Columbus is growing, and according to the latest data from the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC), it’s actually expected to grow a bit faster than previously thought. The latest population modeling now indicates that the Central Ohio region will surpass the 3 million mark before the year 2050, likely hitting a population total of 3.15 million that year.
According to MORPC, Columbus and its surrounding suburbs are expected to add 726,000 new residents — which will include 272,000 new households and 357,000 workers — between now and 2050.
“As we look to the future of Central Ohio, we have a great opportunity to shape the type of region and communities we want for ourselves, our parents, and our children,” stated William Murdock, executive director at MORPC. “This means we should focus on sustainability and protecting our green spaces, while embracing new types of developments and transit to preserve our high standard of living. And most importantly, we need to remain steadfast in ensuring that everyone in this region has a voice and access to current and future amenities.”
MORPC anticipates that half of the population growth over the next 25 years will occur within Franklin County, while the rest will occur in the surrounding 14 counties that make up the region. That spread in growth makes housing and transportation planning efforts all the more critical today, according to leadership at MORPC.
“Currently, more than 80 percent of Central Ohioans enjoy a commute time of less than 35 minutes to work,” explained Kerstin Carr, chief regional strategy officer and director of planning at MORPC. “If communities wish to preserve this convenience as the region continues to grow, they must strive to develop housing near jobs and jobs near housing, locating new developments within close proximity to transit routes whenever practical.”
The Columbus regional population officially surpassed the 2 million mark sometime in 2015, and despite the coronavirus pandemic, Columbus was still projected to hit the 3 million milestone by 2050. According to current census data, an estimated 906,528 people live within the city of Columbus boundaries, as of 2021.
More information can be found in MORPC’s 2024-2050 Growth Forecast (PDF).