2020 census data shows Fairfield County growing
LANCASTER – According to the latest census data, Fairfield County was one of the state’s largest growing counties.
Fairfield County grew by nearly 9%, from a population of 146,156 to 158,921 people. That growth wasn’t evenly distributed across the county, but the Fairfield County Commissioners said the growth was expected.
The majority of the growth could be seen in the northwest corner of the county, in Pickerington and Canal Winchester specifically. Each of their townships grew by around 20%.
Dave Levacy, board of commissioners president, said the growth is good for the county, but growth for growth’s sake is not what they’re after: it must be prepared and directed.
“As commissioners, we keep an eye on the development happening in the county, so we saw the trend happening in those areas, which is tremendous growth. There have been several studies projecting major growth in and around Central Ohio in the next two or three decades,” he said. “The northwest area of the county is closest to the capital and there’s industry growing there, so we expected growth to be there.”
“We know that growth isn’t something that everyone wants, but it happens. We need to prepare, by getting our infrastructure in shape.”
Levacy added the county has been working on repairing roads, bridges and utilities in recent years, but there are still challenges when it comes to funding and jurisdiction when it comes to other municipalities within the county.
“There are some areas we have direct control, and others we don’t. When there’s limited access, we’re working with other agencies to get those projects done, but we are doing what we can to help,” he said.
Levacy said the county has focused on workforce education to help make the area more enticing to employers.
“We’re working to provide an area that will attract employers with good, stable jobs to come here, which also drives growth. With the county’s new workforce center, we’re helping to provide a trained workforce to help drive industry and other trades,” he said. “Bringing in businesses and industry will help shift the tax burden that’s squarely on tax payers.”
Census data indicated the total number of housing units in the county increased
by around six percent in the last 10 years, with the number of occupied units rising, and vacant homes falling.
Levacy said that housing is one of the major challenges the county faces when it comes to attracting industry.
“There are a high number of rental properties in the county. Renting isn’t a bad thing, but being able to own homes is important in promoting growth. There are major challenges right now when it comes to homeownership, like the cost of materials and a shortage of available homes,” he said. “But a lot of elected officials throughout the county have been working on increasing the availability of affordable housing. If we keep growing the workforce, we need to have places for them to live, especially if we want them here long-term.”
Fairfield County’s diversity index also increased by a little more than 50%, from 20 in 2010 to 33 in 2020. The measurement indicates the likelihood two people selected at random throughout the county are two different races.
For Levacy, an increase in county diversity means an improvement to the quality of life in general.
“I think having a diverse community means the county is a special place, that people of all races can look at Fairfield County and see that it’s a great place to live. Sometimes, the issues we face nationally negatively impact how we deal with those same issues closer to home,” he said.
Another benefit to county growth is the increase in funding available from state and federal agencies, Levacy said. He pointed out that population is a major factor when it comes to what is available, but it’s another matter entirely to
take advantage of it.
“It’s one thing to know you have the option, but you have to know which opportunities are available and how to get them. The county has been working on helping municipalities throughout the county that may not have as much experience or the money to meet matching requirements,” he said. “I was elected to serve the people of Fairfield County, and we intend to do that. We will be as helpful as possible to facilitate efforts to improve the county.”
“One phrase that’s been brought up throughout the pandemic is we’re all in this together. And I take that to heart. We can be as helpful as anyone need us to be, but it’s their decision. If they ask, we’re always willing to help.”
As a city, Lancaster saw growth from 38,754 residents in 2010 to 40,529 in 2020, an increase that Mayor David Scheffler said was expected.
“(The Mid-ohio Regional Planning Commission) provides estimates annually, and they were right on the money with the numbers we’re seeing this year. We saw a lot of growth on the northwest side of the city, where we see a lot of new projects coming in,” he said.
Two parts of the city, census tracts 317 and 322, each lost more than 150 people in ten years. Scheffler said the city prepared for that by making them federal opportunity zones, a program that provides incentive to taxpayers to invest in “economically distressed” areas.
Tract 317 is located along the Hocking River’s west bank, stretching to Brumfield Road and Ohio Avenue, and spanning from Pierce Avenue south to Lincoln Avenue.
Tract 322 sits along East Main Street, stretching from South High Street to South Ewing Street and spanning from East King Street to Old Logan Road.
“We knew there would be less people living there, and so the opportunity zones should help entice more industry. The census data confirmed those two tracts shrank population-wise, so it was fortuitous we got the zones when we did,” Scheffler said.
Scheffler noted that the city’s total housing stood out to him. The total number of housing units in 2010 was 17,668 and the city saw an increase by 3.6%, with 18,297 total units reported in 2020.
“We know there’s shortage of housing around here, and it makes sense that the number of vacant units decreased and the occupied amount went up. The city is working to bring in more developers to build workforce housing, but it’s not something we’re going to have happen overnight,” he said. “The residential (Community Reinvestment Area) city council passed is set to help attract more housing in the long run, as it provides some tax relief for developers.”
“There are good things happening in the area, as we can see from what’s growing.”
Scheffler said the city is preparing for growth by keeping an eye on property as it becomes available, and repairing and upgrading the city’s utilities. He cited a new efficiency evaluation council approved for the South Water Plant, which will help determine how to take full advantage of the plant.
“The city is keeping up with its utility needs, and constantly upgrading and repairing what we can. We should be able to handle the growth as it comes, but we’re really facing an issue of how to attract industry and workforce to the area,” he said. “It’s a balancing issue: we want new businesses here in town to help contribute to taxes and costs of maintaining a city, but we also have to have a place for all the people working at these new jobs to live.”
“Lancaster’s average age is increasing, which means people are choosing to retire here, but we need to work to bring in more young professionals and families.”
Scheffler added there are resources in the county encouraging more diverse and younger people to the area, including the county’s Workforce Center, which provides training programs for industries with high demand, provides certification and connects its students to businesses.