Is Portage Lakes Safe, Pros and cons of living in Portage Lakes

Portage Lakes, Ohio, offers a unique blend of serene natural beauty and suburban convenience, making it an appealing location for those seeking a balanced lifestyle. Nestled within Summit County, this community is characterized by its picturesque lakes, providing ample opportunities for recreation and relaxation. The area’s appeal is further enhanced by its proximity to Akron, offering residents access to urban amenities while maintaining a distinct, more tranquil atmosphere.

The community is a census-designated place, known for its distinct character shaped by the very lakes that give it its name. This geographical feature significantly influences the lifestyle and recreational activities available to residents. As a part of the Akron metropolitan area, Portage Lakes benefits from regional infrastructure and economic connections, while still preserving its own identity as a desirable place to live.

Is it Safe to Live in Portage Lakes?

Portage Lakes is considered a safe community, with crime rates significantly lower than both the national and state averages. The total crime rate stands at 1,621 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 30% lower than the national average and 24.6% lower than the Ohio crime rate (as reported by CrimeGrade.org). This statistic is further supported by a violent crime rate that is 38% lower than the national average and a property crime rate that is 29% lower (as reported by CrimeGrade.org).

The Summit County Sheriff’s Office provides police protection for the area, contributing to the low crime statistics. Residents generally find the southwest part of the community to be the safest, with crime victimization chances varying by neighborhood. The overall crime grade for Portage Lakes is an A-, indicating a very low incidence of crime (as reported by DoorProfit).

Cost of Living and Housing in Portage Lakes

The cost of living in Portage Lakes is generally considered affordable, especially when compared to the national average. The cost of living index (COLI) for the Akron area, which includes Portage Lakes, is around 90, suggesting that living expenses are approximately 10% lower than the national average (as reported by Economic Policy Institute). For a family of four in Summit County, the estimated annual income needed to afford living is about $96,210 (as reported by Economic Policy Institute).

Housing in Portage Lakes is also notably affordable. The median listing price for homes is $175,500, which is 78.5% lower than the national median (as reported by Rentcafe). The median property value in Portage Lakes was $167,000 in 2024, showing a slight increase from the previous year (as reported by Data USA). The homeownership rate is 61.4%, which is slightly below the national average (as reported by Data USA).

For renters, the average rent for apartments in Portage Lakes is around $1,103 per month (as reported by Rentcafe). However, other sources indicate a higher average rental price, with NeighborhoodScout reporting $1,692 per month and Zillow listing an average rent of $10,221 (as reported by NeighborhoodScout, Zillow). RentCafe indicates rents can start at $555 for a one-bedroom apartment and go up to $1,800 for a two-bedroom (as reported by Rentcafe).

Job Market and Economic Landscape

The employment landscape in Portage Lakes shows some fluctuations. Between 2023 and 2024, employment in Portage Lakes declined by 4.92%, with the number of employees decreasing from 3.56k to 3.38k (as reported by Data USA). The most common employment sectors for residents include Health Care & Social Assistance, Educational Services, and Manufacturing (as reported by Data USA).

The median household income in Portage Lakes was reported as $64,375 in 2024, a slight decrease from the previous year (as reported by Data USA, Point2Homes). However, another source indicates a median household income of $71,033 (as reported by Livability.com). The unemployment rate in Portage Lakes stands at 6.6% (as reported by Point2Homes). In comparison, Portage County’s unemployment rate was 4.8% in February 2026 (as reported by Data Commons).

Major employers in the broader Akron area, which would likely impact the Portage Lakes job market, include healthcare systems and manufacturing companies. Companies like McDonald’s, Domino’s, and Ace Hardware are listed as employers in the Portage Lakes area (as reported by Indeed.com). The Akron area’s economy is diverse, with strengths in manufacturing, education, and healthcare, drawing on its industrial legacy in polymers and rubber (as reported by Wikipedia).

Climate and Natural Environment

Portage Lakes experiences a climate with distinct seasons, offering warm summers and cold, snowy winters. Throughout the year, temperatures generally range from 19°F to 84°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The average annual precipitation is around 39 inches, including snowfall (as reported by myPerfectWeather).

Summers are warm and partly cloudy, with July being the hottest month, averaging a high of 84°F and a low of 62°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather, Climate-data.org). Winters are freezing, snowy, windy, and mostly cloudy, with January seeing the lowest temperatures, averaging a high of 35°F and a low of 20°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather).

The area enjoys comfortable weather for a significant portion of the year, with an estimated 171 days annually having mild temperatures and low humidity. The most comfortable months for outdoor activities are typically from May to September (as reported by myPerfectWeather).

Education and School System

The educational landscape in Portage Lakes includes a dedicated school district and career center. The Portage Lakes School District manages one public school serving approximately 129 students (as reported by Public School Review). The student-teacher ratio within this district is notably low, at 3:1, which is significantly lower than the Ohio state average of 17:1 (as reported by Public School Review, Portage Lakes Career Center).

Diversity within the Portage Lakes School District is lower than the Ohio average, with 90% of students being White and 10% minority enrollment (as reported by Public School Review). The Portage Lakes Career Center also serves students in grades 11-12, with a similar low student-teacher ratio (as reported by Portage Lakes Career Center).

For a broader perspective, Niche.com provides rankings for school districts in the area, with Green Local School District and Coventry Local School District being nearby options with varying ratings (as reported by Niche.com).

Demographics and Community Profile

Portage Lakes is home to approximately 5,913 residents, with a slight majority being female (51.2% female, 48.8% male) (as reported by Data USA, Point2Homes). The population has seen a slight decrease in recent years, with some areas being absorbed by the city of New Franklin (as reported by Data USA, CrimeGrade.org).

The racial makeup of Portage Lakes is predominantly White, accounting for about 85.2% of the population, followed by those identifying with Two or More races (5.4%) and Black or African American (5%) (as reported by Data Commons, Niche.com). The median age in Portage Lakes is around 51.5 years, which is older than the national and state averages (as reported by Data USA, Data Commons).

Citizenship is high, with 98.4% of residents being US citizens (as reported by Data USA). A small percentage of residents, around 3.31%, were born outside the United States (as reported by Data USA).