New U.S. Census population estimates have ranked all 88 Ohio counties by growth, highlighting a continued divide between fast-growing suburban areas and counties facing long-term population loss.
Many of the fastest-growing counties are located near major metro areas such as Columbus and Cincinnati, where population gains are being driven by housing development, job growth, and migration from other regions.
Meanwhile, several Appalachian and eastern Ohio counties continue to see declines — including Belmont County, Ohio.
New estimates show Belmont County lost about 288 residents between 2023 and 2024, a decrease of roughly 0.44 percent. The county’s population has declined by about 6.8 percent over the past decade.
The primary factor behind the decline is natural population change, with deaths outpacing births. While the county did see small gains from both international and domestic migration, those increases were not enough to offset overall losses.
Overall, Belmont County’s population is now estimated at just over 64,000 residents, continuing a downward trend that mirrors many rural areas across eastern Ohio.
Statewide, the new rankings underscore ongoing population shifts, with growth concentrated in urban and suburban counties while rural regions continue to shrink.
