On the fringe

COLUMBUS — Ohio’s greatest population growth is occurring in counties next to major cities, particularly in 12 counties on the fringe of the state’s three largest metropolitan areas.



The 12 counties are Brown, Clermont and Warren near Cincinnati; Delaware, Licking, Fairfield, Pickaway and Madison near Columbus; and Medina, Portage, Geauga and Ashtabula near Cleveland.



Population in these 12 counties increased an estimated 15 percent between 1990 and 1998. As a group, their population has grown 151 percent since 1950, compared to the statewide population increase of only 41 percent between 1950 and 1998.



Delaware County was Ohio’s fastest growing county between 1990 and 1998, increasing an estimated 37.8 percent, and Warren County was second at 20 percent.



Since 1950, Clermont County has grown 317 percent, while Warren, Geauga and Delaware counties have all grown more than 200 percent.



Seven of the Ohio counties growing an estimated 10 percent or more between 1990 and 1998 are located in Appalachia. These counties include Clermont at 15.3 percent, Brown at 15.1 percent, Holmes at 13.8 percent, Pike at 13.7 percent, Hocking at 12.6 percent, Adams at 12.3 percent and Highland at 11.4 percent.