Metro Growth 38% Higher Than the National Average in 2024
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Columbus, Ohio – The latest U.S. Census population estimates confirm that the Columbus metro continues to be a major driver of growth in the Midwest. The region reached 2,225,377 residents by year-end 2024, adding 30,348 new residents over the past year, a 1.38% year-over-year growth rate that outpaces both the national average (1.0%) and the Midwest (0.6%).
Key Points from the U.S. Census:
- Columbus metro growth 38% higher than the national average in 2024
- The region’s growth exceeded peer Midwest metros, including Indianapolis (1.24%), Cincinnati (0.88%), and Cleveland (0.26%).
- 2024 was the fastest rate of growth for the metro since 2017 (1.48%).
- Columbus’ growth was similar to other high-growth metros like Raleigh, Jacksonville, Nashville, and San Jose.
- Six of the top 10 fastest-growing counties in Ohio are in the Columbus Region, including the top six statewide.
“Columbus isn’t just growing, it’s proving that the American Dream is still alive and well in the heartland,” said Jason Hall, CEO and President of the Columbus Partnership. “People are choosing this metro because they see opportunity, and that’s no accident. A strong economy, a collaborative spirit, and a commitment to shared prosperity make Columbus the kind of place where people can build their future. This moment is ours to seize.”
Nine of the ten fastest-growing large metros in the U.S. were in the Sunbelt, making Columbus’ growth even more impressive by comparison. At 1.38%, Columbus grew faster than much larger metros like Denver, Seattle, and Washington, D.C.
Columbus has continued to attract talent both globally and from within the U.S. Over the past four years, the region added 61,601 net new residents from international migration, making up 71.3% of total growth, compared to 83.4% nationally. Over this same period, the Columbus Region announced 50 international projects totaling nearly 4,000 new jobs, $266.4 million in new payroll, and $147 billion in capital investment.
“Columbus’ population growth stands out not just because of its pace, but because of what’s driving it,” said Jay Knox, Director of Research at One Columbus, the economic development arm of the Columbus Partnership. “The metro’s growth was 38% higher than the national average last year, outpacing peer Midwest metros and even some high-growth regions across the country. This kind of sustained growth over multiple years points to a strong job market and a region that continues to attract new residents from diverse backgrounds for economic opportunity. In the past year alone, the Columbus Region accounted for more than half of Ohio’s total population growth, underscoring its role as the state’s primary driver of new jobs and investment.”
ABOUT THE COLUMBUS PARTNERSHIP
The Columbus Partnership is a nonprofit, membership-based leadership organization of 82 chairpersons, chief executive officers, and senior executives from the Region’s leading businesses and institutions. Our members include Fortune 500 CEOs, leaders of top universities, and the world’s largest private, nonprofit research and development organization. The Partnership is committed to advancing a shared vision of making the Columbus Region the most prosperous in the country. Through collaboration, our leaders focus on key opportunities to drive economic development, improve mobility, shape public policy, strengthen education, cultivate leadership, enhance philanthropy, elevate community branding, and support growth throughout the Region.
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