Columbus is carrying the Buckeye State in growth and economic well-being.

Driving the news: Our metro area's rise in factors like population, workers, household income and home values significantly outpaced all other areas of Ohio between 2000-2020, per a report from the Greater Ohio Policy Center.

Why it matters: While Columbus is Ohio's MVP, it's skewing statewide statistics that overshadow a stagnant, aging population.

• This is leading to a "Tale of Two States" — also the report's title.

Major takeaways:

• Looks can be deceiving. Ohio's overall population grew 3% during the two-decade time period. But with the Columbus metro area removed, the state actually recorded a net loss of 1% — or about 100,000 residents, census data shows.
• That means fewer workers. Ohio's labor force decreased by 91,000 workers, while Central Ohio gained 215,000.
• Incomes lag across the board. Our median household income was $65,044 in 2020, a 50% increase, while all other metros only rose by 38%. Both still trail a national average of 55%.

The big picture: If Columbus' population growth between 2000-2020 were its own city — with 177,600 residents — it would be the state's sixth-largest, just behind Dayton.

Zoom in: All areas besides Columbus experienced a large population drop in residents under 54.

• Young people are moving to Central Ohio for work and education — including Tyler and Alissa — or out of state entirely.

Context: A changing economy explains most of this geographic disparity. Most Ohioans live in a "legacy city" built around a manufacturing sector that peaked years ago.

• Those 22 cities — ranging in size from Cleveland to Chillicothe — are characterized by aging residents, marginal population change and slow income growth.
• Central Ohio, meanwhile, bucks the trend due to recent development and a job market centered on education, health care, tech and government services.
• Legacy cities are "home to a significant concentration of jobs, residents, and anchor institutions that positively impact the state’s economy" and policies should be tailored to their specific needs, the report says.

What's next: The study's authors recommend enhancing municipal services, modernizing historic infrastructure and zoning, promoting development through grants and investing in public transportation.

The impending resignation of Columbus City Council member Elizabeth Brown cues up yet another appointment to the city's legislative body.

Why it matters: The loss of another experienced city leader points to a broader Council issue of chronic turnover.

Driving the news: Brown plans to step down at the end of the year to become president and CEO of YWCA Columbus.

• First elected in 2015, she currently serves as president pro tempore and leads the body in President Shannon Hardin's absence.
• Remaining Council members will appoint her replacement to serve until the end of 2023.

State of play: Turnover is common in local governments as council members retire or leave to focus on other full-time responsibilities, but Columbus has seen a particularly large share of resignations over the past decade.

Eye-popping stat: After Brown's replacement is named, five of the seven Council members will have first joined via vacancy appointment.

• The other two, Lourdes Barroso de Padilla and Nick Bankston, were elected in 2021 after a pair of incumbent candidates dropped out of the race.

Between the lines: The latest resignation halts what could have been a ballot clash between Brown and fellow member Shayla Favor.

• Starting next year, members will be elected to represent one of nine geographic districts across town.
• The two reportedly live in the same impending district.

🤠 "King of Country" George Strait is headlining Buckeye Country Superfest in May 2023, joined by Chris Stapleton, Little Big Town and Warren Zeiders. Tickets go on sale Saturday. (WBSN-TV)

🏳️‍⚧️ The Ohio Board of Education will once again consider voting on a resolution today opposing federal protections for LGBTQ+ students.(WCMH-TV)

🍕 Attention pizza lovers: Local food writer Jim Ellison is dishing out an online presentation about Columbus' pizza history Thursday evening. (614 Magazine)

👋 Mary Jane here with one final food recommendation before I depart: a local staple for Taco Tuesday.

Context: I assumed Los Guachos had the best tacos in the city even before I learned of its laundry list of accolades.

• "Every Day with Rachael Ray" magazine says Los Gauchos has the best tacos in the country. It's also been featured on Food Network's "Top 5 Restaurants."

What I ordered: I'm a creature of habit and usually order steak tacos with cheese. But I decided to switch it up and also order the Original Taco al Pastor and a fish taco.

• I realize now that I've been depriving myself of some seriously delicious tacos. The pork was juicy and salty and the pineapple added a bit of sweetness to balance out the flavors.
• I'm not the biggest fan of fish in tacos, but it was surprisingly mild, flavorful and not too fishy.

If you go: Locations in Dublin, Gahanna, Whitehall and northwest Columbus. Hours vary. Takeout and dine-in available.

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"Thank you for re-electing me as your governor of Ohio! My first order of business will be eradicating the people of Columbus."