| City: | Kelleys Island, Ohio |
| City Alias: | Kelleys Is |
| County: | Erie County |
| Timezone: | Eastern (GMT -05:00) |
| Local Time: | 9:39:23 PM |
| Population: | 256 [See All] |
| Area Codes: | 419 / 567 |
| Classification: | PO Box |
| Coordinates: | 41.6046, -82.7045 |
| Land Area: | 4.348 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
Kelleys Island sits in Lake Erie, a 4.4 square mile retreat accessible only by ferry or small plane. The island's 256 year-round residents share their community with hundreds of seasonal visitors. Of 913 total housing units, 694 (76%) are vacant most of the year, used only for summer getaways or occasional weekends.
The Kelleys Island post office maintains 320 PO Boxes, more than double the 139 occupied households. This 2.30 adoption rate makes sense for an island. Seasonal homeowners keep boxes year-round for tax bills and maintenance notices. Year-round residents prefer the reliability of post office pickup over uncertain ferry-dependent delivery. Vacation renters need temporary mail access. This is a PO Box Only Zone, meaning there's no alternative delivery option across the island's entire territory.
The island's character shows in its street patterns. West Lakeshore Drive (32 delivery points) and East Lakeshore Drive trace the shoreline. Harbor Lane, Beach Road, and Upper Cliff Drive capture the waterfront geography. Some streets reveal the island's history: Division Street, Monaghan Road, Woodford Road. Others hint at newer vacation development: Chardonnay Drive, Morning Glory Lane, Sweet Valley Lane.
At 62.9 years, the median age is among the highest for any Lake Erie community. This isn't a place for young families. Of the 256 residents, only 3 are under 18 and just 3 are ages 18-24. Nearly half (49.4%) hold bachelor's degrees. With a median household income of $91,875 and median home value of $333,300, the island attracts educated, upper-middle-class retirees and professionals. Twenty percent work from home, taking advantage of the island's isolated appeal.
The island has limited commercial infrastructure: 27 business establishments employ just 25 people. Most workers (51 of the employed population) work in transportation, warehousing, and utilities. That likely includes ferry operations and island services. The island economy depends on seasonal tourism, not year-round employment.
Mail addressed to Kelleys Island can use the full name or the shortened alias "Kelleys Is." Both are valid mailing addresses. Given the PO Box requirement, most correspondence should be addressed to a box number rather than a street address, though rural route delivery does exist for some properties.
Street names trace the shoreline (Lakeshore Drive, Harbor Lane, Beach Road) and preserve historic island family names (Monaghan, Woodford), with newer vacation-themed streets appearing in recent development.
ZIP Code 43438 has 256 residents and 139 households (average 1.84 persons per household). The median age is 62.9 years, significantly older than the state (39.8) and significantly older than the nation (38.8). The gender split is 53.1% male and 46.9% female, which is higher than the state male share (49.0%), making this a male-majority area. Largest groups are White (95.7%, much higher than the state average of 77.0% and well above the national average of 61.6%) and Asian (2.0%, lower than the national average of 6.0%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 0.4%, which is much lower than the national average (18.7%).
Explore More:Population Over TimeBy Age & GenderBy RaceBy GenderNativity & Citizenship
| 2020 Population: | 256Source: Census DHC |
| 2024 ACS Population Estimate: | 128Source: Census ACS |
| 2026 ZC Population Estimate: | 0Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 58.9 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $82,917Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 139Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $346,400Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 1.84Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 3.14Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 260 | 203 | 177 | 171 | 138 | 158 | 199 | 202 | 236 | 283 | 289 | 221 | 198 | 128 |
| Decennial Census | 312 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 256 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 62.9
Male Median Age: 62
Female Median Age: 64.2
| Group | < 5 | 5-9 | 10-14 | 15-19 | 20-24 | 25-29 | 30-34 | 35-39 | 40-44 | 45-49 | 50-54 | 55-59 | 60-64 | 65-69 | 70-74 | 75-79 | 80-84 | 85+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 3 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 9 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 21 | 13 | 7 | 11 | 3 |
| Female | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 9 | 14 | 16 | 27 | 14 | 4 | 8 | 3 |
| Total | 3 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 13 | 7 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 10 | 21 | 28 | 32 | 48 | 27 | 11 | 19 | 6 |
| White: | 245 | 97.61% |
| Black: | 0 | 0% |
| Hispanic:* | 1 | 0.40% |
| Asian: | 5 | 1.99% |
| American Indian: | 0 | 0% |
| Hawaiian: | 0 | 0% |
| Other: | 0 | 0% |
| Total: | 251 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 136 | 53.13% | 62.0 years |
| Females: | 120 | 46.88% | 64.2 years |
| Total: | 256 | 100% | 62.9 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 122 | 95.31% |
| Native, born in PR, Island Areas, or abroad: | 6 | 4.69% |
| Foreign born, naturalized U.S. citizen: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Foreign born, not a U.S. citizen: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total Population: | 128 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 128 | 100.00% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 0 | 0.00% |
In 2024, the Median household income is $82,917, which is slightly above the national median ($80,734), is up $33,975 (69.4%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $23,473. Family households earn a median of $108,333 versus $34,375 for nonfamily households (a difference of $73,958). By gender, male median income is $0 and female is $0, which is considerably lower than the national female median ($55,274), with a current gap of $0 that has narrowed from 2011 to 2024. The labor-force participation rate is 30.4%, which is markedly below the national rate (63.5%). The unemployment rate is 57.9%, which is much higher than the national rate (5.2%). The largest occupation group is Management (100.0%).
Explore More:Income Over TimeHousehold IncomeEmployment StatusBy Occupation
| Income Type | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $48,942 | $45,938 | $50,625 | $60,750 | $56,500 | $56,458 | $63,000 | $59,219 | $59,444 | $69,500 | $82,188 | $74,375 | $91,875 | $82,917 |
| Median Family Income | $52,188 | $68,750 | $70,000 | $70,625 | $57,375 | $59,500 | $68,750 | $63,750 | $70,000 | $90,938 | $94,318 | $100,278 | $103,750 | $108,333 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $25,455 | $24,375 | $25,568 | $46,250 | $50,417 | $49,250 | $49,250 | $50,208 | $36,250 | $32,500 | $33,250 | $38,542 | $38,750 | $34,375 |
| Median Male Income | $45,313 | $46,750 | $57,625 | $58,125 | $0 | $26,667 | $36,000 | $37,000 | $47,500 | $51,250 | $58,125 | $63,000 | $0 | $0 |
| Median Female Income | $44,306 | $44,750 | $42,875 | $45,729 | $0 | $45,625 | $0 | $77,813 | $56,250 | $68,750 | $120,357 | $130,156 | $135,357 | $0 |
| Employed: | 16 | 12.80% |
| Unemployed: | 22 | 17.60% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 87 | 69.60% |
| Total: | 125 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 16 | 100.00% |
| Service: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Sales and Office: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 16 | 100% |
In 2024, the median home value is $346,400, which is slightly above the national median ($332,700), is up $78,500 (29.30%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $52,900. The median gross rent is $0, which is well under the national median ($1,413), is down $597 (100.00%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $0. Of occupied housing, owners make up 91.80% (57.14% with a mortgage, 42.86% free-and-clear) and renters 8.20% - making this ZIP Code under national rental averages. The vacancy rate is 93.95%, which is considerably higher than the national rate (10.12%).
Explore More:Compare Home ValueHome Value Over TimeRent & Over TimeHousing Occupancy
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $267,900 | $260,700 | $306,500 | $315,000 | $282,800 | $289,700 | $292,700 | $298,900 | $293,500 | $298,300 | $302,800 | $295,400 | $333,300 | $346,400 |
| Less than $500: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $500 to $999: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $1,000 to $1,499: | 5 | 100.00% |
| $1,500 to $1,999: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $2,000 to $2,499: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $2,500 to $2,999: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $3,000 or more: | 0 | 0.00% |
| No Rent: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total: | 5 | 100% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Rent | $597 | $920 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $850 | $950 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Owner Occupied (with mortgage): | 32 | 52.46% |
| Owner Occupied (free and clear, no mortgage): | 24 | 39.34% |
| Renter Occupied: | 5 | 8.20% |
| Total Occupied Housing Units: | 61 | 100% |
| Occupied Housing Units: | 61 | 6.05% |
| Vacant Housing Units (not graphed): | 948 | 93.95% |
| Total Housing Units: | 1,009 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 883 | 87.51% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 72 | 7.14% |
| Other Units: | 54 | 5.35% |
| Total Housing Units: | 1,009 | 100% |
In 2024, 53.40% of adults (25+) have a bachelor's degree or higher, which is comparable to the national rate (35.70%). High school or higher is 98.30%, which is far higher than the national rate (89.60%). The uninsured rate is 0.00%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.40%). Public coverage is 68.80%, which is far higher than the national rate (36.70%). The share of people in poverty is 0.00%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.80%), and below its 2019 pre-pandemic level by 1.30 percentage points. Poverty has been broadly stable, which may reflect structural barriers or offsetting gains and setbacks. Among residents ages 3+, the largest enrollment group is college (75.00%). College enrollment is 75.00%, which is comparable to the national rate (26.70%), meaning the community mirrors broader higher-education participation.
Explore More:Educational AttainmentHealth InsurancePoverty Over TimeSchool Enrollment
| Less than 9th grade: | 0 | 0.00% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 2 | 1.72% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 24 | 20.69% |
| Some college, no degree: | 18 | 15.52% |
| Associate's degree: | 10 | 8.62% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 45 | 38.79% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 17 | 14.66% |
| Total: | 116 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 114 | 98.28% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 62 | 53.45% |
| Private Insurance: | 88 | 50.00% |
| Public Insurance: | 88 | 50.00% |
| No Insurance: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total: | 176 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 176 | 100.00% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of People in Poverty | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 1.6% | 1.3% | 1.1% | 1.0% | 2.7% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
Note: Counts of Families & People in poverty are not published at the ZIP Code level due to small sample sizes. Percentages shown are survey estimates from the American Community Survey (ACS). They may differ from official poverty statistics. The U.S. Census Bureau defines poverty status by comparing a family's or individual's total income with federal poverty thresholds that vary by family size and composition.
| Nursery School, Preschool: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Kindergarten: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Elementary school (grades 1-8): | 3 | 25.00% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 0 | 0.00% |
| College or graduate school: | 9 | 75.00% |
| Total: | 12 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 0 | 0.00% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 3 | 25.00% |
ZIP Code 43438 supports both business and residential activity. According to the Business Census (2024), there are 24 business establishments, employing about 29 people with an annual payroll of $5,627,000.
| # Residential Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| # Business Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| Total Delivery Receptacles: | 362Source: USPS |
| Single Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| Multi Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| # of Businesses: | 24Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $243,000Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $5,627,000Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 29Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 43438 is located in Erie County, Ohio, within the Sandusky, OH Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA 41780) and Ohio's 9th Congressional District. This Metro area has a population of 77,079 people, about 0.33% of whom live in ZIP Code 43438. It covers 4.348 sq mi of land and a water area of 0.083 sq mi.
| CBSA Name: | Sandusky, OHSource: Census |
| CBSA Number: | 41780Source: Census |
| CBSA Type: | MetroSource: Census |
| CBSA Division: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Population: | 77,079Source: Census |
| MSA: | Source: Census |
| Land Area: | 4.348 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | 0.083 sq miSource: Census |
| Congressional District: | 09Source: USPS |
| Congressional Land Area: | 464.65 sq miSource: Census |
| PMSA: | Source: Census |
| Intro Date: | < 2004-10Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Place FIPS Code: | 3939662Source: Census |
| Place Name: | Kelleys Island village; OhioSource: Census |
ZIP Code 43438 is in the Kelleys Island Local School District, which serves grades Pre-Kindergarten thru 12th. There are 2 public school(s) in this ZIP Code, and we have located 3 private school(s). It also has 6 colleges, universities or post secondary education institutions nearby which would be a short commute to.
Our sources include trusted federal and licensed data from the United States Postal Service, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Geological Survey, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and the National Center for Education Statistics, along with proprietary datasets created by ZIP-Codes.com. Data last updated on February 1, 2026.