Why we’re losing population


Why we’re losing population

I have seen the census reports of 2010 that have been in the paper recently, and I have heard many different reasons as to why the city of Youngstown and the tri-county area have lost so much population. The two reasons I have heard most are the crime and the loss of jobs, and although these are very considerable reasons for leaving this area, I believe there are so many more reasons.

First, consider that the most populated generation is dying off and that at record paces. The people who owned their homes in the city when the mills went down hung on to them, the most tangible thing they had left. They knew they had no work but they owned that home and were not parting with the one stability they had left. It’s been 30 years now. Everyday in your paper there are several of those people dying who were born and raised in those homes.

Second, consider that the family unit is much smaller now. You can have just as many “families” except they are four people or smaller now.

Third, what about the people who are just relocated to another part of the state in prison for what ever the reason, whether it’s for six months or life?? That is population loss “statistically speaking.”

Fourth, what about the people who moved because they got a college education and transferred elsewhere? It wasn’t that they couldn’t get a job here, it was that they could get a job elsewhere for a much higher income, and with college debt, that higher income is needed.

And what about the baby-boomers (1946-1964) who are dying at a rate of five or more a day according to your obituary page? Multiply that by 365 days and by 10 years and see how many of them have passed away here. I said to a friend before the statistics came out that if we had more than 60,000 as a city I would be amazed.

And finally, many people don’t leave this area because of crime or lack of jobs or any of the aforementioned reasons. They leave because they want a change or they like warmer weather or they want to see the ocean or they want to live out in dry heat for their arthritis or other medical conditions that this region cannot provide them. They make or take the best option available to them and that means relocation. We are a nation on the move.

Lisa Beth Moore, Youngstown

By using this site, you agree to our privacy policy and terms of use.

» Accept
» Learn More