Special Interest
Housing in Defiance County
Both Census and HUD figures represent gross rent — contract rent plus estimated utility costs for electricity, heat, water, and sewer.
Rent in Defiance County averages $846/month for a 2‑bedroom in 2024, compared to the Ohio median of $1,034 and the national median of $1,413. Local renters spend approximately 22% of household income on rent, below the national average of 32%.
HUD 2026 50th Percentile Rent Estimates for Defiance County FMR Area are $811 for a studio, $859 for 1‑bedroom, $1,054 for 2‑bedroom, $1,332 for 3‑bedroom, and $1,514 for 4‑bedroom.
HUD 2026 Rent Estimates reflect market movement since 2024 Census data — a $208 increase for a 2-bedroom in Defiance County shows a 25% rise over that period.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics annual unemployment rate for Defiance County was 4.0% in 2024, compared to Ohio at 4.3% and the national rate of 4.0%.
