Mentor’s population sits at 47,060 residents as of the 2020 census, but the city’s story is anything but static, with a median household income of $81,597 in 2021 and a median rent of $1,050 per month in 2023. Age, pay, and employment paint a distinct picture too, from a 44.8 year median age to a 7.2% unemployment rate in 2022 and manufacturing employing 15.3% of the workforce. Put together, these figures make Mentor feel like a place where community, industry, and cost of living are closely linked in ways you will want to see clearly.
Key Takeaways
- In 2020, Mentor, Ohio's population was 47,060 residents, reflecting a -1.2% decline from 2010.
- Mentor's median age in 2022 was 44.8 years, higher than the Ohio state average of 39.5 years.
- 26.4% of Mentor's population was under 18 years old as of 2020 census data.
- Mentor's median household income was $81,597 in 2021.
- The average annual wage in Mentor, OH was $60,284 in 2022.
- 7.2% unemployment rate in Mentor during 2022.
- Mentor Public Schools serve 7,200 students across 11 schools in 2023.
- Mentor High School graduation rate was 95.2% in 2022.
- 62% of Mentor High School students proficient in math, 2022 Ohio tests.
- Mentor's total area is 21.79 square miles.
- Land area of Mentor is 21.75 square miles, water 0.04 sq mi.
- Elevation in Mentor averages 686 feet above sea level.
- Mentor's city council has 7 members, elected at-large.
- Mayor Dennis E. Sullivan has served since 2015.
- Mentor's 2023 budget totals $85 million.
Mentor, Ohio has a growing, well educated community with strong schools, low poverty, and steady employment.
Related reading
01 · Category
Demographics10 stats
01
In 2020, Mentor, Ohio's population was 47,060 residents, reflecting a -1.2% decline from 2010.
02
Mentor's median age in 2022 was 44.8 years, higher than the Ohio state average of 39.5 years.
03
26.4% of Mentor's population was under 18 years old as of 2020 census data.
04
18.7% of residents in Mentor were 65 years or older in 2020.
05
White residents comprised 92.3% of Mentor's population in 2020.
06
Hispanic or Latino residents made up 3.1% of Mentor's 2020 population.
07
Asian residents accounted for 2.4% of Mentor's population in the 2020 census.
08
Black or African American residents were 1.2% of Mentor's total population in 2020.
09
Mentor's population density was 2,162 people per square mile in 2020.
10
5.3% of Mentor's households had individuals under 18 and 65+ in 2020.
Interpretation
Demographics Interpretation
While Mentor is gracefully aging and slightly shrinking, its demographics remain overwhelmingly homogeneous, suggesting it’s a place where the future is arriving slowly and, demographically speaking, without much company.
02 · Category
Economy23 stats
01
Mentor's median household income was $81,597in 2021.
02
The average annual wage in Mentor, OH was $60,284in 2022.
03
7.2% unemployment rate in Mentor during 2022.
04
Manufacturing employs 15.3% of Mentor's workforce as of 2021.
05
Retail trade sector employs 12.1% of workers in Mentor, 2021 data.
06
Health care and social assistance employs 11.8% in Mentor, per 2021 ACS.
07
Mentor's poverty rate was 6.8% in 2021.
08
Housing units in Mentor totaled 20,499 in 2020.
09
Median home value in Mentor was $214,300in 2021.
10
68.4% homeownership rate in Mentor, 2021 ACS data.
11
Mentor's cost of living index is 92.3, below national average.
12
Per capita income in Mentor was $43,217in 2021.
13
Professional services employ 9.8% of workforce.
14
Construction sector 8.4% employment in 2021.
15
Finance and insurance employ 6.2% in Mentor.
16
Median rent is $1,050per month in Mentor 2023.
17
2.1% of workforce in agriculture in Mentor area.
18
Utilities bill average $150/month household.
19
4.5% labor force participation rate for seniors.
20
Educational services employ 10.2% workforce.
21
Wholesale trade 5.6% employment share.
22
Median family income $98,450in 2021.
23
1,250 new businesses registered 2022.
Interpretation
Economy Interpretation
Mentor, OH is statistically the picture of American middle-class stability, where a manufacturing backbone, widespread homeownership, and a below-average cost of living suggest a community that's comfortably holding its ground, even if its wages seem to be politely lagging behind its home values.
03 · Category
Education25 stats
01
Mentor Public Schools serve 7,200 students across 11 schools in 2023.
02
Mentor High School graduation rate was 95.2% in 2022.
03
62% of Mentor High School students proficient in math, 2022 Ohio tests.
04
Average SAT score at Mentor High School was 1140 in 2022.
05
Student-teacher ratio in Mentor Schools is 17:1 in 2023.
06
78% of Mentor adults have high school diploma or higher, 2021.
07
32.5% of residents hold bachelor's degree or higher in Mentor.
08
Mentor Library circulates 450,000 items annually as of 2022.
09
15.2% of Mentor students eligible for free/reduced lunch in 2022.
10
Mentor has 3 public high schools with average rating 8/10.
11
Mentor High School ACT average score 23.1 in 2022.
12
85% college readiness score for Mentor Schools.
13
Mentor has 2 charter schools serving 300 students.
14
Public school expenditure per student $12,450in 2022.
15
24% AP participation rate at Mentor High.
16
Adult literacy rate 98.5% in Mentor.
17
4 vocational programs offered in district.
18
Mentor Library has 250,000 volumes in collection.
19
Mentor Schools AP pass rate 78%.
20
92% chronic absenteeism below state average.
21
Ridge Junior High enrollment 1,100 students.
22
Special education 14% of students.
23
Mentor has 1 private school with 200 students.
24
41% advanced degree holders among adults.
25
Summer reading program engages 3,000 kids.
Interpretation
Education Interpretation
Mentor's schools appear to be competently shepherding a generally well-educated community toward graduation, though there's a notable and concerning dip when the math proficiency score of 62% is held against the otherwise sturdy academic scaffolding.
More related reading
04 · Category
Geography25 stats
01
Mentor's total area is 21.79 square miles.
02
Land area of Mentor is 21.75 square miles, water 0.04 sq mi.
03
Elevation in Mentor averages 686 feet above sea level.
04
Lake Erie shoreline spans 4 miles in Mentor.
05
Average annual precipitation in Mentor is 39.2 inches.
06
July high temperature averages 81°F in Mentor.
07
January low temperature averages 21°F in Mentor.
08
Mentor has 18 parks totaling over 1,000 acres.
09
Headlands Beach State Park borders Mentor, largest natural beach.
10
Mentor sits at coordinates 41°39′58″N 81°20′29″W.
11
Mentor Marsh Preserve covers 600 acres.
12
Fairport Harbor Lighthouse 15 miles from Mentor.
13
Average snowfall 64 inches annually in Mentor.
14
12.3% tree canopy cover in Mentor.
15
Mentor Beach Park has 1 mile sandy beach.
16
USGS topo map Mentor quad 7.5 minute series.
17
Mentor in Lake County, ZIP codes 44060.
18
Average humidity 73% in Mentor summers.
19
Mentor Wetlands 728 acres preserved.
20
Prevailing winds WSW at 9 mph average.
21
7 golf courses within city limits.
22
Mentor Creek flows 5 miles through city.
23
Hardiness zone 6a for Mentor.
24
18 miles to Cleveland Hopkins Airport.
25
UV index peaks at 8 in summer.
Interpretation
Geography Interpretation
Mentor is a modestly elevated, well-watered, and generously green-sprinkled slice of Ohio where you can shiver in January, swelter in July, and generally enjoy a very full and varied outdoor resume all year round.
05 · Category
Government24 stats
01
Mentor's city council has 7 members, elected at-large.
02
Mayor Dennis E. Sullivan has served since 2015.
03
Mentor's 2023 budget totals $85 million.
04
Police department employs 85 officers in Mentor.
05
Fire department responds to 4,200 calls yearly.
06
Voter turnout in 2020 election was 72% in Mentor.
07
Mentor is in Ohio's 14th Congressional District.
08
Property tax rate is 2.5% of assessed value in Mentor.
09
95% of streets maintained by city public works.
10
Mentor Fire Station #1 built 1958.
11
City manager form of government since 1920.
12
32 full-time librarians employed.
13
Recycling rate 55% household participation.
14
1,200 streetlights maintained by city.
15
Mentor in Ohio House District 67.
16
Sales tax rate 8.0% including county.
17
2022 crime index 1.8 per 1,000 residents.
18
Public works fleet 150 vehicles.
19
75% renewable energy goal by 2030.
20
Court system handles 2,500 cases yearly.
21
Mentor PD uses body cams since 2016.
22
Bond rating AA- from S&P.
23
88% resident satisfaction with services.
24
Income tax rate 2.0% city levy.
Interpretation
Government Interpretation
Mentor, Ohio presents itself as a competently governed, if unspectacular, suburb where a quiet stability—evident in its healthy budget, high voter turnout, and satisfied residents—is maintained through meticulous public works, a well-equipped police force, and a century-old city manager system, all funded by a predictable mix of taxes.
06 · Category
History25 stats
01
Mentor was founded in 1799 by Charles Fowler from Connecticut.
02
Mentor incorporated as a village in 1855 and city in 1920.
03
Garfield Memorial Church in Mentor built in 1893.
04
Mentor grew rapidly post-WWII due to industrial boom.
05
Headland Archeological District listed on National Register 1975.
06
Mentor hosted first commercial television broadcast in 1948.
07
Population boomed from 5,000 in 1950 to 47,000 by 2020.
08
Mentor named after character in Homer's Odyssey.
09
Annual Mentor Harborfest festival started in 1982.
10
Mentor City Hall constructed in 1962.
11
James A. Garfield High School historical site.
12
Mentor Lager Brewery established 1836.
13
First settlers arrived via Connecticut Western Reserve.
14
Mentor Avenue designated Ohio Scenic Byway.
15
Civil War monument dedicated 1905 in Mentor.
16
Population 14,000 by 1960 census.
17
Mentor Harbor developed in 1970s.
18
Wildwood Cultural Center opened 2002.
19
Mentor Harborfest draws 50,000 visitors yearly.
20
Mentor considered for county seat in 1840.
21
Auto industry workers peaked 20,000 in 1970s.
22
Mentor Farmers Market since 2005.
23
1924 tornado damaged downtown Mentor.
24
Population density peaked 2,300/sq mi 1990.
25
Mentor YMCA founded 1957.
Interpretation
History Interpretation
From its namesake's ancient wisdom to its modern lakeside festivals, Mentor, Ohio, has patiently grown from a 19th-century New England seed into a thriving 21st-century community that never forgot the character in its name or the history under its feet.
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Marcus Afolabi. (2026, February 13). Mentor Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/mentor-statistics
MLA
Marcus Afolabi. "Mentor Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/mentor-statistics.
Chicago
Marcus Afolabi. 2026. "Mentor Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/mentor-statistics.
Sources & references
52 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level