County, Newark increase overall populations
NEWARK — Licking County continues to grow and become more diverse, with much of the increased population in the western areas of Pataskala and Johnstown, as well as in Newark, Granville and Hanover.
The 2020 U.S. Census results did not show quite the population increases some had expected, possibly due to an undercount during the coronavirus pandemic. Still, it showed Licking County with a population of 178,519, a 7.2% increase from 2010, and the state’s 17th largest county.
“I expected it to be a little higher than that,” Licking County Commissioner Tim Bubb said. “It’s the first census that relied on internet response and some people are uncomfortable with technology and computers. But, that’s why we take a census. That’s the best count we’ve got.
“It means we’re growing compared to some areas. I like that. I like conservative growth, but reasonable. I think conservative growth is much more manageable. The counties surrounding Columbus will continue to feel growth pressure. We are sitting in a growth engine in central Ohio.”
The county’s white population decreased by 1,107 residents, while the minority population more than doubled from 11,300 in 2010, to 24,449 in 2020. The minority population increases were: 306% for Asians, 208% for those identifying as two or more races, and 26% for Blacks. Also, the Hispanic population increased by 73%.
Bryanna Stigger, president of the Licking County NAACP, said, “The new Licking County is what we’re looking at. It’s really exciting and great to see. Diversity will always grow. We’re not supposed to have one group. It should be a huge melting pot.
“I think this will really bring us closer together and see the humanity. We’re different, but we’re all one. All should feel welcome, supported and included.”
In Newark, the population was not more than 50,000, as prior estimates had shown, but 49,934, a 5% increase in the last decade. Newark remains the second-largest city in central Ohio, behind Columbus and barely ahead of Dublin.
Newark Mayor Jeff Hall said if there was an undercount, it was likely everywhere and did not unfairly impact Newark.
“The accuracy of the census count could be challenging a little bit,” Hall said. “Nobody anticipated COVID and all the ramifications of it. It had to challenge the census takers.”
Newark, the state’s 18th largest city, had a larger percentage population increase than any of the 17 larger cities, except Columbus with a 15% increase. Middletown
has a 4.7% increase and Cincinnati 4.2%.
“I don’t want exponential growth,” Hall said. “We don’t want to grow like crazy. Slow and steady growth is a good thing. I don’t know if you’d want 10%. Newark is fairly built out. Those (big growth) areas have a lot of undeveloped land. We’re an older town and not going to have a huge population increase.”
Hall said Newark’s population has increased in every census dating back 50 years, something few of the state’s largest cities can claim. Many lost population when major manufactures left.
“Anytime you have a steady decline over 20 to 30 years, that’s a challenge,” Hall said. “We’ve had companies decline, but we absorbed that.”
Vacant housing units in Newark decreased in the last decade, according to the census. In 2010, the vacancy rate was just shy of 10%, but dropped to 6.9% in 2020, when 20,817 of the 22,351 housing units were occupied.
“That’s wonderful,” Hall said. “That’s an overall goal. Newark Development Partners and the Land Bank are little tools out there for access to dollars. The goal isn’t only to tear down houses.”
The Land Bank announced Thursday its second complete home rehab will be a Mount Vernon Road house that has been vacant 10-12 years. The plan is to sell the four-bed, two bath ranch home for $220,000 to $240,000.
The county’s three cities of Newark, Heath and Pataskala all increased their populations, and Johnstown’s 12% increase pushed it over 5,000 to make it Licking County’s fourth city.
Seven of the county’s 11 villages lost population, with Kirkersville dropping by 10.1%, Buckeye Lake 8.2%, Alexandria 6.6%, St. Louisville 5.6%, Utica 3.2%, Gratiot 2.7% and Hebron 0.4%.
The increases were in Hanover, which has been building homes and jumped 38% in population, Johnstown, Granville (5.3%) and Hartford (1.8%).
Nineteen of the county’s 25 townships increased in population, with the biggest jumps in areas surrounding Pataskala, Johnstown, Newark and Hanover.
The biggest decrease among the townships was 6.7% in Jersey Township, which is on the county’s western edge with Ohio 161 in the middle of it. Jersey is positioned between the largest growth areas of Johnstown and Pataskala, but has become a manufacturing hub with the New Albany Beauty Campus and data centers.
“Houses were bought out in Jersey Township,” County Commissioner Tim Bubb said. “New Albany will be buying another huge tract of farmland. New Albany is increasing its presence, but not its population.” kmallett@newarkadvocate.com 740-973-4539
Twitter: @kmallett1958
“I don’t want exponential growth. We don’t want to grow like crazy. Slow and steady growth is a good thing. I don’t know if you’d want 10%. Newark is fairly built out. Those (big growth) areas have a lot of undeveloped land. We’re an older town and not going to have a huge population increase.”
Newark Mayor Jeff Hall