Ohio's plunging birth rate dipped below the national average last year for the first time since 2018, new CDC data shows.

Why it matters: A country's birth rate generally tends to fall as incomes rise, meaning lower rates can be a reflection of greater prosperity.

• The opposite can also be true, however, as people who feel they can't afford children choose not to have them.
• Other factors include the number of women in the workforce and better access to contraception, family planning, and abortion care.

The big picture: The U.S. birth rate dropped nearly 23% between 2007-2022, from 14.3 births per 1,000 people to 11.1, Axios' Alex Fitzpatrick and Kavya Beheraj report.

The intrigue: The birth rate leveled off nationally during the pandemic, and then increased slightly in 2022 — but that's not the case for Ohio.

• Here, it fell by nearly 16% from 2007-2021, from just over 13 births per 1,000 people to 11.
• Then it dipped another 1%, to just under 11 births per 1,000 people in 2022.

Yes, but: The nationwide uptick may only be a "short-term deviation from an ongoing trend of considerably greater importance," per a Brookings Institution report.

Zoom in: A recent report co-authored by Sarah Hayford, director of Ohio State's Institute for Population Research, notes that just because people aren't having as many children today doesn't mean they don't want to become parents.

What they found: U.S. women born between 1995-1999 wanted to have 2.1 children, on average, when they were in their early 20s — and women born between 1965-1969 at that same age wanted to have 2.2.

• Researchers analyzed data from the National Survey of Family Growth, which has asked people about their childbearing goals for decades.

What they're saying: "People feel more worried about the future than they might have been several decades ago. They worry about the economy, child care, and whether they can afford to have children," Hayford said in a statement.

The bottom line: "It's hard to have children in the United States right now."

The Crew heads to the Sunshine State this weekend for a chance to snap the most vexing streak in franchise history.

Kicking the news: Columbus has not won a playoff game on the road since way back in September 2002, the same month Kelly Clarkson won the first season of "American Idol."

• In 16 away playoff matches since then, the Crew posted zero wins, five draws, and 11 losses.
• Eight of those defeats were by a margin of just one goal.

State of play: Saturday's conference semifinals match pits Columbus against Orlando City FC at 5:30pm.

The intrigue: MLS squads have a greater "home field advantage" than teams in other pro sports.

• Away clubs had a winning percentage of just 22.5% through mid-October of this season, ESPN reported.

Zoom in: Cucho Hernández and company definitely prefer playing in their friendly confines.

• The Crew has only lost one of 19 matches at Lower.com Field this season.

How to watch: Catch Saturday's game on Apple TV, listen on FM radio stations 97.1 The Fan/La Mega 103.1, or snag free tickets to the watch party outside Lower.com Field.

• Of note: The Buckeyes' big game should be well over by then.

What we're watching: If Columbus and FC Cincinnati win their respective matches this Saturday, the two Ohio teams will meet for a conference final showdown.

• 👀 So … Hell is Approaching?

Central Ohio looks a lot different since the last time the Crew won a road playoff game …

🚢 A riverfront overhaul: The Scioto River was redeveloped, parks and trails were built, and the Santa Maria replica ship was moved into storage.

🎰 Place your bets: Ohio legalized casino gambling and sports betting inside restaurants, bars, and arenas.

👋 So long, New Rome: State officials dissolved the tiny village — and the notorious Broad Street speed trap.

🏀 More hellos and goodbyes: Other pro teams in Columbus were founded and shuttered, including the Comets (women's football), the Stars (minor league hockey), and the Destroyers (arena football).

⚽ The Crew was saved: After ownership made plans in 2017 to move the Crew to Austin, Texas, fans successfully rallied to keep the team in Columbus.

• The Crew wound up winning a 2020 championship and debuted a new downtown stadium the following year.

🍽 The Guild House, Tucci's, and other area restaurants will be open on Thanksgiving, if you're still making plans. (Columbus Navigator)

🎭 The musical "How to Dance in Ohio," about a group of young Columbus adults with autism, is slated to perform in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and opens on Broadway Dec. 10. (WOSU)

🚀 A space science lab planned for an area north of the OSU Airport will support research for the future Starlab space station. (WCMH-TV)

💼 See who's hiring around the city.

1. Public Policy Director at Samsara.
2. General X-ray Machine Operator - Radiology Students at Trinity Health.
3. Vice President, Revenue Marketing at Muck Rack.

Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board.

Hiring? Use code FIRST50 for $50 off your first job post.

Thank you — and another happy birthday! — to reader Laura H., who provided the latest entry for our Mug Shots series.

Laura writes: "I am sending a picture of a coffee mug I got from a former coworker I taught with in Minneapolis. The full text on the mug reads, 'The Mr. Snabes Math Show,' with the word 'math' crossed out and 'cooking' added in."

Context: "At the start of the pandemic, he started a math video series to try to keep students engaged. It quickly turned into a weekly cooking show (that you can still view on YouTube). It was a great way to bring a little fun to an otherwise tough time, and the mug will always be a reminder of that."

📬 Does your favorite coffee mug have a special backstory? Hit reply and send us a picture.