Columbus in 2025, 2035, and 2050: A Survey of Human Needs Now and in the Future is a comprehensive study commissioned by Columbus City Council and the Human Service Chamber of Franklin County to understand and prepare for community needs in coming years.

The study, authored by Dr. Bill LaFayette, updates portions of a 2015 Regionomics study, Columbus in 1980, 2015, and 2050, but focuses on current conditions and speculates on possible conditions in 2035 and 2050.

This study includes projections of the following:

• Population and age
• Foreign-born population
• Labor force and employment
• Income and poverty
• Housing and homelessness
• Health
• Disabilities

Most of these projections are based on the relationship between local conditions, national conditions, and national projections.

The projections in this study are based on current trends and current knowledge, which will almost certainly be impacted and changed by future events that are currently unknown. Some of these events will be positive for future community characteristics and trends; others will be negative. But the actions that we take now and in the future can mitigate at least some of the negative trends and enhance some of the positive ones.

Human service needs do not respect community or county boundaries. For this reason, the study considers both Franklin County and the current 10-county Columbus Metropolitan Statistical Area – Delaware, Fairfield, Franklin, Hocking, Licking, Madison, Morrow, Perry, Pickaway, and Union Counties. It is hoped that the results will help the community develop strategies to improve the wellbeing of all of us who live – and will live – in Central Ohio.