Columbus keeps growing at a rapid pace
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Population growth is slowing nationwide amid a massive drop in immigration, new census data shows — but not in Columbus.
By the numbers: Our metro area grew by over 21,000 people from 2024 to 2025, or nearly 1%, doubling the national growth average.
- The area's total population was 2,242,028 people last year, ranking No. 32 nationwide.
Zoom in: The ring around Franklin County grew most rapidly, especially Union (2%), Delaware (2.2%) and Madison counties (2.6%).
The big picture: Central Ohio continues to significantly outpace the rest of the state, representing 53% of Ohio's total growth during that time frame, per a Columbus Partnership statement.
- Just over half of the growth is attributable to immigration.
- About a third is natural growth, due to births outpacing deaths.
The intrigue: Columbus ranks No. 16 among large metro areas for births per 1,000 residents, "one of the strongest indicators of sustained demographic momentum," the Partnership says.