Ohio, sometimes called the “Buckeye State,” has a long and storied cultural heritage, a variety of beautiful landscapes, and thriving urban centers. Nonetheless, demographic changes are affecting Ohio just as they are affecting the rest of the United States. Due to economic progress, certain cities and towns are seeing rise in population, while others are seeing a clear decrease.
The stagnant economy, little job possibilities, high crime rates, and general decline in quality of life are all potential causes of this outmigration. A large portion of the population in certain Ohio communities has left in 2024 as people have left in quest of better opportunities elsewhere. Read on as we take a look at seven Ohio villages that residents are rushing to escape.
Youngstown
The loss of Youngstown’s steel industry in the middle of the twentieth century marked the beginning of the city’s protracted period of economic decline. Problems including high unemployment, violence, and crumbling infrastructure persist in Youngstown despite revitalization initiatives. Residents of Youngstown are understandably worried about the high rates of violent crime and drug-related offenses, as shown by the most recent statistics.
Jobs are hard to come by since the local economy took a major hit when the steel sector went out of business, and new businesses have had a hard time getting off the ground.
Youngstown has a crime rate that is far higher than the national average. With 40% of the population living below the poverty line, Youngstown faces challenges in luring new investors and businesses.
Cleveland
Despite its history as an industrial metropolis, Cleveland’s population has dropped dramatically in the last several decades. Deindustrialization is the main cause of the city’s economic troubles, which have led to high crime rates, worsening public services, and high unemployment rates. Even in 2024, more and more Clevelanders are leaving the city for the suburbs or even states outside of Ohio in search of better jobs and a higher quality of life.
Cleveland’s efforts to diversify its economy have not been without enduring detrimental consequences from the loss of manufacturing jobs.
Cleveland ranks among Ohio’s most dangerous cities, especially when it comes to violent crime. The city’s inability to offer sufficient public services, especially in the areas of education and infrastructure, has been a major factor in the exodus.
Portsmouth
Historically, the Ohio River port city of Portsmouth has served as a center for commerce and manufacturing. Unfortunately, due to the region’s declining industry, Portsmouth is now facing issues such as high unemployment, poverty, and drug addiction. The community has been particularly impacted by the opioid crisis, and the measures taken to address the problem have been sluggish and mostly unsuccessful.
Since its industrial base collapsed, Portsmouth’s economy has struggled to rebuild, and there are few job possibilities available. With an incidence of opioid addiction that ranks among the state’s highest, this community has a host of social problems, such as homelessness and crime.
Canton
For a long time now, Canton’s once-proud manufacturing sector has been steadily deteriorating. The loss of manufacturing jobs and other economic benefits brought about by deindustrialization hit the city hard, as it did many others in Ohio. There have been attempts to improve the downtown area, but these have not stopped people from leaving, especially younger people who are looking for better career possibilities and a better quality of life elsewhere.
Jobs are hard to come by because the city’s industrial sector, which used to be a mainstay of the economy, has dried up and no new sectors have sprung up to take its place.
Canton’s crime rate is higher than the national average, especially when it comes to crimes against property.
Lima
Lima, in northwest Ohio, was formerly a thriving industrial metropolis. Lima, like many other Ohio communities, has suffered from an economy that has not diversified enough and the loss of manufacturing jobs. Population decline, excessive unemployment, and underfunding of essential public services are all outcomes.
High unemployment and little job opportunities have plagued Lima’s economy since it has failed to bounce back from the fall of its industrial sector.
Compared to the rest of the state, Lima has a far higher crime rate, especially when it comes to drug-related and violent crimes. Public school financing is poor and the graduation rate is below the national average.
Many Lima inhabitants have opted to migrate for more prosperous locations due to the lack of prospects for growth and progress.
Akron
Since the tire business began to decline in the late 20th century, Akron—once called the “Rubber Capital of the World”—has seen a substantial decline in population. Although the city has made investments in healthcare and education as part of its effort to rebuild itself, the economic revival has been uneven and delayed, which has resulted in ongoing outmigration.
There have been attempts to diversify the economy, but the job market in Akron is still weak and there aren’t many chances for growth.
Many families have left Akron because of the high crime rate, especially the violent crime rate, which ranks among the highest in Ohio.
Many Akron homes are unoccupied and property values have been falling as the market has failed to revive.
Mansfield
Mansfield, in north-central Ohio, was an industrial powerhouse in bygone days. But Mansfield’s economy, crime rate, and population have all taken a nosedive since manufacturing declined. Even if the town has made some attempts to reinvent itself, the tendency of outmigration remains.
The town of Mansfield has seen severe unemployment and economic loss since its industrial base collapsed, similar to many other towns on this list.
Mansfield is an unattractive neighborhood for many families due to its high crime rate, which ranks among the highest in Ohio.
Mansfield is no longer an attractive area to reside due to its lack of cultural and recreational amenities as well as its dwindling employment prospects.
Therefore, a large number of Mansfield inhabitants have opted to leave the town in quest of improved living conditions and more employment prospects.
Summary
This mass exodus from seven Ohio towns in 2024 is emblematic of the difficulties experienced by many regions of the Buckeye State. Many people are leaving their homes because of the economy, the crime levels, and the infrastructure. Despite regeneration and expansion in other Ohio communities, the towns mentioned above are finding it difficult to draw in new citizens and hold on to their current ones. People in these places still leave in pursuit of better possibilities since the social and economic challenges aren’t going away.
These cities are still fighting the effects of deindustrialization and economic stagnation, and while they may see improvement in the future, 2024 will be a tough year for them. For the time being, it appears that the trend of outmigration will persist, which leaves many towns with uncertain futures.