Return to the PIE Home PageGrowth in the number of households over the last two decades has far outpaced the growth of the total population, indicating smaller-sized households in Franklin County. Small-sized households are increasing faster than are all other sized households. Of all household sizes, single-person households increased most rapidly, increasing from 18% to 28% of all households between 1970 and 1990. Conversely, households with 5+ persons decreased from 20% of all households in 1970, to just 9% in 1990. In 1990, 60% of all households had only one or two members. The trend toward small-sized households is also illustrated by the average household size in Franklin County, which has decreased steadily over the last several decades, from 3.26 persons per household in 1960 to 2.47 in 1990.
Household Size 1970 1980 1990 1 Person 45,987 83,866 105,983 2 Person 75,539 100,944 122,070 3 Person 45,435 55,335 65,723 4 Person 41,330 46,907 52,813 5+ Person 51,030 36,098 32,134 Totals 259,321 323,150 378,723
Source: Census of Population and Housing, U.S. Bureau of the Census
Household Size 1970 1980 1990 1 Person 18% 26% 28% 2 Person 29% 31% 32% 3 Person 17% 17% 17% 4 Person 16% 15% 14% 5+ Person 20% 11% 9% Totals 100% 100% 100%
Source: Census of Population and Housing, U.S. Bureau of the Census
1960 1970 1980 1990
Columbus City 3.14 2.96 2.49 2.39
Columbus MSA 3.19 3.11 2.68 2.56
Delaware Co. 3.35 3.22 2.91 2.80
Fairfield Co. 3.29 3.17 2.92 2.72
Franklin Co. 3.26 3.08 2.60 2.47
Licking Co. 3.25 3.17 2.79 2.62
Madison Co. 3.48 3.26 2.93 2.74
Pickaway Co. 3.41 3.26 2.92 2.75
Union Co. 3.28 3.14 2.87 2.73
Source: Census of Population and Housing, U.S. Bureau of the Census
Filename: CD-003