Van Wert, OH, United States

Capital City

With a population of just 11,092, Van Wert is a sleepy Midwest town that won't be winning any awards for excitement or diversity anytime soon. The median age is a staid 40.5 years, and over a fifth of residents are elderly retirees. While the city does boast a historic library and some niche cheese production, bureaucracy is a persistent headache - the town was once the only place producing Liederkranz cheese, but the Borden plant that made it has since closed. For those seeking a quiet, affordable life in rural Ohio, Van Wert may fit the bill, but it's unlikely to appeal to younger, more urban-minded transplants.