an average annual pay of $49,753, or $957 a week. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
How much SBA lending happens in Belmont County?
101 7(a) approvals totaling $35.7 m since FY2020, across 16 lenders, with a median approval of $50,000, plus 1 504 approvals worth $2.0 m since FY2010. These are approvals recorded in the release, not loans disbursed.
How many building permits were issued in Belmont County?
1 housing units were authorized by permit in 2024, with a declared construction value of $150,000. Multifamily was 0.0 percent of units. Source: US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
What is the radon zone for Belmont County?
Zone 1, a predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/L. Source: US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Where do people moving to Belmont County come from?
The largest single origin is Ohio County, with 211 households. Arriving households report an average income of $44,811 against $47,893 for those leaving. Source: US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Are traffic counts available for Belmont County on this page?
No. Annual average daily traffic resolves in the platform rather than in this dataset, so no AADT figure is printed here. It is a gap we know about rather than a figure we estimated.
Is zoning published for Belmont County?
No. Nothing on this page presents parcel level zoning, and where a statutory framework applies it is marked as the statewide frame, to be confirmed locally.
Belmont County
Cities and places in Belmont.
23 Census places lie wholly or partly in Belmont County. All 23 carry enough published place level data for a page of their own and are linked.
| Place | Type | Population | SBA 7(a) approvals, projects in this county | Lies in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Martins Ferry | city | 6,140 | 7 | Wholly in this county |
| St. Clairsville | city | 5,003 | 41 | Wholly in this county |
| Barnesville | village | 3,945 | 10 | Wholly in this county |
| Bellaire | village | 3,800 | 4 | Wholly in this county |
| Shadyside | village | 3,387 | 7 | Wholly in this county |
| Bridgeport | village | 1,453 | 15 | Wholly in this county |
| Powhatan Point | village | 1,420 | 4 | Wholly in this county |
| Bethesda | village | 1,239 | 2 | Wholly in this county |
| Flushing | village | 1,149 | 2 | Wholly in this county |
| Wolfhurst | CDP | 1,058 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Neffs | CDP | 921 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Yorkville | village | 908 | None recorded | 66.8 percent here, 33.2 percent Jefferson County |
| Brookside | village | 610 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Lansing | CDP | 523 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Lloydsville | CDP | 475 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Holloway | village | 399 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Belmont | village | 370 | 5 | Wholly in this county |
| Blaine | CDP | 296 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Glencoe | CDP | 255 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Morristown | village | 240 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Bannock | CDP | 198 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Wilson | village | 94 | None recorded | 40.9 percent here, 59.1 percent Monroe County |
| Lafferty | CDP | 93 | 1 | Wholly in this county |
A further 3 of the county's 101 SBA 7(a) approvals are to borrowers in cities that match no Census place in Belmont County, the largest being Dover (1), Jacobsburg (1), Clairsville (1). Those are postal cities, unincorporated areas and cities outside the county, so no place row claims them; they are counted in the county total above.