population decline suffered by other Midwestern cities. Since 1990, the city’s population has increased 12.4%, according to 2000 Census figures.
In spite of a black city population of 25.8% of some 700,000 residents, an African American holds the position of mayor. Nonetheless, survey respondents were dissatisfied with the level of power and influence of African Americans in their community.
“We are a city where our best days are ahead of us, not behind us,” says Mayor Michael B. Coleman, who, now in his fourth year, is not alone in his optimism. Respondents gave Columbus high marks for its low cost of living, housing prices, healthcare, and earnings potential.
Indeed, the city’s cost of living and medical cost indices are below the national averages, and the number of doctors per capita is above the national average. Future job growth is a respectable 15.3% for a city with diverse economic sectors ranging from technology to education.
Columbus’ average new home price of $252,665 is the second highest after Washington, D.C. Although its overall unemployment rate is lower than other major cities, Columbus has the highest black unemployment rate at 13.4%, which is well above the national average.
Coleman points to initiatives developed under the Columbus Urban Growth Corp. to drive joint public — private development deals. One such deal, the city’s West Edge Business Center project, has garnered more than $60 million in private investment for a new office/light industrial park. It is expected to bring approximately 1,000 jobs to an economically challenged neighborhood. “I have tried to persuade [private investors] that it’s good business to do business in an inner-city neighborhood,” says Coleman.
Respondents expressed dissatisfaction with public services from schools to transit. Columbus graduates 15.4% of its black students from four-year colleges. Its rate of students graduating high school, at 78.1%, is the fourth highest on BE’s list. A near $1 billion bond-levy is paving the way for renovations and new construction of school buildings. —C.M.
Main Industries
Distribution, electronics, manufacturing, and high technology
Landmarks
The King Arts Complex
Annual Events
The Heritage Concert Series
Top Black Officials
Michael B. Coleman, mayor; James G. Jackson, chief of police; Ned Pettus Jr., fire chief; Gene T. Harris, school superintendent
Websites
www.ci,columbus.oh.us; www.gc-aacc.org
After living in Cleveland for most of his life, Zachary Hill found Columbus a welcome change. Hill, 48, moved to the area seven years ago when his job as a claims team manager for State Farm Insurance led to a transfer.
Hill believes that the economy is much stronger in Columbus. “My take is that the employment situation was a lot better than Cleveland. … Columbus is a more service-orientated town,” he says. The salary range for Hill’s position can be anywhere from $60,000 to $100,000.
Hill and his wife, Joan, have two college-age children. Zachary Jamaal, 21, is a student at Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee, and Leslie, 19, is enrolled at Wellesley College in Boston. Also a Cleveland native, Joan, 45, is the principal of a private elementary school. “I think it’s a very good city for families,” says Hill, noting that Columbus may be particularly