Population Trend and Projections for the Columbus MSA

The population of the Columbus MSA was 1,377,419 in 1990, according to the 1990 Census of Population and Housing. Between 1980 and 1990, the population of the Columbus MSA grew by 10.7%. Since 1980, the fastest population growth occurred north of Columbus in Delaware County (+ 24.3%) and west of Columbus in Madison County (+ 12.3%). Franklin County's population grew by 10.6% over the decade, from 869,137 in 1980 to 961,437 in 1990.

The population in the Columbus MSA is projected to top 1.5 million by the year 2000 and continue to increase through 2015. Projections for Franklin County show its population will have passed the 1 million mark in 1995. All Columbus MSA county projections show a continuing increase in population for the next 25 years.

The Columbus MSA is comprised of Delaware, Fairfield, Franklin, Licking, Madison, Pickaway and Union Counties.

Population of the Columbus MSA: 1970-1990

                     1970      1980      1990          


Columbus          539,677   564,826   632,910          

Columbus MSA    1,149,432 1,243,833 1,377,419

  Delaware         42,908    53,840    66,929
  Fairfield        73,301    93,678   103,472
  Franklin        833,249   869,132   961,437
  Licking         107,799   120,981   128,300
  Madison          28,318    33,004    37,068
  Pickaway         40,071    43,662    48,244
  Union            23,786    29,536    31,969

Source: U.S. Burau of the Census, Census of Population and Housing

Population Projections for the Columbus MSA: 1995-2015

                     1995      2000      2005      2010      2015


Columbus                NA        NA        NA        NA        NA

Columbus MSA     1,460,350 1,545,490 1,618,140 1,697,170 1,772,840
 
 Delaware           77,480    86,140    96,620   106,200   118,550 
 Fairfield         115,460   124,650   135,230   143,650   153,880 
 Franklin        1,004,700 1,060,700 1,096,600 1,145,200 1,179,000 
 Licking           136,050   140,520   147,000   151,590   160,060 
 Madison            39,560    41,470    43,970    46,060    48,950 
 Pickaway           51,380    53,500    56,480    58,930    62,870 
 Union              35,720    38,510    42,240    45,540    49,530

Source: Ohio Department of Development, Office of Strategic Research and the Columbus Department of Trade and Development

Note: Population projections are different from population estimates. Estimates provide information on past years, while projections typically are for future dates. Estimates generally use symptomatic data collected from various sources, while projections must assume what demographic trends will be in the future.

Filename: CD-011

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