Is Wheelersburg Safe, Pros and cons of living in Wheelersburg
Is it Safe to Live in Wheelersburg?
Wheelersburg, Ohio, presents a generally safe environment for its residents, with crime rates that are notably lower than the national average. The overall crime rate is around 9 per 1,000 residents, placing it near the average for U.S. communities of all sizes (NeighborhoodScout). Specifically, violent crime rates are about one in 653, which is considered average for the nation (NeighborhoodScout). Property crime rates also hover around average for U.S. cities, with a rate of 7 per 1,000 residents (NeighborhoodScout).
When compared to other communities within Ohio, Wheelersburg’s crime rate is lower than approximately 34% of Ohio communities (NeighborhoodScout). The community receives a “B-” grade for safety, indicating that its crime rate is slightly lower than the average U.S. city (CrimeGrade.org). This means Wheelersburg ranks in the 58th percentile for safety, signifying it is safer than a majority of U.S. cities (CrimeGrade.org).
Violent Crime Rates
The violent crime rate in Wheelersburg stands at approximately 2 per 1,000 inhabitants, which is comparable to the national average for communities of all sizes (NeighborhoodScout). Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime in Wheelersburg is about one in 653 (NeighborhoodScout). This rate is lower than the state average in Ohio, where the chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is one in 341 (NeighborhoodScout).
Property Crime Rates
The property crime rate in Wheelersburg is approximately 9.464 per 1,000 residents annually (CrimeGrade.org). This rate is considered slightly lower than the average for U.S. cities (CrimeGrade.org). Your chance of being a victim of property crime in Wheelersburg varies by neighborhood, ranging from 1 in 78 in central neighborhoods to 1 in 152 in the northeast (CrimeGrade.org). Overall, Wheelersburg is safer than 67% of cities in the United States regarding property crime (CrimeGrade.org).
Cost of Living and Housing
Wheelersburg offers a cost of living that is significantly lower than the national average. Overall living costs are about 13% lower than the U.S. national average (Salary.com). This affordability is largely driven by housing costs, which are substantially below the national figures.
Housing Costs
The median home price in Wheelersburg is approximately $210,000 (Data USA). This is considerably less than the national average median property value of $332,700 (Data USA). Over the past year, the median property value has seen a slight increase of 0.382% (Data USA). The homeownership rate in Wheelersburg is around 69.9%, which is higher than the national average of 65.2% (Data USA).
Rental prices in Wheelersburg are also quite affordable. The median gross rent is reported to be $685 per month (Data USA), though other sources indicate a median rent of $1,000 as of April 2026 (Zumper). This is substantially lower than the national average rent (Zumper, Data USA). The median monthly rent is also listed as $609 (Livability.com).
Overall Affordability
The cost of living in Wheelersburg is 14% less than the national average (ERI Economic Research Institute). This makes it one of America’s less expensive cities (Salary.com). For a single person, the estimated monthly living expenses are around $1,617, and for a family of four, it’s approximately $3,715 (Salary.com). These figures include housing, food, energy, transportation, and healthcare costs, all of which are generally lower than the national averages (Salary.com).
Job Market and Economy
Wheelersburg’s economy is supported by a range of employers, contributing to the local job market. The average salary in Wheelersburg, Ohio, is approximately $62,528 per year, with an equivalent hourly rate of $30 (ERI SalaryExpert, Indeed). This figure is based on data from industry salary surveys and compensation data (ERI SalaryExpert).
Major Employers
Key employers in the broader region, which would include Wheelersburg and its surrounding areas, feature a mix of healthcare, manufacturing, and service industries. King’s Daughters Medical Center is a significant employer in the region, known as the largest employer in Ashland, Kentucky, with over 4,000 employees (Zippia). Other notable employers in the wider South Central Ohio region include Adena Health System, Kokosing, Diversicare, McNational, Hammons Black Walnuts, and Phantom Fireworks (Zippia). G&J Pepsi-Cola Bottlers, Inc. and Riffle Machine Works, Inc. are also significant entities in the area’s industrial landscape (South Central Ohio JEDISO).
Unemployment and Salaries
The median household income in Wheelersburg was reported at $63,132 in 2024 (Point2Homes), with some sources indicating $59,367 (Livability.com) or $66,683 (Kurby AI). While the median income has seen some year-over-year shifts, it reflects the economic activity within the community (Point2Homes). Unemployment data for Wheelersburg specifically is not readily available in the provided search results, but the presence of these employers suggests a functional job market.
Climate and Weather
Wheelersburg experiences a temperate climate with distinct seasons, characterized by warm, humid summers and cold winters. The average temperature typically ranges from 26°F in January to 86°F in July (Wheelersburg Climate). The hot season lasts from late May to mid-September, with daily high temperatures often exceeding 77°F (Wheelersburg Climate).
Seasonal Temperatures
The coldest month is January, with average highs around 42°F and lows near 27°F (Wheelersburg Climate). Conversely, July is the hottest month, with average highs of 85°F and lows of 66°F (Wheelersburg Climate). The temperature variation throughout the year means Wheelersburg rarely experiences extreme temperatures, staying between 10°F and 93°F (Wheelersburg Climate).
Precipitation and Rainfall
Rainfall is distributed throughout the year in Wheelersburg. May typically sees the most rain, with an average of 3.8 inches (Wheelersburg Climate). January experiences the least amount of rain, averaging around 2.0 inches (Wheelersburg Climate). The wetter season generally runs from mid-March to late August, with a chance of wet days exceeding 31% (Wheelersburg Climate).
Education and Demographics
Wheelersburg is served by the Wheelersburg Local School District, which generally receives positive reviews and performs well. The district has a student-teacher ratio of 21 to 1, with 1,591 students in grades PK-12 (Niche). State test scores indicate that 57% of students are proficient in math and 79% in reading (Niche). Wheelersburg Middle School is noted as a top performer, consistently ranking among the best middle schools in Ohio (SchoolDigger.com). Wheelersburg High School also demonstrates strong performance, with 45% of students proficient in math and 81% in reading (Niche).
Population and Diversity
Wheelersburg is home to approximately 6,313 residents (Data USA). The population is predominantly White, with White (Non-Hispanic) residents making up about 95.1% of the population (Data USA, Point2Homes). Other racial groups include multiracial individuals (4.3%), Hispanic (0.3%), Black or African American (0.2%), and Asian (0.1%) (Data USA, Point2Homes). The community is largely comprised of U.S. citizens, with a very small percentage of foreign-born residents (Data USA).
Age and Household Composition
The median age in Wheelersburg is 41 years (Point2Homes). The population is distributed across various age groups, with significant portions in the 25-44 and 45-64 brackets (Point2Homes). Wheelersburg has around 2,571 households, with an average of 2 members per household (Data USA). Of these, about 58.9% are families, while 41.1% consist of individuals living alone or with non-relatives (Data USA).
Pros and Cons of Living in Wheelersburg
Wheelersburg offers a compelling mix of affordability and community charm, making it an attractive place to live for many. The cost of living is a significant draw, being substantially lower than the national average, particularly in housing costs (Salary.com, Data USA). This affordability allows for a high quality of life, especially for those looking to own a home (Kurby AI, Livability.com).
The community atmosphere in Wheelersburg is often described as close-knit, with a strong sense of neighborliness (Livability.com). The schools in Wheelersburg are generally well-regarded, with the local school district receiving good ratings and performing above average in state assessments (Niche, SchoolDigger.com). Furthermore, the crime rates are lower than the national average, contributing to a feeling of safety within the community (NeighborhoodScout, CrimeGrade.org).
However, Wheelersburg does present some challenges. While salaries are competitive for the region, they may not always keep pace with national averages, and there has been some reported decline in median income over recent years (Point2Homes). The job market, while present, might be more concentrated in specific sectors, and major employers are often regional rather than exclusively within Wheelersburg itself (Zippia, South Central Ohio JEDISO). The climate, while temperate, does experience cold winters and humid summers, which may not appeal to everyone (Wheelersburg Climate). Additionally, while generally safe, crime rates, though below the national average, still exist, and neighborhood variations can occur (NeighborhoodScout, CrimeGrade.org).