Population in Ross County drops

Ross County's population has declined since 2010, fueled by people leaving the county, according to estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau released Thursday.

The county's population has decreased by 1.2 percent, about 900 people, since the 2010 census; population dropped by 205 people between 2013 and 2014 alone, according to estimates.

The population decline came from more than 950 people leaving the county, which was not offset by babies born during those four years.

Ross County's population was 77,159 in 2014 compared to 78,064 in 2010, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

During that time, six of the surrounding counties also lost population, ranging from a 2.2-percent decline in Hocking County to a 0.8-percent decline in Fayette County. Pickaway County's population increased by 2.1 percent over those four years.

The state's population increased by 0.5 percent between 2010 and 2014 — a gain of about 59,700 people. Ohio's growth was fueled by babies born during those four years, which offset the population losses from nearly 51,000 people moving out of the state. Ohio was one of 13 states that loss population to migration over those four years.

Ohio had the seventh smallest growth in the nation. North Dakota had the biggest gains, growing by nearly 10 percent since 2010. West Virginia was the only state to lose population over those four years.

That sluggish growth could be problematic when congressional districts are reapportioned based on 2020 population. Ohio lost two seats following the 2010 census and has lost eight seats since 1973.

Some of Ohio's urban areas increased in population while others dropped. Population in Columbus' Franklin County has increased by 5.8 percent since the 2010 census. Hamilton County, which includes Cincinnati, increased by 0.5 percent. Akron's Summit County remained the same. However, population declined by 1.5 percent in Lucas County, which includes Toledo, and 1.6 percent in Cuyahoga County, which includes Cleveland.

jbalmert@gannett.com

740-328-8548

Twitter: @jbalmert