After eight years of being the 14th most populous U.S. city, Columbus has fallen down a peg in the ranking to the 15th spot.
Charlotte, North Carolina, surpassed Columbus, according to the latest data the U.S. Census Bureau released May 15. Columbus still grew. Charlotte just grew a little more.
According to the new 2024 estimates, Columbus had 933,263 residents as of July 1, 2024. The city grew by 12,694 people, or 1.4%, between July 2023 and July 2024. This represents a 3% change from the 2020 Census count.
Charlotte, meanwhile, had 943,476 people in July 2024, growing by 23,423 people over the preceding year.
How much did Franklin County, region grow?
Franklin County’s and the larger Columbus metro area’s growth mirrored the city’s.
Between July 2023 and July 2024, Franklin County grew by 17,400 people, or 1.3%, to 1,356,303 residents in 2024.
The 10-county Columbus metro area’s population rose by 30,348 people, or 1.4%, to 2,225,377 residents.
Why Columbus ranks so high
Outsiders may be surprised to hear that Columbus’ population ranks so highly among U.S. cities. The city is the second most populous in the Midwest after Chicago, above cities like Detroit and Minneapolis that have more nationwide prominence.
This is in part because Columbus occupies so much of Franklin County, including suburban areas, due to historically aggressive annexation policies. Columbus’ 10-county metropolitan area population is ranked 32nd in the country, above Cleveland (34) but below Cincinnati (30).
Ohio expected to shrink while Columbus grows
The same Census Bureau data estimates Ohio’s population grew by half a percent between July 2023 and July 2024 to 11,883,304 residents.
However, a projection from the Ohio Department of Development predicts the state’s population will drop by 675,000 people, or 5.7%, by 2050 if current trends around aging, low birth rates and stagnant migration hold.
The Columbus region is the exception in Ohio and is predicted to grow by 2050. By how much is of great debate and speculation.
The latest Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission projection forecasts the 15-county region around Columbus will grow by 726,000 people by 2050. But the confidence limit is broad. The region could add as many as 1.6 million people or lose about 400,000 people by 2050, according to MORPC.
Government and politics reporter Jordan Laird can be reached at jlaird@dispatch.com. Follow her on X, Instagram and Bluesky at @LairdWrites.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus falls in population ranking of U.S. cities as growth bested by Charlotte
Reporting by Jordan Laird, Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
