More than 50,000 people move into or out of Hamilton County every year in pursuit of jobs, housing, education or a better place to raise their kids.What's hilarious to me is that The Enquirer finds this as news. This is a trend that every urban county in the country has seen for 50 years.But the flow of people coming and going is out of balance.
New data from the IRS show that in 2008 about 6,000 more people left Hamilton County than moved in, and that the newcomers earned about $4,400 less per year than the people who moved out.
That income gap is the largest among the six surrounding counties in Ohio and Northern Kentucky and also is wider than the gap in Ohio's two other most populous counties, Cuyahoga and Franklin.
Economists and government officials say the movement of higher wage earners away from Hamilton County - often to nearby suburbs - reflects a trend common to large, urban counties and is not necessarily a sign of poor economic health.
But they also warn the trend could lead to trouble if it continues because high earners help drive the economy and are crucial to maintain a healthy tax base.
If too many leave, they say, local governments will struggle even more with budget deficits, inadequate sales tax revenue and growing demand for services.
What would be of use to the public is to note why these trends have occurred.
Seriously, when will our media start to report on why people are leaving our cities for life in the 'burbs?
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1 comment:
I can't think of a way that the Enquirer could have written this article that could be more condescending to average people.
This same article blamed the flight out of Hamilton County on several issues. One point says its a "lifecycle" issue. Another point says its a movement of the "creative" class to more exciting city centers. Then there is the blaming it on costs of maintaining urban infrastructure. Implying that the selfish uncreative people did the obvious uncreative thing and moved out.
Then they talk about all the things being done to keep people in town. The Streetcar. Ha! The Banks. Ha!
Clue for city/county government: You want to attract high income people. Try making it a nice place for families. So what if that's not your esteemed creative class. Families earn more because they have to, and they spend more. Don't tax the shit out of people. Get the so-called "creative" class to think of ideas to make the community nice. If you don't have room in the jail for low end-crimes, make them pick up trash in over-the-rhine. Or make them pay for, plant, and maintain flowers along all the city streets.
You make it as nice place for a family to live, a place where you would want to sit on your front porch, families will move back, and bring the tax base with them. The good schools, restaurants, and lower crime rate will come with them.
This article basically indirectly insults everyone who has made a life for themselves outside Hamilton county and blames them for the problems inside the county.
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