Help us settle a debate: Where is "Central Ohio?"
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We say "Central Ohio" all the time. But try drawing its borders on a map and things can quickly get complicated.
Why it matters: Columbus' identity has always been a little fuzzy, and decades of explosive growth have only made it less clear where our metro area begins and ends.
- Those boundaries can affect which communities are included in discussions about the region's future and needs.
Case in point: Even the federal government's definition of the Columbus Metropolitan Statistical Area has expanded over time.
- It started with just Franklin County in the '50s, and by 1983, it had grown to include all six counties that touch it.
- Today, it's 10 counties, with Hocking and Perry joining in 2013.
How it works: Criteria have evolved, but under today's rules, a county can be added if at least 25% of its workers commute to the metro's more urban counties or if at least 25% of its jobs are held by people who live in those counties.
Yes, but: Vibes matter too. Does a weekend trip to Hocking Hills really feel like you're still in Central Ohio?
So who's in? It depends who you ask.
📍 Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission members span a 15-county region stretching north to Marion and Knox counties and south to Fayette and Ross.
- Ross, Logan and Perry joined in 2016.
💰 The Columbus Partnership leads economic development in an 11-county area. That doesn't include Hocking and Perry counties, but it does include Knox, Logan and Marion.
🏡 Columbus Realtors' home-listing network extends across 20 counties.
🚌 The Central Ohio Transit Authority, despite its name, primarily serves Franklin County.
🩸 The Red Cross' Central Ohio chapter serves Vinton County, but not Licking.
The intrigue: While not clearly defined, the term "Central Ohio" isn't new. It's referenced in the Dispatch's earliest editions, dating back to 1871, per a Columbus Metropolitan Library archive.
- At that time, the "Central Ohio Fairgrounds" were located in Champaign County, about 30 miles west of Columbus.
The bottom line: Over 150 years later, we're still figuring out what "Central Ohio" means.
📬 Help us settle the debate: How do you define our region? Which communities are definitely in and which don't make the cut? Email [email protected] and we'll share our favorite responses in a future newsletter.