Nelsonville is a city in northwestern Athens County, Ohio, United States, located about 60 miles (97 km) southeast of Columbus. The population was 5,373 at the 2020 census. It is home to Hocking College as well as Rocky Brands. Nelsonville is surrounded by Ohio's only national forest, the Wayne National Forest.

Official town website ↗

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

How Nelsonville ranks

All →

#24Most affordable in OH #35Most conserved land in OH #73Lowest property tax in OH All OH rankings →

Town numbers

ZIP code45764

Area code740

Living in Nelsonville

Housing in Nelsonville

$119K▲ 0.7% in a year Typical home value · Zillow

The typical Nelsonville home is worth about $119,000, up 0.7% in a year, 52% below the Ohio typical home.

Only 3 sales in May 2026, too few for a market read. The typical value is the steadier guide.

Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data CenterHousing market →

Safety in Nelsonville

Safety Grade C

Nelsonville reports more crime per resident than most U.S. towns we grade: about 72% report less.

Violent crime per 1,000

Nelsonville 2.6

Ohio 2.9

U.S. 3.3

Property crime per 1,000

Nelsonville 18.3

Ohio 14.7

U.S. 15.5

FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to policeCrime & safety →

Work & commute in Nelsonville

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Most working residents leave Nelsonville for work: only 16% work in town. The top destinations are Athens (15%), Columbus (8%) and Logan (6%). Half commute less than 20 miles.

Athens

15%

Columbus

Logan

Lancaster

16%Work in townlive and work in Nelsonville 20 miWhere do people commute?the commute map 1,666Jobs based herebalanced

Census LEHD 2023 · ACSWork & commute in Nelsonville →

Health in Nelsonville

C⁻

Health Grade C−

Healthier than 19% of U.S. towns on seven CDC estimates, and 46% of towns with similar incomes.

Compared with Ohio

2better than OH·17worse

of 32 measures CDC estimates. The other 13 are too close to call.

Conditions 2▲ 3▼ 7 close Habits 2▼ 2 close Care 5▼ 2 close Mind 3▼ 2 close Everyday needs 4▼ 0 close

BetterToo close to callWorse

What stands out

6.8%Fewer adults who have had cancerOH 8.7% · better 25.9%Fewer adults with arthritisOH 29.8% · better 12%More adults without reliable transportationOH 7.7% · worse

Care nearby

Ohiohealth O'bleness HospitalAthens · 10.7 mi · ER

Hopewell Health Centers - NelsonvilleNelsonville · 1.2 mi · sliding-scale fees

Primary careShortage · county-wide

DentalShortage · county-wide

Mental healthShortage · county-wide

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CDC's estimate for Nelsonville · CMS · HRSAHealth in Nelsonville →

Natural hazards in Nelsonville

Very high

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 89% of U.S. communities.

🌊 Inland flooding

21Does Nelsonville flood?paid flood claims since 1979 7Disasters that paid out herefederal disasters sent FEMA money to Nelsonville MapNelsonville vs. its neighborsnearby towns shaded by rating

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

Climate in Nelsonville

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Nelsonville has chilly winters and warm summers. A typical July afternoon reaches 84°, a January night drops to 22°, and about 12 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.

41° / 24°Winter

64° / 40°Spring

83° / 60°Summer

66° / 43°Fall