Columbus metropolitan area, Ohio facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Columbus metropolitan area
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| Columbus, OH Metropolitan Statistical Area | |
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| Country | United States |
| State | Ohio |
| Largest city | Columbus |
| Other cities | - Dublin - Gahanna - Newark - Delaware - Lancaster - Pickerington - London - Marysville - Circleville - Westerville - Marion - Zanesville - Chillicothe - Athens |
| Area | |
| • Total | 3,169.2 sq mi (8,208 km2) |
| Highest elevation | 1,480 ft (450 m) |
| Lowest elevation | 630 ft (192 m) |
| Population
(2024 Estimate)
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| • Total | 2,225,377 |
| • Rank | 32nd in the U.S. |
| • Density | 490.3/sq mi (189.3/km2) |
| GDP | |
| • MSA | $169.1 billion (2022) |
The Columbus, Ohio metropolitan area is a large region in Central Ohio that includes the state capital, Columbus. It is made up of ten counties: Delaware, Fairfield, Franklin, Hocking, Licking, Madison, Morrow, Perry, Pickaway, and Union. In 2020, over 2.1 million people lived here, making it the 32nd largest metro area in the United States and the second largest in Ohio. This area is also known as Central Ohio or Greater Columbus. It is one of the biggest and fastest-growing metro areas in the Midwestern United States.
A larger area, called the Columbus–Marion–Zanesville combined statistical area (CSA), includes even more counties like Athens, Fayette, Guernsey, Knox, Logan, Marion, Muskingum, and Ross. This bigger area also includes smaller "micropolitan" areas that have strong connections to Columbus. In 2020, the CSA had a population of over 2.5 million people, ranking 26th in the nation.
Contents
Population Growth in Columbus Metro Area
The Columbus metropolitan area has grown a lot over the years. Here's how the population has changed:
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1900 | 164,460 | — | |
| 1910 | 221,567 | 34.7% | |
| 1920 | 263,951 | 19.1% | |
| 1930 | 361,095 | 36.8% | |
| 1940 | 386,712 | 7.1% | |
| 1950 | 503,410 | 30.2% | |
| 1960 | 977,790 | 94.2% | |
| 1970 | 1,170,780 | 19.7% | |
| 1980 | 1,270,313 | 8.5% | |
| 1990 | 1,405,168 | 10.6% | |
| 2000 | 1,612,694 | 14.8% | |
| 2010 | 1,901,974 | 17.9% | |
| 2020 | 2,138,926 | 12.5% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 2,180,271 | 14.6% | |
| data source: | |||
The table below shows the population and size of each county in the Columbus metro area based on 2023 estimates and the 2020 Census.
| County | 2023 Estimate | 2020 Census | %± | Area | Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin County | 1,326,063 | 1,323,807 | +0.17% | 539.87 sq mi (1,398.3 km2) | 2,448/sq mi (945/km2) |
| Delaware County | 231,636 | 214,124 | +8.18% | 442.41 sq mi (1,145.8 km2) | 512/sq mi (198/km2) |
| Licking County | 183,201 | 178,519 | +2.62% | 686.50 sq mi (1,778.0 km2) | 264/sq mi (102/km2) |
| Fairfield County | 165,360 | 158,921 | +4.05% | 505.11 sq mi (1,308.2 km2) | 323/sq mi (125/km2) |
| Union County | 69,637 | 62,784 | +10.92% | 436.65 sq mi (1,130.9 km2) | 153/sq mi (59/km2) |
| Pickaway County | 61,086 | 58,539 | +4.35% | 501.91 sq mi (1,299.9 km2) | 120/sq mi (46/km2) |
| Madison County | 44,602 | 43,824 | +1.78% | 465.44 sq mi (1,205.5 km2) | 94/sq mi (36/km2) |
| Perry County | 35,551 | 35,408 | +0.40% | 409.78 sq mi (1,061.3 km2) | 87/sq mi (34/km2) |
| Morrow County | 35,595 | 34,950 | +1.85% | 406.22 sq mi (1,052.1 km2) | 87/sq mi (34/km2) |
| Hocking County | 27,540 | 28,050 | −1.82% | 422.75 sq mi (1,094.9 km2) | 66/sq mi (25/km2) |
| Total | 2,180,271 | 2,138,926 | +1.93% | 4,816.64 sq mi (12,475.0 km2) | 449/sq mi (173/km2) |
Politics and Elections
The Columbus metro area plays a role in national elections. Here's how people in the area voted in recent presidential elections:
| Year | Democratic | Republican | Third parties |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 52.0% 544,350 | 47.0% 492,312 | 1.0% 10,267 |
| 2020 | 53.3% 567,327 | 45.1% 480,172 | 1.6% 16,713 |
| 2016 | 50.0% 475,027 | 45.2% 429,930 | 4.8% 45,295 |
| 2012 | 53.5% 492,084 | 46.5% 426,936 | 0% 0 |
Major Cities and Towns
The Columbus metro area includes many cities and towns across its ten counties. Here are some of the main ones:
- Delaware County
- Fairfield County
- Columbus (partial)
- Canal Winchester (partial)
- Lancaster
- Pickerington (partial)
- Reynoldsburg (partial)
- Franklin County
- Columbus (partial)
- Bexley
- Canal Winchester (partial)
- Dublin (partial)
- Gahanna
- Grandview Heights
- Grove City
- Groveport
- Hilliard
- New Albany (partial)
- Pickerington (partial)
- Reynoldsburg (partial)
- Upper Arlington
- Westerville (partial)
- Whitehall
- Worthington
- Hocking County
- Licking County
- Madison County
- Morrow County
- Perry County
- Pickaway County
- Union County
Economy and Jobs
The Columbus area has a strong economy with many different types of jobs.
Government and Finance
Many people work for the government in Central Ohio. The State of Ohio, Ohio State University, and the United States Government are big employers. When you add in local schools and city jobs, government work is the largest job sector.
The financial industry is also very important. Large companies like JPMorgan Chase and Nationwide Insurance have many employees here. Other banks like Huntington Bank and KeyBank also have a big presence.
Manufacturing and Retail
Honda has a large car manufacturing plant in the Marysville area. Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, which makes garden products, is also in Marysville.
A huge new semiconductor fabrication plant by Intel is opening in New Albany in 2025. It is expected to be one of the biggest in the world. Other manufacturing companies include AEP (an electric company) and Mettler Toledo (precision equipment).
In retail, clothing company L Brands is a major employer. They own popular brands like Victoria's Secret and Bath & Body Works. Other well-known companies like Abercrombie & Fitch and DSW also started here.
Food and Healthcare
Several well-known food companies are based in Central Ohio. Wendy's has its main office in Dublin, and White Castle and Sbarro are in Columbus.
In healthcare, Cardinal Health is a very large company based in Dublin. OhioHealth is another big healthcare provider in the area.
Technology and Start-ups
The tech sector is growing in Columbus. Companies like Online Computer Library Center (OCLC) and Microcenter (a computer retailer) are located here. There are also many science-based companies like Chemical Abstracts and Battelle Memorial Institute.
Columbus also has a lively start-up scene. There are many groups and events that help new businesses get started and grow.
Transportation Around Columbus
Getting around Columbus is made easier by its well-planned roads and public transport.
Street Layout and Addresses
The streets in downtown Columbus are set up in a grid pattern. High Street runs north-south, and Broad Street runs east-west. These two streets cross in the very center of the city. Street numbers start at this intersection and get higher as you move away from it. For example, numbered avenues like Fifth Avenue run east-west, and numbered streets like Second Street run north-south.
Major Highways
Two main highways, I-70 (east-west) and I-71 (north-south), cross through Columbus. They join together downtown in an area called "The Split," which can get busy during rush hour. A large highway loop, I-270, goes around most of the city. Because of its central location, many places in Ohio are just a 2-3 hour drive from Columbus.
Bridges Over Rivers
Columbus has some impressive bridges over its rivers. The Main Street Bridge, opened in 2010, is unique in North America with its special design. The Rich Street Bridge opened nearby in 2012. The Lane Avenue Bridge, a cable-stayed bridge, opened in 2003 and crosses the Olentangy River.
Airports Serving the Area
The main airport for the area is John Glenn Columbus International Airport. It offers flights to many cities in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Another important airport is Rickenbacker International Airport, which is mainly used for cargo but also has some passenger flights. There are also smaller airports for private planes, like Ohio State University Don Scott Airport and Bolton Field.
Buses and Public Transit
The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) provides bus service throughout Columbus. For travel between cities, you can use bus services like Greyhound and GoBus.
Currently, Columbus does not have passenger train service. There used to be a big train station downtown, but it was taken down in 1979. Plans are being discussed to bring passenger rail service back to Columbus in the future.
Biking in Columbus
Biking is becoming more popular in Columbus because the land is mostly flat and there are many bike paths. The city has plans to make biking even easier and safer. There are also many biking groups and events, like "Bike To Work Week" and "Critical Mass" rides. The new Main Street Bridge and Rich Street Bridge even have special lanes just for bikes and walkers. Columbus also has a public bike-sharing system called CoGo Bike Share, with many bikes available to rent.
Education and Learning
The Columbus area has many schools and colleges.
K-12 Schools
There are many different school districts for students from kindergarten through 12th grade. Some districts are small and rural, while others are large and in the city.
Colleges and Universities
The biggest university in the area is Ohio State University in Columbus. It's one of the largest universities in the United States. Other well-known colleges include Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, Denison University in Granville, and Kenyon College in Gambier. There are also many other schools like Otterbein University, Capital University, and Columbus State Community College.
Culture and Entertainment
The Columbus metro area offers many fun things to do, from museums to festivals.
Museums to Explore
There are many museums to visit. COSI is a science museum with hands-on exhibits and IMAX movies. The Columbus Museum of Art has a collection of beautiful artworks. If you like trains, the Ohio Railway Museum in Worthington has many old train cars. The Early Television Museum in Hilliard shows how TVs looked in the early days. For military history, check out the Motts Military Museum in Groveport.
Performing Arts and Music Venues
Columbus has a lively performing arts scene. You can see operas, ballets, and symphony orchestra performances. There are also many places to see live music, from large arenas like Nationwide Arena and Value City Arena to smaller venues like Kemba Live and the Newport Music Hall. The city also has historic theaters like the Ohio Theatre and the Lincoln Theatre.
Fairs and Festivals
Many exciting events happen in the Columbus area throughout the year. The Ohio State Fair is one of the biggest state fairs in the U.S. The Dublin Irish Festival celebrates Irish culture with music and dance. The Columbus Arts Festival showcases artists from all over the country.
Other popular events include the Latino Festival, Jazz & Rib Festival, and the huge Fourth of July celebration called Red, White & Boom. Nearby towns also have unique festivals, like the Circleville Pumpkin Show and the Marion Popcorn Festival.
Sports Teams and Activities
Columbus is a great place for sports fans, with professional teams and many ways to stay active.
Professional Sports Teams
Columbus has two major professional sports teams. The Columbus Blue Jackets play ice hockey in the NHL at Nationwide Arena. The Columbus Crew play soccer in MLS at Lower.com Field.
The Columbus Clippers are a minor league baseball team, playing at Huntington Park.
| Club | League | Sport | Venue (capacity) | Founded | Titles | Average attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio State Buckeyes | NCAA | Football | Ohio Stadium (105,000) | 1890 | 8 | 105,261 |
| Columbus Crew | MLS | Soccer | Lower.com Field (20,011) | 1996 | 3 | 20,314 |
| Ohio State Buckeyes | NCAA | Basketball | Value City Arena (19,000) | 1892 | 1 | 16,511 |
| Columbus Blue Jackets | NHL | Ice hockey | Nationwide Arena (18,500) | 2000 | 0 | 16,237 |
| Columbus Clippers | IL | Baseball | Huntington Park (10,100) | 1977 | 10 | 9,212 |
College Sports
The Ohio State Buckeyes are very popular, especially their football and men's basketball teams. Many people in Central Ohio love to watch their games.
Other Sports and Activities
The Memorial Tournament, a famous golf event, takes place in Dublin each year. There are also many golf courses in the area.
If you like biking, there are many trails, including parts of the Ohio to Erie Trail. In winter, you can go skiing at Mad River Mountain or Snow Trails. The Columbus Marathon and Race for the Cure are big running events held downtown every year.
Parks and Outdoor Fun
The Columbus area has many parks for outdoor activities. The Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks manage 14 large parks that protect nature.
There are also several State Parks with unique natural features, like Blackhand Gorge and Hocking Hills State Park. The Hocking Hills region is also part of the Wayne National Forest, which is beautiful in the fall.
See also
In Spanish: Área metropolitana de Columbus (Ohio) para niños
