Hunt & Live

Clinton County, OH

41,964 residents · 409 sq mi · 102.7/sq mi · 70% rural

Climate
52.7°F
43.7" rain/yr
Water
humid
Aridity index 1.8
Hardiness
Zone 8a
Winter low ~11.5°F

About Clinton County

Clinton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Ohio. As of the 2020 United States census, the population was 42,018. Its county seat and largest city is Wilmington. The county is named for former U.S. Vice President George Clinton. Clinton County comprises the Wilmington, Ohio Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Cincinnati-Wilmington-Maysville, OH-KY-IN Combined Statistical Area.

52
Prepper Suitability
worsebetter
National rank: #1394 of 3,109
Locator map
Location within the continental US

Prepper Assessment

Living in this area offers a mix of rural charm and moderate climate, with an annual mean temperature of 52.7°F and 43.7 inches of rainfall. The growing season is favorable for many crops, supported by USDA zone 8a conditions. With 70% of the land classified as rural, residents can find ample space for self-sufficient living, although the population density of 102.7 people per square mile may limit complete isolation for some.

The county faces several natural hazards, notably ice storms (FEMA rank 71) and drought (rank 68), which could impact agricultural efforts and emergency preparedness. The area also experiences strong winds (rank 62) and heat waves (rank 60). While the violence percentile is low at 20/100, indicating a generally safer environment, the higher density percentile (72/100) suggests that some may find the community too populated for their preferences. The median home price is $172,800, which may be a consideration for budget-conscious individuals.

This county may suit those seeking a balance of rural living with access to community amenities. Homesteaders who value space and a moderate climate will likely thrive here, provided they are prepared for occasional weather-related challenges. However, individuals prioritizing extreme remoteness or those with limited resources may find the population density and housing costs to be significant drawbacks.

AI-generated analysis based on county data (climate, hazards, density, housing, economy). For general orientation only.

Key Facts

Ranked #1,035 nationally
Out of 3,109 CONUS counties for composite prepper suitability.
#19 of 88 in OH
Ranked #19 of 88 counties statewide for prepper suitability.
Dominant hazard: ice storm
FEMA ranks ice storm risk at 71/100 here — the leading natural threat.
Urban: 103/sqmi
Densely populated at 103 people per square mile.
Climate profile
Classified as humid with a 52.7°F annual mean and 43.7" of annual precipitation. USDA hardiness zone 8a.
Housing & taxes
Median home value $172,800.

Score Breakdown

Violence
39
percentile (lower = safer)
Disasters
34
percentile (lower = safer)
Density
72
percentile (lower = emptier)
Overall FEMA Risk
34
NRI composite (0-100)

Natural Hazard Profile (FEMA NRI)

Cold Wave 38
Drought 68
Earthquake 65
Hail 37
Hurricane 35
Heat Wave 60
Riverine Flood 45
Ice Storm 71
Landslide 51
Lightning 51
Strong Wind 62
Tornado 56
Wildfire 9
Winter Weather 47

Monthly Climate (1991–2020 normals)

Average temperature
JFMAMJ JASOND
Monthly precipitation (inches)
JFMAMJ JASOND
Summer high
84.1°F
Winter low
21.5°F
Heating degree days
5,328
Cooling degree days
871

Housing & Economy

Median home value
$172,800
Median HH income
$64,210
Price to income
2.7×
Property tax rate
0.99%
~$1,708/yr median

Community Profile

Median age
40.5
Homeownership
70.7%
Poverty rate
14.5%
Unemployment
4.7%

Connectivity

Broadband households
62.3%
No internet access
10.8%

Explore Clinton County Further

Similar Counties

Data sources. Prepper scores are national percentile ranks of firearm fatalities (County Health Rankings 2024 / CDC WONDER), FEMA National Risk Index 2023 composite disaster score, and population density (ACS 2022 + TIGER 2022 land area). Climate from NOAA nClimDiv 1991–2020 normals. Hardiness zone is estimated from climate data and may differ from the official USDA PHZM. Demographics and housing from Census ACS 5-year 2022. All scores are for comparison purposes only and do not constitute advice about where to live.