Ohio seniors are growing in numbers according to the Ohio Department of Aging (ODA), the agency that administers programs and services to older Ohioans. Not only does Ohio have 2.5 million residents over the age of 60, but the 60-plus population is growing more than 20 times faster than the state’s overall population, according to data collected in 2019.
Despite the state trend, researchers say Union County is going in the opposite direction. The state plan, created by ODA to account for issues that arise with an aging population, shows that Union County ranks among the top ten counties in the state with the smallest percentage of residents over the age of 65.
Smaller percentages
Data maps dating back to 2010 show Union County in the number one or two spot with the lowest population of 65-plus residents, but recent data indicates those numbers have changed.
“Over time, Union County loses rank moving from the second youngest in terms of the proportion of the population 65-plus to one of the top 10 youngest by 2050,” said Dr. Jane Straker, director of research at the Scripps Gerontology Center at Miami University in Butler County.
Researchers at Miami contributed to the data included in the ODA’s state plan. Projections done by the Miami researchers show Franklin, Union, Athens, Delaware and Holmes counties staying the top five youngest counties between now and 2050.
Much of the data contributing to the numbers came from information gathered in the 2010 census, Straker said. Information has been updated since 2010 and once the 2020 census information is available, the numbers will be adjusted again.
“Some of the other counties (e.g. Franklin, Athens, Butler) stay young because of the large numbers of students at OSU, OU, Miami, etc.,” Straker explained.
Miami data also shows Union County residents that are 60 plus made up between 17 and 18 percent of the population in 2020. Over the next ten years, that percentage is projected to climb closer to 22 percent but compared to the majority of counties in the state, that is relatively low.
Younger, but why?
Union County likely skews younger for a number of reasons, primarily due to job and living opportunities. Being the home of more than 8,000 manufacturing jobs and a rapidly growing research and development sector, the county has become a destination spot for younger residents and families to start a life.
“Younger people, especially those who are upwardly mobile or are beginning their families, tend to migrate to communities that have many job opportunities, good schools, safe neighborhoods, and amenities,” said Jason Stanford, Development Services Manager with Union County-Marysville Economic Development. “We are also close to Columbus, too, which offers entertainment, etc. that is easily accessible to our residents.”
The proximity to Columbus bodes well for the county’s more than 20,000 single-family homes.
“Union County has approximately 18,248 residents who live in the county and commute outside the county for employment,” said Stanford. “This would suggest that even people who work in Columbus prefer to live here and commute. We are firmly planted as an emerging suburb of Columbus.”
Stanford added the county’s median age is 38 and the City of Marysville is even younger, with a median age of 34.5, according to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.
Information from ODJFS indicates Ohio’s older counties, located mostly in eastern and southeastern Ohio, are dealing with a diminishing population due to fewer economic opportunities. In many cases, younger people from those areas are moving to central Ohio.
“Union County attracts new, younger residents from throughout Ohio, but especially from other communities within Central Ohio, who are seeking more affordable housing, lower cost of living, less traffic, less crime, etc.,” Stanford said.
Changing over time
The ODA state plan lays out a series of goals to help the aging population statewide. The multi-prong approaches consist of goals that address housing, healthcare, access to information and technology, continued care and systems that allow seniors to remain independent for as long as possible.
On average, people are living longer and while Union County’s aging population percentage is lower, Stanford said the county is in good shape with regard to generational changes.
“We have a fairly equal age distribution,” he said, noting that as older residents leave the workforce and create vacancies, there are equal numbers of younger ones to take those open jobs.
“While we are getting older and our median age will increase over time, we will likely not suffer the dramatic aging effects and resulting population loss that other counties in Ohio will struggle with over the next 30 years,” he said.