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Nelson

A township of 3,110 people in Portage County, Ohio

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Town hallWanted · be the first Main streetWanted · be the first The libraryWanted · be the first Add a photoStart the Nelson album

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Now in Nelson

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Around town

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Around town

The places and views that make it Nelson

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The Nelson album

0 of 12 shotsNeighbors document Nelson together

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Outdoors in Nelson

Parks & trails →

Map of Nelson: conserved land, trails and the top places to walk

Conserved land5.2%797 of 15,430 acres

Trails5.1 mi0.2 mi per sq mi

Parks & preserves3256 conserved acres per 1,000 residents

#371Most conserved land in OH

1Eagle Creek State Nature Preserve2.9 mi of trails · 547 acres Directions

2Nelson-Kennedy Ledges State Park1.7 mi of trails · 65 acres Directions

3Nelson Ledges Quarry Park58 acres Directions

Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US

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Know Nelson

The town at a glance, and the guide to how things work

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About Nelson

Township in Ohio, US

3,101Population

24.7 sq miArea

1,050 ftElevation

Nelson Township is one of the eighteen townships of Portage County, Ohio, United States. The 2020 census found 3,101 people in the township.

Official town website ↗

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)

How Nelson ranks

#169Lowest obesity in OH #187Lowest depression in OH #323Most affordable in OH All OH rankings →

Town numbers

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Living in Nelson

Work & commute in Nelson

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Most working residents leave Nelson for work: only 3% work in town. The top destinations are Garrettsville (9%), Cleveland (6%) and Ravenna (4%). Half commute less than 20 miles.

Garrettsville

9%

Cleveland

6%

Ravenna

4%

Aurora

3%

3%Work in townlive and work in Nelson 20 miWhere do people commute?the commute map 278Jobs based herea commuter town

Census LEHD 2023 · ACSWork & commute in Nelson →

Health in Nelson

C⁺

Health Grade C+

Healthier than 41% of U.S. towns on seven CDC estimates.

Compared with Ohio

1better than OH

of 32 measures CDC estimates. The other 31 are too close to call.

Conditions all close Habits all close Care all close Mind all close Everyday needs 1▲ 3 close

BetterToo close to callWorse

What stands out

7%Fewer adults facing a utility shut-offOH 8.3% · better

Care nearby

Insight Hospital and Medical Center TrumbullWarren · 13.7 mi · ER

Newton Falls Community Health CenterNewton Falls · 9.6 mi · sliding-scale fees

Primary careShortage · part of Nelson

DentalNo shortage

Mental healthNo shortage

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · ZIP code 44231 · CMS · HRSAHealth in Nelson →

Natural hazards in Nelson

Very low

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 14% of U.S. communities.

🌊 Inland flooding🌪️ Tornadoes🧊 Hail

3Does Nelson flood?paid flood claims since 2013 1Disasters that paid out herefederal disaster sent FEMA money to Nelson MapNelson vs. its neighborsnearby towns shaded by rating

FEMA National Risk Index December 2025 · OpenFEMANatural hazards in Nelson →

Climate in Nelson

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Nelson has chilly, snowy winters and pleasant summers. A typical July afternoon reaches 82°, a January night drops to 18°, and about 63 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.

37° / 21°Winter

59° / 36°Spring

80° / 58°Summer

62° / 42°Fall

How much snow does Nelson get?About 63 inches a winter.Rain & snow →When is the first frost?Around Oct 20, with the last in spring around May 1.Frost dates →Is it warmer than it used to be?+1.8° vs. the 20th century.Then & now →

NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020Climate in Nelson →

Libraries near Nelson

Nearest: Garrettsville BranchGarrettsville · 3.8 miles · 56 hrs a week

Famous people from NelsonWriters, athletes, leaders and more who were born in Nelson.Meet them →

Where Nelson is

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Locator map of Nelson — Wikimedia Commons · Map: JonRidinger · CC BY 3.0

Location map

Ohio · OH · Portage CountyTown boundary on OpenStreetMap →

How things work in Nelson

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Town hall & decisionsTrash, recycling & yard wasteUtilities & servicesStreets, parking & getting aroundSafety & preparednessSchools & learningParks, sports & recreationHealth & emergency care