5 Things We Can Learn From 2023 Reports & Studies

This is part three of The Columbus Foundation's first annual Community Research Year in Review. Catch up on parts one, Ingredients to Cultivating a Healthy Community Research Ecosystem, and two, Community Research Year in Review.

Each new study carries its own insight and lessons that we can use to strengthen and improve our community. But as we look back on what this body of research says collectively, a more enduring set of takeaways emerges. The following list represents an effort to draw more comprehensive conclusions from what last year’s research revealed about the state of central Ohio and how we must respond as a region to prepare for the future.

1. Pandemic Effects Continue to Linger

Rising food insecurity due to inflation, lagging indicators of learning loss experienced as a result of the pandemic, the increase in homelessness as eviction moratoriums expired, and the staff burnout of the nonprofits that serve our community are all signs that the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic are still being felt. With federal pandemic support like the child tax credit expansion, the affordable broadband connectivity stipend, extra SNAP benefits, and eviction prevention resources all expiring, the aftermath of economic hardship from the pandemic will likely continue.

2. Growth Brings a Mix of Opportunities and Challenges

Landing the $20 billion Intel site, along with several other major developments since, symbolizes the fact that while success and job growth bring unprecedented new investment to the region, they also challenge us more than ever to consider the implications for such growth on our people, infrastructure, and natural resources. Several incredible planning efforts are underway to prepare the region for this growth and for a more inclusive and sustainable future. Forming regional housing funds, creating conservation land trusts, and expanding and improving the regional transit system are just a few of the big bets we must now make as a region in order to rise to the occasion as our growth continues.?

3. Housing Affordability Challenges are Coming to a Head

We’ve been studying and talking about housing affordability in central Ohio for years—even while many national studies have continued to list the region as one of the most affordable places to live in the country compared to other large metros. Meanwhile, fair market rents (as defined by the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development) for a 2-bedroom apartment in the Columbus metro have increased over 60 percent (from $800/mo. to $1,300/mo.) over the past decade. Although a variety of factors are contributing to rising housing costs nationwide, in order to avoid a further tightening in the region’s housing market, we will need to double the production of units to keep up with anticipated job and population growth in the decade ahead. At this point, additional research will be no substitute for collaborative new policies and investments leading to increased housing production at price points and unit types needed to sustain our growth and promote economic mobility.

4. Prioritizing Mental Health is Not a Fad

Mental health and wellness were the focus of several new studies in 2023, and even reports focused on broad topics such as poverty featured mental health as a connected area of emphasis, especially in the wake of the pandemic. In 2020, the most recent year for which data exists, 23 percent of Franklin County adults reported having been diagnosed with depression, compared to 18.4 percent for the nation. A recent local needs assessment also identified Bhutanese refugees and Somali immigrants to be at particularly high risk for depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. As labor shortages continue to pose challenges for local businesses, the mental health of our region’s people and workforce must be a priority.?

5. Diversity and Natural Resources Can Be Regional Assets—If We Invest and Preserve Them

Even if the data and methodology behind the IQ Air report were faulty, just the thought of having the worst air quality in America should serve as a reminder that just because we’re nestled safely away from the coasts with seemingly endless access to the water of the Great Lakes region, this doesn’t excuse us from having to plan for climate change through stewardship and conservation.

Likewise, just because Columbus and the central Ohio region are becoming more racially and ethnically diverse than ever before doesn’t mean we can afford to grow complacent about equity, and if anything, it means the future of our economy depends on becoming more inclusive. Our diversity will only materialize as a competitive advantage in the global economy if everyone in the region has the resources and opportunities needed to experience agency and success.?

Notes & Considerations

While we’ve made every attempt at compiling an exhaustive list of reports released over the past year, we’ve likely missed some despite our best efforts. If you know of any research that we’ve missed, please bring it to our attention by emailing me at [email protected].

The universe of community research is vast, so we’ve focused on reports and studies of local interest. This means research in which all or part of central Ohio is the study area but may also include state or national studies in which Columbus or central Ohio are highly ranked (for better or worse) or notably called out.?

About Meeting the Moment

Meeting the Moment is a newsletter that explores the dynamic changes in our region, what those mean for our community and those who call it home, and the importance of coming together to face the opportunities and challenges ahead. Don't miss a chance to stay informed. Subscribe to "Meeting the Moment" to receive updates on future articles from the series: https://cbusfdn.org/meetingthemoment.