It’s a pretty common response when people discover everything Gallia County has to offer for full-time residents. Whether you’re focused on making your dollars go further, enjoying our county seat’s historic downtown and garden lots district, getting out for a hike or bike ride, or looking for a community where neighbors still reach out to lend a helping hand, Gallia County has it.
With the cost of almost everything in major metros across the United States escalating, Gallia County offers an attractive option at a lower cost. Few places in the State of Ohio can offer the combination of affordability and amenities like Gallia County can.
Housing affordability is the primary factor in Gallia County’s lower overall cost of living — so much so, in fact, that Gallia County saw net in-migration from our nearest major metro, Columbus, Ohio, in 2022.
The Renew Rio Project in Gallia County has built several new homes and commercial structures in Rio Grande, right next door to the University of Rio Grande & Rio Grande Community College. More than a dozen new homes are planned for construction in the village, lifting up property values and injecting new life into the Rio Grande and Gallia County community.
All within a 10-minute walk of one another, Gallia County’s arts and cultural scene is unparalleled in Southeast Ohio.
“Community” is a word that gets tossed around a lot these days, but Gallia County doesn’t just talk the talk… it also walks the walk.
A perfect example is Gallipolis in Lights, a volunteer-led initiative to light up the City Park with thousands of lights, decorations, and holiday-themed music. In 2022, it was named one of “America’s Merriest Main Streets” by the TODAY Show.
The Gallia County Junior Fair is another great example. Situated along a low-lying area next to a creek, the Fairgrounds saw flooding over the years that impacted the major yearly event. Thanks to the generous support of dozens of local companies and individuals, the Fair Board launched a plan to relocate and build new structures away from the creek, opening up a new future for the Fair.
Hikers and bikers love Gallia County’s uncongested outdoor attractions. The Gatewood Trail System, near the University of Rio Grande and Rio Grande Community College is the perfect example. Maintained and paid for exclusively by local volunteers, the trail attracts hikers and bikers year round for challenging mountain bike trails or leisurely hikes.
Boaters love Gallia County’s nearly 30 miles of river access, including a public boat launch along Gallipolis’ famous Downtown Historical and Garden Lots District. Motorcyclists can find fun winding through Gallia County’s backroads as part of The Serpent’s Bones motorcycle trails.
Gallia County Population
Ohio: 11,799,448
Gallia County Median Household Income
Ohio: $62,262
Gallia County Median Age
Ohio: 39.6
Gallia County population with an associate's, bachelor's, or graduate degree
Ohio: 39.7%
Gallia County Homeownership Rate
Ohio: 67.2%
Gallia County Median Gross Rent
Ohio: $870
Gallia County married-couple family households
Ohio: 44.7%
Gallia County Labor Force Participation Rate
Ohio: 59.1%
Gallia County Average Commute to Work
Ohio: 23.1 minutes
Statistics from 2020 U.S. Census and 2021 ACS Five-Year Estimates
The mission of the Gallia County Economic Development is to promote economic growth in Gallia County through the attraction of new business and industry and the retention of existing businesses by providing resources that encourage investment and development resulting in economic vitality, diversification of Gallia County’s tax base, and improved quality of life for Gallia County residents.