Looking Closer At the City of Columbus
In the previous post we’ve looked at some reasons when you may need extended stay in Columbus. Now let’s look closer at the city of Columbus itself.
Located near the center of the state of Ohio, Columbus is the 15th largest city in the United States with a population of 747,755 (based 2006 data). This is the population of the city itself without including the larger Columbus Metropolitan Areas which consists of some municipalities. If we take Columbus Metropolitan Areas into account, the number of population is 1,754,337. The population growth of Columbus is evident through its increasing ranking among the most populated cities in the United States. In 1850, Columbus was the 37th largest city. In 1950, it became the 28th largest city. And now it becomes the 15th largest city.
The total area of the city is 212.6 square miles, of which 99% is land and 1% is water. The city continues to expand geographically.
Columbus is one of the fastest growing cities in the United States. Its growth makes it different from many other cities in Midwest like Cleveland and Cincinnati which no longer grow as fast. This growth is partly fueled by the diverse economic base of Columbus. Columbus is strong in multiple industries like healthcare, technology, and education, just to mention a few. There are many companies which are headquartered in Columbus, including Fortune 500 companies like Cardinal Health. Several insurance companies are also headquartered in Columbus. All in all, Columbus’ economic is in the top 10 in the United States which is very good.
This strong economy is perhaps the main reason why Columbus’ hospitality industry, including extended stay, grows well. The fact that the economy base is diverse also helps the city sustain its economic strength.
Besides economy, the city is also strong in education. Columbus is the home of The Ohio State University which has the largest campus among colleges in the United States. It’s also the home of Columbus State Community College.