County’s population shrinking
Census report tracks declineBy Sam Shawver, sshawver@mariettatimes.com
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Washington County's population fell by 115 people from July 1, 2007 to July 1, 2008, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates released this week. Since 2000 the county's population has dropped about 2 percent, from 63,189 to 61,567 in 2008.
That's not great news, says Washington County Commissioner Steve Weber.
"A big loss of population could hurt us as well as cities like Marietta and Belpre that often depend on their population numbers for federal funding," he said. "That's why we want to make sure everyone gets counted in the upcoming 2010 census."
Noting that the figures released by the U.S. Census Bureau this week are only annual estimates, Weber said he believes the actual numbers from next year's census will show an increase in population, in spite of the current economic downturn.
"With the current economy people are also choosing to stay closer to home," he said. "It's tough now, but we're constantly working hard to bring new companies and new people here.
"I wouldn't be surprised to see the population up a little next census," Weber added. "I don't have any hard figures, but it seems to me that there are a lot of people moving back into Washington County. We'll just have to wait and see and make sure everyone's counted."
Belpre was the only Washington County city listed in the U.S. Census Bureau's latest estimates that actually gained in population between 2007 and 2008, from 6,506 to 6,528. Belpre's population in 2000 was 6,646.
Marietta Mayor Michael Mullen said that city's estimated loss of 10 people between 2007 and 2008 isn't a major drop, but it is a reduction.
"I would rather see a plus 10 versus a negative 10 population count, but it represents a small percentage drop," he said. "When you consider the current economy and job opportunities, I would be satisfied that we're able to hold our own over the last few years."
He noted that the city's income tax collection this year has been flat, but it has remained stable.
"In these very stressed times we're looking for stability, which equates to a stable tax base, and we seem to be holding our own there, too," Mullen said.
The Pioneer City's highest population since the turn of the century was in 2000 when Marietta had 14,628 people. Since then the census bureau's annual population estimates have fluctuated but generally dropped from 14,479 in 2001 to 14,307 in 2008.
Mullen said the area still has good quality of life selling points, including a low crime rate, great natural resources, and access from Interstate 77.
He projected that, based on population estimates for the last few years, the 2010 census will continue to show similar figures in the 14,200 to 14,300 range.
An informational meeting on the 2010 census is scheduled at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Washington County Job and Family Services Office, 1115 Gilman Ave. in Marietta.
The session is aimed at partnering with local governments, education, faith-based groups, businesses, media, and others to help ensure an accurate count of Washington County's population for the 2010 census.
Cynthia King, Southern Ohio partnership specialist for the U.S. Census Bureau, will highlight key 2010 census events that may affect the local community. King will also offer information on ways to maximize the return of federal dollars to Washington County through a more accurate census count.
For more information, contact Tom Ballengee, 7400-373-5513, ext. 227.
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concernedpatriot
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07-06-09 11:14 AM
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Well, maybe. But this area hardly has the climate for a "retirement haven".
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ObserverofJusticeSystem
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07-06-09 10:00 AM
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Even our highly paid development people can't attract anything. And from where? Our local industrialists make themselves multi millionaires while paying pittance wages. Ever heard of Bob Cratchett? This town will be as an earlier poster suggested. A future retirement haven. Whats wrong with that?
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opinionator
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07-06-09 9:54 AM
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Am curious what "hard work" would attract multiple good paying jobs?
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Bobman
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07-06-09 9:48 AM
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I remember a time in Marietta when the River was ripe with good paying blue coller jobs, when schools were as good as any in the country, and when your children didn't have to move away in order to support themselves. And what happened? Things began to change. We got complacent. We either didn't see the change coming or we didn't want to see the change. The only way we are going to make things any better in Washington County is with a vision of a new future and with a WHOLE LOT OF HARD WORK. One thing we can always count on is change. We can chose to adapt to the change and prosper or we can chose to do nothing and live with the results, one of which is a shrinking population & a dying community.
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hasworkedingovt
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07-06-09 9:34 AM
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We will just roll along like Belpre has done. A quiet retirement community with old money, some new retirees seeking this idyllic Twilight Zone existence, and a few kids will stay as some jobs always are around.
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concernedpatriot
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07-06-09 9:32 AM
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hasworkedingovt, "Not talking negative growth. Just proposing no growth as a way to keep it nice is most people's view." Are you speaking for the majority? I find it hard to believe that most "thinking" people would want it this way.
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PWC032096
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07-06-09 9:02 AM
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hasworkedingovt - Here's something to chew on. Where all all the graduates from the local colleges going to work? Factories closing and the "bread and butter" of the local economy is fading away as technology advances. Without positive economic growth, the area will dwindle to the point where it has nothing to offer anyone except disparity. Just look north to Youngstown, if you would like an example. That town is nothing like it used to be. Marietta WILL (sadly) follow suit with the mentality you seem to hold. A more progressive and responsible plan would certainly put the area back on the map.
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concernedpatriot
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07-06-09 7:09 AM
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Stand still, you die. You can not provide incomes for future generations with "0" growth. Or do you propose no future generations also? Pretty narrow minded.
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hasworkedingovt
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07-06-09 7:00 AM
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Not talking negative growth. Just proposing no growth as a way to keep it nice is most people's view. Quality of life means to live in The Land Where Time Stood Still to those that choose to limit their lives and minds to this area. If you want growth. Move somewhere else!
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concernedpatriot
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07-06-09 5:32 AM
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hasworkedingovt, you are truely a sad individual. If this area does not grow, how do you expect the area to provide jobs for your children and grandchildren. They would have no choice but to move on. My children and grandchildren live several hundreds of miles from here and I miss them. Your comment about new people is one of the main problems with Marietta. Marietta is one of the most inhospitable towns I have ever seen, due to people like you. If you were not born and raised in Marietta, you are nothing. It is sad people like you are all over this town. You really should be ashamed of yourself. Marietta needs to get over the "we are better than everyone else" attitude. Things would be a lot better for everyone. When I moved here it was explained to me that the towns people were decended from Revolutionary War heroes. Okay, Marietta is also a river town with pirates and whores. You are also decended from them. This is a nice area but you people need to be friendlier.
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hasworkedingovt
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07-06-09 4:09 AM
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Actual growth would have the area howling about that too. Clogged roads. More construction. New people from out of town. Just be happy this sleepy little area never changes. You all have no idea the headaches growth brings.
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concernedpatriot
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07-05-09 8:38 PM
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Until Marietta gets off the "tourist kick" and decides to do something about getting companies in the area, the population will continue to decline. Tourism does not put food on enough tables in this area to warrant investing in but that seems to be where the money goes. People need to go where the jobs are If this is not true, what is being done to get good jobs into the area?
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ProudMom2
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07-05-09 7:55 PM
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I agree with BWC, it is history which repeats itself that small towns crumble in recession and depression. I have seen it before.
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peppie
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07-04-09 9:44 PM
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Freddy1 makes so many mundane statements, that soon they all run together. Say what you want to say and quit rambling, please.
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bwc511
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07-04-09 8:09 PM
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Unfortunately, I just do not see much hope for small towns like this one in the future... even if the economy should turn around on a national level. I would say the same thing about Ohio overall... with the exceptions of Columbus and Cleveland. Whether you like it or not, accept it or not, or disapprove of it, the world has changed and is changing. You have to be open to difference, all peoples and things. You have to go with the flow and you have to adapt. That does not mean that you have to abandon your culture to make way for others, it just means that you have to be civil.
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bulldog58
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07-04-09 4:49 PM
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Sounds like if this keeps up we definitely will need another bridge
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DreamerLady
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07-04-09 4:11 PM
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Our community is shrinking and our people are in need of financial help.
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smokehouse
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07-04-09 3:21 PM
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The city of Marietta is sinking fast and the mayor is trying to spend the money they have to place us in bankrupty before he gets out of office and runs for state representive.
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surprised
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07-04-09 3:15 PM
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We must have some tourists coming to this poor, sad, suffering town because the Layafette is booked solid every weekend all summer!! Who are these people if not tourists?
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Goodoleme
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07-04-09 1:57 PM
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If the dang republicans and democrats would work with each other instead of against each other,they might get something done
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hockeypuck
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07-04-09 11:47 AM
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These politicians like to make rosy projections, only to face reality later. Just the way they think.
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Phantom13
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07-04-09 11:32 AM
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Don't worry about the census, Obama is going to have ACORN doing it and the White House directing it. PRAY for our country, we are going to need it.
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Beetlejuice
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07-04-09 10:17 AM
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@Orchardfarmer; someone got a new computer for their birthday.
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Orchardfarmer
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07-04-09 10:15 AM
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Is this the freddy1 show?
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Beetlejuice
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07-04-09 8:33 AM
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Is it OK for someone else to post here? "I like the trend."
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