Dying Austintown? No way, folks say

AUSTINTOWN — There’s more to the township than meets the eye, or even the U.S. Census.

That’s how some residents respond to a Forbes.com story naming Austintown the No. 5 fastest dying town in America.

The list of 10 was compiled using data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, a three-year study.

The Forbes Web site says it calculated the ranking using “income growth, the rate of domestic in-migration, the change in poverty and the percentage of the population with a bachelor’s degree or higher.”

Those who live and work in the township said they wholeheartedly disagree with the assessment of Austintown — saying there’s more to it than mere numbers.

Norm Holfer said he moved to the township a year ago, after living in North Jackson for 44 years, believing he and his wife could obtain a better quality of life.

“This is the nicest community in the whole area — no comparison,” he said. “I don’t think anything is going to really shut it down.”

Read more in Thursday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com