Community Profiles

Eaton

Centrally located, Eaton — just five miles south of Interstate 70 and 40 minutes outside of Dayton — serves as the county seat for rural Preble County and is home to the famous Preble County Fair. Eaton strives to maintain its small-town feel as it grows into a more urban community with a blend of diverse commerce, industry, and agriculture. With its historic downtown, Eaton has affordable housing, newer school facilities, an Edison State Community College branch location, plenty of recreational areas and activities, and charm.

43.8
Median Age
17
Diversity Index

Population Demographics

The median age of Eaton residents is 44.

The diversity index of Eaton is 17.2, meaning that there is a 17% chance that any two people selected out of 100 residents will be of different race or ethnicity from one another.

$80,365
Average Household Income
$64,000
Average Disposable Income
4,001
Housing Units
$232,068
Average Home Value

Housing and Income

The average household income in Eaton is $80,365 and projected to be $89,749 in 2031. Per capita income is $36,741, projected to be $41,688 in 2031. 1.97% of households – 160 – have an income of $200,000 or higher. Average net worth is $713,262 and the average disposable income is $64,000.

There are 4,001 housing units in Eaton; 2,410 are owner-occupied, 1,279 are rented, and 312 are vacant. The average home value is $232,068, with 282 homes built in 2010 or later, and 1,076 built in 1939 or earlier.

2,542
Workforce
2.00%
Unemployment Rate
463
Veteran Population
1,059
Bachelor's Degree or Higher

Business and Workforce

There are 492 businesses in Eaton, employing 5,756 workers and pulling from a labor force of 3,870 age 16 and above. 1,164 workers commute into Eaton from outside the county or state. Key industries for the area include:

2,542 residents both live and work in/around Eaton. The average travel time is 21.2 minutes. 14.79% people have a commute of less than 5 minutes while 2.75% commute 90 minutes or more each way. Of commuters, 3,258 drive alone, 376 carpool, and 4 take public transportation. 119 use other modes of transport such as motorcycle, bicycle, walking, etc. 113 residents work from home.

2,964 members of the workforce hold a high school diploma or GED. 428 have associates degrees, 580 have bachelor’s degrees, and 479 hold a graduate or professional degree.

Source: ESRI, 2026-09-09