THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS

State of the State

Two Decades of Weak Job Growth
and Skyrocketing Government Costs
Pose Daunting Challenges for Ohioans

Matt Mayer
Mary McCleary
FEBRUARY 2010
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS

State of the State

Two Decades of Weak Job Growth
and Skyrocketing Government Costs
Pose Daunting Challenges for Ohioans

Matt Mayer and Mary McCleary

February 2010
 Table of Contents
Why This Report Matters to You. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Executive Summary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

The State of the State. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

I. Introduction: It Is All About Jobs and Government Costs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

II. Ohio Lagged Behind Most States During Good and Bad Times . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

III. A Look at County Trends. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

IV. A Look at Trends in Ohio’s Large Urban Areas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

V. Conclusion: It Is Time to Make the Hard Choices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

About the Authors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Appendix. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Sources. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111

About the Buckeye Institute. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111

On the Cover
Top Row from Left: James A. Rhodes State Office Tower houses 4,000 state employees
and is the tallest building in Columbus; Columbus City Hall; Vern Riffe Center for Gov-
ernment and the Arts houses 2,000 state employees in Columbus, including the Governor
and the Members of the Ohio House of Representatives.

Bottom Row from Left: Moraine Assembly Plant opened in 1951 in a suburb of Dayton
and closed by General Motors in December 2008; NCR Corporation Headquarters based
in Dayton since 1884 and scheduled to close by the end of 2010 as NCR relocates to a
suburb of Atlanta, Georgia.
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS
Why This Report Matters to You
In nineteen years, Ohio’s job market
only created a net 176,100 new jobs, or
just over 9,000 jobs per year. That weak
job growth means limited opportunities
for you, your family, and your friends.
Limited opportunity makes it hard for
you to get ahead and attain the American
Dream.
As the job market weakened, the taxes
and fees you pay to government at all
levels rose making your state and local
tax burden the 7th highest in the United
States. The tax climate for businesses in
Ohio is the 47th worst in America.
One of the drivers of our high tax bur-
den is the ever-increasing gold-plated
compensation of government workers
in Ohio. In the same period of time that
Ohio only added 176,100 private-sector
jobs, it added 75,100 government jobs.
Today, federal workers in Ohio make
1
significantly more than their private-sec-
tor neighbors in 87 out of 88 counties;
state workers make much more than
their private-sector neighbors in 85 out
of 88 counties; and local workers make
more than their private-sector neighbors
in 57 out of 88 counties.
The only way to spur robust job cre-
ation and lower our taxes is to eliminate
Ohio’s anti-business job policies and to
reduce the cost of government. These ac-
tions will not be easy, but failure to make
fundamental reforms will render Ohio
even less competitive with other states in
both job creation and taxes.
Failure to enact pro-growth reforms
also will guarantee that more Ohioans
and their businesses will vote with their
feet by moving to states where prosperity
is a priority.
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 3

Executive Summary
The economic condition of Ohio is driven by three key
variables: the health of the job market, the overall tax burden
on Ohioans, and the cost of government. Politicians and so-
called experts might quibble with such a simple view, but
fundamentally an Ohio without enough jobs for its citizens
who carry both a heavy tax burden and a growing govern-
ment bureaucracy is an Ohio headed in the wrong direc-
tion.
As this report details, the Ohio job market is anemic and
has been weak for two decades when compared to other
states. The undeniable facts are:
• When the American economy boomed in the
1990s, Ohio’s job growth was the 37th best out of all
fifty states and the District of Columbia. From 1990
to 2000, Ohio added a total of 720,200
private- sector jobs.
• When the American economy went bust after the
Dotcom and technology crashes in 2000, as well
as the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack and the
housing/financial crash in 2008, Ohio lost more
jobs than every state except Michigan. From 2000
to 2009, Ohio lost a total of 544,100 private-sector
jobs.
• From 1990 to 2009, Ohio had the 45th worst job
market in the United States. Only Connecticut,
Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York,
and Rhode Island saw a worse boom-to-bust cycle.
• In roughly nineteen years, the number of non-farm,
non-governmental jobs in Ohio increased by a mere
176,100, or 4 percent, which averages just over
9,000 jobs per year in a state of over 11.4 million
people.1
We found that states with Right to Work laws had stron-
ger and more sustainable job growth over those nineteen
years. Specifically, the twenty-eight states that force workers
to join a union had an average increase in jobs from 1990 to
2009 of 17.5 percent, which is less than 1 percent per year. In
comparison, the twenty-two states with Right to Work laws
that protect a worker’s economic freedom had an average
increase in jobs from 1990 to 2009 of 38.5 percent, or over
2 percent per year and more than twice as much job growth
as states that force workers to join unions.2 The fifteen states
with the lowest job growth from 1990 to 2009 were all states
that force workers to join unions (from lowest: -4.1 percent
to 14.2 percent); whereas, eleven of the fifteen states with
the highest job growth from 1990 to 2009 were states that
protected a worker’s economic freedom (from highest: 90.4
percent to 33.8 percent).3 These Right to Work states pose
long-term challenges to Ohio as it fights for jobs.
On taxes, despite attempts at tax reform that have largely
moved around the deck chairs on the Titanic, Ohio’s overall
tax burden ranks among the most oppressive in America.
Ohio’s state and local tax burden is the 7th highest in the
U.S.—a significant jump from its 29th highest ranking in
1990.4 Ohio’s business tax climate is the 47th worst.5 In a re-
port that evaluated all of the states’ economic outlook based
on seven factors, Ohio was ranked 45th with only New Jer-
sey, Maine, Rhode Island, Vermont, and New York in worse
shape.6
Finally, on the cost of government, the number of govern-
ment jobs in Ohio increased by 10.5 percent from 714,000

1 Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Economy at a Glance,” at http://www.bls.gov/eag/home.htm (accessed on February 9, 2010).

2 Ibid.
3 Ibid.
4 Tax Foundation, “State and Local Tax Burdens, All States 2008,” August 7, 2008, at http://www.taxfoundation.org/taxdata/show/336.html (accessed on
February 9, 2010).
5 Tax Foundation, “State Business Tax Climate Index Ranking, 2006 – 2010,” September 22, 2009, at http://www.taxfoundation.org/taxdata/show/22661.
html (accessed on February 9, 2010).
6 Arthur B. Laffer, Stephen Moore, and Jonathan Williams, “Rich States, Poor States: ALEC-Laffer State Economic Competitiveness Index,” American Legisla-
tive Exchange Council 126 (2d ed. March 2009). The factors are: gross state product growth, personal income growth, personal income per capita growth,
population growth, net domestic in-migration as % of population, non-farm payroll employment growth, and 2007 unemployment rate.
4 State of the State

to 789,100 from 1990 to 2009.7 Even worse, government
budgets accelerated at a pace far in excess of inflation, driv-
en in part by gold-plated compensation packages for public
employees.8 As highlighted in this report, federal workers
make significantly more than their private-sector neighbor
in 87 out of 88 counties; state workers make much more
than their private-sector neighbor in 85 out of 88 coun-
ties; and local workers make more than their private-sector
neighbor in 57 out of 88 counties.9
These three data points lead to one sobering conclusion:
If Ohio wants a vibrant job market, our elected officials
must stop nibbling on the margins and put in place policies
that allow businesses of all sizes and industries to grow and
create jobs. By making hard choices that defang entrenched
interests, our government can send a clear message that
unequivocally tells Ohioans and the business community
across America that Ohio is a place where businesses and
their employees will face low tax burdens and effective,
cost-contained government.
The failure to take these prudent actions in the face of sys-
temic economic weakness will only ensure that more Ohio
businesses move to states where they create jobs free of ar-
tificially expensive labor costs, inflexibility, and an overly
burdensome government. Ohio has become a state where
private-sector workers live among neighbors who work for
government. Those government workers work fewer hours,
but make more money, receive better and cheaper health
care, have job security, and can retire early on pensions dis-
connected from economic reality.
These factors—systemically weak job growth, high tax
burdens, and exploding government costs—must be fixed.
Amidst all the talk about Wall Street and Washington, let
us not forget a simple fact: Ohio does not have a Wall Street
or a Beltway. We are comprised of several Main Streets with
too many empty stores, too few jobs, and too many costly
and ineffective governments. More government and higher
taxes will not fix our Main Streets. The only entities that
have ever created prosperity are businesses and the jobs
they create. If we want to fix our Main Streets, we need busi-
nesses—of all sizes and industries—to thrive.

7 Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Ohio Economy at a Glance,” at http://www.bls.gov/eag/eag.oh.htm (accessed on February 9, 2010).
8 Matt A. Mayer, “Ohio’s Budget Needs Big Fix,” The Columbus Dispatch, December 24, 2009, at http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/editorials/
stories/2009/12/24/mayer.ART_ART_12-24-09_A9_7IG36UL.html (accessed on February 9, 2010).
9 For data, please see the Appendix, pages 17–110.
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS
The State of the State
I. Introduction: It Is All About Jobs and
Government Costs
Jobs. When the millions of Joe and Jane Ohioans sit at
their kitchen tables after the kids are fast asleep, what mat-
ters most to them is whether they will have jobs. Jobs that
pay them enough to put a roof over their heads, food on the
table, clothes on their backs, and have enough money left
over to get ahead and start planning for their futures. Jobs
that over the course of their working life place them solidly
on the economic ladder of upward mobility. Jobs giving
them a shot at the American Dream.
For those Joe or Jane Ohioans who own a small business
or sit in the C-Suite of companies, they think about jobs,
too, because they know that the need for more jobs means
they are selling more goods or services, which leads to prof-
its—profits they can use to reinvest in their companies and
reward their investors. They also know that selling fewer
goods and services means they need fewer jobs, which in
turn means smaller profits or losses.
Another factor that poses significant challenges to these
entrepreneurs and executives is uncertainty. Where there is
economic uncertainty, businesses small and large move to
conserve resources, delay expansion, curb hiring plans, and
seek even greater productivity gains.
From the global financial meltdown to the housing crisis
to the federal government’s push for health care mandates,
energy mandates, and expected tax increases due to record
deficit spending and the expiration of existing federal tax
cuts to state and local government failures to strategically
deal with the ever rising cost of government, Ohioans and
Ohio businesses face unprecedented levels of uncertainty.
Before uncertainty became so high, Ohioans and Ohio
businesses were hit with historic job losses, pay cuts, and
financial losses.
This economic tsunami, however, did not impact all
Ohioans. For those Ohioans working for a government
entity, their lives marched onward without missing a beat.
10 For all data, please see the Appendix, pages 17–110.
11 The current pension formula is 2.2 percent times the highest three years of pay times service years. For a state worker making $100,000 per year in her last
three years who had worked for 30 years, her pension would be 2.2 percent times $100,000 times 30 years, or $66,000 per year for the rest of her life. This
yearly pension would place her income near the top 25 percent of all income earners in the United States.
12 Ohio Office of Budget and Management, “State Salary Data 2003-2008,” Response to Ohio Public Records Act Request (on file with authors).
13 Ibid.
5
These government workers, unlike their private-sector
neighbors, are protected in the bubble of bargained con-
tracts that are totally disconnected from the economic con-
dition hitting the rest of Ohio.
Ask most Ohioans and they likely would tell you that
a grand bargain exists between government workers and
those of us who fund them. They likely would tell you that
the bargain is that government workers are paid less, but re-
ceive job security and a comfortable pension. That bargain
may have existed in decades past, but it no longer exists to-
day.
The blunt reality is that in 87 out of 88 Ohio counties,
federal workers earn far more than their private-sector
neighbors; in 85 out of 88 counties, state workers earn much
more than their private-sector neighbors; and in 57 out of
88 counties, local workers earn more than their private-
sector neighbors.10 Not only do these government workers
earn more, but they have better health care, pay less for that
health care, have higher job security except for extreme mal-
feasance, and then retire early on pensions that place them
comfortably in the top half of all income earners. And it is
only getting worse as government workers receive raises
and step increases completely disconnected from the eco-
nomic reality facing Joe and Jane Ohioan at their kitchen
table, in their small business, and in the C-Suite offices.
As a stunning point of reference, in 2003, state workers
making over $100,000 only totaled 288 employees. These
288 state workers received $36,215,538.47 in gross pay,
which is an average of $125,748.40. Using the current pen-
sion formula,11 they would earn almost $83,000 per year
in retirement, excluding the full health care costs they also
would receive. In the aggregate, assuming an eighteen-year
average retirement, the gross pension pay for those 288
state workers would total $430,240,597.02.12
Even worse, just five years later, the number of state
workers making over $100,000 increased by 514 percent
to 1,767 people.13 Their aggregate gross pay skyrocketed to
$205,368,453.74. In the aggregate, the gross pension pay for
6 State of the State

those 1,767 state workers would explode to $2.4 billion—
yes, billion. This pace is unsustainable, grossly out-of-line
with the private-sector, and must come to an end lest we
find ourselves ruled by a tyranny of the minority—a minor-
ity of Ohio workers who refuse to accept pay cuts, to pay a
reasonable share of their health care costs, to live under the
same rules and laws as the rest of us, and to retire on a mod-
est pension. They feel entitled to more every year no matter
the health of the economy.
Governor Ted Strickland himself unwittingly illustrated
the lure of gold-plated government jobs in his 2010 State of
the State address. He noted:
In Stark County last year, 835 people applied for
one job opening as a janitor at a junior high school.
835 people. Scrambling for one job. One man told
the local newspaper that getting the job would be like
‘winning the lottery.’ 14
A government job today is like winning the lottery.
And, it may get even better as President Barack Obama,
in his State of the Union address, announced that he wants
to forgive the student loans of government workers. Specifi-
cally, he stated, “And let’s tell another 1 million students that
when they graduate, they will be required to pay only 10
percent of their income on student loans, and all of their
debt will be forgiven ... after 10 years if they choose a career
in public service.”15 President Obama also cut a special deal
with the unions on his proposed health care package that
would have exempted government workers from a tax on
health care plans.16
The private sector just cannot compete with such lavish
pay and benefits.
Contrary to Governor Strickland’s belief that a small per-
centage of vacancy savings and early retirements is proof
of reining in government, it is not necessarily the size of
government measured by the number of employees, but
the cost of those employees and the blank check promis-
es made to them that truly matters. And it is not certainly
about “a penny here, a dollar there.” If our elected officials
continue to protect the costs of government employees,
then almost half of the state budget is off the table. Before
increasing taxes ever higher or cutting still more services to
Ohio’s vulnerable populations, we should cut the costs of
government workers who provide those services.
With the rise of this class of gilded government workers
and the uncertainty of higher taxes, government mandates,
and a global meltdown, it should be no surprise that Ohio,
like many other states, is in the proverbial ditch. The prob-
lem, however, is not just that Ohio is in the ditch; rather, it
is much deeper in the ditch compared to other states. Ohio’s
job losses are steeper, so climbing out of the ditch will be
much harder.
Contrary to the beliefs of some of our center-right
friends, Ohio did not enter the ditch in January 2007. Gov-
ernor Strickland inherited a mess. Based on the data, he
is driving us further into the ditch and has produced few
ideas other than more federal government bailouts to solve
Ohio’s systemic budget deficit. In fact, Governor Strickland
does not appear to understand how to get Ohio back on its
feet.
Specifically, in his 2010 State of the State, he spent large
amounts of time focusing on government programs aimed
at creating “green” jobs in Ohio. We have nothing against
green jobs; rather, if a viable market develops for solar pan-
els, wind turbines, biofuels, and ethanol, then we would
highlight the growth of the industry and the jobs that came
with that growth. Michigan jumped heavily onto the green
jobs bandwagon under Governor Jennifer Granholm over
the last seven years and has suffered enormous job losses
that have led to even higher taxes on the dwindling number
of Michiganders still able to pay taxes.
Our problem with the green jobs agenda is with govern-
ment picking the winners and losers in its marketplace by
using mandates and special benefits that are paid for by the
losers, which in this case are Ohio’s coal miners and coal
companies (not to mention non-green energy producers,
manufacturers, their employees, and consumers). Green

14 Ted Strickland, “2010 State of the State Address,” January 26, 2010, at http://www.governor.ohio.gov/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=Z_
Ah2ydDjHY%3d&tabid=148 (accessed on February 9, 2010).
15 Barack Obama, “Remarks by the President in State of the Union Address,” The White House, January 27, 2010, at http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-
office/remarks-president-state-union-address (accessed on February 9, 2010).
16 Fox News, “Democrats Hammered for ‘Back-Room’ Deal with Unions on Health Care” January 15, 2010, at http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/01/15/
democrats-hammered-room-deal-unions-health-care/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%253A+foxnews%252Flatest+
%2528Text+-+Latest+Headlines%2529 (accessed on February 10, 2010).
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 7

energy will also result in significant increases in energy costs
for consumers. Proclamation or not, long before the push
for non-renewable energy, Ohio has been an “American En-
ergy Gateway” given its abundance of coal and natural gas.
The fact is that the Copenhagen Summit was a dismal
failure, cap and trade legislation is dead, Americans rate
global warming far down their list of concerns, and even
T. Boone Pickens has abandoned his planned wind farm.
Short of a federal mandate that requires a large percentage
of energy to come from renewable sources (excluding nu-
clear power, of course), the green industry may not survive.
Instead of focusing on favored industries at the expense of
disfavored industries and placing Ohio’s job market in the
hands of the Environmental Protection Agency, Governor
Strickland should be focused on improving the overall busi-
ness and tax environment in Ohio so that any business can
grow and create jobs.
Instead of pandering to the labor unions and blaming
the loss of Ohio’s manufacturing jobs entirely on outsourc-
ing to low-cost labor markets like China, Governor Strick-
land should acknowledge that many manufacturing jobs
have disappeared because Ohio workers can produce more
goods with fewer workers and because other states have far
friendlier labor policies. No matter how many protectionist
measures are placed on China, many of the manufacturing
jobs are not coming back.17
In fact, according to a study by Barry T. Hirsch, manufac-
turing job losses largely came from unionized manufactur-
ing facilities. Hirsch found that “nonunion manufacturing
employment remained relatively steady over time, as union
employment dropped sharply. [N]onunion employment in
manufacturing rose by 1.5 million between 1973 and 2006,
despite a 2.5 million decline after 2000. Union members
employed in manufacturing fell from 7.8 million in 1973 to
only 1.8 million in 2006.”18 Hirsch found that productivity
doubled since 1970 in the general economy with manufac-
turing gains even higher.19 In looking at the geographic shift,
Hirsch noted the move to southern states.20 Fundamentally,
the “combination of a union tax [wage increases not offset
by productivity gains] and sluggish governance is proving
debilitating in economic environments that are highly com-
petitive and dynamic.”21
For the last two decades, politicians in Ohio have said
many things about making our once great state stronger,
better, and more competitive. Despite those words, the ac-
tions that followed did very little to create a 21st-century
Ohio. Like the little Dutch boy who stood with his finger in
the dyke trying to hold back the flood, Ohio’s elected offi-
cials opted to fight globalization and the free flow of workers
and capital to others part of the United States. Rather than
prepare itself and its citizens to compete not just against the
cheap labor of China or India, but also against the cheaper
labor and greater work flexibility in the southern and west-
ern United States, Ohio’s leaders sided with the forces of
yesterday. Instead of championing entrepreneurship and
the creative class, our politicians championed government
and entities better suited for 1910.
As those politicians failed to prepare Ohio’s economy
for the challenges of tomorrow, Ohioans saw their incomes
decline compared to other states. In the beginning of the
1940s, the per capita income of Ohioans as a percentage of
U.S. per capita income was 113 percent. By the beginning of
the 1970s, Ohioans’ per capita income had dropped to the
average for U.S. citizens. By 2008, it had dropped to 89 per-
cent.22 In the fight for prosperity, Ohio was losing ground
each decade.
No matter how you slice or spin it, Ohio is now in bad
shape. We can stand atop the mountain and blame capital-
ism, globalization, carbon dioxide, the “rich,” or the count-
less other boogiemen we have created to explain how our
state went from prosperous to poor. But, in the end, we can
only really blame the politicians who put in place or failed
to repeal bad policies and, more fundamentally, ourselves
for keeping them in office.

17 Dirk Pilat, Agnes Cimper, Karsten Olsen, and Colin Webb, “The Changing Nature of Manufacturing in OECD Economies,” Organization for Economic Co-
operation and Development Directorate for Science, Technology and Industry 10, 23 (October 27, 2009).
18 Barry T. Hirsch, “Sluggish Institutions in a Dynamic World: Can Unions and Industrial Competition Coexist?” IZA Discussion Paper No. 2930, Institute for
the Study of Labor, 3 ( July 2007).
19 Ibid., at 6.
20 Ibid., at 13–14.
21 Ibid., at 2.
22 Richard Vedder, The Decline and Fall of the Ohio Economy And What We Can Do About It, Remarks to the Ohio Receivables Management Association,
Columbus, Ohio, September 18, 2009. Richard Vedder, The Decline and Fall of the Ohio Economy And What We Can Do About It, Remarks to the Ohio
Receivables Management Association, Columbus, Ohio, September 18, 2009.
8 State of the State

This report—a first of its kind—is an After the bursting of the Dotcom and
unvarnished county-by-county look at technology bubbles and the September
the condition of Ohio based on the most Compared to 11, 2001, terrorist attack, as well as the
current data. Our aim with this report is to other states, housing/financial crisis in 2008, Ohio
assess the depth of the problems we face Ohio was one of experienced much more severe job losses
and frame the debates we aim to have over than other states. Specifically, from 2000
the next year on three key issues: jobs, the worst to 2009, Ohio lost 544,100 jobs, or 11
taxation, and the cost of government. To performers over percent, with no end in sight. The five
fully analyze the problem so that we can the last decade. sectors that experienced heavy losses
develop solutions, we felt it was critical to were mining and logging (1,600/-12
dig a little deeper by looking at each Ohio In fact, except for percent); construction (71,200/-29 per-
county and the forty-nine other states. Michigan, Ohio cent); manufacturing (417,400/-41 per-
This microanalysis allowed us to compare had the worst cent); trade, transportation and utilities
and contrast counties and states, identify (143,100/-13 percent); and information
trends, and flesh out broader issues of job environment (30,800/-29 percent).24
concern. in America. The losses in mining and logging,
Over the next several months, we will construction, manufacturing, and infor-
follow this report with additional research mation were so large that those sectors
focused on the impact of Governor Strickland’s conversion had fewer jobs in 2009 than those sectors had in 1990. In
levy on property taxes (short answer: it will result in large financial activities, the losses from 2000-2009 cut in half the
tax hikes without voter approval); the relationship the pay, gains that were made from 1990-2000. In financial activi-
health care, and pensions of state public employees has with ties, professional and business services, and other services,
the private sector and fiscal reality (very little); the role of the job losses from 2000 to 2009 placed the total number of
the right to collectively bargain has on the cost of govern- jobs in those sectors below the number of jobs that existed
ment (a great deal); and the overall business environment in 2000. The two “bright” spots from the last nine years are
in Ohio (not good). that the total number of jobs increased from the 2000 total
in both education and health services and leisure and hos-
II. Ohio Lagged Behind Most States During Good pitality. The problem is that the former is tied to govern-
and Bad Times ment spending and the latter tends to represent lower wage
jobs.25
In terms of overall non-farm, non-government jobs, Compared to other states, Ohio was one of the worst
Ohio had 4,122,700 jobs in 1990. Over the next ten years performers over the last decade. In fact, except for Michi-
during the irrational exuberance of the Dotcom and tech- gan, Ohio had the worst job environment in America. In
nology boom, as well as the passage of the North American the seven key sectors, Ohio was largely in the bottom rung
Free Trade Agreement, Ohio added 720,200 jobs—a 17.5 among the states. In comparing the total jobs picture from
percent increase. Of the nine sectors, Ohio only experienced 1990 to 2009, Ohio had the 45th worst environment for
job losses in two sectors: mining and logging (-4,900) and jobs in the United States. Only Connecticut, Massachu-
manufacturing (-13,800). Compared to the other forty- setts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island
nine states and the District of Columbia, however, Ohio’s saw a worse boom-to-bust cycle.26
job growth was the 37th best overall. In seven key sectors, In roughly nineteen years, the number of non-farm, non-
Ohio performed at the mid-to-low end of job growth.23 governmental jobs in Ohio increased by a mere 176,100, or

23 Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Economy at a Glance,” at http://www.bls.gov/eag/home.htm (accessed on February 9, 2010).

24 Ibid.
25 Ibid.
26 Ibid.
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS
4 percent, which is an average of just over 9,000 jobs per
year in a state of over 11.4 million people. As a point of ref-
erence, as private sector job growth hit 4 percent, the num-
ber of government jobs in Ohio increased by 10.5 percent
from 714,000 to 789,100 from 1990 to 2009.27 Even worse,
as private sector compensation stagnated, the compensa-
tion of government workers skyrocketed.
Other than the six states that had worse job losses than
Ohio, only Illinois, Maine, Pennsylvania, and Vermont had
job growth from 1990 to 2009 under ten percent. Twenty-
eight states had total job growth from 1990 to 2009 over 20
percent even after the large losses of the last two years.28
Despite the claims of unions and their political friends,
workers’ freedom to pursue jobs without being forced to
join a union impacts job growth. By using the number of
jobs as of October 2009 as compared to January 1990—the
boom to bust period—as a metric, we found that states with
Right to Work laws had stronger and more sustainable job
growth over those nineteen years. Specifically, the twenty-
eight states that force workers to join a union had an average
increase in jobs from 1990 to 2009 of 17.5 percent, which is
less than 1 percent per year. In comparison, the twenty-two
states with Right to Work laws that protect a worker’s eco-
nomic freedom had an average increase in jobs from 1990
to 2009 of 38.5 percent, or over 2 percent per year and more
than twice as much job growth as states that force workers
to join unions.29
In fact, the fifteen states with the lowest job growth from
1990 to 2009 were all states that force workers to join unions
(from lowest: -4.1 percent to 14.2 percent): Connecticut,
Michigan, Rhode Island, New York, Massachusetts, New
Jersey, Ohio, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Maine, Vermont, In-
diana, Hawaii, California, and Missouri.30 Except for New
Hampshire, this group of states forms an unbroken string
of states from Missouri to Maine. Given all of the coverage
27 Ibid.
28 Ibid.
29 Ibid.
30 Ibid.
31 Ibid.
32 Hirsch, “Sluggish Institutions in a Dynamic World,” at 13.
33 Ibid.
34 Ibid., at 13–14.
35 Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Table 5: Union affiliation of employed wage and salary workers by state,” at http://data.bls.gov/cgi-bin.pl/print.pl/news.release/
union2.t05.htm (accessed on February 5, 2010).
36 Editorial, “The Public-Union Ascendancy,” The Wall Street Journal, A16 (February 3, 2010).
9
over the last several years about California’s anti-business
environment and the power of the public-sector unions, its
presence on the list is not a surprise.
In contrast, eleven of the fifteen states with the highest
job growth from 1990 to 2009 were states that protected
a worker’s economic freedom (from highest: 90.4 percent
to 33.8 percent): Nevada, Utah, Idaho, Arizona, Wyoming,
North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, Florida, Nebraska,
and Oklahoma.31 These states, along with the other south-
ern Right to Work states, pose long-term challenges to Ohio
as it fights for jobs.
For example, in the automobile industry, “the overall
growth masks dramatic employment shifts from U.S.-
owned union establishments located in north-central
states toward a mix of U.S. and foreign-owned (primarily
Japanese and European) establishments in locations further
south with primarily nonunion workforces.”32 As employ-
ment increased from 1.2 million in 1973 to 1.4 million in
2006, union membership decreased substantially from
830,000 to 360,000.33 “In the late 1970s, motor vehicle and
parts manufacturing was concentrated in Michigan (41%
of all workers in the industry), Ohio (12%), and several
other high-union states. By 2004-2006, most of these states
realized large employment share losses,” as southern states
made gains.34
The percentage of workers covered by a union, not sur-
prisingly, is also closely correlated with the presence or
absence of economic freedom laws. In states with forced
unionization, the average number of workers covered by a
union is 16.5 percent. In states protecting a worker’s eco-
nomic freedom, the average number of workers covered by
a union is 8 percent, or less than half of the forced unioniza-
tion states.35 Many of these union members are, of course,
government workers where arguably the “need” for a union
is weakest.36
10 State of the State

This two-decades stretch of weak three Ohio counties bordering Hamilton

economic job growth resulted in many County all grew between 8 percent and
Ohioans moving to other states where Twenty-nine 31 percent.42
they could find a job and seek the Ameri- counties In contrast, Cuyahoga County leads
can Dream. Over the last decade, Ohio’s experienced Ohio in population loss with a 7.89 per-
population has been relatively stagnant, cent decrease in residents between 2000
growing only 1.17 percent between 2000 heavy job losses and 2008. Unlike Franklin County’s and
and 2008. Unfortunately, this growth is
37 from 2000 to 2009 Hamilton County’s neighboring coun-
not a product of people moving to Ohio due to the loss of ties that are experiencing high growth,
for jobs. Instead, Ohio’s population in- Cuyahoga County’s neighboring coun-
crease can be attributed to the number manufacturing ties are experiencing a wide range from
of births outweighing the losses experi- jobs. negative growth to moderate growth in
enced from both the number of deaths population. Mahoning County is the sec-
and migration out of the state. Every year ond worst in population decline having
between 1990 and 2006, more people moved out of Ohio lost 7.6 percent of its citizens. Trumbull County lost 6.13
than moved into Ohio, giving the state a net migration loss percent of its population. Likewise, Montgomery County,
of 298,147 people.38 Since 2003, the losses have increased Clark County, and Lucas County were all in the bottom fif-
with each passing year. If it were not for the fact that births teen of Ohio counties for population growth.43
outnumbered deaths by 833,385 people during the sixteen- The loss of population is tied to the loss of jobs.
year time period, Ohio would have negative population Of the 88 counties in Ohio, twenty-nine counties ex-
growth. 39
perienced heavy job losses from 2000 to 2009 due to the
Ohio ranks sixth-to-last in population growth among the loss of manufacturing jobs. In eight counties, the job losses
fifty states and the District of Columbia between 2000 and stemmed from the manufacturing sector and the trade,
2008. Although Ohio has experienced a greater increase in transportation, and utilities sector. Clinton County’s job
population than Michigan, its growth rate is far below the losses were due to losses in the trade, transportation, and
6.23 median among the states. 40
utilities sector. In Cuyahoga County and Lucas County, the
job losses were broad across many of the ten sectors.
III. A Look at County Trends 41 On the positive side, three counties (Athens, Auglaize,
and Fayette) lost manufacturing jobs, but replaced those
In terms of the counties, 41 out of 88 counties had a pop- with trade, transportation, and utilities sector jobs. Mercer
ulation decline between 2000 and 2008, 10 out of 88 grew County grew its manufacturing job base resulting in a 17.9
less than 1 percent, and the remaining 37 counties grew percent increase in total jobs. In nine other counties, job
more than 1 percent. Franklin County grew 5.62 percent growth exceeded double digits and the job growth spanned
between 2000 and 2008, and all of its surrounding counties many of the ten sectors indicating a solidly diverse job mar-
have grown. Delaware County had a population growth of ket.44 The other counties should study closely the nine coun-
over 50 percent, making it the top county in the state for ties that have created a diverse job market that has allowed
growth. Hamilton County grew by 0.73 percent, and the them to withstand the economic recession more easily.

37 Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Economy at a Glance.”

38 Ohio Department of Development, “IRS In Migration Flows of Exemption to Ohio: 1980-2006,” at http://www.development.ohio.gov/research/Reports_
In_Population_and_Housing-Demographic_Components.htm (accessed on February 9, 2010).
39 Ohio Department of Development, “1950-2008 Births and Deaths by County with Graphics,” at http://www.development.ohio.gov/research/Reports_In_
Population_and_Housing-Demographic_Components.htm (accessed on February 9, 2010).
40 U.S. Census Bureau, “Population Finder,” at http://www.census.gov/ (accessed on February 9, 2010).
41 For all non-population data, please see the Appendix, pages 17–110.
42 U.S. Census Bureau, “Population Finder.”
43 Ibid.
44 Ibid.
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS
Those counties all appear to have benefited from job
flight from the large urban counties. Specifically, as Ham-
ilton County lost jobs (-9.5 percent), Butler County (18.1
percent), Warren County (30.1 percent), and Clermont
County (14.5 percent) gained jobs; as Montgomery Coun-
ty lost jobs (-15.2 percent), Butler County (18.1 percent),
Warren County (30.1 percent), and Greene County (13
percent) gained jobs; as Franklin County lost jobs (-4.7
percent), Union County (18.1 percent), Delaware Coun-
ty (103.8 percent), Knox County (11 percent), and Fair-
field County (15.3 percent) gained jobs; and as Cuyahoga
County lost jobs (-11.6 percent), Medina County (12.6
percent) gained jobs.
For more specific data, private sector workers in Union
County possess the highest average yearly wage in Ohio at
$53,735 and serve as the only example where the private-
sector average yearly wage exceeds the federal average
yearly wage. In twenty-one other counties, however, fed-
eral workers have a higher average yearly wage than private-
sector workers in Union County. In fact, in the county
where federal workers average the least per year—Vinton
County—the federal workers have a higher average yearly
wage ($35,227) than private-sector workers in all but thirty
counties.
Meigs County private-sector workers possess the lowest
average yearly wage at $23,424. There is not a single county
in Ohio where the federal, state, or local average yearly wage
is below $26,190.
As an example of the sheer difference between federal
and state workers and those in the private sector or local
government, federal workers average more than $40,000
per year in 80 counties and state workers average more than
$40,000 in 76 counties. In comparison, local workers aver-
age more than $40,000 per year in only ten counties and
private-sector workers average more than $40,000 per year
in only nine counties.
In comparing yearly average wages to the median house-
hold income for all 88 counties, the disparity between
federal and state workers as compared to local and private
sector workers is stunning. Specifically, the federal average
yearly wages exceed the median household income in for-
ty-eight counties (55 percent) and the state average yearly
45 Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services, “Local Area Unemployment Statistics,” December 2009, at http://lmi.state.oh.us/laus/laus.html (accessed on
February 9, 2010).
46 2009 Federal Revenue and Spending Book of Charts, “Progressive Taxes Interactive Chart,” The Heritage Foundation, at http://www.heritage.org/Research/
Features/BudgetChartbook/-Progressive-Taxes-Interactive-Chart.aspx (accessed on February 4, 2010).
11
wages exceed the median household income in fifty-one
counties (58 percent). If these federal and state employ-
ees have working spouses, their household incomes would
be comfortably among the wealthiest households in their
counties.
In contrast, the local average yearly wages exceed the
median household income in only five counties and the
private-sector yearly wages exceed the median household
income in just four counties.
Sixty-six of 88 Ohio counties have unemployment rates
higher than the national rate of 10 percent, and eighteen
counties are experiencing unemployment rates above 14
percent.45
In Ohio’s 88 counties, those who filed tax returns with
income over $60,000 have a significantly higher portion of
their incomes paid to government than do those who make
under that amount. For example, in Jackson County there
are 2,370 households with earnings over $60,000 annually.
These households make 49 percent of the county’s total
adjusted gross income, yet they pay 66 percent of the total
taxes before credits while the 11,407 other households who
earn 51 percent of the total adjusted gross income only pay
34 percent of the total tax before credits.
As a point of reference, for tax year 2006, any household
with an adjusted gross income of more than $64,703 was in
the top 25 percent of all households in the United States,
earned roughly 68.16 percent of all adjusted gross income,
and paid roughly 86.26 percent of all federal income taxes,
which was the highest percentage since 1980. Other than
four years (1989, 1990, 2001, and 2003), the top 25 per-
cent has paid an increasing percentage of all federal income
taxes from 1980 (73.02 percent) to 2006 (86.26 percent).46
Thus, the claims that the top 25 percent do not pay their
“fair share” and that they benefited “more” from the Bush
tax cuts are utterly disproved by the actual data. The fact of
the matter is that the top 25 percent pay taxes well in excess
of their share of income at both the state and federal level.
Unfortunately, as politicians push a greater share of taxes
at all levels on this small group of citizens, their ability to get
ahead diminishes. Because this group of taxpayers repre-
sents America’s entrepreneurial class of small business own-
ers, it should not be a surprise to anyone that these men and
12
women seek low tax jurisdictions to start or grow their busi-
nesses. Ohio’s hostile tax environment encourages these in-
novators to move to more business-friendly states.
In addition to taxes, the government spends a large por-
tion of its tax revenue on obligatory transfer payments and
federal expenditures. Both go toward various expenses,
such as retirement and disability, medical payments, and as-
sistance to needy families. Transfer payments additionally
include unemployment and veteran benefits while federal
expenditures also include highway grants, loans, insurance,
and federal wages. For the 88 counties, the median transfer
payment per individual in 2008 was $5,562.48, and the me-
dian federal expenditure per person was $5,568.80. These
payments obviously come from taxes that further increase
the costs of doing business on owners and consumers who
pay them either directly or indirectly.
To illustrate how government is overtaking the private
sector, take a look at Athens County. The average private-
sector salary is $25,794 while the local, state, and federal
government average salaries are $32,760, $57,876, and
$51,269, respectively. If that is not bad enough, consider
that the ratio of private-sector jobs to government-sector
jobs is just over two-to-one. Statewide, roughly 15 percent
of all non-farm jobs are government jobs, whereas in Ath-
ens County, government jobs make up almost 36 percent
of non-farm jobs. Tax returns with total income equal to
or greater than $60,000 make up 55 percent of all adjusted
gross income in the county, yet from this money 71 percent
of all taxes before credits are levied. The average transfer
payment per individual in 2008 was $5,116, and the average
federal expenditure per person was $6,140. Athens County,
sadly, has become a county dependent upon government
for jobs and subsistence.
IV. A Look at Trends in Ohio’s Large Urban Areas 47
Job growth in the regions around Ohio’s large cities is
inconsistent.
Columbus area. Although the greater Columbus area
continues to suffer economically, Franklin County and its
six neighboring counties have not been hit as hard as the
rest of the state. This outcome should not come as a sur-
prise given that Franklin County is the seat of state govern-
47 For all non-population data, please see the Appendix, pages 17–110.
State of the State
ment and home to The Ohio State University. Only Pick-
away County has a higher unemployment rate than the
state of Ohio average. Job growth among the seven counties
varies as well. While Franklin County, Pickaway County,
and Licking County lost jobs between 2000 and 2008,
Delaware County, Fairfield County, Madison County, and
Union County all experienced job growth. Private-sector
jobs in Delaware County more than doubled during the
eight-year period.
In spite of central Ohio outperforming the rest of the
state, the growing cost of government is still a concern. In
five of the seven counties, the government job growth rate
exceeds that of the private sector. Only Delaware County
and Madison County are the exceptions. Average govern-
ment wages at all levels are higher than average private-sec-
tor wages in all but Union County and Delaware County.
Even in Delaware County, state and federal government
wages exceed private-sector wages. Only Union County has
a private-sector average wage that is higher than the federal,
state, and local government averages in the county.
Cleveland area. The greater Cleveland area economy is
suffering, although it is faring better than average compared
to rural Ohio. Cuyahoga County leads the state in popula-
tion loss with nearly an 8 percent decrease in citizens since
2000. While some of this loss can be attributed to people
moving to the suburbs, the decline in jobs is the driving
force in the population loss. Between 2000 and 2008, total
employment in Cuyahoga County dropped by over 83,000,
with the private sector losing over 11 percent of its jobs.
Even though Cuyahoga County’s surrounding counties all
experienced slight population growth, three of the six coun-
ties lost private-sector jobs (Lake County, Portage County,
and Lorain County). Surprisingly, however, the number of
government jobs increased for all of Cuyahoga County’s
surrounding counties.
The cost of government in the Cleveland area is hinder-
ing the region from economic growth. As previously men-
tioned, the government is creating more jobs, which are
funded by the taxpayers. In Portage County, government-
sector jobs increased 11.2 percent while private-sector jobs
decreased by 2.7 percent between 2000 and 2008. In all sev-
en Cleveland-area counties, average government employ-
ees at the federal, state, and local levels all earn more wages
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS
than that of the average private-sector worker. For example,
the average private-sector worker in Lorain County making
$35,647.04 must support the average federal government
employee making $97,884.80 per year.
Cincinnati area. Although employment in Hamilton
County dropped 9 percent between 2000 and 2008, the
greater Cincinnati area is doing relatively well compared to
other parts of Ohio. In the same time period, employment
increased significantly in the surrounding Ohio counties.
Butler County’s employment increased by 16.9 percent,
Clermont County by 15 percent, and Warren County by an
incredible 30.5 percent. In Clermont County, private sec-
tor employment grew by 14.5 percent; however, the gov-
ernment grew by 19 percent. The government also grew a
greater percentage than the private sector in Warren Coun-
ty. Even though job growth in Hamilton County was nega-
tive, the private sector lost a much higher percentage of jobs
than the public sector.
Even more concerning is that average government em-
ployees at all levels make more than average private-sector
employees in Hamilton County’s surrounding counties.
In Hamilton County, the average private-sector wage is
$48,959 while the average government wages are $42,172
for local, $50,076 for state, and $64,830 for federal gov-
ernment. Additionally, Hamilton County taxpayers with
income higher than $60,000 on their returns made up 74
percent of all adjusted income in the county, yet from this
income 86 percent of all taxes before credits were levied.
Toledo area. The greater Toledo area has been hit hard
economically over the last decade. Employment dropped
by 10.8 percent between 2000 and 2008. The private sec-
tor lost 11.9 percent of its jobs while the government sec-
tor only lost 2.3 percent of its employees. With the decline
of jobs has come high unemployment. In December 2009,
Lucas County’s unemployment rate was 12.3 percent (41st
worst out of 88 counties).48 Other than Wood County, all
of Lucas’s surrounding counties had worse unemployment
rates. Ottawa County ranked third worst in the state with an
unemployment rate of 17.3 percent.49
Jobs are leaving, unemployment is rising, and the bur-
48 Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services, “Local Area Unemployment Statistics.”
49 Ibid.
50 Ibid.
51 Ibid.
13
den of government is growing. Between 2000 and 2008,
Fulton County lost 12.1 percent of its private-sector jobs,
but government employment grew by an enormous 23.3
percent. In Lucas County, the average private-sector worker
earned $37,769 in 2008 while average government wages
were $46,381 for local, $48,004 for state, and $58,963 for
federal government. Additionally, in Lucas County tax re-
turns with income higher than $60,000 made up 65 percent
of all adjusted income in the county, yet from this income
79 percent of all taxes before credits were levied. The high
cost of government hurts taxpayers and businesses and will
not help put the Toledo area back on the road to recovery.
Akron-Canton area. Between 2000 and 2008 Summit
County remained economically stagnant. Population in the
county dropped less than 250 people (nearly 0 percent).
Total employment rose 2.8 percent over the eight-year pe-
riod with a 5.9 percent increase in the government sector
and a 2.4 percent increase in the private sector. Although
the manufacturing sector was hit hard with a 30 percent
decrease in jobs, Summit County had a relatively low 10.8
percent unemployment rate—the 60th-lowest unemploy-
ment rate out of the 88 Ohio counties.50
Unlike Summit County, Stark County’s population grew
slightly between 2000 and 2008 and total employment
dropped 8.6 percent. The private sector jobs declined 9.8
percent with major losses in manufacturing, yet govern-
ment employment grew by 2.1 percent. Stark County’s un-
employment rate has risen to 12.2 percent.51
In Summit County, the average private-sector worker
makes less than the average government worker. The aver-
age private-sector worker earns $40,802 while the average
local government worker makes $40,895, the average state
government worker makes $51,585, and the average federal
government worker makes $59,062.
Likewise, in Stark County, the average private-sector
worker makes $34,654 while the local, state, and federal gov-
ernment workers average $36,707, $50,435, and $54,387,
respectively. In both counties, those who have income high-
er than $60,000 on their tax returns also pay much more
of the tax burden than those who report making less than
$60,000. In Summit County, individuals and families with
14
incomes more than $60,000 earned 69 percent of all ad-
justed income in the county, yet from that income, 82 per-
cent of all taxes before credits were levied. Similarly, in Stark
County, those with incomes higher than $60,000 earned 61
percent of the total county adjusted gross income, but lev-
ied 71 percent of the taxes before credits.
Dayton area. Montgomery County took a big hit from
the economic downturn. Between 2000 and 2008, the
county lost 4.4 percent of its population and 13.8 percent
of its jobs. Employment in the private sector dropped 15.2
percent while government employment increased by 0.6
percent (170 jobs). Clark County has a similar story with
the exception of government employment decreasing, but
still not nearly to the extent of the private sector decline.
Average government employees at all levels in Montgom-
ery County, Greene County, and Clark County earn more
than the average private-sector worker. In Greene County,
the average private-sector worker only earns $35,663 an-
nually, yet the average federal employee makes $80,642—
more than twice that of the average private-sector neighbor
who must support him. In Montgomery County those
who made over $60,000 according to tax returns earned 64
percent of all adjusted income in the county. From the 64
percent of income, 78 percent of taxes before credits were
levied. In Clark County, there is also a 14 percent difference
between total Ohio adjusted income and the amount of
taxes before credits levied.
Youngstown area. Of Ohio’s seven major urban regions,
Youngstown has suffered the greatest economic decline.
Between 2000 and 2008, Mahoning County lost 9.5 per-
cent of its total employment, and Trumbull County lost an
enormous 19.5 percent, making it the fifth-worst county
in the state for percentage of jobs lost. The decline in both
counties’ private sectors was much greater percentage-wise
than the decline in the government sector. Mahoning lost
10.5 percent of private-sector jobs, while the government
sector only lost 2.3 percent. Similarly, Trumbull County’s
private sector lost 20.6 percent of its jobs, while the govern-
ment only declined 11.1 percent.
Even worse is that average government employees at
all levels earn more than average private-sector workers.
In Mahoning County, the average private-sector worker
earns $31,321, yet the average local government worker
makes $36,848, the average state government worker
State of the State
makes $45,213, and the average federal government worker
makes $59,081. Likewise, in Trumbull County, the average
private-sector worker earns $37,019, while the average lo-
cal government employee makes $37,698, the average state
government employee makes $47,285, and the average fed-
eral government employee makes $52,073. In Mahoning
County, those making over $60,000 earn 61 percent of the
county’s adjusted gross income, but are levied 76 percent
all taxes before credits. In Trumbull County, those making
over $60,000 earn 57 percent of the adjusted gross income,
yet are levied 72 percent of the taxes before credits.
V. Conclusion: It Is Time to Make the Hard Choices
If Ohio wants a vibrant job market, it must solve long-
term obstacles to solid and sustainable job growth. Eventu-
ally, the global economy will improve. When it does, Ohio
needs to be ready. If Ohio’s elected officials fail to make
tough choices today, Ohio’s economy will grow weakly like
it did in the 1990s, and when the next recession comes,
which it will, Ohio’s job losses will be substantial like they
have been over the last nine years.
The one sector in Ohio that had job growth from 1990 to
2009 was government. Not only did government grow, but
the costs of those jobs also exploded. Government workers
now make far more than their private-sector neighbors who
pay for their costs. These costs require a level of taxation
that overly burdens Ohio’s citizens and business.
An Ohio poised for the global economy is one with a di-
verse job market, low taxation, and low government costs.
It also is one where workers have economic freedom and
businesses can compete with competitors across the globe
and in the southern and western United States. Long-term
prosperity for all Ohioans will not come at a bargaining
table or in a government building. It will come from entre-
preneurs and corporations that can produce the best goods
and services at the lowest cost.
Politicians can continue to ignore this basic economic
reality, but Ohioans should not let their ideological intran-
sigence render our state a laggard. Ohio played a pivotal role
in America’s rise as a world power. Our leaders were house-
hold names across America: Edison, Goodyear, Wright, and
Rickenbacker. With the right leadership and willingness to
take on the entrenched interest, Ohio once again can be on
the front lines helping America remain a world power.
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 15

About the Authors

Matt A. Mayer is the President of the Buckeye Institute, and also serves as a Visiting
Fellow with The Heritage Foundation. Before joining the Buckeye Institute, Mayer served
as an Adjunct Professor at The Ohio State University where he taught a course comparing
responses within the Transatlantic Alliance to terrorist threats.
Mayer was a senior official at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) where
he provided policy and operational advice as the Counselor to the Deputy Secretary. May-
er came to DHS from Colorado where he served Governor Bill Owens as the Deputy Di-
rector for the Department of Regulatory Agencies. Mayer co-developed Colorado’s Regu-
latory Notice system that utilizes electronic mail to notify stakeholders of all proposed
regulations before those regulations become final. The Regulatory Notice system earned
the Denver Business Journal’s 2003 Innovative Product/Service Award for making govern-
ment more transparent and accountable.
Mayer was a 2007 Lincoln Fellow with The Claremont Institute for the Study of States-
manship and Political Philosophy and a 2006 American Marshall Memorial Fellow with
the German Marshall Fund of the United States. In September 2005, The Ohio State Uni-
versity Alumni Association awarded Mayer the William Thompson Oxley Award for early
career achievement. He has published a book; written articles for law reviews, public pol-
icy journals, and newspapers; given testimony to the U.S. Congress and to the Texas and
Ohio legislatures; and appeared on Fox News, C-SPAN, ONN, and other major media
outlets. Mayer graduated cum laude from the University of Dayton with a double major in
Philosophy and Psychology, and received his law degree from The Ohio State University
College of Law.

Mary McCleary is a Policy Analyst at the Buckeye Institute. McCleary graduated magna
cum laude from Hillsdale College in May 2009, with a major in Economics and a minor in
Mathematics. She received Departmental Honors from the economics faculty for her out-
standing work as an undergraduate. During college, McCleary was awarded a prestigious
Koch Foundation Fellowship that provided her the opportunity to engage in economic
research beyond the classroom.

Special thanks to John W. Fleming for his excellent graphics work in this report.
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 17

Appendix
County demographic information on population, income, and employment.
County Page County Page County Page
Adams County. . . . . . . . . . 18 Hamilton County. . . . . . . . 48 Noble County. . . . . . . . . . . 78
Allen County. . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Hancock County. . . . . . . . 49 Ottawa County. . . . . . . . . . 79
Ashland County. . . . . . . . . 20 Hardin County. . . . . . . . . . 50 Paulding County . . . . . . . . 80
Ashtabula County. . . . . . . 21 Harrison County. . . . . . . . 51 Perry County. . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Athens County. . . . . . . . . . 22 Henry County. . . . . . . . . . . 52 Pickaway County. . . . . . . . 82
Auglaize County. . . . . . . . . 23 Highland County. . . . . . . . 53 Pike County. . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Belmont County. . . . . . . . . 24 Hocking County. . . . . . . . . 54 Portage County . . . . . . . . . 84
Brown County . . . . . . . . . . 25 Holmes County . . . . . . . . . 55 Preble County. . . . . . . . . . . 85
Butler County. . . . . . . . . . . 26 Huron County . . . . . . . . . . 56 Putnam County. . . . . . . . . 86
Carroll County. . . . . . . . . . 27 Jackson County . . . . . . . . . 57 Richland County. . . . . . . . 87
Champaign County. . . . . . 28 Jefferson County . . . . . . . . 58 Ross County. . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Clark County. . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Knox County. . . . . . . . . . . . 59 Sandusky County. . . . . . . . 89
Clermont County . . . . . . . 30 Lake County. . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Scioto County. . . . . . . . . . . 90
Clinton County . . . . . . . . . 31 Lawrence County. . . . . . . . 61 Seneca County. . . . . . . . . . 91
Columbiana County. . . . . 32 Licking County. . . . . . . . . . 62 Shelby County . . . . . . . . . . 92
Coshocton County. . . . . . 33 Logan County. . . . . . . . . . . 63 Stark County. . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Crawford County. . . . . . . . 34 Lorain County . . . . . . . . . . 64 Summit County. . . . . . . . . 94
Cuyahoga County. . . . . . . 35 Lucas County. . . . . . . . . . . 65 Trumbull County. . . . . . . . 95
Darke County. . . . . . . . . . . 36 Madison County . . . . . . . . 66 Tuscarawas County. . . . . . 96
Defiance County . . . . . . . . 37 Mahoning County. . . . . . . 67 Union County. . . . . . . . . . . 97
Delaware County. . . . . . . . 38 Marion County. . . . . . . . . . 68 Van Wert County. . . . . . . . 98
Erie County. . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Medina County . . . . . . . . . 69 Vinton County. . . . . . . . . . 99
Fairfield County. . . . . . . . . 40 Meigs County. . . . . . . . . . . 70 Warren County. . . . . . . . . 100
Fayette County. . . . . . . . . . 41 Mercer County. . . . . . . . . . 71 Washington County . . . . 101
Franklin County. . . . . . . . . 42 Miami County . . . . . . . . . . 72 Wayne County. . . . . . . . . 102
Fulton County . . . . . . . . . . 43 Monroe County. . . . . . . . . 73 Williams County . . . . . . . 103
Gallia County. . . . . . . . . . . 44 Montgomery County. . . . 74 Wood County. . . . . . . . . . 104
Geauga County. . . . . . . . . . 45 Morgan County. . . . . . . . . 75 Wyandot County. . . . . . . 105
Greene County. . . . . . . . . . 46 Morrow County. . . . . . . . . 76
Guernsey County. . . . . . . . 47 Muskingum County . . . . . 77

State maps showing median household income and average yearly wages by sector
Page
Median Household Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Private Sector, Current Average Yearly Wage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Federal Government, Current Average Yearly Wage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
State Government, Current Average Yearly Wage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Local Government, Current Average Yearly Wage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
18 State of the State

Adams County
Employment Overview
6,524 6,375
5,014 4,750
+7.3%

1,493 1,602
-2.3% -5.3%

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 25,371 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 27,330
Current 28,213 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -50% 0% 50% 100% 150%
Median Household Income
$33,769 Rank: 83 (1=highest) County % change n/a*
Mining and ’00: –
Logging ’08: 47
Lowest Highest -10.7%

+118.8%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 149
’08: 326 -10.6%
14.1% Rank: 9 (1=highest)
-22.0%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 1,090
’08: 850 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
+25.8%
Private Sector $28,970 Trade, Transport., ’00: 1,258
Federal Government $37,265 and Utilities ’08: 1,582 -6.2%
State Government $41,757
Local Government $31,376 -25.0%
Information ’00: 48
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 36 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 1,970
Income Less than $60,000 9,923 -10.9%
Financial ’00: 174
Activities ’08: 155
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-32.1%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 187
Income 46% 62% Bus. Services ’08: 127 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 County % change n/a*
Education and ’00: 777
Health Services ’08: –
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 54% 38% +2.4%
Leisure and ’00: 613
Hospitality ’08: 628 +2.8%
Other Indicators +9.7%
Other Services ’00: 93
Average Transfer
’08: 102 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $6,821
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $8,430 Suppressed '00: 625 '08: 897

* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 19

Allen County
Employment Overview
59,105
52,034 52,097
45,788
-9.9%

-12.0% 6,931
-12.1%
6,246

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 109,755 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 108,473
Current 105,168 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -45% -30% -15% 0% 15% 30%
Median Household Income
$45,431 Rank: 45 (1=highest) County % change n/a*
Mining and ’00: 69
Logging ’08: –
Lowest Highest -10.7%

-17.9%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 2,505
’08: 2,056 -10.6%
10.8% Rank: 51 (1=highest)
-34.8%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 12,664
’08: 8,251 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-4.9%
Private Sector $34,690 Trade, Transport., ’00: 11,653
Federal Government $56,208 and Utilities ’08: 11,084 -6.2%
State Government $53,996
Local Government $35,573 -20.3%
Information ’00: 961
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 766 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 11,492
Income Less than $60,000 37,742 -10.3%
Financial ’00: 1,237
Activities ’08: 1,110
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-28.8%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 6,538
Income 60% 74% Bus. Services ’08: 4,656 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +13.9%
Education and ’00: 9,635
Health Services ’08: 10,975
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 40% 26% -0.5%
Leisure and ’00: 4,738
Hospitality ’08: 4,713 +2.8%
Other Indicators -3.3%
Other Services ’00: 2,097
Average Transfer
’08: 2,028 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $5,726
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $7,527 Suppressed '00: 0 '08: 149

* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
20 State of the State

Ashland County
Employment Overview
19,492
17,989
16,640
15,018
+2.0%

-7.7% 2,784 2,841 -9.7%

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 47,507 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 52,523
Current 55,125 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -60% -40% -20% 0% 20% 40%
Median Household Income
$47,564 Rank: 38 (1=highest) +35.3%
Mining and ’00: 34
Logging ’08: 46
Lowest Highest -10.7%

-4.2%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 670
’08: 642 -10.6%
12.2% Rank: 27 (1=highest)
-42.9%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 6,110
’08: 3,487 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
+0.5%
Private Sector $31,845 Trade, Transport., ’00: 2,613
Federal Government $42,557 and Utilities ’08: 2,627 -6.2%
State Government $53,807
Local Government $34,258 -51.9%
Information ’00: 561
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 270 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 5,212
Income Less than $60,000 19,134 -1.0%
Financial ’00: 294
Activities ’08: 291
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-0.6%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 1,044
Income 53% 68% Bus. Services ’08: 1,038 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 County % change n/a*
Education and ’00: 1,920
Health Services ’08: –
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 47% 32% -10.2%
Leisure and ’00: 1,828
Hospitality ’08: 1,642 +2.8%
Other Indicators -10.7%
Other Services ’00: 709
Average Transfer
’08: 633 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $4,817
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $4,244 Suppressed '00: 857 '08: 4,342

* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 21

Ashtabula County
Employment Overview
35,128
31,423 30,049
26,416
-0.8%

-10.5% 5,002 4,962 -12.1%

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 99,821 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 102,728
Current 100,648 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -50% -25% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%
Median Household Income
$41,414 Rank: 65 (1=highest) +80.7%
Mining and ’00: 57
Logging ’08: 103
Lowest Highest -10.7%

-31.2%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 1,319
’08: 907 -10.6%
13.1% Rank: 17 (1=highest)
-27.2%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 10,382
’08: 7,556 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-1.8%
Private Sector $30,380 Trade, Transport., ’00: 5,874
Federal Government $49,362 and Utilities ’08: 5,769 -6.2%
State Government $41,348
Local Government $33,958 -13.6%
Information ’00: 457
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 395 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 8,671
Income Less than $60,000 36,276 -7.8%
Financial ’00: 658
Activities ’08: 607
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-31.4%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 2,428
Income 51% 66% Bus. Services ’08: 1,665 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +18.6%
Education and ’00: 4,741
Health Services ’08: 5,625
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 49% 34% -8.0%
Leisure and ’00: 3,172
Hospitality ’08: 2,918 +2.8%
Other Indicators -9.7%
Other Services ’00: 963
Average Transfer
’08: 870 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $7,005
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $6,462 Suppressed '00: -2 '08: 1
22 State of the State

Athens County
Employment Overview
19,765
18,591

+2.4% 12,653
11,605
6,945 7,112
+6.3% +9.0%

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 59,549 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 62,223
Current 63,255 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -60% -40% -20% 0% 20% 40%
Median Household Income
$32,372 Rank: 88 (1=highest) County % change n/a*
Mining and ’00: –
Logging ’08: –
Lowest Highest -10.7%

County % change n/a*

Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 541
’08: – -10.6%
8.7% Rank: 78 (1=highest)
-51.7%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 1,063
’08: 513 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
+18.8%
Private Sector $25,794 Trade, Transport., ’00: 3,067
Federal Government $51,269 and Utilities ’08: 3,644 -6.2%
State Government $57,876
Local Government $32,760 +10.2%
Information ’00: 323
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 356 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 4,487
Income Less than $60,000 18,119 -9.5%
Financial ’00: 494
Activities ’08: 447
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
+7.0%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 944
Income 55% 71% Bus. Services ’08: 1,010 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +29.9%
Education and ’00: 2,437
Health Services ’08: 3,166
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 45% 29% +12.2%
Leisure and ’00: 2,162
Hospitality ’08: 2,425 +2.8%
Other Indicators -7.2%
Other Services ’00: 498
Average Transfer
’08: 462 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $5,116
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $6,140 Suppressed '00: 76 '08: 630

* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 23

Auglaize County
Employment Overview
19,280 19,598
16,438 17,257
-15.3%

+1.6% 2,764 2,341

+5.0%

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 44,585 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 46,611
Current 46,576 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -50% 0% 50% 100% 150%
Median Household Income
$54,165 Rank: 12 (1=highest) County % change n/a*
Mining and ’00: –
Logging ’08: –
Lowest Highest -10.7%

-8.1%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 1,067
’08: 981 -10.6%
10.0% Rank: 59 (1=highest)
-11.2%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 7,688
’08: 6,828 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-4.6%
Private Sector $35,792 Trade, Transport., ’00: 2,942
Federal Government $46,745 and Utilities ’08: 2,806 -6.2%
State Government $47,940
Local Government $34,391 +43.3%
Information ’00: 164
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 235 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 5,718
Income Less than $60,000 16,579 -2.8%
Financial ’00: 352
Activities ’08: 342
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-25.1%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 900
Income 61% 74% Bus. Services ’08: 674 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +135.4%
Education and ’00: 967
Health Services ’08: 2,276
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 39% 26% -14.8%
Leisure and ’00: 1,636
Hospitality ’08: 1,394 +2.8%
Other Indicators +39.0%
Other Services ’00: 656
Average Transfer
’08: 912 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $5,236
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $4,775 Suppressed '00: 66 '08: 809

* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
24 State of the State

Belmont County
Employment Overview
23,507 23,561
19,503 19,521
+0.7%

+0.2% 3,963 3,989 +0.1%

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 71,074 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 70,226
Current 67,975 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -50% -25% 0% 25% 50% 75%
Median Household Income
$37,705 Rank: 74 (1=highest) +73.9%
Mining and ’00: 727
Logging ’08: 1,264
Lowest Highest -10.7%

+6.6%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 1,091
’08: 1,163 -10.6%
9.7% Rank: 65 (1=highest)
-28.0%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 1,670
’08: 1,202 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-15.6%
Private Sector $29,118 Trade, Transport., ’00: 6,655
Federal Government $48,004 and Utilities ’08: 5,620 -6.2%
State Government $44,618
Local Government $30,457 -0.8%
Information ’00: 473
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 469 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 6,264
Income Less than $60,000 24,321 -0.7%
Financial ’00: 845
Activities ’08: 839
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-8.4%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 1,017
Income 53% 68% Bus. Services ’08: 932 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +8.2%
Education and ’00: 3,782
Health Services ’08: 4,092
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 47% 32% +13.2%
Leisure and ’00: 2,495
Hospitality ’08: 2,825 +2.8%
Other Indicators -4.3%
Other Services ’00: 747
Average Transfer
’08: 715 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $7,176
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $7,198 Suppressed '00: 1 '08: 400
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 25

Brown County
Employment Overview
7,996
7,370

+17.0% 5,321 5,600

2,049 2,397
+8.5% +5.2%

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 34,966 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 42,285
Current 43,960 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -60% -40% -20% 0% 20% 40%
Median Household Income
$45,929 Rank: 43 (1=highest) County % change n/a*
Mining and ’00: –
Logging ’08: –
Lowest Highest -10.7%

County % change n/a*

Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 219
’08: – -10.6%
11.5% Rank: 39 (1=highest)
-37.1%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 1,265
’08: 796 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-17.4%
Private Sector $28,270 Trade, Transport., ’00: 1,305
Federal Government $42,344 and Utilities ’08: 1,078 -6.2%
State Government $40,526
Local Government $35,109 -42.9%
Information ’00: 112
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 64 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 3,913
Income Less than $60,000 15,274 +18.5%
Financial ’00: 189
Activities ’08: 224
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-19.6%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 301
Income 48% 61% Bus. Services ’08: 242 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 County % change n/a*
Education and ’00: 972
Health Services ’08: –
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 52% 39% +25.0%
Leisure and ’00: 685
Hospitality ’08: 856 +2.8%
Other Indicators -8.5%
Other Services ’00: 199
Average Transfer
’08: 182 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $5,859
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $5,081 Suppressed '00: 74 '08: 2,158

* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
26 State of the State

Butler County
Employment Overview
146,481
125,347 126,804
107,377
+10.0%

+16.9% 17,856 19,635 +18.1%

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 291,479 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 332,807
Current 360,765 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -40% -20% 0% 20% 40%
Median Household Income
$55,209 Rank: 11 (1=highest) +10.4%
Mining and ’00: 183
Logging ’08: 202
Lowest Highest -10.7%

+9.7%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 7,832
’08: 8,593 -10.6%
9.4% Rank: 67 (1=highest)
-6.1%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 21,825
’08: 20,496 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
+31.7%
Private Sector $39,231 Trade, Transport., ’00: 27,967
Federal Government $53,641 and Utilities ’08: 36,828 -6.2%
State Government $42,026
Local Government $42,026 -12.8%
Information ’00: 1,125
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 981 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 51,522
Income Less than $60,000 113,160 +32.3%
Financial ’00: 6,667
Activities ’08: 8,823
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
+10.3%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 13,821
Income 69% 81% Bus. Services ’08: 15,241 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +38.9%
Education and ’00: 13,154
Health Services ’08: 18,274
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 31% 19% +22.2%
Leisure and ’00: 11,214
Hospitality ’08: 13,700 +2.8%
Other Indicators +2.1%
Other Services ’00: 3,589
Average Transfer
’08: 3,666 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $4,934
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $5,896 Suppressed '00: 0 '08: 0
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 27

Carroll County
Employment Overview
6,576
5,950 5,621
4,900
+12.9%

-9.5% 930 1,050 -12.8%

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 26,521 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 28,836
Current 28,439 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -80% -60% -40% -20% 0% 20% 40%
Median Household Income
$43,649 Rank: 54 (1=highest) County % change n/a*
Mining and ’00: 17
Logging ’08: –
Lowest Highest -10.7%

-5.2%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 269
’08: 255 -10.6%
13.5% Rank: 13 (1=highest)
-33.4%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 2,097
’08: 1,396 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
+1.6%
Private Sector $27,531 Trade, Transport., ’00: 1,244
Federal Government $40,659 and Utilities ’08: 1,264 -6.2%
State Government $50,557
Local Government $29,008 -60.2%
Information ’00: 93
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 37 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 2,542
Income Less than $60,000 10,196 -43.4%
Financial ’00: 122
Activities ’08: 69
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-35.3%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 286
Income 49% 64% Bus. Services ’08: 185 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 County % change n/a*
Education and ’00: –
Health Services ’08: –
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 51% 36% -8.9%
Leisure and ’00: 650
Hospitality ’08: 592 +2.8%
Other Indicators +13.2%
Other Services ’00: 189
Average Transfer
’08: 214 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $5,293
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $4,250 Suppressed '00: 654 '08: 888

* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
28 State of the State

Champaign County
Employment Overview
11,277
10,277
9,312
8,269
+7.2%

-8.9% 1,874 2,008 -11.2%

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 36,019 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 38,890
Current 39,650 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -60% -40% -20% 0% 20% 40%
Median Household Income
$46,534 Rank: 41 (1=highest) County % change n/a*
Mining and ’00: –
Logging ’08: –
Lowest Highest -10.7%

-10.1%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 337
’08: 303 -10.6%
11.5% Rank: 39 (1=highest)
-18.4%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 3,706
’08: 3,023 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-7.2%
Private Sector $34,475 Trade, Transport., ’00: 1,617
Federal Government $41,512 and Utilities ’08: 1,501 -6.2%
State Government $47,143
Local Government $33,966 -35.0%
Information ’00: 140
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 91 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 4,343
Income Less than $60,000 13,399 -20.6%
Financial ’00: 281
Activities ’08: 223
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-56.2%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 764
Income 55% 69% Bus. Services ’08: 335 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 County % change n/a*
Education and ’00: 974
Health Services ’08: –
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 45% 31% +6.3%
Leisure and ’00: 893
Hospitality ’08: 949 +2.8%
Other Indicators -7.0%
Other Services ’00: 345
Average Transfer
’08: 321 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $5,169
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $5,634 Suppressed '00: 255 '08: 1,523

* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 29

Clark County
Employment Overview
57,344
50,276 49,579
42,943
-7.5%

-12.3% 7,286 6,737

-13.4%

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 147,548 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 144,742
Current 139,859 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -75% -50% -25% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%
Median Household Income
$45,413 Rank: 46 (1=highest) County % change n/a*
Mining and ’00: –
Logging ’08: 44
Lowest Highest -10.7%

-32.0%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 2,048
’08: 1,393 -10.6%
10.4% Rank: 57 (1=highest)
-47.3%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 13,759
’08: 7,253 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-28.3%
Private Sector $32,327 Trade, Transport., ’00: 12,552
Federal Government $57,489 and Utilities ’08: 9,005 -6.2%
State Government $47,938
Local Government $35,541 -52.5%
Information ’00: 602
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 286 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 14,695
Income Less than $60,000 48,072 +91.7%
Financial ’00: 1,319
Activities ’08: 2,528
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
+24.8%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 3,559
Income 56% 70% Bus. Services ’08: 4,442 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +5.2%
Education and ’00: 8,483
Health Services ’08: 8,925
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 44% 30% -0.9%
Leisure and ’00: 5,070
Hospitality ’08: 5,024 +2.8%
Other Indicators +4.8%
Other Services ’00: 1,909
Average Transfer
’08: 2,001 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $6,559
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $7,287 Suppressed '00: 278 '08: 2,042

* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
30 State of the State

Clermont County
Employment Overview
56,081
48,745 48,534
42,386
+19.0%

+15.0% 7,547 +14.5%

6,344

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 150,187 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 177,977
Current 195,385 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -40% -20% 0% 20% 40% 60%
Median Household Income
$57,543 Rank: 8 (1=highest) County % change n/a*
Mining and ’00: –
Logging ’08: –
Lowest Highest -10.7%

-16.1%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 3,582
’08: 3,007 -10.6%
9.8% Rank: 62 (1=highest)
-28.9%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 8,294
’08: 5,901 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
+32.2%
Private Sector $37,198 Trade, Transport., ’00: 11,060
Federal Government $55,414 and Utilities ’08: 14,625 -6.2%
State Government $37,190
Local Government $39,034 -16.3%
Information ’00: 1,415
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 1,185 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 28,942
Income Less than $60,000 61,330 +47.8%
Financial ’00: 2,492
Activities ’08: 3,684
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
+24.8%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 4,470
Income 69% 81% Bus. Services ’08: 5,579 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +41.9%
Education and ’00: 4,171
Health Services ’08: 5,917
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 31% 19% +48.6%
Leisure and ’00: 4,536
Hospitality ’08: 6,741 +2.8%
Other Indicators +8.8%
Other Services ’00: 1,696
Average Transfer
’08: 1,845 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $4,532
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $3,259 Suppressed '00: 670 '08: 50

* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 31

Clinton County
Employment Overview
25,054 25,128
22,038 21,811
+11.0%

+0.3% 2,988 3,317 -1.0%

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 35,415 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 40,543
Current 43,200 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -100% 0% 100% 200% 300% 400%
Median Household Income
$48,162 Rank: 36 (1=highest) County % change n/a*
Mining and ’00: –
Logging ’08: –
Lowest Highest -10.7%

-21.3%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 362
’08: 285 -10.6%
15.0% Rank: 4 (1=highest)
-16.8%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 4,792
’08: 3,985 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
+305.0%
Private Sector $43,209 Trade, Transport., ’00: 2,842
Federal Government $63,514 and Utilities ’08: 11,511 -6.2%
State Government $49,909
Local Government $36,557 -45.3%
Information ’00: 539
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 295 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 4,814
Income Less than $60,000 15,689 -18.6%
Financial ’00: 725
Activities ’08: 590
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-7.2%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 1,242
Income 55% 69% Bus. Services ’08: 1,153 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 County % change n/a*
Education and ’00: 854
Health Services ’08: –
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 45% 31% +0.4%
Leisure and ’00: 1,335
Hospitality ’08: 1,340 +2.8%
Other Indicators -13.8%
Other Services ’00: 377
Average Transfer
’08: 325 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $5,226
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $5,476 Suppressed '00: 8,970 '08: 2,327

* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
32 State of the State

Columbiana County
Employment Overview
33,946
30,808 29,261
26,279
-4.2%

-9.2% 4,579 4,386 -10.2%

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 108,276 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 112,075
Current 107,873 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -60% -40% -20% 0% 20% 40%
Median Household Income
$40,604 Rank: 70 (1=highest) +13.6%
Mining and ’00: 206
Logging ’08: 234
Lowest Highest -10.7%

-25.4%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 1,474
’08: 1,099 -10.6%
13.0% Rank: 19 (1=highest)
-28.4%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 9,054
’08: 6,485 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-8.6%
Private Sector $28,881 Trade, Transport., ’00: 6,801
Federal Government $56,812 and Utilities ’08: 6,218 -6.2%
State Government $39,508
Local Government $32,880 -47.0%
Information ’00: 300
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 159 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 9,716
Income Less than $60,000 37,955 -11.1%
Financial ’00: 809
Activities ’08: 719
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-4.3%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 2,272
Income 52% 67% Bus. Services ’08: 2,175 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +21.2%
Education and ’00: 4,427
Health Services ’08: 5,367
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 48% 33% +2.4%
Leisure and ’00: 2,779
Hospitality ’08: 2,847 +2.8%
Other Indicators -5.7%
Other Services ’00: 1,037
Average Transfer
’08: 978 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $6,417
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $6,322 Suppressed '00: 102 '08: -2
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 33

Coshocton County
Employment Overview
13,904
11,418 12,156
-5.9% 9,804

-17.9% 1,653
-19.3%
1,555

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 35,427 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 36,655
Current 35,981 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -40% -20% 0% 20% 40%
Median Household Income
$39,867 Rank: 72 (1=highest) +29.6%
Mining and ’00: 108
Logging ’08: 140
Lowest Highest -10.7%

-16.6%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 308
’08: 257 -10.6%
12.4% Rank: 24 (1=highest)
-32.0%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 4,377
’08: 2,975 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-8.8%
Private Sector $33,563 Trade, Transport., ’00: 2,335
Federal Government $49,053 and Utilities ’08: 2,130 -6.2%
State Government $46,644
Local Government $31,688 +16.4%
Information ’00: 73
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 85 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 2,940
Income Less than $60,000 13,102 +6.9%
Financial ’00: 231
Activities ’08: 247
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-22.1%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 1,287
Income 48% 62% Bus. Services ’08: 1,002 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 -8.8%
Education and ’00: 2,007
Health Services ’08: 1,830
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 52% 38% -18.3%
Leisure and ’00: 1,013
Hospitality ’08: 828 +2.8%
Other Indicators -24.9%
Other Services ’00: 418
Average Transfer
’08: 314 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $6,066
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $5,330 Suppressed '00: -1 '08: -4
34 State of the State

Crawford County
Employment Overview
17,255
14,216 15,003
-5.3% 12,224

-17.6% 2,104
-18.5%
1,993

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 47,870 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 46,966
Current 43,696 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -60% -40% -20% 0% 20% 40%
Median Household Income
$40,022 Rank: 71 (1=highest) County % change n/a*
Mining and ’00: –
Logging ’08: –
Lowest Highest -10.7%

-31.3%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 543
’08: 373 -10.6%
13.3% Rank: 14 (1=highest)
-37.8%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 6,681
’08: 4,158 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-18.1%
Private Sector $29,256 Trade, Transport., ’00: 2,374
Federal Government $43,501 and Utilities ’08: 1,944 -6.2%
State Government $52,205
Local Government $33,426 -42.3%
Information ’00: 142
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 82 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 3,831
Income Less than $60,000 17,496 +0.2%
Financial ’00: 605
Activities ’08: 606
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-38.7%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 815
Income 45% 59% Bus. Services ’08: 500 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 County % change n/a*
Education and ’00: 1,768
Health Services ’08: –
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 55% 41% -6.5%
Leisure and ’00: 1,344
Hospitality ’08: 1,256 +2.8%
Other Indicators -18.7%
Other Services ’00: 540
Average Transfer
’08: 439 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $6,437
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $6,112 Suppressed '00: 191 '08: 2,866

* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 35

Cuyahoga County
Employment Overview
798,575
715,087 714,352
631,414
-0.3%

-10.5% -11.6%
83,666 83,421

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 1,412,140 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 1,393,978
Current 1,283,925 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -45% -30% -15% 0% 15% 30%
Median Household Income
$44,943 Rank: 49 (1=highest) -15.7%
Mining and ’00: 395
Logging ’08: 333
Lowest Highest -10.7%

-20.6%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 28,963
’08: 22,995 -10.6%
9.2% Rank: 68 (1=highest)
-31.7%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 116,789
’08: 79,815 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-17.7%
Private Sector $45,602 Trade, Transport., ’00: 156,721
Federal Government $67,458 and Utilities ’08: 128,958 -6.2%
State Government $56,461
Local Government $46,065 -23.8%
Information ’00: 19,903
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 15,173 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 155,416
Income Less than $60,000 449,504 -16.3%
Financial ’00: 53,035
Activities ’08: 44,366
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-7.4%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 131,247
Income 69% 82% Bus. Services ’08: 121,506 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +17.6%
Education and ’00: 114,589
Health Services ’08: 134,756
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 31% 18% -6.3%
Leisure and ’00: 65,769
Hospitality ’08: 61,635 +2.8%
Other Indicators -18.8%
Other Services ’00: 26,942
Average Transfer
’08: 21,876 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $6,913
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $8,576 Suppressed '00: -1 '08: 1
36 State of the State

Darke County
Employment Overview
18,960
17,754
16,172 15,528
+3.9%

-6.4% 2,226
-4.0%
2,142

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 53,619 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 53,309
Current 52,027 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -40% -20% 0% 20% 40%
Median Household Income
$46,556 Rank: 40 (1=highest) County % change n/a*
Mining and ’00: –
Logging ’08: –
Lowest Highest -10.7%

-24.4%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 1,251
’08: 946 -10.6%
10.8% Rank: 51 (1=highest)
-5.0%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 4,423
’08: 4,201 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
+0.2%
Private Sector $30,986 Trade, Transport., ’00: 3,744
Federal Government $43,887 and Utilities ’08: 3,750 -6.2%
State Government $42,369
Local Government $33,276 -28.1%
Information ’00: 171
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 123 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 4,995
Income Less than $60,000 20,059 +0.5%
Financial ’00: 609
Activities ’08: 612
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-39.9%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 1,363
Income 53% 68% Bus. Services ’08: 819 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +10.0%
Education and ’00: 1,985
Health Services ’08: 2,184
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 47% 32% +2.8%
Leisure and ’00: 1,255
Hospitality ’08: 1,290 +2.8%
Other Indicators -10.7%
Other Services ’00: 626
Average Transfer
’08: 559 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $5,273
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $5,290 Suppressed '00: 745 '08: 1,044

* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 37

Defiance County
Employment Overview
18,412
16,725 16,434
14,693
+0.5%

-9.2% -10.6%
1,979 1,989

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 39,350 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 39,500
Current 38,637 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -40% -20% 0% 20% 40%
Median Household Income
$46,909 Rank: 39 (1=highest) County % change n/a*
Mining and ’00: –
Logging ’08: –
Lowest Highest -10.7%

-28.5%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 695
’08: 497 -10.6%
12.2% Rank: 27 (1=highest)
-31.0%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 6,609
’08: 4,560 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-8.9%
Private Sector $36,193 Trade, Transport., ’00: 3,722
Federal Government $47,097 and Utilities ’08: 3,390 -6.2%
State Government $47,546
Local Government $34,542 -7.7%
Information ’00: 310
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 286 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 4,758
Income Less than $60,000 14,330 +31.4%
Financial ’00: 477
Activities ’08: 627
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-7.8%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 896
Income 58% 72% Bus. Services ’08: 826 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 County % change n/a*
Education and ’00: 1,593
Health Services ’08: –
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 42% 28% +3.1%
Leisure and ’00: 1,536
Hospitality ’08: 1,583 +2.8%
Other Indicators -1.8%
Other Services ’00: 571
Average Transfer
’08: 561 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $5,448
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $5,487 Suppressed '00: 25 '08: 2,363

* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
38 State of the State

Delaware County
Employment Overview
69,395
61,430
+69.1%
34,854
30,139

+99.1% +103.8%
4,571 7,728

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 66,929 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 109,989
Current 165,026 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -100% 0% 100% 200% 300%
Median Household Income
$84,710 Rank: 1 (1=highest) County % change n/a*
Mining and ’00: –
Logging ’08: 62
Lowest Highest -10.7%

+9.9%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 2,405
’08: 2,644 -10.6%
7.2% Rank: 87 (1=highest)
+21.4%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 5,037
’08: 6,113 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
+99.5%
Private Sector $46,121 Trade, Transport., ’00: 7,521
Federal Government $50,739 and Utilities ’08: 15,008 -6.2%
State Government $49,221
Local Government $40,972 +286.2%
Information ’00: 232
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 896 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 37,149
Income Less than $60,000 38,806 +107.0%
Financial ’00: 2,104
Activities ’08: 4,356
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
+211.3%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 4,717
Income 86% 92% Bus. Services ’08: 14,684 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +113.2%
Education and ’00: 2,846
Health Services ’08: 6,069
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 14% 18% +126.0%
Leisure and ’00: 4,320
Hospitality ’08: 9,765 +2.8%
Other Indicators +146.0%
Other Services ’00: 746
Average Transfer
’08: 1,835 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $3,197
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $4,398 Suppressed '00: 211 '08: -2

* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 39

Erie County
Employment Overview
39,931
36,734 34,594
31,524
+1.7%

-8.0% 5,125 5,211 -8.9%

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 76,779 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 79,551
Current 77,062 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -60% -40% -20% 0% 20% 40%
Median Household Income
$48,266 Rank: 35 (1=highest) County % change n/a*
Mining and ’00: 189
Logging ’08: –
Lowest Highest -10.7%

-34.5%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 1,469
’08: 962 -10.6%
11.0% Rank: 49 (1=highest)
-44.9%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 9,989
’08: 5,504 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-8.6%
Private Sector $32,572 Trade, Transport., ’00: 6,792
Federal Government $56,070 and Utilities ’08: 6,208 -6.2%
State Government $39,607
Local Government $40,192 -27.0%
Information ’00: 500
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 365 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 9,598
Income Less than $60,000 28,339 -8.1%
Financial ’00: 658
Activities ’08: 605
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
+22.2%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 1,846
Income 62% 76% Bus. Services ’08: 2,255 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +25.1%
Education and ’00: 4,121
Health Services ’08: 5,155
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 38% 24% +17.2%
Leisure and ’00: 7,276
Hospitality ’08: 8,530 +2.8%
Other Indicators -35.4%
Other Services ’00: 1,355
Average Transfer
’08: 875 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $6,239
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $6,213 Suppressed '00: 399 '08: 1,065

* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
40 State of the State

Fairfield County
Employment Overview
39,762
34,347
31,594
+17.9% 27,400

+15.8% 6,894 8,125 +15.3%

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 103,461 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 122,759
Current 142,223 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -50% -25% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%
Median Household Income
$59,115 Rank: 6 (1=highest) +76.2%
Mining and ’00: 21
Logging ’08: 37
Lowest Highest -10.7%

+1.0%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 1,865
’08: 1,884 -10.6%
8.6% Rank: 79 (1=highest)
-17.0%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 5,949
’08: 4,940 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
+21.7%
Private Sector $29,365 Trade, Transport., ’00: 6,775
Federal Government $48,738 and Utilities ’08: 8,245 -6.2%
State Government $44,488
Local Government $38,919 -2.1%
Information ’00: 337
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 330 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 20,479
Income Less than $60,000 43,701 +16.3%
Financial ’00: 723
Activities ’08: 841
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
+47.1%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 3,171
Income 67% 79% Bus. Services ’08: 4,663 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +27.8%
Education and ’00: 3,343
Health Services ’08: 4,274
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 33% 21% +31.7%
Leisure and ’00: 3,806
Hospitality ’08: 5,012 +2.8%
Other Indicators -2.9%
Other Services ’00: 1,410
Average Transfer
’08: 1,369 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $4,603
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $3,913 Suppressed '00: 0 '08: -1
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 41

Fayette County
Employment Overview
11,786
10,883
10,071
9,357
+12.3%

+8.3% 1,513 1,699 +7.6%

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 27,466 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 28,433
Current 28,319 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -50% -25% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%
Median Household Income
$42,323 Rank: 59 (1=highest) County % change n/a*
Mining and ’00: –
Logging ’08: –
Lowest Highest -10.7%

+13.2%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 258
’08: 292 -10.6%
11.9% Rank: 34 (1=highest)
-21.2%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 2,897
’08: 2,284 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
+44.1%
Private Sector $28,583 Trade, Transport., ’00: 2,432
Federal Government $46,740 and Utilities ’08: 3,504 -6.2%
State Government $45,235
Local Government $34,656 -20.8%
Information ’00: 77
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 61 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 2,357
Income Less than $60,000 10,843 +76.8%
Financial ’00: 241
Activities ’08: 426
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-15.2%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 474
Income 48% 63% Bus. Services ’08: 402 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 County % change n/a*
Education and ’00: 789
Health Services ’08: –
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 52% 37% +8.7%
Leisure and ’00: 1,093
Hospitality ’08: 1,188 +2.8%
Other Indicators -7.6%
Other Services ’00: 211
Average Transfer
’08: 195 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $6,092
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $5,820 Suppressed '00: 885 '08: 1,719

* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
42 State of the State

Franklin County
Employment Overview
688,814 667,330
596,330 568,116
+7.2%

-3.1% 92,229 98,893 -4.7%

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 961,437 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 1,068,978
Current 1,129,067 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -40% -20% 0% 20% 40%
Median Household Income
$50,179 Rank: 23 (1=highest) -35.9%
Mining and ’00: 370
Logging ’08: 237
Lowest Highest -10.7%

-25.4%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 31,878
’08: 23,789 -10.6%
8.4% Rank: 82 (1=highest)
-32.9%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 59,103
’08: 39,653 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-9.5%
Private Sector $43,867 Trade, Transport., ’00: 156,199
Federal Government $62,896 and Utilities ’08: 141,402 -6.2%
State Government $48,235
Local Government $47,959 -28.1%
Information ’00: 21,514
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 15,467 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 146,018
Income Less than $60,000 393,248 -8.0%
Financial ’00: 49,679
Activities ’08: 45,714
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
+3.3%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 124,211
Income 67% 80% Bus. Services ’08: 128,308 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +29.1%
Education and ’00: 69,244
Health Services ’08: 89,417
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 33% 20% +3.6%
Leisure and ’00: 61,188
Hospitality ’08: 63,372 +2.8%
Other Indicators -9.5%
Other Services ’00: 22,945
Average Transfer
’08: 20,758 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $5,089
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $7,793 Suppressed '00: -1 '08: -1
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 43

Fulton County
Employment Overview
21,382
19,605 18,999
16,701
+23.3%

-8.3% 2,689 -12.1%

2,181

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 38,498 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 42,084
Current 42,485 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -30% -15% 0% 15% 30%
Median Household Income
$49,562 Rank: 28 (1=highest) County % change n/a*
Mining and ’00: –
Logging ’08: –
Lowest Highest -10.7%

-17.1%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 959
’08: 795 -10.6%
13.0% Rank: 19 (1=highest)
-26.3%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 10,144
’08: 7,475 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-16.1%
Private Sector $33,189 Trade, Transport., ’00: 2,924
Federal Government $47,443 and Utilities ’08: 2,454 -6.2%
State Government $50,590
Local Government $31,434 +0.8%
Information ’00: 119
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 120 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 5,451
Income Less than $60,000 15,541 -20.1%
Financial ’00: 432
Activities ’08: 345
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-2.4%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 843
Income 58% 71% Bus. Services ’08: 823 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 County % change n/a*
Education and ’00: 1,560
Health Services ’08: –
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 42% 29% +4.7%
Leisure and ’00: 1,462
Hospitality ’08: 1,531 +2.8%
Other Indicators -24.1%
Other Services ’00: 477
Average Transfer
’08: 362 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $5,159
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $4,848 Suppressed '00: 79 '08: 2,796

* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
44 State of the State

Gallia County
Employment Overview
11,898 11,877
9,901 9,890
+1.7%

-0.2% 1,953 1,987 -0.1%

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 30,954 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 31,069
Current 30,912 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -50% 0% 50% 100% 150% 200%
Median Household Income
$37,609 Rank: 76 (1=highest) County % change n/a*
Mining and ’00: –
Logging ’08: –
Lowest Highest -10.7%

+150.5%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 315
’08: 789 -10.6%
9.2% Rank: 68 (1=highest)
-40.6%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 1,063
’08: 631 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-19.0%
Private Sector $36,757 Trade, Transport., ’00: 3,468
Federal Government $41,787 and Utilities ’08: 2,810 -6.2%
State Government $37,284
Local Government $31,876 -39.8%
Information ’00: 133
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 80 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 2,545
Income Less than $60,000 9,740 +9.1%
Financial ’00: 362
Activities ’08: 395
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
+39.1%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 358
Income 56% 72% Bus. Services ’08: 498 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 County % change n/a*
Education and ’00: 2,534
Health Services ’08: –
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 44% 28% -7.6%
Leisure and ’00: 1,017
Hospitality ’08: 940 +2.8%
Other Indicators -19.6%
Other Services ’00: 347
Average Transfer
’08: 279 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $8,288
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $7,426 Suppressed '00: 304 '08: 3,468

* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 45

Geauga County
Employment Overview
33,118 34,629
29,320 30,415
+11.6%

+4.6% +3.7%
3,556 3,967

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 81,129 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 90,895
Current 94,753 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -40% -20% 0% 20% 40% 60%
Median Household Income
$65,835 Rank: 5 (1=highest) County % change n/a*
Mining and ’00: –
Logging ’08: 66
Lowest Highest -10.7%

+0.7%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 2,101
’08: 2,116 -10.6%
7.4% Rank: 86 (1=highest)
-15.7%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 10,480
’08: 8,834 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
+29.4%
Private Sector $35,539 Trade, Transport., ’00: 5,079
Federal Government $44,796 and Utilities ’08: 6,573 -6.2%
State Government $40,685
Local Government $37,434 -14.9%
Information ’00: 194
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 165 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 16,964
Income Less than $60,000 28,409 +33.9%
Financial ’00: 519
Activities ’08: 695
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
+15.1%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 2,849
Income 81% 90% Bus. Services ’08: 3,279 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +40.2%
Education and ’00: 3,109
Health Services ’08: 4,359
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 19% 10% -12.8%
Leisure and ’00: 3,557
Hospitality ’08: 3,102 +2.8%
Other Indicators -6.0%
Other Services ’00: 1,304
Average Transfer
’08: 1,226 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $4,411
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $3,131 Suppressed '00: 128 '08: 0

* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
46 State of the State

Greene County
Employment Overview
55,737
49,714 46,486
41,122
+9.1%

+12.1% 8,478 9,251 +13.0%

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 136,731 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 147,886
Current 159,190 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -40% -20% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80%
Median Household Income
$57,953 Rank: 7 (1=highest) County % change n/a*
Mining and ’00: –
Logging ’08: –
Lowest Highest -10.7%

+20.6%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 1,557
’08: 1,877 -10.6%
10.0% Rank: 59 (1=highest)
-26.1%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 4,859
’08: 3,593 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-8.6%
Private Sector $35,663 Trade, Transport., ’00: 11,935
Federal Government $80,642 and Utilities ’08: 10,911 -6.2%
State Government $44,003
Local Government $44,003 +68.7%
Information ’00: 911
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 1,537 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 24,381
Income Less than $60,000 47,502 -12.7%
Financial ’00: 1,511
Activities ’08: 1,319
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
+51.1%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 7,122
Income 72% 83% Bus. Services ’08: 10,764 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +17.6%
Education and ’00: 5,856
Health Services ’08: 6,884
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 28% 17% +28.5%
Leisure and ’00: 5,956
Hospitality ’08: 7,654 +2.8%
Other Indicators -9.7%
Other Services ’00: 1,268
Average Transfer
’08: 1,145 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $4,401
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $16,843 Suppressed '00: 147 '08: 802

* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 47

Guernsey County
Employment Overview
14,144 14,019
11,488 11,649
-9.8%

-0.9% 2,626 2,369 +1.4%

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 39,024 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 40,792
Current 40,177 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -60% -40% -20% 0% 20% 40%
Median Household Income
$37,972 Rank: 73 (1=highest) County % change n/a*
Mining and ’00: 111
Logging ’08: –
Lowest Highest -10.7%

-11.0%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 593
’08: 528 -10.6%
11.6% Rank: 36 (1=highest)
+8.7%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 2,683
’08: 2,917 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-0.6%
Private Sector $30,801 Trade, Transport., ’00: 2,478
Federal Government $43,756 and Utilities ’08: 2,463 -6.2%
State Government $44,699
Local Government $31,602 -13.2%
Information ’00: 167
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 145 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 2,904
Income Less than $60,000 14,765 +4.9%
Financial ’00: 246
Activities ’08: 258
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-55.4%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 1,360
Income 46% 62% Bus. Services ’08: 607 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +14.3%
Education and ’00: 2,012
Health Services ’08: 2,299
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 54% 38% +2.2%
Leisure and ’00: 1,465
Hospitality ’08: 1,497 +2.8%
Other Indicators -7.0%
Other Services ’00: 374
Average Transfer
’08: 348 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $6,895
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $6,383 Suppressed '00: -1 '08: 587

* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
48 State of the State

Hamilton County
Employment Overview
556,125
506,312 509,616
461,313
-3.2%

-9.0% -9.5%
46,305 44,808

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 866,228 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 845,303
Current 851,494 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -45% -30% -15% 0% 15% 30%
Median Household Income
$49,343 Rank: 29 (1=highest) -19.7%
Mining and ’00: 304
Logging ’08: 244
Lowest Highest -10.7%

-14.0%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 26,519
’08: 22,805 -10.6%
9.2% Rank: 68 (1=highest)
-26.3%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 75,697
’08: 55,792 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-19.6%
Private Sector $48,959 Trade, Transport., ’00: 108,961
Federal Government $64,830 and Utilities ’08: 87,593 -6.2%
State Government $50,076
Local Government $42,172 -33.9%
Information ’00: 14,073
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 9,302 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 109,557
Income Less than $60,000 273,666 -9.1%
Financial ’00: 26,175
Activities ’08: 23,791
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-3.8%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 111,981
Income 74% 86% Bus. Services ’08: 107,710 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +17.2%
Education and ’00: 76,858
Health Services ’08: 90,076
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 26% 14% -4.3%
Leisure and ’00: 48,559
Hospitality ’08: 46,469 +2.8%
Other Indicators -14.4%
Other Services ’00: 20,490
Average Transfer
’08: 17,534 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $5,805
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $10,050 Suppressed '00: -1 '08: -3
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 49

Hancock County
Employment Overview
41,509 42,002
38,406 38,394

+14.4%

+1.2% 0.0%
3,103 3,549

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 65,536 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 71,295
Current 74,273 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -40% -20% 0% 20% 40% 60%
Median Household Income
$49,192 Rank: 30 (1=highest) County % change n/a*
Mining and ’00: 1,595
Logging ’08: –
Lowest Highest -10.7%

County % change n/a*

Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 1,480
’08: – -10.6%
9.2% Rank: 68 (1=highest)
-14.6%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 13,134
’08: 11,220 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
+4.4%
Private Sector $38,183 Trade, Transport., ’00: 8,383
Federal Government $52,180 and Utilities ’08: 8,751 -6.2%
State Government $51,097
Local Government $35,079 -35.9%
Information ’00: 691
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 443 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 9,234
Income Less than $60,000 25,413 -25.8%
Financial ’00: 827
Activities ’08: 614
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
+30.1%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 3,407
Income 64% 77% Bus. Services ’08: 4,434 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +59.2%
Education and ’00: 3,460
Health Services ’08: 5,510
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 36% 23% +11.0%
Leisure and ’00: 3,386
Hospitality ’08: 3,758 +2.8%
Other Indicators -0.1%
Other Services ’00: 1,117
Average Transfer
’08: 1,116 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $4,588
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $4,626 Suppressed '00: 926 '08: 2,548

* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
50 State of the State

Hardin County
Employment Overview
8,804
8,173
7,156
6,513
-6.4%

-7.2% 1,631 1,526 -9.0%

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 31,111 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 31,945
Current 31,948 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -60% -40% -20% 0% 20% 40%
Median Household Income
$43,362 Rank: 56 (1=highest) County % change n/a*
Mining and ’00: –
Logging ’08: –
Lowest Highest -10.7%

-46.3%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 242
’08: 130 -10.6%
11.5% Rank: 39 (1=highest)
-21.0%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 2,664
’08: 2,104 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-8.7%
Private Sector $32,438 Trade, Transport., ’00: 1,465
Federal Government $41,105 and Utilities ’08: 1,337 -6.2%
State Government $45,316
Local Government $29,836 +13.0%
Information ’00: 77
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 87 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 2,796
Income Less than $60,000 10,675 +35.9%
Financial ’00: 153
Activities ’08: 208
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
+23.2%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 198
Income 50% 63% Bus. Services ’08: 244 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 County % change n/a*
Education and ’00: 678
Health Services ’08: –
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 50% 37% +15.2%
Leisure and ’00: 794
Hospitality ’08: 915 +2.8%
Other Indicators -5.8%
Other Services ’00: 241
Average Transfer
’08: 227 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $5,030
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $4,620 Suppressed '00: 644 '08: 1,261

* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 51

Harrison County
Employment Overview
3,824
3,515
2,913 2,697
-8.0%

-8.1% 866 797 -7.4%

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 16,085 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 15,856
Current 15,387 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -80% -60% -40% -20% 0% 20% 40%
Median Household Income
$36,275 Rank: 79 (1=highest) +9.4%
Mining and ’00: 299
Logging ’08: 327
Lowest Highest -10.7%

-50.2%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 203
’08: 101 -10.6%
11.6% Rank: 36 (1=highest)
-12.4%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 701
’08: 614 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-3.9%
Private Sector $30,177 Trade, Transport., ’00: 592
Federal Government $39,067 and Utilities ’08: 569 -6.2%
State Government $45,418
Local Government $26,190 -30.4%
Information ’00: 23
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 16 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 1,106
Income Less than $60,000 5,674 County % change n/a*
Financial ’00: –
Activities ’08: –
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-71.0%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 124
Income 61% 79% Bus. Services ’08: 36 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 County % change n/a*
Education and ’00: 526
Health Services ’08: –
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 39% 21% -18.0%
Leisure and ’00: 284
Hospitality ’08: 233 +2.8%
Other Indicators -41.7%
Other Services ’00: 103
Average Transfer
’08: 60 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $7,003
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $7,203 Suppressed '00: 58 '08: 741

* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
52 State of the State

Henry County
Employment Overview
11,483 11,208
9,289 9,173
-2.5%

-2.4% 2,087 2,035 -1.2%

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 29,108 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 29,210
Current 28,841 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -60% -40% -20% 0% 20% 40%
Median Household Income
$49,037 Rank: 31 (1=highest) County % change n/a*
Mining and ’00: –
Logging ’08: –
Lowest Highest -10.7%

-4.4%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 616
’08: 589 -10.6%
12.3% Rank: 25 (1=highest)
-9.6%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 3,641
’08: 3,292 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-7.4%
Private Sector $35,023 Trade, Transport., ’00: 1,988
Federal Government $45,539 and Utilities ’08: 1,841 -6.2%
State Government $46,689
Local Government $33,314 +11.7%
Information ’00: 103
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 115 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 3,518
Income Less than $60,000 10,256 +16.1%
Financial ’00: 255
Activities ’08: 296
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-48.2%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 542
Income 57% 70% Bus. Services ’08: 281 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +30.7%
Education and ’00: 1,038
Health Services ’08: 1,357
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 43% 30% -13.5%
Leisure and ’00: 667
Hospitality ’08: 577 +2.8%
Other Indicators +34.9%
Other Services ’00: 292
Average Transfer
’08: 394 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $5,410
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $5,111 Suppressed '00: 147 '08: 431

* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 53

Highland County
Employment Overview
11,350 10,911
9,292
8,273
+27.0%

-3.9% 2,059 2,614 -11.0%

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 35,728 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 40,875
Current 42,349 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -80% -60% -40% -20% 0% 20% 40%
Median Household Income
$42,073 Rank: 63 (1=highest) -63.9%
Mining and ’00: 147
Logging ’08: 53
Lowest Highest -10.7%

-27.9%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 416
’08: 300 -10.6%
16.1% Rank: 1 (1=highest)
-36.9%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 3,326
’08: 2,100 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
0.0%
Private Sector $27,602 Trade, Transport., ’00: 2,112
Federal Government $45,249 and Utilities ’08: 2,112 -6.2%
State Government $40,070
Local Government $34,230 -17.9%
Information ’00: 392
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 322 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 3,208
Income Less than $60,000 15,449 +33.2%
Financial ’00: 328
Activities ’08: 437
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-34.8%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 460
Income 45% 59% Bus. Services ’08: 300 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 County % change n/a*
Education and ’00: 914
Health Services ’08: –
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 55% 41% +3.3%
Leisure and ’00: 951
Hospitality ’08: 982 +2.8%
Other Indicators +13.9%
Other Services ’00: 237
Average Transfer
’08: 270 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $5,917
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $5,616 Suppressed '00: 9 '08: 1,397

* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
54 State of the State

Hocking County
Employment Overview
6,710 6,862

5,079 5,000
+14.5%

1,604 1,837
+2.3% -1.6%

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 25,533 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 28,241
Current 28,975 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -60% -40% -20% 0% 20% 40% 60%
Median Household Income
$41,764 Rank: 64 (1=highest) County % change n/a*
Mining and ’00: –
Logging ’08: 206
Lowest Highest -10.7%

-12.4%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 371
’08: 325 -10.6%
11.3% Rank: 47 (1=highest)
-43.0%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 1,662
’08: 948 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-3.8%
Private Sector $25,555 Trade, Transport., ’00: 1,069
Federal Government $41,446 and Utilities ’08: 1,028 -6.2%
State Government $54,150
Local Government $33,959 -15.3%
Information ’00: 59
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 50 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 2,260
Income Less than $60,000 10,135 +28.2%
Financial ’00: 142
Activities ’08: 182
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
+24.3%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 251
Income 47% 61% Bus. Services ’08: 312 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +23.8%
Education and ’00: 488
Health Services ’08: 604
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 53% 39% +53.6%
Leisure and ’00: 704
Hospitality ’08: 1,081 +2.8%
Other Indicators +16.7%
Other Services ’00: 228
Average Transfer
’08: 266 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $6,124
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $5,087 Suppressed '00: 105 '08: -2

* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 55

Holmes County
Employment Overview
16,863
15,812 14,955
14,198
+20.7%

+6.6% +5.3%
1,432 1,729

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 32,849 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 38,943
Current 41,445 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -75% -50% -25% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%
Median Household Income
$45,239 Rank: 48 (1=highest) -29.4%
Mining and ’00: 170
Logging ’08: 120
Lowest Highest -10.7%

+94.6%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 900
’08: 1,751 -10.6%
7.2% Rank: 87 (1=highest)
-7.1%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 6,490
’08: 6,027 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-2.7%
Private Sector $28,587 Trade, Transport., ’00: 2,675
Federal Government $43,014 and Utilities ’08: 2,602 -6.2%
State Government $42,134
Local Government $32,378 -31.9%
Information ’00: 119
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 81 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 2,305
Income Less than $60,000 12,240 +3.0%
Financial ’00: 329
Activities ’08: 339
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
+33.6%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 794
Income 48% 66% Bus. Services ’08: 1,061 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 County % change n/a*
Education and ’00: 1,131
Health Services ’08: –
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 52% 34% +10.3%
Leisure and ’00: 1,162
Hospitality ’08: 1,282 +2.8%
Other Indicators -51.3%
Other Services ’00: 392
Average Transfer
’08: 191 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $2,995
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $2,235 Suppressed '00: 36 '08: 1,501

* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
56 State of the State

Huron County
Employment Overview
27,051
23,636
21,943
19,319
-4.3%

-18.9% -18.3%
2,742 2,624

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 56,240 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 59,487
Current 59,659 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -60% -40% -20% 0% 20% 40%
Median Household Income
$48,571 Rank: 34 (1=highest) County % change n/a*
Mining and ’00: –
Logging ’08: –
Lowest Highest -10.7%

-4.3%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 1,526
’08: 1,460 -10.6%
13.7% Rank: 11 (1=highest)
-37.7%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 10,669
’08: 6,649 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-23.9%
Private Sector $34,060 Trade, Transport., ’00: 4,229
Federal Government $42,703 and Utilities ’08: 3,217 -6.2%
State Government $50,381
Local Government $33,500 -44.1%
Information ’00: 497
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 278 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 6,183
Income Less than $60,000 22,772 +5.4%
Financial ’00: 428
Activities ’08: 451
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-14.1%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 1,217
Income 52% 67% Bus. Services ’08: 1,045 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 County % change n/a*
Education and ’00: 1,987
Health Services ’08: –
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 48% 33% -18.5%
Leisure and ’00: 2,051
Hospitality ’08: 1,672 +2.8%
Other Indicators -9.3%
Other Services ’00: 782
Average Transfer
’08: 709 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $5,471
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $5,403 Suppressed '00: 250 '08: 3,838

* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 57

Jackson County
Employment Overview
11,149 11,079
9,386 9,377
+16.8%

-0.6% 1,403 1,639 -0.1%

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 30,230 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 32,641
Current 33,270 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -50% -25% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%
Median Household Income
$33,977 Rank: 82 (1=highest) -37.8%
Mining and ’00: 328
Logging ’08: 204
Lowest Highest -10.7%

+3.0%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 365
’08: 376 -10.6%
10.7% Rank: 53 (1=highest)
-7.9%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 3,719
’08: 3,424 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-19.4%
Private Sector $28,988 Trade, Transport., ’00: 2,118
Federal Government $44,237 and Utilities ’08: 1,707 -6.2%
State Government $50,751
Local Government $32,235 -11.3%
Information ’00: 97
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 86 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 2,370
Income Less than $60,000 11,407 +5.9%
Financial ’00: 303
Activities ’08: 321
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
+81.4%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 377
Income 49% 66% Bus. Services ’08: 684 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +34.9%
Education and ’00: 915
Health Services ’08: 1,234
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 51% 34% +15.7%
Leisure and ’00: 807
Hospitality ’08: 934 +2.8%
Other Indicators -17.3%
Other Services ’00: 295
Average Transfer
’08: 244 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $6,508
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $6,510 Suppressed '00: 62 '08: 163
58 State of the State

Jefferson County
Employment Overview
25,190 25,825
21,453 22,267
-4.8%

+2.5% 3,737 3,558 +3.8%

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 80,298 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 73,894
Current 68,526 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -50% -25% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%
Median Household Income
$36,817 Rank: 78 (1=highest) County % change n/a*
Mining and ’00: 50
Logging ’08: –
Lowest Highest -10.7%

+95.3%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 1,257
’08: 2,455 -10.6%
13.7% Rank: 11 (1=highest)
-25.2%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 3,876
’08: 2,899 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
+16.8%
Private Sector $37,985 Trade, Transport., ’00: 5,317
Federal Government $50,316 and Utilities ’08: 6,208 -6.2%
State Government $51,847
Local Government $29,796 -23.0%
Information ’00: 736
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 567 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 6,762
Income Less than $60,000 24,001 -20.8%
Financial ’00: 559
Activities ’08: 443
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-2.8%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 1,666
Income 56% 71% Bus. Services ’08: 1,619 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 County % change n/a*
Education and ’00: 4,612
Health Services ’08: –
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 44% 29% -1.7%
Leisure and ’00: 2,082
Hospitality ’08: 2,046 +2.8%
Other Indicators -26.0%
Other Services ’00: 1,016
Average Transfer
’08: 752 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $8,020
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $8,977 Suppressed '00: 282 '08: 5,278

* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 59

Knox County
Employment Overview
19,418
17,589
16,428
14,806
+8.5%

+10.4% 2,679 2,906 +11.0%

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 47,473 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 54,500
Current 59,324 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -40% -20% 0% 20% 40% 60%
Median Household Income
$44,055 Rank: 52 (1=highest) +42.3%
Mining and ’00: 97
Logging ’08: 138
Lowest Highest -10.7%

-7.3%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 752
’08: 697 -10.6%
9.1% Rank: 74 (1=highest)
-3.1%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 4,645
’08: 4,501 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
+9.7%
Private Sector $35,815 Trade, Transport., ’00: 2,787
Federal Government $45,234 and Utilities ’08: 3,057 -6.2%
State Government $36,400
Local Government $32,188 +57.1%
Information ’00: 189
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 297 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 6,059
Income Less than $60,000 19,728 +22.5%
Financial ’00: 351
Activities ’08: 430
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
+25.7%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 783
Income 61% 76% Bus. Services ’08: 984 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +28.0%
Education and ’00: 3,086
Health Services ’08: 3,950
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 39% 24% +13.4%
Leisure and ’00: 1,545
Hospitality ’08: 1,752 +2.8%
Other Indicators +9.1%
Other Services ’00: 571
Average Transfer
’08: 623 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $5,867
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $4,924 Suppressed '00: 0 '08: -1
60 State of the State

Lake County
Employment Overview
101,105 100,051
88,679 87,111
+5.5%

-1.0% 12,027
-1.8%
11,399

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 215,499 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 227,511
Current 234,030 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -30% -15% 0% 15% 30%
Median Household Income
$56,560 Rank: 9 (1=highest) County % change n/a*
Mining and ’00: –
Logging ’08: 277
Lowest Highest -10.7%

-17.1%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 4,872
’08: 4,040 -10.6%
8.5% Rank: 80 (1=highest)
-21.3%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 27,361
’08: 21,529 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
+11.3%
Private Sector $36,803 Trade, Transport., ’00: 19,495
Federal Government $58,091 and Utilities ’08: 21,704 -6.2%
State Government $49,476
Local Government $39,771 -18.6%
Information ’00: 1,009
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 821 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 34,389
Income Less than $60,000 82,641 -0.3%
Financial ’00: 2,080
Activities ’08: 2,074
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
+4.3%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 10,326
Income 65% 77% Bus. Services ’08: 10,767 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +25.0%
Education and ’00: 9,936
Health Services ’08: 12,419
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 35% 23% +12.3%
Leisure and ’00: 9,107
Hospitality ’08: 10,227 +2.8%
Other Indicators -7.5%
Other Services ’00: 3,516
Average Transfer
’08: 3,253 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $5,543
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $4,941 Suppressed '00: 977 '08: 0

* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 61

Lawrence County
Employment Overview
12,283 12,691
9,711
-12.5% 8,864

3,408 2,981
+3.3% +9.6%

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 61,834 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 62,319
Current 62,573 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -40% -20% 0% 20% 40% 60%
Median Household Income
$34,454 Rank: 81 (1=highest) County % change n/a*
Mining and ’00: –
Logging ’08: –
Lowest Highest -10.7%

+1.7%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 844
’08: 858 -10.6%
7.9% Rank: 85 (1=highest)
-10.4%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 781
’08: 700 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
+10.1%
Private Sector $26,683 Trade, Transport., ’00: 3,056
Federal Government $44,961 and Utilities ’08: 3,366 -6.2%
State Government $31,716
Local Government $31,986 -8.9%
Information ’00: 90
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 82 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 4,957
Income Less than $60,000 20,699 -13.6%
Financial ’00: 323
Activities ’08: 279
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
+11.4%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 674
Income 51% 66% Bus. Services ’08: 751 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +44.9%
Education and ’00: 1,556
Health Services ’08: 2,254
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 49% 34% -8.3%
Leisure and ’00: 1,172
Hospitality ’08: 1,075 +2.8%
Other Indicators +9.0%
Other Services ’00: 311
Average Transfer
’08: 339 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $7,663
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $8,028 Suppressed '00: 57 '08: 7

* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
62 State of the State

Licking County
Employment Overview
53,717 53,503
46,108 45,504
+15.0%

-0.4% 6,637 7,635 -1.3%

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 128,300 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 145,491
Current 157,721 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -30% -15% 0% 15% 30%
Median Household Income
$53,757 Rank: 15 (1=highest) County % change n/a*
Mining and ’00: –
Logging ’08: 122
Lowest Highest -10.7%

+9.4%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 3,048
’08: 3,336 -10.6%
8.9% Rank: 75 (1=highest)
-22.3%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 9,552
’08: 7,425 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-4.7%
Private Sector $33,421 Trade, Transport., ’00: 11,436
Federal Government $57,020 and Utilities ’08: 10,901 -6.2%
State Government $52,970
Local Government $38,366 -4.0%
Information ’00: 526
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 505 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 21,772
Income Less than $60,000 53,914 -11.8%
Financial ’00: 2,695
Activities ’08: 2,377
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
+18.4%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 4,997
Income 64% 77% Bus. Services ’08: 5,915 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +21.8%
Education and ’00: 6,055
Health Services ’08: 7,373
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 36% 23% +11.7%
Leisure and ’00: 5,394
Hospitality ’08: 6,026 +2.8%
Other Indicators -17.1%
Other Services ’00: 1,841
Average Transfer
’08: 1,526 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $5,030
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $5,448 Suppressed '00: 564 '08: -2

* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 63

Logan County
Employment Overview
20,792 20,154
18,537 17,720
+6.4%

-3.1% -4.4%
2,192 2,333

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 42,310 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 46,005
Current 46,220 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -40% -20% 0% 20% 40%
Median Household Income
$50,102 Rank: 24 (1=highest) -34.1%
Mining and ’00: 44
Logging ’08: 29
Lowest Highest -10.7%

-21.5%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 757
’08: 594 -10.6%
11.5% Rank: 39 (1=highest)
-8.6%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 6,646
’08: 6,077 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-8.0%
Private Sector $39,141 Trade, Transport., ’00: 3,919
Federal Government $50,921 and Utilities ’08: 3,604 -6.2%
State Government $39,509
Local Government $34,447 -13.8%
Information ’00: 130
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 112 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 5,748
Income Less than $60,000 16,609 -39.2%
Financial ’00: 490
Activities ’08: 298
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-24.0%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 2,954
Income 58% 71% Bus. Services ’08: 2,245 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +32.5%
Education and ’00: 1,509
Health Services ’08: 2,000
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 42% 29% -4.6%
Leisure and ’00: 1,516
Hospitality ’08: 1,447 +2.8%
Other Indicators +9.1%
Other Services ’00: 538
Average Transfer
’08: 587 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $5,382
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $5,478 Suppressed '00: 34 '08: 727
64 State of the State

Lorain County
Employment Overview
104,684
97,392
90,376
81,915
+6.4%

-7.0% 13,623 14,494 -9.4%

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 271,126 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 284,664
Current 304,373 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -60% -40% -20% 0% 20% 40%
Median Household Income
$52,738 Rank: 17 (1=highest) County % change n/a*
Mining and ’00: –
Logging ’08: 26
Lowest Highest -10.7%

-28.0%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 6,339
’08: 4,563 -10.6%
9.5% Rank: 66 (1=highest)
-34.6%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 28,823
’08: 18,854 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
+2.3%
Private Sector $35,647 Trade, Transport., ’00: 17,923
Federal Government $97,885 and Utilities ’08: 18,343 -6.2%
State Government $50,245
Local Government $39,938 -42.5%
Information ’00: 1,682
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 967 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 40,104
Income Less than $60,000 99,898 +4.2%
Financial ’00: 1,881
Activities ’08: 1,960
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
+26.8%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 7,768
Income 65% 78% Bus. Services ’08: 9,850 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +14.9%
Education and ’00: 13,063
Health Services ’08: 15,007
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 35% 22% +9.1%
Leisure and ’00: 8,475
Hospitality ’08: 9,247 +2.8%
Other Indicators -22.3%
Other Services ’00: 3,987
Average Transfer
’08: 3,099 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $5,534
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $5,170 Suppressed '00: 435 '08: -1

* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 65

Lucas County
Employment Overview
236,049
210,537 209,097
184,255
-2.3%

-10.8% -11.9%
26,483 25,867

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 462,361 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 455,054
Current 440,456 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -60% -40% -20% 0% 20% 40%
Median Household Income
$43,562 Rank: 55 (1=highest) -55.7%
Mining and ’00: 149
Logging ’08: 66
Lowest Highest -10.7%

-24.1%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 11,820
’08: 8,974 -10.6%
11.8% Rank: 35 (1=highest)
-34.3%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 32,980
’08: 21,668 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-16.0%
Private Sector $37,769 Trade, Transport., ’00: 50,946
Federal Government $58,963 and Utilities ’08: 42,804 -6.2%
State Government $48,004
Local Government $46,381 -12.8%
Information ’00: 3,348
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 2,919 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 50,825
Income Less than $60,000 145,497 +4.2%
Financial ’00: 6,062
Activities ’08: 6,319
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-15.8%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 34,255
Income 65% 79% Bus. Services ’08: 28,829 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +15.0%
Education and ’00: 37,027
Health Services ’08: 42,584
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 35% 21% -7.2%
Leisure and ’00: 23,690
Hospitality ’08: 21,994 +2.8%
Other Indicators -8.2%
Other Services ’00: 8,824
Average Transfer
’08: 8,099 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $6,629
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $6,514 Suppressed '00: -4 '08: -1
66 State of the State

Madison County
Employment Overview
13,836
12,925
9,882 10,567
+5.5%

+7.0% 2,971 3,133 +6.9%

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 37,068 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 40,213
Current 41,861 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -50% -25% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%
Median Household Income
$51,684 Rank: 18 (1=highest) County % change n/a*
Mining and ’00: –
Logging ’08: –
Lowest Highest -10.7%

-29.0%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 603
’08: 428 -10.6%
8.9% Rank: 75 (1=highest)
-14.0%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 3,480
’08: 2,994 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
+39.4%
Private Sector $32,405 Trade, Transport., ’00: 1,996
Federal Government $46,476 and Utilities ’08: 2,783 -6.2%
State Government $48,336
Local Government $36,457 -10.2%
Information ’00: 59
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 53 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 5,025
Income Less than $60,000 13,378 +20.3%
Financial ’00: 148
Activities ’08: 178
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
+78.2%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 772
Income 62% 75% Bus. Services ’08: 1,376 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 -27.4%
Education and ’00: 1,687
Health Services ’08: 1,225
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 38% 25% -1.0%
Leisure and ’00: 983
Hospitality ’08: 973 +2.8%
Other Indicators -2.0%
Other Services ’00: 151
Average Transfer
’08: 148 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $4,997
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $5,631 Suppressed '00: 3 '08: 409

* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 67

Mahoning County
Employment Overview
111,043
100,440 97,056
86,904
-2.3%

-9.5% 13,685 13,365

-10.5%

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 264,806 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 257,555
Current 237,978 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -40% -20% 0% 20% 40%
Median Household Income
$40,726 Rank: 68 (1=highest) +35.1%
Mining and ’00: 208
Logging ’08: 281
Lowest Highest -10.7%

-15.7%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 5,937
’08: 5,006 -10.6%
13.2% Rank: 15 (1=highest)
-21.2%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 12,492
’08: 9,838 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-10.3%
Private Sector $31,321 Trade, Transport., ’00: 26,111
Federal Government $59,081 and Utilities ’08: 23,411 -6.2%
State Government $45,213
Local Government $36,848 -6.6%
Information ’00: 2,097
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 1,959 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 25,089
Income Less than $60,000 84,313 -13.9%
Financial ’00: 3,376
Activities ’08: 2,908
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-15.2%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 13,912
Income 61% 76% Bus. Services ’08: 11,796 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +1.6%
Education and ’00: 17,974
Health Services ’08: 18,255
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 39% 24% -7.2%
Leisure and ’00: 10,718
Hospitality ’08: 9,941 +2.8%
Other Indicators -17.0%
Other Services ’00: 4,230
Average Transfer
’08: 3,509 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $7,223
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $7,613 Suppressed '00: 1 '08: 0
68 State of the State

Marion County
Employment Overview
28,485 27,135
22,732 21,455
-1.3%

-4.7% 5,754 5,680 -5.6%

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 64,274 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 66,217
Current 65,768 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -40% -20% 0% 20% 40%
Median Household Income
$40,995 Rank: 66 (1=highest) County % change n/a*
Mining and ’00: 49
Logging ’08: –
Lowest Highest -10.7%

-25.3%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 967
’08: 722 -10.6%
10.6% Rank: 55 (1=highest)
-1.2%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 7,021
’08: 6,935 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-26.6%
Private Sector $33,148 Trade, Transport., ’00: 5,051
Federal Government $47,248 and Utilities ’08: 3,707 -6.2%
State Government $48,816
Local Government $37,718 County % change n/a*
Information ’00: –
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 801 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 5,855
Income Less than $60,000 22,484 -0.2%
Financial ’00: 503
Activities ’08: 502
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-10.7%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 2,006
Income 52% 67% Bus. Services ’08: 1,792 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +39.3%
Education and ’00: 2,315
Health Services ’08: 3,224
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 48% 33% -1.6%
Leisure and ’00: 2,247
Hospitality ’08: 2,210 +2.8%
Other Indicators -14.5%
Other Services ’00: 880
Average Transfer
’08: 752 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $5,944
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $5,695 Suppressed '00: 1,693 '08: 810

* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 69

Medina County
Employment Overview
59,659
52,811 52,292
46,438
+17.0%

+13.0% 7,214
+12.6%
6,165

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 122,354 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 151,095
Current 171,210 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -40% -20% 0% 20% 40%
Median Household Income
$66,214 Rank: 4 (1=highest) County % change n/a*
Mining and ’00: –
Logging ’08: 38
Lowest Highest -10.7%

+3.6%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 3,106
’08: 3,218 -10.6%
8.0% Rank: 83 (1=highest)
-16.2%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 11,345
’08: 9,503 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
+6.0%
Private Sector $34,504 Trade, Transport., ’00: 10,969
Federal Government $55,464 and Utilities ’08: 11,626 -6.2%
State Government $49,305
Local Government $37,618 -6.6%
Information ’00: 512
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 478 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 29,873
Income Less than $60,000 53,192 +9.2%
Financial ’00: 986
Activities ’08: 1,077
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
+14.2%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 7,909
Income 73% 83% Bus. Services ’08: 9,030 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +33.8%
Education and ’00: 4,998
Health Services ’08: 6,686
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 27% 17% +22.6%
Leisure and ’00: 5,130
Hospitality ’08: 6,290 +2.8%
Other Indicators +12.1%
Other Services ’00: 1,413
Average Transfer
’08: 1,584 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $4,449
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $3,734 Suppressed '00: 70 '08: 2,762

* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
70 State of the State

Meigs County
Employment Overview
4,924

3,479 3,554
-13.6%
2,363
1,212 1,047
-29.3% -33.5%

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 22,987 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 23,072
Current 22,722 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -60% -40% -20% 0% 20% 40%
Median Household Income
$32,839 Rank: 87 (1=highest) County % change n/a*
Mining and ’00: –
Logging ’08: 114
Lowest Highest -10.7%

-14.3%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 314
’08: 269 -10.6%
14.7% Rank: 6 (1=highest)
County % change n/a*
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: –
’08: 102 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-26.8%
Private Sector $23,424 Trade, Transport., ’00: 869
Federal Government $44,439 and Utilities ’08: 636 -6.2%
State Government $44,185
Local Government $29,812 County % change n/a*
Information ’00: –
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: – -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 1,732
Income Less than $60,000 7,343 +8.0%
Financial ’00: 150
Activities ’08: 162
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-55.6%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 151
Income 47% 61% Bus. Services ’08: 67 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 County % change n/a*
Education and ’00: 542
Health Services ’08: –
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 53% 39% +8.3%
Leisure and ’00: 349
Hospitality ’08: 378 +2.8%
Other Indicators County % change n/a*
Other Services ’00: 75
Average Transfer
’08: – -0.5%
Payment per Capita $6,783
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $8,136 Suppressed '00: 1,104 '08: 635

* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 71

Mercer County
Employment Overview
17,291
15,253 14,659
12,429
+5.0%

+13.4% 2,506 2,631 +17.9%

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 39,443 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 40,924
Current 40,818 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -30% -15% 0% 15% 30% 45%
Median Household Income
$50,632 Rank: 20 (1=highest) County % change n/a*
Mining and ’00: –
Logging ’08: –
Lowest Highest -10.7%

-3.2%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 934
’08: 904 -10.6%
8.0% Rank: 83 (1=highest)
+32.0%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 3,824
’08: 5,047 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
+3.2%
Private Sector $31,418 Trade, Transport., ’00: 2,943
Federal Government $41,646 and Utilities ’08: 3,038 -6.2%
State Government $38,089
Local Government $33,391 +13.4%
Information ’00: 164
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 186 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 4,606
Income Less than $60,000 15,897 -1.8%
Financial ’00: 601
Activities ’08: 590
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
+14.9%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 578
Income 55% 69% Bus. Services ’08: 664 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +15.1%
Education and ’00: 1,011
Health Services ’08: 1,164
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 45% 31% -9.5%
Leisure and ’00: 1,477
Hospitality ’08: 1,337 +2.8%
Other Indicators -24.1%
Other Services ’00: 800
Average Transfer
’08: 607 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $4,845
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $3,227 Suppressed '00: 97 '08: 1,122

* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
72 State of the State

Miami County
Employment Overview
44,492
40,349 39,889
35,185
+8.7%

-9.3% -11.8%
4,603 5,004

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 93,182 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 98,868
Current 101,085 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -45% -30% -15% 0% 15% 30%
Median Household Income
$52,861 Rank: 16 (1=highest) -36.6%
Mining and ’00: 71
Logging ’08: 45
Lowest Highest -10.7%

-4.0%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 1,797
’08: 1,725 -10.6%
11.5% Rank: 39 (1=highest)
-27.8%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 13,750
’08: 9,930 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-22.2%
Private Sector $34,193 Trade, Transport., ’00: 8,809
Federal Government $50,050 and Utilities ’08: 6,856 -6.2%
State Government $51,207
Local Government $37,711 -29.4%
Information ’00: 412
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 291 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 13,292
Income Less than $60,000 36,199 +3.2%
Financial ’00: 862
Activities ’08: 890
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-15.2%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 3,020
Income 63% 76% Bus. Services ’08: 2,562 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +6.2%
Education and ’00: 4,285
Health Services ’08: 4,550
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 37% 24% +6.0%
Leisure and ’00: 3,633
Hospitality ’08: 3,851 +2.8%
Other Indicators -6.5%
Other Services ’00: 1,271
Average Transfer
’08: 1,188 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $5,290
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $5,522 Suppressed '00: 1,979 '08: 3,297
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 73

Monroe County
Employment Overview
4,790
3,781 3,891
-10.9% 3,001

-21.1% 875 780 -22.9%

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 15,497 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 15,180
Current 14,221 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -100% 0% 100% 200% 300%
Median Household Income
$35,762 Rank: 80 (1=highest) -5.7%
Mining and ’00: 70
Logging ’08: 66
Lowest Highest -10.7%

-16.0%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 188
’08: 158 -10.6%
13.1% Rank: 17 (1=highest)
County % change n/a*
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 2,301
’08: – -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
+29.7%
Private Sector $36,768 Trade, Transport., ’00: 522
Federal Government $41,769 and Utilities ’08: 677 -6.2%
State Government $43,574
Local Government $26,424 County % change n/a*
Information ’00: 27
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: – -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 1,211
Income Less than $60,000 5,220 +268.4%
Financial ’00: 114
Activities ’08: 420
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-36.6%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 82
Income 46% 60% Bus. Services ’08: 52 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +33.7%
Education and ’00: 172
Health Services ’08: 230
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 54% 40% -52.7%
Leisure and ’00: 239
Hospitality ’08: 113 +2.8%
Other Indicators -17.1%
Other Services ’00: 146
Average Transfer
’08: 121 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $6,827
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $7,541 Suppressed '00: 30 '08: 1,164

* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
74 State of the State

Montgomery County
Employment Overview
296,921
256,020 267,935
227,244
+0.6%

-13.8% -15.2%
28,607 28,777

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 573,809 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 559,062
Current 534,626 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -60% -40% -20% 0% 20% 40%
Median Household Income
$44,749 Rank: 50 (1=highest) County % change n/a*
Mining and ’00: –
Logging ’08: –
Lowest Highest -10.7%

-23.8%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 12,180
’08: 9,285 -10.6%
11.4% Rank: 46 (1=highest)
-44.9%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 57,069
’08: 31,425 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-24.6%
Private Sector $40,722 Trade, Transport., ’00: 57,497
Federal Government $55,297 and Utilities ’08: 43,378 -6.2%
State Government $54,181
Local Government $42,332 +15.2%
Information ’00: 8,651
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 9,967 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 63,311
Income Less than $60,000 184,862 +7.1%
Financial ’00: 9,756
Activities ’08: 10,449
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-11.3%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 42,844
Income 64% 78% Bus. Services ’08: 37,992 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +18.4%
Education and ’00: 43,807
Health Services ’08: 51,851
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 36% 22% -2.2%
Leisure and ’00: 25,138
Hospitality ’08: 24,581 +2.8%
Other Indicators -17.0%
Other Services ’00: 9,671
Average Transfer
’08: 8,031 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $6,310
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $8,506 Suppressed '00: 1,322 '08: 285

* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 75

Morgan County
Employment Overview
3,424
2,706
2,409 -2.3%
1,722

-29.6% 703 687 -36.4%

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 14,194 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 14,897
Current 14,510 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -50% 0% 50% 100% 150%
Median Household Income
$33,087 Rank: 86 (1=highest) County % change n/a*
Mining and ’00: 243
Logging ’08: –
Lowest Highest -10.7%

-26.4%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 208
’08: 153 -10.6%
15.5% Rank: 2 (1=highest)
-43.6%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 738
’08: 416 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-26.6%
Private Sector $27,785 Trade, Transport., ’00: 391
Federal Government $43,641 and Utilities ’08: 287 -6.2%
State Government $44,923
Local Government $28,840 -9.7%
Information ’00: 31
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 28 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 965
Income Less than $60,000 4,707 -14.3%
Financial ’00: 98
Activities ’08: 84
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
+130.3%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 33
Income 43% 56% Bus. Services ’08: 76 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +31.3%
Education and ’00: 268
Health Services ’08: 352
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 57% 44% -31.4%
Leisure and ’00: 255
Hospitality ’08: 175 +2.8%
Other Indicators -38.7%
Other Services ’00: 75
Average Transfer
’08: 46 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $6,311
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $6,311 Suppressed '00: 366 '08: 105

* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
76 State of the State

Morrow County
Employment Overview
6,050
5,426
4,599
+14.9% 3,763

1,431 1,644
-10.3% -18.2%

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 27,749 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 31,628
Current 34,455 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -50% -25% 0% 25% 50% 75%
Median Household Income
$49,927 Rank: 27 (1=highest) +71.4%
Mining and ’00: 21
Logging ’08: 36
Lowest Highest -10.7%

+36.0%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 228
’08: 310 -10.6%
10.5% Rank: 56 (1=highest)
-31.9%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 1,654
’08: 1,126 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-18.0%
Private Sector $29,541 Trade, Transport., ’00: 929
Federal Government $38,966 and Utilities ’08: 762 -6.2%
State Government $51,006
Local Government $31,747 +74.4%
Information ’00: 39
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 68 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 3,309
Income Less than $60,000 11,336 +11.5%
Financial ’00: 78
Activities ’08: 87
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-14.7%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 211
Income 52% 66% Bus. Services ’08: 180 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 County % change n/a*
Education and ’00: 762
Health Services ’08: –
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 48% 34% -18.3%
Leisure and ’00: 551
Hospitality ’08: 450 +2.8%
Other Indicators -17.9%
Other Services ’00: 78
Average Transfer
’08: 64 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $4,466
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $3,460 Suppressed '00: 48 '08: 680

* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 77

Muskingum County
Employment Overview
40,774
36,077
33,392
+3.8% 28,537

-18.1% 4,840
-20.9%
4,661

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 82,068 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 84,585
Current 85,087 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -75% -50% -25% 0% 25% 50%
Median Household Income
$40,672 Rank: 69 (1=highest) +24.7%
Mining and ’00: 291
Logging ’08: 363
Lowest Highest -10.7%

-42.7%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 1,655
’08: 948 -10.6%
12.3% Rank: 25 (1=highest)
-56.1%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 10,180
’08: 4,470 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-18.6%
Private Sector $31,028 Trade, Transport., ’00: 9,768
Federal Government $49,938 and Utilities ’08: 7,955 -6.2%
State Government $36,374
Local Government $34,245 +49.7%
Information ’00: 322
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 482 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 7,427
Income Less than $60,000 30,836 +5.8%
Financial ’00: 765
Activities ’08: 809
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-24.6%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 2,370
Income 52% 68% Bus. Services ’08: 1,786 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +20.7%
Education and ’00: 5,868
Health Services ’08: 7,081
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 48% 32% -2.8%
Leisure and ’00: 3,519
Hospitality ’08: 3,421 +2.8%
Other Indicators -8.8%
Other Services ’00: 1,341
Average Transfer
’08: 1,223 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $6,304
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $6,052 Suppressed '00: -2 '08: -1
78 State of the State

Noble County
Employment Overview
3,384 3,194

-7.9% 2,267 2,172

1,111 1,023
-5.6% -4.2%

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 11,336 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 14,058
Current 14,333 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -50% -25% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%
Median Household Income
$37,043 Rank: 77 (1=highest) County % change n/a*
Mining and ’00: 92
Logging ’08: –
Lowest Highest -10.7%

+84.3%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 70
’08: 129 -10.6%
14.8% Rank: 5 (1=highest)
County % change n/a*
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: –
’08: 510 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-5.8%
Private Sector $27,907 Trade, Transport., ’00: 539
Federal Government $35,795 and Utilities ’08: 508 -6.2%
State Government $39,759
Local Government $27,949 County % change n/a*
Information ’00: 18
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: – -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 841
Income Less than $60,000 4,545 County % change n/a*
Financial ’00: 85
Activities ’08: –
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-9.1%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 33
Income 40% 54% Bus. Services ’08: 30 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +17.1%
Education and ’00: 434
Health Services ’08: 508
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 60% 46% County % change n/a*
Leisure and ’00: 286
Hospitality ’08: – +2.8%
Other Indicators -35.1%
Other Services ’00: 94
Average Transfer
’08: 61 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $4,712
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $5,123 Suppressed '00: 616 '08: 426

* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 79

Ottawa County
Employment Overview
15,235
13,737 12,906
11,468
+3.1%

-9.8% 2,054 2,117 -11.1%

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 40,029 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 40,985
Current 40,823 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -40% -20% 0% 20% 40%
Median Household Income
$54,105 Rank: 13 (1=highest) +6.6%
Mining and ’00: 136
Logging ’08: 145
Lowest Highest -10.7%

-18.8%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 586
’08: 476 -10.6%
14.6% Rank: 7 (1=highest)
-20.4%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 2,964
’08: 2,360 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-27.7%
Private Sector $35,476 Trade, Transport., ’00: 2,785
Federal Government $47,896 and Utilities ’08: 2,014 -6.2%
State Government $48,216
Local Government $36,952 -24.3%
Information ’00: 107
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 81 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 5,992
Income Less than $60,000 15,113 +7.2%
Financial ’00: 335
Activities ’08: 359
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-36.3%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 633
Income 64% 77% Bus. Services ’08: 403 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +32.5%
Education and ’00: 1,172
Health Services ’08: 1,553
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 36% 23% -11.8%
Leisure and ’00: 2,687
Hospitality ’08: 2,370 +2.8%
Other Indicators -35.5%
Other Services ’00: 561
Average Transfer
’08: 362 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $6,631
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $6,064 Suppressed '00: 940 '08: 1,345
80 State of the State

Paulding County
Employment Overview
5,189 5,134
4,008 4,011
-4.8%

-1.1% 1,180 1,123 +0.1%

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 20,488 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 20,293
Current 19,096 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -50% 0% 50% 100% 150%
Median Household Income
$45,541 Rank: 44 (1=highest) County % change n/a*
Mining and ’00: –
Logging ’08: –
Lowest Highest -10.7%

+135.5%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 93
’08: 219 -10.6%
12.0% Rank: 32 (1=highest)
-2.0%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 1,656
’08: 1,623 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-34.8%
Private Sector $30,463 Trade, Transport., ’00: 923
Federal Government $38,793 and Utilities ’08: 602 -6.2%
State Government $47,474
Local Government $30,542 -17.9%
Information ’00: 28
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 23 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 1,967
Income Less than $60,000 7,005 -14.5%
Financial ’00: 110
Activities ’08: 94
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-2.1%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 142
Income 53% 67% Bus. Services ’08: 139 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 County % change n/a*
Education and ’00: 282
Health Services ’08: –
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 47% 33% -5.2%
Leisure and ’00: 267
Hospitality ’08: 253 +2.8%
Other Indicators -20.7%
Other Services ’00: 140
Average Transfer
’08: 111 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $5,333
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $4,627 Suppressed '00: 367 '08: 947

* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 81

Perry County
Employment Overview
6,755
5,982
5,007
+11.1% 4,081

1,696 1,885
-11.4% -18.5%

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 31,557 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 34,078
Current 35,241 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -60% -40% -20% 0% 20% 40%
Median Household Income
$42,309 Rank: 60 (1=highest) +2.8%
Mining and ’00: 249
Logging ’08: 256
Lowest Highest -10.7%

+4.3%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 438
’08: 457 -10.6%
12.9% Rank: 21 (1=highest)
-44.8%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 1,593
’08: 880 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-22.8%
Private Sector $32,599 Trade, Transport., ’00: 1,034
Federal Government $38,665 and Utilities ’08: 798 -6.2%
State Government $46,785
Local Government $28,513 -19.5%
Information ’00: 41
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 33 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 2,724
Income Less than $60,000 12,009 -6.1%
Financial ’00: 198
Activities ’08: 186
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-33.0%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 191
Income 46% 59% Bus. Services ’08: 128 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 County % change n/a*
Education and ’00: 621
Health Services ’08: –
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 54% 41% -11.8%
Leisure and ’00: 459
Hospitality ’08: 405 +2.8%
Other Indicators +12.3%
Other Services ’00: 138
Average Transfer
’08: 155 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $6,049
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $5,703 Suppressed '00: 45 '08: 783

* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
82 State of the State

Pickaway County
Employment Overview
16,667
14,500
12,265
-0.4% 10,225

4,294 4,275
-13.0% -16.6%

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 48,255 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 52,727
Current 54,544 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -100% -50% 0% 50% 100% 150%
Median Household Income
$50,079 Rank: 25 (1=highest) County % change n/a*
Mining and ’00: –
Logging ’08: –
Lowest Highest -10.7%

-10.6%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 742
’08: 663 -10.6%
11.1% Rank: 48 (1=highest)
-49.7%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 4,856
’08: 2,441 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-8.8%
Private Sector $34,122 Trade, Transport., ’00: 2,514
Federal Government $45,199 and Utilities ’08: 2,292 -6.2%
State Government $48,828
Local Government $35,568 -53.6%
Information ’00: 112
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 52 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 6,267
Income Less than $60,000 16,753 -20.1%
Financial ’00: 374
Activities ’08: 299
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
+23.3%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 906
Income 59% 71% Bus. Services ’08: 1,117 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +108.1%
Education and ’00: 826
Health Services ’08: 1,719
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 41% 29% -12.1%
Leisure and ’00: 1,402
Hospitality ’08: 1,232 +2.8%
Other Indicators -23.7%
Other Services ’00: 396
Average Transfer
’08: 302 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $4,994
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $5,047 Suppressed '00: 137 '08: 108

* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 83

Pike County
Employment Overview
11,509
9,664 9,813
+0.8% 7,958

-16.0% 1,691 1,705 -18.9%

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 24,249 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 27,695
Current 27,967 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -50% -25% 0% 25% 50% 75%
Median Household Income
$33,493 Rank: 84 (1=highest) County % change n/a*
Mining and ’00: –
Logging ’08: –
Lowest Highest -10.7%

+55.9%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 417
’08: 650 -10.6%
15.3% Rank: 3 (1=highest)
-46.2%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 5,632
’08: 3,028 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-18.4%
Private Sector $39,073 Trade, Transport., ’00: 1,358
Federal Government $51,282 and Utilities ’08: 1,108 -6.2%
State Government $38,673
Local Government $34,271 -31.3%
Information ’00: 67
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 46 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 2,163
Income Less than $60,000 9,519 +0.6%
Financial ’00: 176
Activities ’08: 177
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
+68.9%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 315
Income 48% 63% Bus. Services ’08: 532 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +21.6%
Education and ’00: 926
Health Services ’08: 1,126
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 52% 37% +3.0%
Leisure and ’00: 642
Hospitality ’08: 661 +2.8%
Other Indicators +18.7%
Other Services ’00: 139
Average Transfer
’08: 165 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $7,057
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $13,877 Suppressed '00: 141 '08: 465

* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
84 State of the State

Portage County
Employment Overview
52,352 52,642
41,314 40,191
+11.2%

+0.6% 11,038 12,275 -2.7%

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 142,585 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 152,061
Current 155,991 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -40% -20% 0% 20% 40% 60%
Median Household Income
$50,025 Rank: 26 (1=highest) +27.8%
Mining and ’00: 288
Logging ’08: 368
Lowest Highest -10.7%

-12.8%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 2,370
’08: 2,067 -10.6%
9.8% Rank: 62 (1=highest)
-22.0%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 13,978
’08: 10,902 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-0.2%
Private Sector $34,326 Trade, Transport., ’00: 8,974
Federal Government $48,590 and Utilities ’08: 8,954 -6.2%
State Government $50,908
Local Government $36,244 -36.5%
Information ’00: 595
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 378 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 19,833
Income Less than $60,000 52,715 +10.5%
Financial ’00: 645
Activities ’08: 713
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
+51.2%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 2,765
Income 63% 76% Bus. Services ’08: 4,181 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +23.6%
Education and ’00: 3,658
Health Services ’08: 4,521
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 37% 24% -14.0%
Leisure and ’00: 6,419
Hospitality ’08: 5,520 +2.8%
Other Indicators +6.4%
Other Services ’00: 1,519
Average Transfer
’08: 1,616 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $5,036
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $4,385 Suppressed '00: 103 '08: 971
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 85

Preble County
Employment Overview
11,000 10,842
8,999 8,948
-6.7%

-1.4% 1,947 1,817 -0.6%

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 40,113 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 42,337
Current 41,643 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -60% -40% -20% 0% 20% 40%
Median Household Income
$50,396 Rank: 21 (1=highest) -8.3%
Mining and ’00: 48
Logging ’08: 44
Lowest Highest -10.7%

-2.5%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 407
’08: 397 -10.6%
11.5% Rank: 39 (1=highest)
-7.6%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 3,454
’08: 3,190 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-13.4%
Private Sector $31,993 Trade, Transport., ’00: 2,072
Federal Government $42,254 and Utilities ’08: 1,795 -6.2%
State Government $40,808
Local Government $31,705 -50.0%
Information ’00: 74
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 37 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 4,258
Income Less than $60,000 14,468 +8.7%
Financial ’00: 208
Activities ’08: 226
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-30.9%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 744
Income 53% 67% Bus. Services ’08: 514 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 County % change n/a*
Education and ’00: 697
Health Services ’08: –
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 47% 33% -13.8%
Leisure and ’00: 959
Hospitality ’08: 827 +2.8%
Other Indicators -8.0%
Other Services ’00: 288
Average Transfer
’08: 265 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $5,354
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $4,798 Suppressed '00: 48 '08: 1,653

* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
86 State of the State

Putnam County
Employment Overview
12,366 11,689
10,346 9,891
-2.7%

-5.5% 1,848 1,798 -4.4%

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 33,819 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 34,726
Current 34,543 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -40% -20% 0% 20% 40% 60%
Median Household Income
$56,557 Rank: 10 (1=highest) County % change n/a*
Mining and ’00: –
Logging ’08: –
Lowest Highest -10.7%

+8.8%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 900
’08: 979 -10.6%
9.8% Rank: 62 (1=highest)
-27.2%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 4,429
’08: 3,225 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-12.3%
Private Sector $29,714 Trade, Transport., ’00: 1,761
Federal Government $38,367 and Utilities ’08: 1,545 -6.2%
State Government $48,240
Local Government $29,018 +55.6%
Information ’00: 54
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 84 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 4,558
Income Less than $60,000 12,540 -0.3%
Financial ’00: 334
Activities ’08: 333
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
+18.4%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 702
Income 61% 74% Bus. Services ’08: 831 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +47.7%
Education and ’00: 717
Health Services ’08: 1,059
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 39% 26% +1.0%
Leisure and ’00: 942
Hospitality ’08: 951 +2.8%
Other Indicators +33.8%
Other Services ’00: 346
Average Transfer
’08: 463 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $4,654
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $3,603 Suppressed '00: 161 '08: 421

* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 87

Richland County
Employment Overview
60,797
54,955 52,458
47,090
-5.8%

-9.6% 8,204 7,732 -10.2%

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 126,137 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 128,852
Current 124,999 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -45% -30% -15% 0% 15% 30%
Median Household Income
$42,444 Rank: 58 (1=highest) County % change n/a*
Mining and ’00: –
Logging ’08: 26
Lowest Highest -10.7%

-1.9%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 2,015
’08: 1,977 -10.6%
12.1% Rank: 30 (1=highest)
-27.9%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 16,303
’08: 11,750 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-16.7%
Private Sector $32,914 Trade, Transport., ’00: 11,067
Federal Government $54,016 and Utilities ’08: 9,216 -6.2%
State Government $49,583
Local Government $35,791 -38.3%
Information ’00: 1,660
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 1,024 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 12,542
Income Less than $60,000 44,005 -9.8%
Financial ’00: 1,314
Activities ’08: 1,185
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-3.2%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 5,423
Income 56% 71% Bus. Services ’08: 5,247 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +19.0%
Education and ’00: 6,926
Health Services ’08: 8,241
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 44% 29% +0.2%
Leisure and ’00: 5,332
Hospitality ’08: 5,342 +2.8%
Other Indicators -24.0%
Other Services ’00: 2,173
Average Transfer
’08: 1,652 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $6,041
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $5,861 Suppressed '00: 245 '08: 1,430

* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
88 State of the State

Ross County
Employment Overview
25,936 24,753
20,943 19,719
+0.6%

-4.6% 4,944 4,975 -5.8%

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 69,330 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 73,345
Current 76,073 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -40% -20% 0% 20% 40%
Median Household Income
$42,214 Rank: 61 (1=highest) County % change n/a*
Mining and ’00: –
Logging ’08: 28
Lowest Highest -10.7%

-17.0%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 1,001
’08: 831 -10.6%
12.1% Rank: 30 (1=highest)
-23.5%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 4,922
’08: 3,763 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-4.1%
Private Sector $35,169 Trade, Transport., ’00: 5,149
Federal Government $72,887 and Utilities ’08: 4,937 -6.2%
State Government $46,361
Local Government $34,599 -33.1%
Information ’00: 595
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 398 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 6,972
Income Less than $60,000 25,662 +35.3%
Financial ’00: 380
Activities ’08: 514
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-20.0%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 2,222
Income 52% 66% Bus. Services ’08: 1,778 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +26.2%
Education and ’00: 3,364
Health Services ’08: 4,244
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 48% 34% +5.7%
Leisure and ’00: 2,499
Hospitality ’08: 2,642 +2.8%
Other Indicators -23.5%
Other Services ’00: 766
Average Transfer
’08: 586 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $5,789
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $7,018 Suppressed '00: 45 '08: -2

* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 89

Sandusky County
Employment Overview
27,081 25,947
23,379 22,738
-4.8%

-4.2% 3,368 3,208

-2.7%

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 61,963 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 61,792
Current 60,637 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -30% -15% 0% 15% 30%
Median Household Income
$47,573 Rank: 37 (1=highest) County % change n/a*
Mining and ’00: –
Logging ’08: –
Lowest Highest -10.7%

-9.4%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 991
’08: 898 -10.6%
10.9% Rank: 50 (1=highest)
-14.2%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 10,360
’08: 8,884 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-0.7%
Private Sector $32,148 Trade, Transport., ’00: 3,876
Federal Government $46,989 and Utilities ’08: 3,847 -6.2%
State Government $52,446
Local Government $34,801 -14.6%
Information ’00: 198
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 169 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 6,415
Income Less than $60,000 23,717 -3.0%
Financial ’00: 530
Activities ’08: 514
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-9.2%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 1,887
Income 51% 64% Bus. Services ’08: 1,713 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 County % change n/a*
Education and ’00: 2,195
Health Services ’08: –
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 49% 36% +17.4%
Leisure and ’00: 2,091
Hospitality ’08: 2,454 +2.8%
Other Indicators -19.1%
Other Services ’00: 1,021
Average Transfer
’08: 826 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $5,629
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $5,136 Suppressed '00: 230 '08: 3,433

* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
90 State of the State

Scioto County
Employment Overview
24,846 23,949
19,579 18,649
+1.3%

-3.6% 5,209 5,275 -4.7%

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 80,327 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 79,195
Current 76,587 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -45% -30% -15% 0% 15% 30%
Median Household Income
$33,263 Rank: 85 (1=highest) -11.1%
Mining and ’00: 18
Logging ’08: 16
Lowest Highest -10.7%

+19.8%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 1,245
’08: 1,491 -10.6%
12.7% Rank: 22 (1=highest)
-22.7%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 2,561
’08: 1,980 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-12.9%
Private Sector $29,987 Trade, Transport., ’00: 4,410
Federal Government $47,216 and Utilities ’08: 3,841 -6.2%
State Government $46,840
Local Government $34,492 -20.9%
Information ’00: 311
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 246 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 5,697
Income Less than $60,000 22,102 -17.6%
Financial ’00: 636
Activities ’08: 524
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-38.3%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 1,838
Income 53% 68% Bus. Services ’08: 1,134 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +19.6%
Education and ’00: 5,309
Health Services ’08: 6,351
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 47% 32% -6.4%
Leisure and ’00: 2,723
Hospitality ’08: 2,550 +2.8%
Other Indicators -2.6%
Other Services ’00: 530
Average Transfer
’08: 516 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $8,006
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $8,399 Suppressed '00: -2 '08: 0
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 91

Seneca County
Employment Overview
22,490
20,576
19,178
17,564
-6.7%

-8.5% 3,082 2,874 -8.4%

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 59,733 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 58,683
Current 56,461 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -30% -15% 0% 15% 30%
Median Household Income
$44,614 Rank: 51 (1=highest) -6.0%
Mining and ’00: 116
Logging ’08: 109
Lowest Highest -10.7%

+17.4%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 898
’08: 1,054 -10.6%
12.2% Rank: 27 (1=highest)
-20.4%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 6,208
’08: 4,941 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-11.7%
Private Sector $30,334 Trade, Transport., ’00: 3,722
Federal Government $45,665 and Utilities ’08: 3,287 -6.2%
State Government $43,073
Local Government $33,329 -5.0%
Information ’00: 279
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 265 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 5,262
Income Less than $60,000 21,811 -6.4%
Financial ’00: 607
Activities ’08: 568
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
+8.5%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 1,476
Income 48% 62% Bus. Services ’08: 1,601 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +6.6%
Education and ’00: 3,223
Health Services ’08: 3,437
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 52% 38% -12.6%
Leisure and ’00: 1,839
Hospitality ’08: 1,608 +2.8%
Other Indicators -14.0%
Other Services ’00: 808
Average Transfer
’08: 695 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $6,297
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $5,756 Suppressed '00: 2 '08: -1
92 State of the State

Shelby County
Employment Overview
28,610 29,390
25,999 26,686

+4.5%

+2.7% +2.6%
2,588 2,704

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 44,915 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 47,910
Current 48,919 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -50% -25% 0% 25% 50% 75%
Median Household Income
$50,728 Rank: 19 (1=highest) County % change n/a*
Mining and ’00: –
Logging ’08: –
Lowest Highest -10.7%

-5.4%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 1,511
’08: 1,430 -10.6%
12.0% Rank: 32 (1=highest)
-9.2%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 14,320
’08: 13,004 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-9.9%
Private Sector $39,913 Trade, Transport., ’00: 4,163
Federal Government $44,905 and Utilities ’08: 3,749 -6.2%
State Government $51,982
Local Government $35,945 -37.5%
Information ’00: 312
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 195 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 5,582
Income Less than $60,000 18,377 +10.4%
Financial ’00: 327
Activities ’08: 361
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
+74.8%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 1,348
Income 58% 72% Bus. Services ’08: 2,356 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 County % change n/a*
Education and ’00: 1,502
Health Services ’08: –
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 42% 28% +9.2%
Leisure and ’00: 1,473
Hospitality ’08: 1,609 +2.8%
Other Indicators +1.4%
Other Services ’00: 652
Average Transfer
’08: 661 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $4,577
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $4,010 Suppressed '00: 391 '08: 3,321

* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 93

Stark County
Employment Overview
174,229
159,300 156,120
140,826
+2.1%

-8.6% -9.8%
17,866 18,246

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 367,585 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 378,098
Current 379,214 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -45% -30% -15% 0% 15% 30%
Median Household Income
$45,306 Rank: 47 (1=highest) -37.2%
Mining and ’00: 471
Logging ’08: 296
Lowest Highest -10.7%

-13.6%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 8,359
’08: 7,224 -10.6%
11.5% Rank: 39 (1=highest)
-32.5%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 42,579
’08: 28,743 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-8.6%
Private Sector $34,654 Trade, Transport., ’00: 32,750
Federal Government $54,387 and Utilities ’08: 29,949 -6.2%
State Government $50,435
Local Government $36,707 -10.8%
Information ’00: 2,270
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 2,025 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 42,668
Income Less than $60,000 135,366 +12.9%
Financial ’00: 5,340
Activities ’08: 6,031
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-6.5%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 16,533
Income 61% 75% Bus. Services ’08: 15,461 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +13.2%
Education and ’00: 25,696
Health Services ’08: 29,093
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 39% 25% +4.2%
Leisure and ’00: 15,325
Hospitality ’08: 15,967 +2.8%
Other Indicators -11.2%
Other Services ’00: 6,797
Average Transfer
’08: 6,039 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $6,027
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $5,814 Suppressed '00: 0 '08: -2
94 State of the State

Summit County
Employment Overview
263,321 270,575
235,489 241,237

+5.9%

+2.8% +2.4%
27,580 29,210

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 514,990 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 542,899
Current 542,562 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -60% -40% -20% 0% 20% 40%
Median Household Income
$48,943 Rank: 33 (1=highest) -48.1%
Mining and ’00: 189
Logging ’08: 98
Lowest Highest -10.7%

-8.4%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 11,460
’08: 10,494 -10.6%
10.0% Rank: 59 (1=highest)
-29.9%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 47,548
’08: 33,347 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-2.1%
Private Sector $40,802 Trade, Transport., ’00: 57,250
Federal Government $59,062 and Utilities ’08: 56,026 -6.2%
State Government $51,585
Local Government $40,895 -9.8%
Information ’00: 4,431
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 3,998 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 71,440
Income Less than $60,000 185,302 -4.1%
Financial ’00: 9,257
Activities ’08: 8,881
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
+33.8%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 38,061
Income 69% 82% Bus. Services ’08: 50,924 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +30.1%
Education and ’00: 33,736
Health Services ’08: 43,880
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 31% 18% +3.2%
Leisure and ’00: 24,276
Hospitality ’08: 25,044 +2.8%
Other Indicators -7.9%
Other Services ’00: 9,279
Average Transfer
’08: 8,547 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $6,068
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $6,317 Suppressed '00: 2 '08: -2
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 95

Trumbull County
Employment Overview
93,795
83,207
75,513
-11.1% 66,041

-19.5% -20.6%
10,588 9,415

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 227,813 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 225,116
Current 211,317 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -80% -60% -40% -20% 0% 20% 40%
Median Household Income
$42,483 Rank: 57 (1=highest) -65.8%
Mining and ’00: 117
Logging ’08: 40
Lowest Highest -10.7%

-7.6%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 2,932
’08: 2,710 -10.6%
13.8% Rank: 10 (1=highest)
-48.6%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 30,428
’08: 15,633 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-15.2%
Private Sector $37,019 Trade, Transport., ’00: 18,114
Federal Government $52,073 and Utilities ’08: 15,353 -6.2%
State Government $47,285
Local Government $37,698 -13.8%
Information ’00: 784
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 676 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 22,225
Income Less than $60,000 77,928 -7.9%
Financial ’00: 1,799
Activities ’08: 1,656
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-2.9%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 7,853
Income 57% 72% Bus. Services ’08: 7,623 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +22.4%
Education and ’00: 10,337
Health Services ’08: 12,653
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 43% 28% -3.0%
Leisure and ’00: 7,731
Hospitality ’08: 7,498 +2.8%
Other Indicators -24.6%
Other Services ’00: 2,917
Average Transfer
’08: 2,199 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $6,764
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $6,181 Suppressed '00: 195 '08: 0
96 State of the State

Tuscarawas County
Employment Overview
36,512 35,531
31,741 30,866
-0.9%

-2.7% 4,580 4,537 -2.8%

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 84,090 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 90,914
Current 91,348 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -50% -25% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%
Median Household Income
$42,143 Rank: 62 (1=highest) +25.6%
Mining and ’00: 407
Logging ’08: 511
Lowest Highest -10.7%

-12.0%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 1,649
’08: 1,451 -10.6%
10.7% Rank: 53 (1=highest)
-16.0%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 9,403
’08: 7,897 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-6.0%
Private Sector $29,878 Trade, Transport., ’00: 7,418
Federal Government $48,051 and Utilities ’08: 6,971 -6.2%
State Government $51,149
Local Government $32,978 +83.9%
Information ’00: 248
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 456 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 8,561
Income Less than $60,000 35,775 -0.5%
Financial ’00: 770
Activities ’08: 766
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
+19.8%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 2,544
Income 51% 66% Bus. Services ’08: 3,047 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +21.0%
Education and ’00: 4,019
Health Services ’08: 4,864
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 49% 34% -3.0%
Leisure and ’00: 3,812
Hospitality ’08: 3,697 +2.8%
Other Indicators -18.1%
Other Services ’00: 1,473
Average Transfer
’08: 1,206 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $5,582
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $5,144 Suppressed '00: -2 '08: 0
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 97

Union County
Employment Overview
27,537
23,621 24,101
20,408
+20.5%

+16.6% 3,437 +18.1%

2,852

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 31,969 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 40,909
Current 48,223 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -50% -25% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%
Median Household Income
$67,879 Rank: 3 (1=highest) County % change n/a*
Mining and ’00: –
Logging ’08: –
Lowest Highest -10.7%

+24.8%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 746
’08: 931 -10.6%
8.5% Rank: 80 (1=highest)
-9.6%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 10,756
’08: 9,723 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-7.1%
Private Sector $53,735 Trade, Transport., ’00: 3,098
Federal Government $46,695 and Utilities ’08: 2,879 -6.2%
State Government $50,544
Local Government $39,132 +15.8%
Information ’00: 95
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 110 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 8,155
Income Less than $60,000 13,948 +12.9%
Financial ’00: 404
Activities ’08: 456
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
+93.8%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 2,871
Income 72% 82% Bus. Services ’08: 5,565 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +46.0%
Education and ’00: 650
Health Services ’08: 949
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 28% 18% +13.1%
Leisure and ’00: 1,301
Hospitality ’08: 1,472 +2.8%
Other Indicators +19.5%
Other Services ’00: 456
Average Transfer
’08: 545 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $3,824
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $3,078 Suppressed '00: 31 '08: 1,471

* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
98 State of the State

Van Wert County

Employment Overview
12,333
10,856 10,909
9,436
+2.9%

-12.0% -13.5%
1,380 1,420

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 30,464 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 29,659
Current 28,748 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -40% -20% 0% 20% 40%
Median Household Income
$44,045 Rank: 53 (1=highest) County % change n/a*
Mining and ’00: –
Logging ’08: –
Lowest Highest -10.7%

-19.2%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 328
’08: 265 -10.6%
13.2% Rank: 15 (1=highest)
-31.1%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 4,689
’08: 3,231 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-18.4%
Private Sector $30,722 Trade, Transport., ’00: 1,941
Federal Government $41,491 and Utilities ’08: 1,583 -6.2%
State Government $49,588
Local Government $33,930 -28.0%
Information ’00: 93
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 67 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 2,969
Income Less than $60,000 11,316 +7.2%
Financial ’00: 566
Activities ’08: 607
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-6.9%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 291
Income 50% 64% Bus. Services ’08: 271 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +26.0%
Education and ’00: 1,413
Health Services ’08: 1,781
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 50% 36% -35.6%
Leisure and ’00: 1,153
Hospitality ’08: 743 +2.8%
Other Indicators -2.0%
Other Services ’00: 398
Average Transfer
’08: 390 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $5,080
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $4,401 Suppressed '00: 37 '08: 498

* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 99

Vinton County
Employment Overview
2,360 2,289

-7.7% 1,498 1,541

810 748
-3.0% +2.9%

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 11,098 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 12,806
Current 13,281 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -50% -25% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%
Median Household Income
$37,627 Rank: 75 (1=highest) County % change n/a*
Mining and ’00: –
Logging ’08: –
Lowest Highest -10.7%

+76.3%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 80
’08: 141 -10.6%
12.5% Rank: 23 (1=highest)
0.0%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 534
’08: 534 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-4.6%
Private Sector $29,874 Trade, Transport., ’00: 328
Federal Government $35,227 and Utilities ’08: 313 -6.2%
State Government $38,130
Local Government $29,907 County % change n/a*
Information ’00: –
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: – -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 712
Income Less than $60,000 4,035 County % change n/a*
Financial ’00: –
Activities ’08: 69
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-38.6%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 44
Income 43% 59% Bus. Services ’08: 27 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +7.0%
Education and ’00: 229
Health Services ’08: 245
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 57% 41% +77.6%
Leisure and ’00: 49
Hospitality ’08: 87 +2.8%
Other Indicators County % change n/a*
Other Services ’00: 29
Average Transfer
’08: – -0.5%
Payment per Capita $6,157
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $5,620 Suppressed '00: 205 '08: 125

* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
100 State of the State

Warren County
Employment Overview
77,100
67,767
59,088
+32.2% 52,079

+30.5% 9,165
+30.1%
6,932

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 113,909 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 158,383
Current 207,353 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -100% 0% 100% 200% 300%
Median Household Income
$71,521 Rank: 2 (1=highest) -74.5%
Mining and ’00: 98
Logging ’08: 25
Lowest Highest -10.7%

+11.3%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 2,231
’08: 2,482 -10.6%
8.8% Rank: 77 (1=highest)
-1.7%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 13,065
’08: 12,843 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
+15.0%
Private Sector $37,386 Trade, Transport., ’00: 12,020
Federal Government $50,334 and Utilities ’08: 13,828 -6.2%
State Government $53,442
Local Government $39,359 +251.2%
Information ’00: 387
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 1,359 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 39,077
Income Less than $60,000 54,904 +81.5%
Financial ’00: 2,497
Activities ’08: 4,533
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
+78.4%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 6,796
Income 79% 88% Bus. Services ’08: 12,127 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +65.7%
Education and ’00: 4,178
Health Services ’08: 6,923
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 21% 12% +36.1%
Leisure and ’00: 8,225
Hospitality ’08: 11,192 +2.8%
Other Indicators -4.9%
Other Services ’00: 2,581
Average Transfer
’08: 2,454 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $3,870
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $2,966 Suppressed '00: 1 '08: 1
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 101

Washington County
Employment Overview
24,515 25,155
21,247 22,046
-2.5%

+2.6% 3,124 3,046

+3.8%

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 62,254 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 63,251
Current 61,567 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -75% -50% -25% 0% 25% 50% 75%
Median Household Income
$40,805 Rank: 67 (1=highest) +59.6%
Mining and ’00: 260
Logging ’08: 415
Lowest Highest -10.7%

+3.5%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 1,641
’08: 1,698 -10.6%
9.2% Rank: 68 (1=highest)
-23.2%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 5,362
’08: 4,120 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
+6.4%
Private Sector $36,146 Trade, Transport., ’00: 4,776
Federal Government $49,734 and Utilities ’08: 5,083 -6.2%
State Government $50,085
Local Government $31,263 -59.7%
Information ’00: 211
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 85 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 6,355
Income Less than $60,000 21,405 +10.4%
Financial ’00: 643
Activities ’08: 710
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
+53.5%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 1,601
Income 58% 73% Bus. Services ’08: 2,458 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +43.5%
Education and ’00: 3,203
Health Services ’08: 4,596
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 42% 27% -4.8%
Leisure and ’00: 2,257
Hospitality ’08: 2,149 +2.8%
Other Indicators -9.6%
Other Services ’00: 809
Average Transfer
’08: 731 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $6,403
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $6,633 Suppressed '00: 484 '08: 1
102 State of the State

Wayne County
Employment Overview
47,948 45,369
40,963 38,481
-2.1%

-5.4% 6,629 6,493 -6.1%

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 101,461 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 111,564
Current 113,812 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -30% -15% 0% 15% 30%
Median Household Income
$48,948 Rank: 32 (1=highest) +29.7%
Mining and ’00: 354
Logging ’08: 459
Lowest Highest -10.7%

-5.4%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 2,436
’08: 2,305 -10.6%
9.2% Rank: 68 (1=highest)
-20.1%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 15,946
’08: 12,745 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-19.2%
Private Sector $34,031 Trade, Transport., ’00: 8,306
Federal Government $47,054 and Utilities ’08: 6,713 -6.2%
State Government $44,138
Local Government $35,828 -1.9%
Information ’00: 363
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 356 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 11,982
Income Less than $60,000 41,112 -7.1%
Financial ’00: 1,240
Activities ’08: 1,152
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-2.6%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 3,291
Income 57% 72% Bus. Services ’08: 3,207 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 County % change n/a*
Education and ’00: 3,437
Health Services ’08: –
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 43% 28% +2.2%
Leisure and ’00: 3,355
Hospitality ’08: 3,430 +2.8%
Other Indicators -10.5%
Other Services ’00: 1,336
Average Transfer
’08: 1,196 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $4,811
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $4,742 Suppressed '00: 899 '08: 6,918

* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 103

Williams County
Employment Overview
19,553
16,711 17,399
14,414
+2.6%

-14.5% -17.2%
2,108 2,163

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 36,956 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 39,188
Current 38,158 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -60% -40% -20% 0% 20% 40%
Median Household Income
$45,940 Rank: 42 (1=highest) County % change n/a*
Mining and ’00: –
Logging ’08: 26
Lowest Highest -10.7%

-20.9%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 532
’08: 421 -10.6%
14.3% Rank: 8 (1=highest)
-28.3%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 9,723
’08: 6,967 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
-14.7%
Private Sector $33,107 Trade, Transport., ’00: 2,538
Federal Government $41,258 and Utilities ’08: 2,166 -6.2%
State Government $47,983
Local Government $32,211 -15.6%
Information ’00: 147
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 124 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 3,632
Income Less than $60,000 14,788 -0.9%
Financial ’00: 351
Activities ’08: 348
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-41.3%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 610
Income 51% 66% Bus. Services ’08: 358 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +17.6%
Education and ’00: 1,554
Health Services ’08: 1,828
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 49% 34% -19.7%
Leisure and ’00: 1,221
Hospitality ’08: 981 +2.8%
Other Indicators -9.2%
Other Services ’00: 611
Average Transfer
’08: 555 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $5,459
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $4,882 Suppressed '00: 112 '08: 640

* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
104 State of the State

Wood County
Employment Overview
57,262 59,193
47,290 48,241
+8.8%

+3.4% 9,754 10,609 +2.0%

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 113,269 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 121,065
Current 125,340 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -60% -40% -20% 0% 20% 40% 60%
Median Household Income
$54,057 Rank: 14 (1=highest) County % change n/a*
Mining and ’00: –
Logging ’08: 40
Lowest Highest -10.7%

-15.4%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 3,173
’08: 2,684 -10.6%
10.3% Rank: 58 (1=highest)
-19.0%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 15,526
’08: 12,573 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
+23.3%
Private Sector $45,436 Trade, Transport., ’00: 10,556
Federal Government $46,086 and Utilities ’08: 13,014 -6.2%
State Government $50,076
Local Government $35,308 -47.9%
Information ’00: 917
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 478 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 18,116
Income Less than $60,000 39,888 +14.2%
Financial ’00: 791
Activities ’08: 903
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-6.0%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 5,624
Income 70% 82% Bus. Services ’08: 5,287 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 +48.7%
Education and ’00: 3,549
Health Services ’08: 5,277
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 30% 18% +26.1%
Leisure and ’00: 4,963
Hospitality ’08: 6,260 +2.8%
Other Indicators -3.5%
Other Services ’00: 1,787
Average Transfer
’08: 1,725 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $4,583
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $4,145 Suppressed '00: 404 '08: 0

* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 105

Wyandot County
Employment Overview
10,221
8,444 8,900
+10.0% 6,923

-17.4% 1,250 1,375 -22.2%

2000 2008 2000 2008 2000 2008

Non-Farm,
Total Government
Non-Government
Population
1990 22,254 Change in Employment, 2000–2008, by Industry
2000 22,908
Current 22,354 Percentage Change, This county
2000–2008 State total
Industry Employed -60% -40% -20% 0% 20% 40%
Median Household Income
$50,279 Rank: 22 (1=highest) -41.5%
Mining and ’00: 241
Logging ’08: 141
Lowest Highest -10.7%

+14.1%
Unemployment Rate Construction ’00: 552
’08: 630 -10.6%
11.6% Rank: 36 (1=highest)
-42.4%
Lowest Highest Manufacturing ’00: 4,489
’08: 2,586 -26.3%
Average Yearly Wages
+3.5%
Private Sector $32,306 Trade, Transport., ’00: 1,166
Federal Government $40,763 and Utilities ’08: 1,207 -6.2%
State Government $44,118
Local Government $30,380 -18.1%
Information ’00: 72
Income Tax Returns Technology ’08: 59 -18.7%
Income More than $60,000 2,077
Income Less than $60,000 8,777 +2.6%
Financial ’00: 195
Activities ’08: 200
% Ohio % State Tax -4.2%
Adjusted Before
-11.5%
Gross Income Credits Professional and ’00: 269
Income 47% 61% Bus. Services ’08: 238 +6.1%
More than
$60,000 County % change n/a*
Education and ’00: 529
Health Services ’08: –
Income +20.3%
Less than
$60,000 53% 39% -20.4%
Leisure and ’00: 848
Hospitality ’08: 675 +2.8%
Other Indicators -19.6%
Other Services ’00: 363
Average Transfer
’08: 292 -0.5%
Payment per Capita $5,390
Average Federal
Expenditure per Capita $5,463 Suppressed '00: 176 '08: 895

* Percentage change data not available because 2000 and/or 2008 figure was suppressed.
106 State of the State

Median Household Income

Rank County Income

1 Delaware $84,710 Lake

Lucas Ashtabula
2 Warren $71,521 Fulton
Williams Ottawa
3 Union $67,879 Geauga
4 Medina $66,214 Cuyahoga
Defiance Sandusky Erie Trumbull
Henry Wood Lorian
5 Geauga $65,835
6 Fairfield $59,115 Huron Sum- Portage
Paulding Seneca Medina
7 Greene $57,953 mit
Putnam Hancock Mahoning
8 Clermont $57,543
Ash-
9 Lake $56,560 Van Wert Wyandot land Wayne
Rich- Stark Columbiana
10 Putnam $56,557 Allen Crawford land
11 Butler $55,209 Hardin
Auglaize Marion Carroll
12 Auglaize $54,165 Holmes
Mercer Mor- Tusca-
row rawas Jeffer-
13 Ottawa $54,105 son
Logan Knox
14 Wood $54,057 Shelby Coshocton
Delaware Harrison
15 Licking $53,757 Darke Union
16 Miami $52,861 Champaign
Miami Licking Guernsey
Muskin- Belmont
17 Lorain $52,738
Clark gum
18 Madison $51,684 Franklin
Mont- Madi-
19 Shelby $50,728 son Fairfield Noble
Preble gomery Monroe
20 Mercer $50,632 Greene Perry Morgan
Fayette Pickaway
21 Preble $50,396
Hocking Washington
22 Wyandot $50,279 Butler
Warren Clinton Athens
23 Franklin $50,179 Ross
Vinton
24 Logan $50,102 Hamilton
25 Pickaway $50,079 Cler- Highland
Pike Meigs
mont Key
26 Portage $50,025 Jackson
27 Morrow $49,927 Brown $51,000+
28 Fulton $49,562 Adams Scioto Gallia $48,000–$50,999
29 Hamilton $49,343 $43,500–$49,999
30 Hancock $49,192 Lawrence $38,000–$43,499
31 Henry $49,037 $0–$37,999
32 Wayne $48,948
33 Summit $48,943
Rank County Income Rank County Income Rank County Income
34 Huron $48,571
35 Erie $48,266 49 Cuyahoga $44,943 63 Highland $42,073 77 Noble $37,043
36 Clinton $48,162 50 Montgomery $44,749 64 Hocking $41,764 78 Jefferson $36,817
37 Sandusky $47,573 51 Seneca $44,614 65 Ashtabula $41,414 79 Harrison $36,275
38 Ashland $47,564 52 Knox $44,055 66 Marion $40,995 80 Monroe $35,762
39 Defiance $46,909 53 Van Wert $44,045 67 Washington $40,805 81 Lawrence $34,454
40 Darke $46,556 54 Carroll $43,649 68 Mahoning $40,726 82 Jackson $33,977
41 Champaign $46,534 55 Lucas $43,562 69 Muskingum $40,672 83 Adams $33,769
42 Williams $45,940 56 Hardin $43,362 70 Columbiana $40,604 84 Pike $33,493
43 Brown $45,929 57 Trumbull $42,483 71 Crawford $40,022 85 Scioto $33,263
44 Paulding $45,541 58 Richland $42,444 72 Coshocton $39,867 86 Morgan $33,087
45 Allen $45,431 59 Fayette $42,323 73 Guernsey $37,972 87 Meigs $32,839
46 Clark $45,413 60 Perry $42,309 74 Belmont $37,705 88 Athens $32,372
47 Stark $45,306 61 Ross $42,214 75 Vinton $37,627
48 Holmes $45,239 62 Tuscarawas $42,143 76 Gallia $37,609

THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE

THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 107

Private Sector, Current Average Yearly Wage

Rank County Income

1 Union $53,735 Lake

Lucas Ashtabula
2 Hamilton $48,959 Fulton
Williams Ottawa
3 Delaware $46,121 Geauga
4 Cuyahoga $45,602 Cuyahoga
Defiance Sandusky Erie Trumbull
Henry Wood Lorian
5 Wood $45,436
6 Franklin $43,867 Huron Sum- Portage
Paulding Seneca Medina
7 Clinton $43,209 mit
Putnam Hancock Mahoning
8 Summit $40,802
Ash-
9 Montgomery $40,722 Van Wert Wyandot land Wayne
Rich- Stark Columbiana
10 Shelby $39,913 Allen Crawford land
11 Butler $39,231 Hardin
Auglaize Marion Carroll
12 Logan $39,141 Holmes
Mercer Mor- Tusca-
row rawas Jeffer-
13 Pike $39,073 son
Logan Knox
14 Hancock $38,183 Shelby Coshocton
Delaware Harrison
15 Jefferson $37,985 Darke Union
16 Lucas $37,769 Champaign
Miami Licking Guernsey
Muskin- Belmont
17 Warren $37,386
Clark gum
18 Clermont $37,198 Franklin
Mont- Madi-
19 Trumbull $37,019 son Fairfield Noble
Preble gomery Monroe
20 Lake $36,803 Greene Perry Morgan
Fayette Pickaway
21 Monroe $36,768
Hocking Washington
22 Gallia $36,757 Butler
Warren Clinton Athens
23 Defiance $36,193 Ross
Vinton
24 Washington $36,146 Hamilton
25 Knox $35,815 Cler- Highland
Pike Meigs
mont Key
26 Auglaize $35,792 Jackson
27 Greene $35,663 Brown $37,100+
28 Lorain $35,647 Adams Scioto Gallia $34,400–$37,099
29 Geauga $35,539 $32,000–$34,399
30 Ottawa $35,476 Lawrence $29,300–$31,999
31 Ross $35,169 $0–$29,299
32 Henry $35,023
33 Allen $34,690
Rank County Income Rank County Income Rank County Income
34 Stark $34,654
35 Medina $34,504 49 Erie $32,572 63 Paulding $30,463 77 Columbiana $28,881
36 Champaign $34,475 50 Hardin $32,438 64 Ashtabula $30,380 78 Holmes $28,587
37 Portage $34,326 51 Madison $32,405 65 Seneca $30,334 79 Fayette $28,583
38 Miami $34,193 52 Clark $32,327 66 Harrison $30,177 80 Brown $28,270
39 Pickaway $34,122 53 Wyandot $32,306 67 Scioto $29,987 81 Noble $27,907
40 Huron $34,060 54 Sandusky $32,148 68 Tuscarawas $29,878 82 Morgan $27,785
41 Wayne $34,031 55 Preble $31,993 69 Vinton $29,874 83 Highland $27,602
42 Coshocton $33,563 56 Ashland $31,845 70 Putnam $29,714 84 Carroll $27,531
43 Licking $33,421 57 Mercer $31,418 71 Morrow $29,541 85 Lawrence $26,683
44 Fulton $33,189 58 Mahoning $31,321 72 Fairfield $29,365 86 Athens $25,794
45 Marion $33,148 59 Muskingum $31,028 73 Crawford $29,256 87 Hocking $25,555
46 Williams $33,107 60 Darke $30,986 74 Belmont $29,118 88 Meigs $23,424
47 Richland $32,914 61 Guernsey $30,801 75 Jackson $28,988
48 Perry $32,599 62 Van Wert $30,722 76 Adams $28,970

THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE

108 State of the State

Federal Government, Current Average Yearly Wage

Rank County Income

1 Lorain $97,885 Lake

Lucas Ashtabula
2 Greene $80,642 Fulton
Williams Ottawa
3 Ross $72,887 Geauga
4 Cuyahoga $67,458 Cuyahoga
Defiance Sandusky Erie Trumbull
Henry Wood Lorian
5 Hamilton $64,830
6 Clinton $63,514 Huron Sum- Portage
Paulding Seneca Medina
7 Franklin $62,896 mit
Putnam Hancock Mahoning
8 Mahoning $59,081
Ash-
9 Summit $59,062 Van Wert Wyandot land Wayne
Rich- Stark Columbiana
10 Lucas $58,963 Allen Crawford land
11 Lake $58,091 Hardin
Auglaize Marion Carroll
12 Clark $57,489 Holmes
Mercer Mor- Tusca-
row rawas Jeffer-
13 Licking $57,020 son
Logan Knox
14 Columbiana $56,812 Shelby Coshocton
Delaware Harrison
15 Allen $56,208 Darke Union
16 Erie $56,070 Champaign
Miami Licking Guernsey
Muskin- Belmont
17 Medina $55,464
Clark gum
18 Clermont $55,414 Franklin
Mont- Madi-
19 Montgomery $55,297 son Fairfield Noble
Preble gomery Monroe
20 Stark $54,387 Greene Perry Morgan
Fayette Pickaway
21 Richland $54,016
Hocking Washington
22 Butler $53,641 Butler
Warren Clinton Athens
23 Hancock $52,180 Ross
Vinton
24 Trumbull $52,073 Hamilton
25 Pike $51,282 Cler- Highland
Pike Meigs
mont Key
26 Athens $51,269 Jackson
27 Logan $50,921 Brown $55,300+
28 Delaware $50,739 Adams Scioto Gallia $48,600–$55,299
29 Warren $50,334 $45,240–$48,599
30 Jefferson $50,316 Lawrence $41,700–$45,239
31 Miami $50,050 $0–$41,699
32 Muskingum $49,938
33 Washington $49,734
Rank County Income Rank County Income Rank County Income
34 Ashtabula $49,362
35 Coshocton $49,053 49 Union $46,695 63 Guernsey $43,756 77 Williams $41,258
36 Fairfield $48,738 50 Madison $46,476 64 Morgan $43,641 78 Hardin $41,105
37 Portage $48,590 51 Wood $46,086 65 Crawford $43,501 79 Wyandot $40,763
38 Tuscarawas $48,051 52 Seneca $45,665 66 Holmes $43,014 80 Carroll $40,659
39 Belmont $48,004 53 Henry $45,539 67 Huron $42,703 81 Harrison $39,067
40 Ottawa $47,896 54 Highland $45,249 68 Ashland $42,557 82 Morrow $38,966
41 Fulton $47,443 55 Knox $45,234 69 Brown $42,344 83 Paulding $38,793
42 Marion $47,248 56 Pickaway $45,199 70 Preble $42,254 84 Perry $38,665
43 Scioto $47,216 57 Lawrence $44,961 71 Gallia $41,787 85 Putnam $38,367
44 Defiance $47,097 58 Shelby $44,905 72 Monroe $41,769 86 Adams $37,265
45 Wayne $47,054 59 Geauga $44,796 73 Mercer $41,646 87 Noble $35,795
46 Sandusky $46,989 60 Meigs $44,439 74 Champaign $41,512 88 Vinton $35,227
47 Auglaize $46,745 61 Jackson $44,237 75 Van Wert $41,491
48 Fayette $46,740 62 Darke $43,887 76 Hocking $41,446

THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE

THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS 109

State Government, Current Average Yearly Wage

Rank County Income

1 Athens $57,876 Lake

Lucas Ashtabula
2 Cuyahoga $56,461 Fulton
Williams Ottawa
3 Montgomery $54,181 Geauga
4 Hocking $54,150 Cuyahoga
Defiance Sandusky Erie Trumbull
Henry Wood Lorian
5 Allen $53,996
6 Ashland $53,807 Huron Sum- Portage
Paulding Seneca Medina
7 Warren $53,442 mit
Putnam Hancock Mahoning
8 Licking $52,970
Ash-
9 Sandusky $52,446 Van Wert Wyandot land Wayne
Rich- Stark Columbiana
10 Crawford $52,205 Allen Crawford land
11 Shelby $51,982 Hardin
Auglaize Marion Carroll
12 Jefferson $51,847 Holmes
Mercer Mor- Tusca-
row rawas Jeffer-
13 Summit $51,585 son
Logan Knox
14 Miami $51,207 Shelby Coshocton
Delaware Harrison
15 Tuscarawas $51,149 Darke Union
16 Hancock $51,097 Champaign
Miami Licking Guernsey
Muskin- Belmont
17 Morrow $51,006
Clark gum
18 Portage $50,908 Franklin
Mont- Madi-
19 Jackson $50,751 son Fairfield Noble
Preble gomery Monroe
20 Fulton $50,590 Greene Perry Morgan
Fayette Pickaway
21 Carroll $50,557
Hocking Washington
22 Union $50,544 Butler
Warren Clinton Athens
23 Stark $50,435 Ross
Vinton
24 Huron $50,381 Hamilton
25 Lorain $50,245 Cler- Highland
Pike Meigs
mont Key
26 Washington $50,085 Jackson
27 Hamilton $50,076 Brown $50,800+
28 Wood $50,075 Adams Scioto Gallia $48,500–$50,799
29 Clinton $49,909 $45,400–$48,499
30 Van Wert $49,588 Lawrence $41,000–$45,399
31 Richland $49,583 $0–$40,999
32 Lake $49,476
33 Medina $49,305
Rank County Income Rank County Income Rank County Income
34 Delaware $49,221
35 Pickaway $48,828 49 Scioto $46,840 63 Wayne $44,138 77 Noble $39,759
36 Marion $48,816 50 Perry $46,785 64 Wyandot $44,118 78 Erie $39,607
37 Madison $48,336 51 Henry $46,689 65 Greene $44,003 79 Logan $39,509
38 Putnam $48,240 52 Coshocton $46,644 66 Monroe $43,574 80 Columbiana $39,508
39 Franklin $48,235 53 Ross $46,361 67 Seneca $43,073 81 Pike $38,673
40 Ottawa $48,216 54 Harrison $45,418 68 Darke $42,369 82 Vinton $38,130
41 Lucas $48,004 55 Hardin $45,316 69 Holmes $42,134 83 Mercer $38,089
42 Williams $47,983 56 Fayette $45,235 70 Butler $42,026 84 Gallia $37,284
43 Auglaize $47,940 57 Mahoning $45,213 71 Adams $41,757 85 Clermont $37,190
44 Clark $47,938 58 Morgan $44,923 72 Ashtabula $41,348 86 Knox $36,400
45 Defiance $47,546 59 Guernsey $44,699 73 Preble $40,808 87 Muskingum $36,374
46 Paulding $47,474 60 Belmont $44,618 74 Geauga $40,685 88 Lawrence $31,716
47 Trumbull $47,285 61 Fairfield $44,488 75 Brown $40,526
48 Champaign $47,143 62 Meigs $44,185 76 Highland $40,070

THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE

110 State of the State

Local Government, Current Average Yearly Wage

Rank County Income

1 Franklin $47,959 Lake

Lucas Ashtabula
2 Lucas $46,381 Fulton
Williams Ottawa
3 Cuyahoga $46,065 Geauga
4 Greene $44,003 Cuyahoga
Defiance Sandusky Erie Trumbull
Henry Wood Lorian
5 Montgomery $42,332
6 Hamilton $42,172 Huron Sum- Portage
Paulding Seneca Medina
7 Butler $42,026 mit
Putnam Hancock Mahoning
8 Delaware $40,972
Ash-
9 Summit $40,895 Van Wert Wyandot land Wayne
Rich- Stark Columbiana
10 Erie $40,192 Allen Crawford land
11 Lorain $39,938 Hardin
Auglaize Marion Carroll
12 Lake $39,771 Holmes
Mercer Mor- Tusca-
row rawas Jeffer-
13 Warren $39,359 son
Logan Knox
14 Union $39,132 Shelby Coshocton
Delaware Harrison
15 Clermont $39,034 Darke Union
16 Fairfield $38,919 Champaign
Miami Licking Guernsey
Muskin- Belmont
17 Licking $38,366
Clark gum
18 Marion $37,718 Franklin
Mont- Madi-
19 Miami $37,711 son Fairfield Noble
Preble gomery Monroe
20 Trumbull $37,698 Greene Perry Morgan
Fayette Pickaway
21 Medina $37,618
Hocking Washington
22 Geauga $37,434 Butler
Warren Clinton Athens
23 Ottawa $36,952 Ross
Vinton
24 Mahoning $36,848 Hamilton
25 Stark $36,707 Cler- Highland
Pike Meigs
mont Key
26 Clinton $36,557 Jackson
27 Madison $36,457 Brown $37,715+
28 Portage $36,244 Adams Scioto Gallia $35,100–$37,714
29 Shelby $35,945 $33,400–$35,099
30 Wayne $35,828 Lawrence $31,400–$33,399
31 Richland $35,791 $0–$31,399
32 Allen $35,573
33 Pickaway $35,568
Rank County Income Rank County Income Rank County Income
34 Clark $35,541
35 Wood $35,308 49 Champaign $33,966 63 Jackson $32,235 77 Wyandot $30,380
36 Brown $35,109 50 Hocking $33,959 64 Williams $32,211 78 Vinton $29,907
37 Hancock $35,079 51 Ashtabula $33,958 65 Knox $32,188 79 Hardin $29,836
38 Sandusky $34,801 52 Van Wert $33,930 66 Lawrence $31,986 80 Meigs $29,812
39 Fayette $34,656 53 Huron $33,500 67 Gallia $31,876 81 Jefferson $29,796
40 Ross $34,599 54 Crawford $33,426 68 Morrow $31,747 82 Putnam $29,018
41 Defiance $34,542 55 Mercer $33,391 69 Preble $31,705 83 Carroll $29,008
42 Scioto $34,492 56 Seneca $33,329 70 Coshocton $31,688 84 Morgan $28,840
43 Logan $34,447 57 Henry $33,314 71 Guernsey $31,602 85 Perry $28,513
44 Auglaize $34,391 58 Darke $33,276 72 Fulton $31,434 86 Noble $27,949
45 Pike $34,271 59 Tuscarawas $32,978 73 Adams $31,376 87 Monroe $26,424
46 Ashland $34,258 60 Columbiana $32,880 74 Washington $31,263 88 Harrison $26,190
47 Muskingum $34,245 61 Athens $32,760 75 Paulding $30,542
48 Highland $34,230 62 Holmes $32,378 76 Belmont $30,457

THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE

THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS
Sources
County Profiles
Ohio Department of Development, “Ohio County Profile,”
January 2009, at http://development.ohio.gov/research/files/
s0.htm (February 11, 2010).
Migration
Ohio Department of Development, Reports in Population &
Housing: Demographic Components, “IRS In Migration Flows
of Exemptions to Ohio: 1980-2006,” May 2007, at
http://www.development.ohio.gov/research/Reports_In_Popu-
lation_and_Housing-Demographic_Components.htm
(February 11, 2010).
Poverty Levels
U.S. Census Bureau, “American Fact Finder,” at
http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ACSSAFFFacts?_
event=Search&geo_id=&_geoContext=&_street=&_
county=&_cityTown=&_state=04000US39&_zip=&_
lang=en&_sse=on&pctxt=fph&pgsl=010 (February 11, 2010).
Population
U.S. Census Bureau, “Population Finder,” at http://factfinder.
census.gov/servlet/SAFFPopulation?submenuId=population_
0&_sse=on (February 11, 2010).
Ohio Counties Employment and Wages by Industry
Ohio Labor Market Information, “Employment and Wages
Publications – 2000 to Present: Tables RS 203.1-BN and RS
203.3-BN,” December 10, 2009 at http://lmi.state.oh.us/cep/
CEP_NAICS.htm (February 11, 2010).
State Labor Force and Employment by Industry
Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Economy at a Glance,” January 22,
2010, at http://www.bls.gov/eag/home.htm (February 11,
2010).
About the Buckeye Institute
The Buckeye Institute for Public Policy Solutions is a 501(c)(3)
research and educational institution whose mission is to frame
the policy debate in Ohio by researching relevant, data-driven
solutions to Ohio’s most pressing public policy issues. We focus
on the issues of economic freedom and competitiveness, job
creation and entrepreneurship, and government transparency and
accountability.
© 2010 by The Buckeye Institute for Public Policy Solutions
88 East Broad Street, Suite 1120
Columbus, Ohio 43215
614-224-4422 • www.buckeyeinstitute.org
111
State Per Capita Income
Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Economic Ac-
counts, “Local Area Personal Income: Table CA05,” April,
23, 2009, at http://www.bea.gov/regional/reis/default.
cfm?selTable=CA05N&series=NAICS (February 11, 2010).
Tax Tables
Ohio Department of Taxation, Individual Income Tax, “Table 23:
All Returns by Ohio Taxable Income,” June 16, 2009, and “Table
33: Components of Income by County and Income Level,” Octo-
ber 15, 2009, at http://www.tax.ohio.gov/divisions/tax_analysis/
tax_data_series/individual_income/unpublished/IT_07.stm
(February 11, 2010).
Unemployment
Ohio Labor Market Information, “Current Labor Force
Estimates: Unemployment Rate Map,” January 22, 2010, at
http://lmi.state.oh.us/laus/laus.html (February 11, 2010).
Vital Statistics
Ohio Department of Health, “Vital Statistics Annual Birth Sum-
maries, by Year,” August 14, 2007, at http://www.odh.ohio.gov/
healthStats/vitalstats/birthstat.aspx (February 11, 2010); and
Ohio Department of Health Information Warehouse, “Births:
Live Births,” January 7, 2010, and “Deaths: Population Data,”
March 15, 2009, at http://dwhouse.odh.ohio.gov/
datawarehousev2.htm (February 11, 2010).
Our vision is to build a revitalized Ohio that ranks among the top
ten states in high household wealth, low taxation, and low govern-
ment costs.
Nothing written here is to be construed as an attempt to aid or
hinder the passage of any legislation before the Ohio Legislature.
State of the State : Two Decades of Weak Job Growth and Skyrocketing Government Costs
Pose Daunting Challenges for Ohioans
Matt Mayer and Mary McCleary

BUCKEYE INSTITUTE’S COMMITMENT TO QUALITY SCHOLARSHIP

The Buckeye Institute for Public Policy Solutions is dedicated to providing Ohioans with superior quality and dependable
research on public policy issues. We guarantee that all factual statements and data used in our policy reports, policy briefs,
viewpoints, and other research products are accurate, and information attributed to other sources is truthfully represented.

As a part of our commitment to quality, we welcome review and critiques of our work. If a concern about the accuracy is
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THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS

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Columbus, Ohio 43215
Voice (614) 224-4422 • Fax (614) 234-4644
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