Central Ohio population growth is moving fastest outside Franklin County, according to U.S. Census estimates covering communities in Franklin, Delaware, Licking, Pickaway, Fairfield, Union and Madison counties.
The estimates show the Columbus region continued to expand from 2020 to 2025, but the strongest percentage gains were concentrated in nearby suburban and exurban areas rather than in Columbus’ home county.
Central Ohio Population Growth Moves Beyond Franklin County
Franklin County, which includes Columbus, grew by 2.77% from 2020 to 2025, adding nearly 40,000 residents. But every bordering county included in the review posted a larger percentage increase.
Union County recorded the strongest county-level gain, with population growth of 14.5%. The trend suggests more residents are settling in communities outside the urban core, a shift that could affect housing demand, school enrollment, road planning and local services.
Sunbury and Powell Lead Suburban Gains
Among cities and towns outside Franklin County, every listed community recorded population growth. Sunbury grew by more than 25%, while Powell added more than 22% from 2020 to 2025.
Those gains place both communities among the fastest-growing areas in the Columbus region, based on the available Census estimates.
| Area | Population Change, 2020–2025 | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|---|
| Union County | +14.5% | Fastest county-level growth in the review |
| Franklin County | +2.77% | Added nearly 40,000 residents |
| Sunbury | More than +25% | One of the fastest-growing listed communities |
| Powell | More than +22% | Strong suburban population gain |
| Bexley | Nearly -12% | Sharpest listed decline |
Inside Franklin County, growth was more mixed. Several communities gained residents, but some established suburbs saw declines. Bexley, Dublin, Groveport, Upper Arlington, Westerville, Whitehall and Worthington all recorded population losses between 2020 and 2025.
Bexley had the steepest decline, losing nearly 12% of its population. The other listed decreases remained within 5% of each city’s 2020 population.
Why Columbus-Area Growth Matters
Columbus has added more than 150,000 residents over the past 15 years, and available Franklin County city estimates placed the broader Columbus area above 1.3 million residents in 2025.
The local trend stands in contrast to Ohio’s statewide outlook. Ohio’s Department of Development projects the state will lose 675,000 residents by 2050, a 5.7% decline, while central Ohio is projected to add 726,000 people by the same year.
That contrast makes the Columbus region one of Ohio’s most important population-growth stories, especially as suburban communities prepare for rising demand in housing, infrastructure and public services.
