KIPP: Central Ohio

Download a Columbus press kit (PDF document) for a detailed look at the city. 

Columbus FactsColumbus is the largest city in Ohio and the 15th largest city in the United States. The metropolitan population is 1,708,625 (including eight counties — Delaware, Fairfield, Franklin, Licking, Madison, Morrow, Pickaway and Union). The City of Columbus has 730,657 people within 210 square miles. Franklin County has a population of 1,090,771. 

Between 2000-2005, Columbus was the second fastest-growing major metro area with population greater than one million.

Location

Columbus is the capital of Ohio, located in the center of the state, halfway between Cleveland and Cincinnati at the intersection of I-70 and I-71. Columbus is within 550 miles of more than half of the U.S. population.

Cultural Diversity

The 2000 U.S. Census revealed the racial breakdown of Columbus as 67.9% white, 24.5% African-American, 3.4% Asian and 2.5% Hispanic. Columbus also has the second-largest largest Somali population in the United States.

Economy

Columbus has a relatively stable economy and is one of the few cities in the northeastern quadrant whose economy and population grew steadily through the last quarter of the 20th century. The eight-county Columbus metropolitan area has a labor force of about 900,000, with about half of the jobs concentrated in service businesses (29.6%) and retail (20.5%). Others work in government (16%), manufacturing (10.2%), finance/insurance/real estate (8.8%), wholesale trade (5.3%), transportation/utilities (4.8%) and construction (4.7%). 

Major employers include the State of Ohio, The Ohio State University, Nationwide, Limited Brands, Honda of America, Cardinal Health and American Electric Power.