Akron Population: Putting it in Perspective
Forbes magazine recently published an article singling out America’s 10 fastest dying cities (see America’s Fastest-Dying Cities). Ohio had the depressing and unique distinction of claiming 4 of the 10 cities within its border. Canton, Cleveland, Dayton and Youngstown were each named to the list.
What a blow to someone who calls one of these cities home. There is nothing hopeful in being named to a list like this. I feel compelled to be defensive. What good does an article like this do? Ohioans don’t need any more negativity. This article could be treated as an alarm or a wake up call to the state, region, and residents.
However a clear omission in the research lays in the fact the sum is greater than the parts. If the study looked at the region as a whole where does Northeast Ohio rank? Akron-Canton-Cleveland-Youngstown are clearly stronger when connected.
Less than 50 miles separate Akron and the three close-to-death cities. Because of proximity are Canton, Cleveland, and Youngstown pulling our city to the obituary section of the Akron Beacon Journal? Hopefully death isn’t on Akron’s horizon. I believe the city is on a positive list of thriving cities. Where does Akron fit in to the list of dying cities? Was our city the 11th closest to being considered dead?
At least 10,000 people have left Akron this decade. Akron population is literally unknown by most residents. Most know it’s smaller than Cleveland. Bigger than Youngstown and Canton. But were you aware the city is one of the top 100 cities in America by population? Did you know Akron is the 5th largest city in Ohio? With a 2000 census of 217,000 and an estimated population today of 207,000, Akron is only smaller than Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Toledo.
The fact is Akron is about the same size as the following cities: Reno, Nevada; Chattanooga, Tennessee; Salt Lake City, Utah; St. Petersburg, Florida; Spokane, Washington; Rochester, New York; Richmond, Virginia; Providence, Rhode Island; and Charleston, South Carolina. Some of those might draw a laugh. But did you really have any idea?
Over ½ a million people live in Summit County and over 11 million people live in the state of Ohio. That means more people live in Summit County than in the entire state of Wyoming. And the state of Ohio has 1 million people more than the 11 smallest states’ population combined. In other words 1 million people plus the state populations of Vermont, North Dakota, Alaska, South Dakota, Montana, Delaware, Rhode Island, Hawaii, New Hampshire, and Maine equal Ohio.
To conclude with two words: Ohio matters.
A very well-researched article. One of the most misleading problems with a “list” like this one is that nothing is said about jobs, commuting and urban sprawl. All three of these are indicators that people are simply leaving the city for the more plentiful acreage available in the suburbs. I don’t know my stats on this, but it should have been considered in the original list.
By Kman on September 17, 2008 at 8:51 pm