Coshocton shows slight growth in latest census, however local officials hope for more

Leonard L. Hayhurst, Coshocton Tribune
·2 min read

COSHOCTON − Population figures for Coshocton County have been steady since the 2020 census, but local officials believe numbers will go up over the next 25 years.

The county's population was 36,869 last year, according to new U.S. Census Bureau estimates. That's a slight increase from 2022 of 36,615, up 254 people. The county's population has increased since the pandemic with the 2020 population reported at 36,584.

While deaths outnumbered birth, people moving into the county led to the rise. From 2020 to 2023, there were 1,405 births and 1,618 deaths, but 466 people migrating to the area.

The City of Coshocton as viewed from Roscoe Hill.
The City of Coshocton as viewed from Roscoe Hill.

Ohio overall grew by 26,238 people in 2023, a 0.2% increase from 2022. Counties that experienced the most growth were Delaware and Franklin, both in Central Ohio, which grew by 5,110 and 4,333 people, respectively.

However, the Ohio Department of Development believes the majority of Ohio counties will see population declines in the next few decades. Areas in central Ohio are predicted to have the most growth moving forward, with just 14 counties expected to see growth by 2050.

A map of Ohio's projected population by county in 2050.
A map of Ohio's projected population by county in 2050.

Local officials expect growth

The Coshocton County Coordinated Transportation Agency recently held two meetings to discuss its five year plan and how to possibly expand services. A population projection graph from the Ohio Office of Research from 2023 had Coshocton County at around 32,500 people by 2050, something officials in attendance disputed.

This was mainly due to the Intel chip plant coming to Licking County and other companies coming to Central Ohio or expanding. Not all those people are going to want to live in urban areas and it's believed many will come to Coshocton, less than an hour from the Intel factory.

More U.S. counties experienced population gains than losses last year, as counties in the South saw faster growth and more Northeast and Midwest counties had population losses turn to gains, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
More U.S. counties experienced population gains than losses last year, as counties in the South saw faster growth and more Northeast and Midwest counties had population losses turn to gains, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Mayor Mark Mills has been keen on annexing more land into the city and exploring housing projects. Looking at the figures, Mills said the percentage should be flipped for growth instead of decline.

"We've maintained 35,000 plus (people) for the last two census tracks, so why would it go down," Mills said. "We're either going to stay the same or we're going to grow, maybe not at the same pace as Licking, Muskingum or Knox counties, but everything is going to grow in this area."

Jed McCoy, executive director of Coshocton County Job and Family Services, agreed with Mills for everything he's heard from experts on how Intel will affect the region in a variety of ways.

"I think we'll stay at status quo for a little bit, but we'll eventually grow, because you'll not only have Intel, but all the subsidiary companies supporting them," McCoy said. "Everything I've seen is expecting population growth."

Leonard Hayhurst is a community content coordinator and general news reporter for the Coshocton Tribune with more than 15 years of local journalism experience and multiple awards from the Ohio Associated Press. He can be reached at 740-295-3417 or llhayhur@coshoctontribune.com. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) at @llhayhurst.

This article originally appeared on Coshocton Tribune: Coshocton shows slight growth in latest census; leaders hope for more