Downtown population doubles in 10 years

Will it continue to rise if workers stay home?

Downtown Columbus’ population more than doubled over the past decade, hitting and surpassing the 10,000 mark, according to 2020 population figures recently released by the U.S. Census Bureau.

The question now is whether the number of residents Downtown will continue to increase at a similar rate over the next 10 years, as many office workers continue to work from home and others worry about safety.

Some believe it will.

“I don’t think it is that much of a wild card,” said Marc Conte, acting executive director of the Capital Crossroads and Discovery special improvement districts Downtown. “People still want to live in an urban environment. People want an urban lifestyle.”

Within Downtown’s traditional boundaries, the population grew from 5,226 in 2010 to 10,342 in 2020. Those boundaries roughly follow Interstate 670 to the north, Interstate 71 to the east, Interstates 70 and 71 to the south, and the section of the Scioto Peninsula east of the CSX railroad tracks and Route 315 to the west.

The population slipped slightly in one eastern Downtown census tract bounded generally by Grant Avenue to the west, Broad Street to the north,

“I think for the next 12 months we’re going to see momentum pick up. There still are a significant number of projects in the pipeline. I see a majority of those projects getting built. They’re some of the most unique products in central Ohio.” Brad Dehays Connect Realty founder

views or the first day of work.

The state reported 301,000 unemployed workers in July, up 10,000 from June.

Two surveys are used to make the monthly unemployment report: one of households that determine the unemployment rate and one of employers that show how many jobs were added or lost during the month, and the report don’t always move in the same direction.

Even with the job gains last month, Ohio needs nearly 270,000 more jobs to get back to where it was before the pandemic started.

Job gains were widespread last month.

The leisure and hospitality sector, the hardest hit by the pandemic, added 7,900 jobs last month, the most of any sector.

The sector for professional and business services added 3,900 jobs last month and the trade, transportation and utilities sector added 3,800 jobs. The private education and health services sector added 2,900 jobs while manufacturers added 2,100 jobs during the month.

Government employment fell by 2,100 jobs, driven by a decline in state and local government employment. mawilliams@dispatch.com @Bizmarkwilliams

ADAM CAIRNS/COLUMBUS DISPATCH After kayaking on the Scioto River, a group of friends from Westerville pull their boats out of the water at the Scioto Mile in Downtown Columbus.