For more than a decade, efforts have been taken through surveys to see how Columbus is doing in its efforts to be a welcoming community. Such surveys were conducted in 2004 and 2011 by the Heritage Fund — The Community Foundation of Bartholomew County.
The results of those surveys led to the creation of some new community groups, such as the Columbus Young Professionals and the Columbus Area Multi-Ethnic Organization.
Heritage Fund conducted a third Welcoming Community Survey in 2018, and the results will be released in the first quarter of this year. But based on recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau, one would have to think the results will be encouraging.
The data shows that the greater Columbus area’s overall growth from 2010 to 2017 has been driven by huge growth in the black/African American and Asian populations, and modest growth with the Hispanic/Latino population.
Columbus’ 6.7 percent population growth during the period reflected a gain of more than 5,100 people. While the white population decreased by 574, or nearly 1 percent, the black/African-American population increased by 2,699 (more than 270 percent), and the community’s Asian population grew by 3,081 (nearly 106 percent). Additionally, the Hispanic/Latino population increased by 661 (nearly 13.7 percent).
Newcomers and city leaders have indicated that efforts to make the community welcoming, in addition to good job opportunities and schools, have made Columbus an attractive place to live, work and play, and have contributed to the increases of these populations.
Such comments in addition to the data suggest that ongoing local efforts to make the Columbus community as welcoming as possible have produced positive results, and should be continued.
Because it’s in Columbus’ best interests to make itself a place where people desire to come or stay, get involved, enjoy themselves and have good opportunities.
