Central Ohio counties lead Ohio population growth as half of state’s counties lose residents

Half of Ohio’s 88 counties have gained population since 2020, while the other half have lost residents, according to new U.S. Census Bureau estimates compiled by World Population Review.

Central Ohio accounts for five of the Buckeye State’s fastest-growing counties.

Union County recorded Ohio’s largest estimated population increase since 2020 at 18.97%, followed by Delaware County at 14.92%. Madison County ranked third with 10.74% growth, while Pickaway County and Fairfield County rounded out the state’s five fastest-growing counties with increases of 8.67% and 8.47%, respectively.

Franklin County, home to Columbus and already Ohio’s most populous county, ranked 13th statewide in percentage growth with an estimated 3.47% increase since 2020. The county’s population is now estimated at more than 1.37 million residents.

The population estimates reflect central Ohio’s continued population growth as communities surrounding Columbus have seen new housing construction, business expansion and other economic development in recent years. The numbers also affirm that population trends varied across the rest of Ohio and many eastern and southern counties continue to lose residents.

Cuyahoga County, Ohio’s second-most populous county and home to Cleveland, ranked 76th among the state’s 88 counties after its population declined an estimated 2.41% since 2020. The county’s population is now estimated at approximately 1.23 million.

Hamilton County, home to Cincinnati and Ohio’s third-most populous county, posted an estimated population increase of 1.03% over the same period. The county ranked 29th statewide and is estimated to have a population of 838,977.

The estimates show that 44 Ohio counties have gained population since 2020, while 44 have lost residents. Across all 88 counties, Ohio averaged approximately 0.2% annual population growth during the period.

Several counties in eastern and southern Ohio experienced the state’s largest estimated population declines.

Lawrence County posted the largest estimated decrease at 4.61%, followed by Scioto County at 3.99%, Erie County at 3.34%, Belmont County at 3.29% and Monroe County at 3.21%.