Ohio is one of the states whose population has been going down over the past few years because more people are leaving than moving in. The U.S. Census Bureau says that Ohio dropped about 16,000 people from July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2022. This made it the 43rd state with the least population increase.
However, this trend is not having the same effect on all Ohio towns. Some towns have lost a lot of people, while others have been able to bring in new ones. People are leaving these Ohio towns in large numbers, and here are some of the reasons why.
1. Cleveland
Cleveland is Ohio’s biggest city, but it’s also one of the ones that’s getting smaller. From 2021 to 2022, the city dropped about 5,700 people, which is 1.1% of its total population. For decades, Cleveland has had problems with poverty, crime, racial divisions, and the economy going down. Many people are leaving the city to find better chances elsewhere. In terms of total state and local tax rates, the city is ranked 10th out of the 50 biggest cities in the U.S. It also has a tax burden.
2. Youngstown
Youngstown is another place that has been badly affected by the loss of jobs and people who moved away. Between 2021 and 2022, about 1,300 people moved out of the city, which is a 2.1% drop in population. Youngstown used to be a major hub for making steel, but when that industry went out of business in the late 20th century, it left behind unemployment, poverty, and urban decay. Many people who lived in the city have given up on it becoming a center for education and new ideas, but others have moved away.
3. Dayton
There have been a lot of problems in Dayton lately, like the drug crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the 2019 storms that did a lot of damage. From 2021 to 2022, about 1,100 people moved out of the city, which is a 0.8% drop in population. The number of people living below the government poverty line in Dayton is high. It is ranked seventh among the 50 largest towns in the U.S. The city ranks 49th out of the same group of towns for low median family income.
4. Toledo
Cities like Toledo have been having trouble with their economies not growing and changing enough. Between 2021 and 2022, about 900 people moved out of the city, which is a 0.6% drop in population. The car business is very important to Toledo, but it has been facing competition from other countries and changes in technology. Also, there is a lot of crime in the city. It is ranked 18th out of the 50 biggest towns in the U.S. for the number of serious crimes per 100,000 people.
5. Canton
The city of Canton has been losing its charm and sense of self. From 2021 to 2022, the city lost about 600 people, which is 1.1% of its total population. People know Canton as the home of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but that hasn’t been enough to keep people excited, either. The city also has a low standard of living. In terms of the proportion of happy people, it ranks 48th out of the 50 biggest cities in the U.S.
Conclusion
Overall, Ohio’s population is going down, and places like Cleveland, Youngstown, Dayton, Toledo, and Canton are losing a lot of people. The migration is caused by things like economic problems, job losses, urban ruin, and different social problems.
Some places are having trouble with things like crime and poverty, while others are losing their appeal and can’t get new people to move there. The general trend shows that Ohio’s declining cities need complete revitalization efforts and smart steps to deal with the unique problems each one faces.