Wooster, OH is a gem, a micro-city in the heart of the midwest that is beloved by its residents and offers plenty of opportunities to newcomers. If you’re planning on moving to Wooster, we’ve got everything you need to know in our city guide to living in Wooster. From the best things to do in Wooster, to Wooster’s top employers, we can tell you the inside scoop, so you feel more than ready to make your move.
Living in Wooster, OH
Wooster is a small city located in the Northeast quadrant of Ohio, about midway between Columbus and Cleveland. It was named one of the Best Hometowns in Ohio by Ohio Magazine in 2017-2018. Wooster has also made it onto Time Magazine’s list of Best Places to Live and Money Magazine’s list of the same name. Wooster is prized as a great city for families and professionals alike because of its strong job market, affordable living and thriving culture.
Wooster’s Population
How many people live in Wooster, OH? The answer is, about 26,618 people. This makes Wooster the 53rd largest city in the state of Ohio. The median age of Wooster residents is 36, though children under 18 make up about 20% of the population, indicating that Wooster is home to a large amount of young families.
Almost 98% of people living in Wooster, OH are American citizens, and almost 89% are ethnically white. Black, Asian and Hispanic people each make up about 3% of Wooster’s population, with folks of multiracial descent following with 2.3%. Just over 650 people in Wooster served in Vietnam, making Vietnam Veterans the largest bracket of military members residing in Wooster.
Wooster residents have mostly received their high school diplomas, with about 28% of the population going on to attain a Bachelor’s Degree or higher. Almost everyone here speaks English as their first language; the next most common language in Wooster is Spanish. About 53% of Wooster natives are married, and 39% are part of households with kids under the age of 18.
City of Wooster Jobs
The top employers in Wooster include the Cleveland Clinic, Frito Lay and Walmart. In terms of Industry, the most common workplace types for employees in Wooster are in Manufacturing, Education and Healthcare. The most common occupations are in administration, management and education jobs. Folks in Wooster make a median income of about $42,000 per year. This is about $8,000 less than the Ohio median, and almost $13,000 less than the national median. However, because of Wooster’s low cost of living, this median household income is made more reasonable.
Best Places to Live in Wooster
There are plenty of wonderful neighborhoods in Wooster, OH for families to choose from. Whether you want to be right in the action downtown, or enjoy some space and quiet in the outskirts of the city, you’ll be sure to find your perfect fit in Wooster. Here are a few of our favorite neighborhoods in Wooster.
The Reserve at Deer Creek
Deer Creek is a popular Wooster neighborhood, and the Reserve at Deer Creek is one of the most picturesque home communities in the area. A planned community, the Reserve features gorgeous, newly built homes with medium-sized front and back yards. Wide streets and plenty of green space offer lots of places for kids in the neighborhood to play, while a large pond provides a scenic view. Homes in the Reserve are also conveniently located near Wooster’s North End, which features plenty of shopping and dining options.
Ashton Village
Another cluster home community, Ashton Village is a small neighborhood in Wooster, made up of 22 single-family homes. All the homes in Ashton Village are new constructions, built by Ratcliff Custom Homes. A homeowners association in the Village manages community beautification and even handles lawn mowing and snow removal for a small monthly fee. Homes here are a bit more expensive than in other areas of Wooster, with one home currently listed for $162,000.
Downtown Wooster
If you want to be close to all the amenities you’ll ever need, you should consider if Downtown Wooster might be the best Wooster neighborhood for you. Offering homes and apartments for sale and for rent, the downtown area is home to plenty of work opportunities and fun things to do. Main Street in Downtown Wooster is especially vibrant, with a variety of dining and shopping, including local coffee roasters, historic and locally loved restaurants and your choice of boutiques for everything from clothing to used and rare books.
Wooster Real Estate
If you are looking for help buying or selling in Wooster, contact Lauren Mingay and the Lauren Mingay team.
Wooster Schools
Overall, there are 43 schools available to students in Wooster, OH. Among them are 13 public schools, 1 charter school, and 9 private institutions. There are 3 high schools in Wooster, with the most popular being Wooster High School, which enrolls about 1,400 students and received a higher-than-average rating from GreatSchools.org. Wooster City Schools offer more than a dozen Advanced Placement courses, as well as International Baccalaureate classes. Wooster, OH is also a college town, home to the College of Wooster, which offers a variety of majors available to prepare students for their careers.
Cost of Living in Wooster
Moving to Wooster is a great option for professionals and families who are looking for affordable cities. The cost of living in Wooster is lower than the national average in all categories, according to AreaVibes. Goods and Services, groceries, healthcare, transportation, and utilities costs are all very affordable, with the lowest relative cost being in housing, at 31% below the national average. Wooster is also affordable in comparison to the rest of Ohio, with costs of living being lower in all the categories except utilities; Wooster utilities cost 5% more than the Ohio average.
The median home value in Wooster is just over $126,000, making housing in Wooster extremely affordable. The vast majority of homes here sell for under $400,000, with only 1.5% of homes being valued over $400,000. Property taxes in Wooster are more varied; the average cost of taxes in Wooster is between $2,000- $3,000, but residents pay anywhere from $800 to more than $3,000 per year in property taxes. Renters in Wooster are also in luck: the median rent in Wooster is just $684 per month, which is nearly $300 per month less than the national average.
Wooster Weather
The average temperature in Wooster is about 72 degrees during the summer, and 44 degrees during the winter. The hottest time of the year in Wooster is mid-July, while the coldest is late January. Though some rainfall occurs every month in Wooster, there is very little snow accumulation throughout the year. It’s also relatively mild in Wooster; even in Summer, the humidity doesn’t get too oppressive. If you’re looking to experience all four seasons without hitting any extremes, living in Wooster, OH is an excellent choice.
What to do in Wooster, OH
People living in Wooster know, there’s always plenty of fun things to do in Wooster. Whether you’re spending a night on Main Street or getting out to enjoy outdoor activities in Wooster, there are tons of things to choose from to have fun.
One of the main attractions in Wooster is the Wayne Center for the Arts. Founded in 1973, the Center is a local hotspot for visual arts, theater and more. Visit during the winter holidays to see the classic ballet, the Nutcracker, or stop by anytime to enjoy a rotation of art exhibitions. You can also enroll in classes at the Center for everything from ceramics to creative writing.
A fun, free thing to do with kids in Wooster, OH is a visit to the Secrest Arboretum at OSU’s College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. Stroll through 110 acres to discover gorgeous plants, including native trees and flowers, along with exotic varieties. Themed gardens will make you feel like you’re walking through a fairytale, and the gardens are open throughout the year, from dawn to dusk, so you can enjoy them during any season.
Moving to Wooster
So, are you ready to move to Wooster? We hope so! This vibrant city is welcoming and has plenty to offer, from beautiful homes to plenty of work and educational opportunities. If you don’t have a local moving company picked out, give us a call at 330-359-1491 for a free Wooster moving quote. When you do move, our Wooster movers will handle the heavy lifting, so you can focus on making your dream of living in Wooster a reality.
