Six major cities in Ohio experienced population growth last year. There they are

Are Ohio’s largest cities growing or shrinking? Which cities are growing the fastest?

Thanks to a recently released report from the US Census Bureau tracking population changes between July 1, 2022 and July 1, 2023, we now have the answers.

Here’s what you need to know about population shifts in the Buckeye State.

Columbus remains one of the most populous cities in the US

Columbus is one of the 15 most populous cities in the country, with a population of just over 913,000 last year, according to the report. The capital grew by 0.5%, adding approximately 5,000 new residents.

Nine cities had 1 million or more residents, and while Columbus is not among them, it remains one of the most populous in the country:

1. New York, New York (8.3 million)

2. Los Angeles, California (3.8 million)

3. Chicago, Illinois (2.7 million)

4. Houston, Texas (2.3 million)

5. Phoenix, Arizona (1.7 million)

6. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (1.6 million)

7. San Antonio, Texas (1.5 million)

8. San Diego, California (1.4 million)

9. Dallas, Texas (1.3 million)

10. Jacksonville, FL (986,000)

11. Austin, Texas (980,000)

12. Fort Worth, Texas (978,000)

13. San Jose, California (970,000)

14. Columbus, Ohio (913,000)

15. Charlotte, North Carolina (911,000)

The Census Bureau reported that the fifteen most populous cities remain the same, but a few have changed positions. Jacksonville, Florida, beat Austin, Texas, for 10th place, while Fort Worth, Texas moved past San Jose, California, to take 12th place.

Athens, Ohio, ranks as one of the fastest growing cities in the US

These cities with a population of 20,000 or more are listed as the fastest growing cities in the country.

Athens made the list with a population growth of 8.6%. Texas is home to eight of the fifteen cities on the list, including the top four.

1. Celina, Texas (26.6% growth)

2. Fulshear, Texas (25.6%)

3. Princeton, Texas (22.3%)

4. Anna, Texas (16.9%)

5. Lathrop, California (13.6%)

6. Centerton, Arkansas (11.2%)

7. Haines City, FL (10.8%)

8. Georgetown, Texas (10.6%)

9. Prosperous, Texas (10.5%)

10. Forney, Texas (10.4%)

11. Kyle, Texas (9%)

12. Lebanon, Tennessee (8.9%)

13. Fort Mill, South Carolina (8.8%)

14. Leesburg, FL (8.7%)

15. Athens, Ohio (8.6%)

Columbus and Cincinnati were not the fastest growing areas in Ohio

Columbus and Cincinnati both added 0.5% to their populations, according to the Census Bureau, but they did not have the highest population growth in Ohio.

That honor goes to Washington Township.

The community in southern Montgomery County, south of Dayton, which includes Centerville, grew its population by 1%, from 62,360 to 62,998 people.

Further along I-75 and north of Cincinnati, West Chester Township in Butler County saw a 0.6% population increase from July 1, 2022 to July 1, 2023. It went from 65,241 people to 65,642.

The suburbs of Akron, Cincinnati, are experiencing population growth

Akron (188,472 to 188,701), the city of Hamilton (north of Cincinnati; 62,936 to 62,997), Green Township (northwest of Cincinnati; 59,587 to 59,626) and Colerain Township (northwest of Cincinnati; 58,563 to 58,608) all achieved growth of 0.1% from July 2022 to July 2023.

Lorain experienced modest population growth, adding a handful of people to reach 65,337, according to the study.

Where did Ohio lose population?

Canton and Parma saw the largest population declines in Ohio, according to the Census Bureau study.

The hometown of the Pro Football Hall of Fame decreased by 0.5%, from 69,545 to 69,197 residents, according to the survey. Parma (79,360 to 78,951) also fell by 0.5%.

Toledo fell by 0.4% (266,350 to 265,304).

Dayton (135,828 to 135,512) and Youngstown (59,217 to 59,108) lost 0.1% of their populations.

Cleveland experienced a negligible decline, although its population remained above 362,000.

Population changes in the Midwest

According to the Census Bureau report, growth in Midwestern cities has reversed previous population declines.

Cities with 50,000 residents or more in the Midwest grew about 0.1%, after an average decline of 0.3%.

Small cities in the Midwest slowed their population decline, averaging 0.3% and 0.1%, respectively, compared to 0.4% and 0.2% in 2022.

This article originally appeared on the Cincinnati Enquirer: 6 Ohio cities experienced significant population growth by 2023