Lorain County has taken an economic beating in the last decade, according to the Census Bureau’s 2008 American Community Survey, released Tuesday.

The median household income, adjusted for inflation, has fallen 9.4 percent since 1999.

Elyria suffered the worst in Lorain County, with its median household income falling 16.9 percent to $40,966, while 15.8 percent of Elyria’s residents are in poverty, up from 11.7 percent from 1999.

The Ohio average change from 1999 was a drop of 9.3 percent to $48,023. The national average was 3.9 percent to $52,175.

Avon Lake’s income fared the best in Lorain County. The median household income fell just 3.2 percent to $82,530.

Housing values varied widely and showed dramatic changes since 2007. North Ridgeville fared the best in Lorain County, with its median home value of $166,000, a 1.1 percent drop from 2007. Elyria’s median home value, $112,000, was a 4.6 percent drop from 2007. Lorain’s median home price fell 4.3 percent to $104,200.

Lower incomes and property values concern North Ridgeville Mayor David Gillock.

“It affects us across the board,” he said. “Lower incomes and housing values mean less tax revenue for us. Fortunately, we haven’t laid anyone off, but our employees won’t be getting a merit raise next year.

“All municipalities are struggling. We’ve been able to hold our own with no great cuts, but we have three levies up for renewal next May. We have a lot to keep an eye on.”

Elyria Mayor Bill Grace said that the information in the census report helps city leaders communicate how their spending affects people in the community.

“With our median income at around $40,000 a year, we can tell taxpayers that our income tax comes to around $4 a week,” he said.

The figures in the American Community Survey, and the census coming in 2010, are a gold mine of information to communities, Grace said.

“When you’re applying for grants, empirical data drives their decisions,” he said. “Information like this allows us to describe our conditions empirically.”

Lorain County census facts

• Other facts about Lorain County from the American Community Survey:
• 88 percent of residents 25 and older have graduated from high school, and 20 percent had a bachelor’s degree or higher.
• The two biggest industries are education/health care/social services (22 percent) and manufacturing (20 percent).
• 84 percent of workers drive to work alone. Nine percent carpool. One percent take public transportation.
• The average commute is 23.4 minutes.
• 13 percent of people in Lorain County live in poverty.

Contact Melissa Hebert at 329-7129 or mhebert@chroniclet.com.

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