The 10 Worst Cities For Women In Ohio For 2026

As we step into 2026, the landscape for women in the workforce continues to evolve, yet significant challenges remain. Despite progress in gender equality, women in the United States still face disparities compared to their male counterparts, including wage gaps, underrepresentation in leadership roles, and higher rates of poverty. Understanding these dynamics is crucial, especially when assessing the best and worst cities for women to live and work.

In this article, we explore the cities in Ohio that present the most significant challenges for women. By analyzing various factors, we provide insights into where women may face the toughest circumstances in terms of economic opportunity and quality of life.

Continue reading to discover which cities rank as the worst for women in Ohio and how we determined these rankings.

The 10 Worst Cities To Be A Woman In Ohio

The cities listed above are among the most challenging environments for women in Ohio. For insight into the factors contributing to these rankings, keep reading or jump to the end to see the best cities for women in the state.

Methodology – How We Determined The Worst Cities For Women In Ohio

Each city was ranked based on four key categories:

Percentage of Women in Management (Lower is worse)
Percentage of Women in Poverty (Higher is worse)
Women’s Earnings Compared to Male Earnings (Lower is worse)
Percentage of Uninsured Women (Lower is worse)

To calculate the income gap, we utilized data from the Census American Community Survey. The earnings ratio is determined by dividing the median income of male earners by that of female earners.

For the poverty rate, we focused on women living independently without relatives, allowing for a clearer picture of women’s economic struggles. This approach provides a higher poverty rate than general population metrics since it excludes married women.

We also examined the percentage of women in management positions to highlight leadership representation, which is crucial for promoting gender equity in the workplace.

Lastly, we sourced data on uninsured women from the ACS. This analysis only included cities in Ohio with populations exceeding 5,000.

1. Wellston

Wellston, OH

Source: Public domain

How Much Women Make For Male Dollars Earned: $0.63
Women In Management: 31.9%
Women In Poverty: 25.8%
Women Uninsured: 9.8%

Wellston ranks as the most challenging city for women in Ohio. The statistics reveal a concerning reality, with high rates of poverty and uninsured women indicating significant economic hardship.

2. Franklin

How Much Women Make For Male Dollars Earned: $0.56
Women In Management: 36.9%
Women In Poverty: 19.9%
Women Uninsured: 7.2%

Franklin follows closely behind, with significant poverty rates and low earnings relative to male counterparts.

3. Salem

Salem, OH

Source: Public domain

How Much Women Make For Male Dollars Earned: $0.59
Women In Management: 28.3%
Women In Poverty: 19.1%
Women Uninsured: 5.4%

Women in Salem experience a challenging work environment, with a low percentage in management and notable poverty rates.

4. Sidney

Sidney, OH

Source: Wikipedia User Chris Flook | CC BY-SA 3.0

How Much Women Make For Male Dollars Earned: $0.53
Women In Management: 23.5%
Women In Poverty: 17.5%
Women Uninsured: 4.4%

Sidney presents a tough landscape for women, with a low percentage of women in management and concerning poverty levels.

5. Mentor-on-the-Lake

How Much Women Make For Male Dollars Earned: $0.63
Women In Management: 22.3%
Women In Poverty: 13.5%
Women Uninsured: 6.7%

Mentor-on-the-Lake ranks fifth, with women facing challenges despite slightly better opportunities compared to the previous cities.

6. Fort Shawnee

How Much Women Make For Male Dollars Earned: $0.55
Women In Management: 23.7%
Women In Poverty: 8.3%
Women Uninsured: 7.2%

Fort Shawnee exhibits a challenging scenario for women, with notable poverty rates and low representation in management.

7. Kent

Kent, OH

Source: Wikipedia User JonRidinger | CC BY-SA 4.0

How Much Women Make For Male Dollars Earned: $0.57
Women In Management: 45.0%
Women In Poverty: 32.8%
Women Uninsured: 6.7%

Kent is a difficult city for women, facing high poverty rates and challenges in both earnings and insurance coverage.

8. Uhrichsville

Uhrichsville, OH

Source: Wikipedia User Roseohioresiden | CC BY-SA 4.0

How Much Women Make For Male Dollars Earned: $0.52
Women In Management: 48.1%
Women In Poverty: 29.7%
Women Uninsured: 6.5%

Uhrichsville presents a challenging environment for women, with a significant poverty rate and low earnings compared to male counterparts.

9. Bellefontaine

Bellefontaine, OH

Source: Public domain

How Much Women Make For Male Dollars Earned: $0.65
Women In Management: 25.8%
Women In Poverty: 22.8%
Women Uninsured: 4.7%

In Bellefontaine, women contend with low earnings and a high percentage of those living in poverty, emphasizing the need for change.

10. Orrville

Orrville, OH

Source: Wikipedia User Ser Amantio di | CC BY 3.0

How Much Women Make For Male Dollars Earned: $0.58
Women In Management: 36.5%
Women In Poverty: 15.9%
Women Uninsured: 6.0%

Orrville ranks as the tenth worst city for women, where challenges remain despite slightly improved statistics compared to others on the list.

Summary On Worst Cities to Be A Woman In Ohio

These cities represent the most challenging environments for women in Ohio. Although progress has been made, women still face significant barriers in these locations, impacting their economic opportunities and overall quality of life.

While the statistics highlight disparities, it’s essential to understand that individual experiences may vary. However, the challenges prevalent in these cities underscore the urgent need for initiatives that promote gender equity and improve conditions for women across the state.

Explore the detailed list below for further insights into the worst cities for women in Ohio.

Detailed List Of The Worst Cities For Women In Ohio

Rank	Place	Pay Gap
1	Wellston	$0.63
2	Franklin	$0.56
3	Salem	$0.59
4	Sidney	$0.53
5	Mentor-On-The-Lake	$0.63
6	Fort Shawnee	$0.55
7	Kent	$0.57
8	Uhrichsville	$0.52
9	Bellefontaine	$0.65
10	Orrville	$0.58
11	Fremont	$0.62
12	East Liverpool	$0.56
13	Jackson	$0.78
14	Niles	$0.65
15	New Carlisle	$0.69
16	Mount Vernon	$0.53
17	Canton	$0.64
18	Marietta	$0.70
19	Howland Center	$0.57
20	Springdale	$0.60
21	Moraine	$0.69
22	Lebanon	$0.59
23	Munroe Falls	$0.62
24	Greenville	$0.63
25	Piqua	$0.52
26	Washington Court House	$0.70
27	Van Wert	$0.70
28	Kenton	$0.61
29	Bucyrus	$0.71
30	Delphos	$0.61
31	Mansfield	$0.86
32	Huber Heights	$0.68
33	Alliance	$0.66
34	Barberton	$0.65
35	Struthers	$0.71
36	Painesville	$0.78
37	Wheelersburg	$0.50
38	New Franklin	$0.61
39	Heath	$0.74
40	New Philadelphia	$0.64
41	Lancaster	$0.67
42	Findlay	$0.57
43	Germantown	$0.68
44	Hamilton	$0.68
45	Bowling Green	$0.63
46	Akron	$0.76
47	Broadview Heights	$0.49
48	Lincoln Village	$0.80
49	Medina	$0.65
50	Fairborn	$0.65
51	St. Marys	$0.59
52	Steubenville	$0.58
53	Urbana	$0.69
54	Amelia	$0.56
55	Campbell	$0.66
56	Xenia	$0.66
57	Portsmouth	$0.65
58	Dayton	$0.83
59	Rittman	$0.60
60	Ontario	$0.54
61	Cortland	$0.73
62	Celina	$0.53
63	Athens	$0.77
64	Kenwood	$0.62
65	North College Hill	$0.97
66	Newark	$0.72
67	Clyde	$0.58
68	Miamisburg	$0.68
69	New Albany	$0.38
70	Elyria	$0.66
71	Bellevue	$0.58
72	Riverside	$0.62
73	Springfield	$0.73
74	Dover	$0.66
75	Wauseon	$0.62
76	Zanesville	$0.77
77	Aurora	$0.44
78	Lima	$0.73
79	Streetsboro	$0.50
80	Fostoria	$0.66
81	Middletown	$0.70
82	Columbus	$0.84
83	Cheviot	$0.73
84	Toronto	$0.78
85	Wooster	$0.61
86	Chardon	$0.60
87	Austintown	$0.65
88	Loveland	$0.57
89	Hillsboro	$0.73
90	Cuyahoga Falls	$0.65
91	Ravenna	$0.66
92	Sandusky	$0.75
93	Twinsburg	$0.55
94	Shelby	$0.52
95	Groveport	$0.72
96	Forest Park	$0.84
97	West Carrollton	$0.76
98	Defiance	$0.76
99	Massillon	$0.67
100	Chillicothe	$0.67

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Author

Kathy Morris

Kathy is the head of content at Zippia with a knack for engaging audiences. Prior to joining Zippia, Kathy worked at Gateway Blend growing audiences across diverse brands. She graduated from Troy University with a degree in Social Science Education.

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