Hunt & Live

Montgomery County, OH

533,892 residents · 461 sq mi · 1,157.2/sq mi · 6% rural

Climate
52.9°F
41.6" rain/yr
Water
humid
Aridity index 1.69
Hardiness
Zone 8a
Winter low ~11.2°F

About Montgomery County

Montgomery is a city in Hamilton County, Ohio, United States. It is an eastern suburb of Cincinnati. The population was 10,853 at the 2020 census.

8
Prepper Suitability
worsebetter
National rank: #3055 of 3,109
Locator map
Location within the continental US

Prepper Assessment

Living in this area presents a mix of urban and suburban characteristics, with a population density of 1,157.2 people per square mile. The climate features a mean temperature of 52.9°F and receives an average of 41.6 inches of rainfall annually, supporting a growing season suitable for many crops in USDA zone 8a. However, the limited rural space (only 6% of the county) may restrict self-sufficient living for those seeking isolation or large-scale farming opportunities.

The county faces notable natural hazards, with strong winds, ice storms, and hail ranking high on FEMA's risk scale. The area is also prone to riverine flooding, which poses a significant risk for residents. With a violence percentile of 65/100, safety concerns may arise, particularly in denser neighborhoods. The housing market shows a median home price of $154,300, which may be affordable, but the effective property tax rate of 1.87% could impact overall cost of living.

This location may suit individuals or families looking for a balance of suburban amenities and access to urban resources, particularly those who can manage the risks associated with natural hazards. However, aspiring homesteaders seeking a more rural, self-sufficient lifestyle may find the high density and limited rural land a dealbreaker. The hidden gem here could be the affordability of housing, but it comes with trade-offs in terms of space and safety.

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

Key Facts

Ranked #3,032 nationally
Out of 3,109 CONUS counties for composite prepper suitability.
#86 of 88 in OH
Ranked #86 of 88 counties statewide for prepper suitability.
Dominant hazard: strong wind
FEMA ranks strong wind risk at 98/100 here — the leading natural threat.
Urban: 1,157/sqmi
Densely populated at 1,157 people per square mile.
Climate profile
Classified as humid with a 52.9°F annual mean and 41.6" of annual precipitation. USDA hardiness zone 8a.
Housing & taxes
Median home value $154,300.

Score Breakdown

Violence
87
percentile (lower = safer)
Disasters
93
percentile (lower = safer)
Density
96
percentile (lower = emptier)
Overall FEMA Risk
92.7
NRI composite (0-100)

Natural Hazard Profile (FEMA NRI)

Cold Wave 95
Drought 27
Earthquake 91
Hail 96
Hurricane 49
Heat Wave 89
Riverine Flood 96
Ice Storm 96
Landslide 66
Lightning 94
Strong Wind 98
Tornado 93
Wildfire 44
Winter Weather 93

Monthly Climate (1991–2020 normals)

Average temperature
JFMAMJ JASOND
Monthly precipitation (inches)
JFMAMJ JASOND
Summer high
85.1°F
Winter low
21.2°F
Heating degree days
5,347
Cooling degree days
989

Housing & Economy

Median home value
$154,300
Median HH income
$61,942
Price to income
2.5×
Property tax rate
1.87%
~$2,893/yr median

Community Profile

Median age
39
Homeownership
62.3%
Poverty rate
15.1%
Unemployment
5.8%

Connectivity

Broadband households
74.1%
No internet access
9.6%

Explore Montgomery 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.