County Demographics

DCRPC Demographic information consists of the most recent Decennial Census Summary File 1 (DP-1) for Population and Housing Characteristics by Jurisdiction in Delaware County, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (ACS data) for the County (Census Bureau), most recent Population Estimates, (Census Bureau 7/2017), Build-out Population Projections by Jurisdiction completed by DCRPC, New Construction Building Permits since 1981 (by jurisdiction), and Population Projections to 2030 (by jurisdiction and school district). The 2017 ACS 5-Year data provided the information for Delaware County (and Townships and Incorporated Areas) including DP02 (Social Characteristics), DP03 (Economic Characteristics), DP04 (Housing Characteristics), and DP05 (Demographic and Housing).

Current Trends

Delaware County was the 22nd fastest-growing county in the USA by percentage of growth according to the 2010 Decennial Census, and was #89 in the fastest-growing counties in the US according to the Census Bureau’s population estimates from 4/2010 to 7/2017 with 15% growth added 26,250 people to a total of 200,464.

Delaware County is also the No. 1 fastest-growing county in the state of Ohio whether in the 2010 Decennial Census, the Census Estimate between 2010 and 2017, but was No. 2 between 7/2016 to 7/2017 (Union County was the No. 1 during this period).

Between 4/2000 and 4/2010, the growth rate of Central Ohio (13.96%) was higher than the United States (9.71%) and the State of Ohio (1.62%), as well as other metropolitan areas in Ohio. From 2013 to 2014, Ohio experienced the highest annual growth rate compared to the previous five years.

Since 1970, the population growth rate of Franklin County was been lower than the overall growth rate of Central Ohio. This suggests that the growth has spread out over Central Ohio beginning at about that point. Therefore, the RPC used the population data for the last 40 years to figure projections for the Step-Down method.

According to the population estimates by the Census Bureau, Delaware County experienced a 1.95% (average annual growth rate) in population from 7/2010 to 7/2017, which is lower than the average annual growth rate between 2000 and 2010 (4.71%).