Earth Day Network
 Urban Environment Report: How Does Your City Perform?
 
CITY ENVIRONMENT DATA
Columbus, Ohio
State Ohio
City Columbus
County1 Franklin*
City Population (2005)2 693,983 6.2% of state population
City Population Rank in United States, largest 50 Cities (2005) 15 (of top 50 in U.S.)
City Population Rank in Urban Environment Report (2005) 15 (of 72 in EDN study)
City Population Rank in State (2005) 1
City Size Classification - Population Large
City Size Classification - Population Density Medium Low Density
State Capitol City Columbus
State Population (2005)2 11,155,606
 
 
CIVIC LEADERSHIP INFORMATION
Mayor Name (as of 1/1/2007) Michael Coleman
Mayor/City Website (as of 1/1/2007) http://mayor.columbus.gov
Mayor/City Contact (as of 1/1/2007) 614-645-7671
Mayor Political Affiliation (as of 1/1/2007) Democrat
Next General Mayoral Election Tuesday, November 6, 2007
US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement as of 10/18/06  No
State Governor Name Ted Strickland
State/Governor Website http://www.state.oh.us/
State/Governor Contact Information 614-466-3555
State/Governor Party Affiliation Democrat
State Governor Current Term Ends January 1, 2011
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Note: All rank information is out of 72 cities, though not all may have reported in every category.
1 is the 'best' (least polluting, most tree cover, etc) and 72 is the 'worst'.
 

(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
 
EDN VULNERABLE POPULATION INDEX (EDN VPI) 1.25    
Vulnerable Population Estimate 15.9%    
     Disability Status 13.0% 20  
     Emphysema 1.10% 18  
     Cardiovascular Disease 22.86% 19  
     Diabetes 4.77% 17  
     Pediatric Asthma 8.49% 17  
     Adult Asthma 8.82% 49  
     Adult Obesity 21.8%   36
     People Without Health Insurance 11.9%   16
     Age: Children under 5 years 8.2% 55  
     Age: 65 years and over 8.6% 11  
     Not Literate (Adult Level 1 Literacy) 20.0% 29  
     Adults without High School Degree (or higher) 12.9% 55  
     High School Drop-Out Rate 65.6% 5  
     Unemployed (Civilian Labor Force) 7.9% 33  
     Individuals Below Poverty 16.7% 32  
     Children (under 18 years old) Below Poverty 18.7% 27  
     Free or Reduced Lunch 55.5% 34  
     Other Languages Spoken at Home (primary language is not English) 11.7% 26  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
1 • TOXICS & WASTE     (metadata) (score) 3.7    
Overall Toxics Rank Average 42.6 (of 51) 63  
Cumulative Cancer-Causing Chemical Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 140,798,650 pounds   46
Cumulative Developmental Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 148,177,649 pounds 41
Cumulative Reproductive Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 30,085,383 pounds 44
Cumulative Suspected Neurological Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 1,209,136,904 pounds 48
Cumulative Suspected Respiratory Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 1,325,956,622 pounds 50
Dioxin Releases by State (grams in 2000) 56.2 grams 33
Number of Superfund Sites in County 2 sites 37  
Municipal Solid Waste Generation, tons per person (1997) 1.006 tons per person 25
Recycling Rate (1997) 19.0% 36
Tons Municipal Solid Waste Generated by State (2004) 15,927,546 tons 45
Municipal Solid Waste Generated Per Capita by State, tons/person (2004) 1.4 tons/person 32
Tons Municipal Solid Waste Recycled by State (2004) 4,208,014 tons 8
% Municipal Solid Waste Recycled by State (2004) 26.4% 18
% Municipal Solid Waste to Waste-to-Energy (2004) 0.0% 36
% Change in Municipal Solid Waste Generated (1997 to 2004) 39.2% 32
% Change in State Recycling Rate (1997 to 2004) 38.9% 5
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
2 • AIR QUALITY     (metadata) (score)    4.0***    
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) Released, Tons in 2002 1,132,100 tons   48
Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) Released, Tons in 2002 368,700 tons   48
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Released, Tons in 2002 134,790,200 tons   47
Mercury Released, Pounds in 2002 7,970.0 pounds   46
High Ozone Days (annual # of, Weighted Average) (2001-2003) 14.2 days 53  
Short-term Particle Pollution Weighted Average, 24 Hour (2001 - 2003) 8.0 PM2.5 54  
Year-Round Particle Pollution - Design Value (Annual PM2.5) (2001 - 2003) 16.7 PM2.5 51  
High Ozone Days (annual # of, Weighted Average) (2002 - 2004) 12.2 days 52  
Short-term Particle Pollution Weighted Average, 24 Hour (2002 - 2004) 5.3 PM2.5 52  
Year-Round Particle Pollution - Design Value (Annual PM2.5) (2002 - 2004) 15.7 PM2.5 51  
EPA Ambient Carbon Monoxide (CO) (8-hr ppm) 3 ppm 16  
EPA Ambient Lead (PB) Q Max (ug/m3) 0.02 ug/m3 10  
EPA Mean Ambient Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2 ppm) (Not Available) (Not Available)  
EPA Larger Particle (PM10) 24-hr (ug/m3) 33 ug/m3 45  
EPA Mean Ambient Sulfur Dioxide (SO2 ppm) 0.004 ppm 27  
EPA Days over 100 AQI (Warning Level) 11 days 25  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
3 • DRINKING & SURFACE WATER     (metadata) (score)    2.4***    
DRINKING WATER QUALITY
Tap Water Quality & Compliance Grade (Not Available) ---  
Right to Know Report, What's in your Tap Water Grade (Not Available) ---  
Drinking Water Source Protection Grade (Not Available) ---  
WATERSHED & RESOURCES
Watershed Name Upper Scioto ---  
# of Units in Watershed 46 units 34  
# of Assessed Watershed Units 42 units 23  
# of Threatened & Impaired Watershed Units 21 units 35  
% of Watershed Units Assessed as Impaired or Threatened 50.0% 14  
% of Watershed Units Not Assessed 8.7% 27  
U.S. Census Annual Rainfall, inches (1961-1990) 38.09 inches 29  
Water Area Total, square miles 3,875 square miles 18  
Water Area Inland, square miles 376 square miles 55  
Water Area Coastal, square miles 0 square miles 35  
Water Area Great Lakes, square miles 3,499 square miles 4  
Average # of Days with Precipitation of .01 Inch or More to 1998, Station Columbus ---  
Average # of Days with Precipitation of .01 Inch or More to 1998, Length of record in years 59 years 11  
Average # of Days with Precipitation of .01 Inch or More to 1998, Annual 137 days 7  
Snow & Ice Pellets (thru 1998), Station Columbus ---  
Snow & Ice Pellets (thru 1998), Length of record in years 51 years 42  
Snow & Ice Pellets, Annual inches (thru 1998) 27.9 inches 23  
WATER WITHDRAWN
Water Withdrawn - Total, gallons/day 10,500,000,000 gallons/day 24  
Fresh Water Withdrawn - Per capita, gallons/day 944,000,000 gallons/day 51  
Ground water, gallons/day 905,000,000 gallons/day 37  
Surface water, gallons/day 9,620,000,000 gallons/day 26  
Irrigation, gallons/day 27,000,000 gallons/day 59  
Public Supply, gallons/day 1,560,000,000 gallons/day 21  
Industrial, gallons/day 650,000,000 gallons/day 27  
Thermo-Electric, gallons/day 8,190,000,000 gallons/day 23  
Fresh Water Consumption, gallons/day 791,000,000 gallons/day 38  
WATER POLLUTION
Water Supplier Columbus Public Water System ---  
Number of People Served by Water Supplier 955,606 people 17  
Year(s) Included in Summary 2000-2003 ---  
Total Contaminants Detected 18 contaminants 42  
Contaminants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 6 contaminants 58  
Agricultural Pollutants Detected 7 contaminants 57  
Agricultural Pollutants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 3 contaminants 61  
Sprawl and Urban Pollutants Detected 3 contaminants 21  
Sprawl and Urban Pollutants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 2 contaminants 49  
Industrial Pollutants Detected 4 contaminants 10  
Industrial Pollutants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 2 contaminants 43  
Water Treatment & Distribution By-Products Detected 10 contaminants 52  
Water Treatment & Distribution By-Products Detected, Over Health Based Limits 4 contaminants 39  
Naturally Occurring Contaminants Detected 4 contaminants 13  
Naturally Occurring Contaminants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 2 contaminants 48  
WATER HEALTH & TESTING SUMMARY
Contaminants in Tap Water 18 contaminants 42  
Contaminants in Tap Water, Over Health Based Limits 6 contaminants 58  
Contaminants Reported as Tested by this Water Supplier 86 contaminants 44  
Contaminants with Federal Legal Limit in Tap Water 73 contaminants ---  
Regulated Contaminants Tested 73 contaminants 44  
Unregulated Contaminants Tested 13 contaminants 45  
WATER VIOLATION SUMMARY
Total Violations 1 violation 35  
Health Violations 1 violation 54  
Monitoring Violations 0 violations 1  
Reporting Violations 0 violations 1  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
4 • QUALITY OF LIFE (SITES4)     (metadata) (score) 2.9    
DENSITY & SPRAWL
Population Density, people per square mile of land area 3,383.6 people per square mile 33  
Housing Density, units per square mile of land area 1,556.0 housing units per square mile 28  
TRANSPORTATION
Mean Travel Time to Work, minutes (2000) 21.9 minutes 27  
Mean Travel Time to Work, minutes (2004) 20.5 minutes 23  
Means of Transportation - % Carpool (2000) 10.8% 62  
Means of Transportation - % Public (2000) 3.9% 39  
Means of Transportation - % Walk or Bike (2000) 3.5% 34  
Means of Transportation - % Work @ Home (2000) 2.3% 52  
Cost of Living: Transportation, % of National Average 103.3 33  
Motor Vehicle Registrations per 100 Residents (2003) 94.4 MV registrations   43
% Change in Motor Vehicle Registrations (1980 to 2003) 35.6%   18
Motor Vehicle Registrations - Autos Only per 100 Residents (2003) 58.4 MV registrations   48
Motor Vehicle Registrations per Licensed Driver (2003) 1.38 MV registrations   44
Total State Highway Mileage (2003) 123,522 miles   45
Total State Highway Mileage, Estimated % of Land Area (2003) 0.685%   45
Urban Highway Mileage, % of Total State Highway Mileage (2003) 35.0%   12
Total Highway Mileage per Licensed Driver (2003) 0.02 miles   15
Total Highway Mileage per Motor Vehicle Registration (2003) 11.72 miles   13
State $ Disbursements for Highways (2003) $3,660,000,000   44
State $ Disbursements for Highways, per highway mile (2003) $29,630 per mile   34
% Change in State Disbursements for Highways (1995 to 2003) 38.8%   10
Annual Person Hours of Delay, per person (2003) 16.0 hours per person 14  
Annual Congestion Cost, $ per person (2003) $264 per person 14  
Annual Congestion Delay and Fuel Cost (2003) $314,000,000 20  
Fuel Wasted, gallons per person (2003) 10 gallons per person 15  
INCOME & EMPLOYMENT
Median Household Income (2004) $40,437 31  
Median Household Income (2000) $37,897 35  
Per capita income (2004) $21,982 36  
Per capita Personal Income (2000) $20,450 39  
% of Families Below Poverty Level (2004) 13.3% 36  
% of Individuals Below Poverty Level (1999) 14.8% 34  
% of Individuals Below Poverty Level (2004) 16.7% 32  
% of Households with Public Assistance Income (2000) 3.7% 27  
% of Children Under 18 Years Old Below Poverty Level (1999) 18.7% 27  
People In the Labor Force, Unemployed (2005) 29,681 people 51  
% In the Labor Force: Unemployed (2005) 5.5% 40  
% of the Civilian Labor Force: Unemployed (2005) 7.9% 33  
% In the Labor Force: Unemployed (2000) 3.5% 18  
% of the Civilian Labor Force Unemployed (2000) 4.9% 15  
% Change in the Labor Force Unemployed (2000 to 2005) 36.6% 59  
% Change in the Civilian Labor Force Unemployed (2000 to 2005) 38.0% 61  
State Minimum Wage Laws (2006) Same as Federal ---  
State Minimum Wage Rates (2006) $5.15 per hour 28  
EDUCATION
# of School Age Kids K-12 (ages 5 to 17) 118,983 kids (1.1% of total pop.) 17  
Largest School District Enrollment 64,511 kids (0.6% of total pop.) 30  
% on Free or Reduced Lunch 55.5% 34  
Cumulative Promotion Index (CPI) Graduation Rate 34.4% 65  
Level of Education: % with High School Degree or Higher (2004) 87.1% 17  
Level of Education: % with Bachelor's Degree or Higher (2004) 32.1% 28  
Adult Level 1 Literacy Rate 20% 29  
State School Bus Efficiency (2002) Behind the Curve   ---
State School Bus Soot Pollution Grade C   ---
State School Bus Cleanup Program Rank (2006) Average   ---
State School Bus Smog Pollution Rank (2006) Average   ---
HOUSING & COST OF LIVING
Occupied Housing Units (2004) 297,497 units 14  
% of Owner Occupied Housing 46.1% 36  
Cost of Living: Housing 102.8 41  
Cost of Living: Utilities 111.0 46  
Cost of Living: Miscellaneous 102.4 47  
Cost of Living: Overall 103.3 41  
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
Voter Turnout in the Election of November 2004 67.55%   10
State Voter Turnout Rate: 2002 Election 42.40%   10
State Voter Turnout Rate: 2004 Election 64.70%   36
State Volunteering Rate: 2002-2005 Combined 30.4%   24
SAFETY/SECURITY
Total Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2004) 8,609.3 incidents per 100,000 people 59  
Violent Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2004) 808.9 incidents per 100,000 people 38  
Property Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2004) 7,800.4 incidents per 100,000 people 61  
Total Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2003) 8,614.3 incidents per 100,000 people 57  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
5 • PARKS & RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES     (metadata) (score) 3.3    
Average # of Parks, per square mile 1.0 parks per square mile 20  
Average Area Dedicated to Parks, per city square mile 61.4 park acres per city square mile 14  
Park Area per 1000 Residents, acres 11.9 acres 25  
Parkland as % of City Area 6.3% 33  
Adjusted Park Spending, per resident $72 per resident 24  
Total City Tree Canopy % 17.5% 20  
Total City Urbanized Area % 52.2% 24  
Park Programs to Assist Low-Income Park Users Yes ---  
Disability Advisory Committees Yes ---  
Collection of Data on Crime in Parks Yes ---  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
6 • HUMAN & PUBLIC HEALTH     (metadata) (score) 2.9    
Pediatric Asthma, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 8.49% 17
Adult Asthma, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 8.82% 49
Chronic Bronchitis, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 3.04% 27
Emphysema, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 1.10% 18
Cardiovascular Disease, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 22.86% 19
Diabetes, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 4.77% 17  
% of Adults with Obesity (2001) 21.8% 36
Change in % of Adults with Obesity (1991-2001) 6.9% 7
CDC Obesity Trends U.S. Adults 1992 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Prevalence Rate (1992) 10%-14% ---
CDC Obesity Trends U.S. Adults 1997 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Prevalence Rate (1997) 15%-19% ---
CDC Obesity Trends U.S. Adults 2003 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Prevalence Rate (2003) 20%-24% ---
% of Adults Lacking Healthcare Insurance, ages 18 - 65 (2001) 11.0% 25
Infant Mortality Rate (2002) 7.9% 37
Number of Cancer Deaths per 100,000 people (2002) 208.3 42
Cost of Living: Health 97.4 18  
% of People without Health Insurance Coverage by State (2003-04 Average) 11.8% 16
% of People without Health Insurance Coverage by State (2004-05 Average) 11.9% 16
Rate of Change in People without Health Insurance Coverage, between 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 0.8% 29
Change in People without Health Insurance Coverage, between 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 0.1% 26
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Farms 12 farms 25
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Farmers' Markets 16 markets 23
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Restaurants 1 restaurant 28
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Groceries 3 grocery stores 18
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Other 2 other sources 36
Cost of Living: Food 103.9 37
Lung Cancer Deaths/100,000 Men (1999-2003) 89.7% 61
Lung Cancer Deaths/100,000 Women (1999-2003) 53.6% 67
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
7 • GLOBAL WARMING CLIMATE CHANGE     (metadata) (score)    3.4***    
Mini-Kyoto Participant, US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement (as of 10/18/06) No ---
Number of State and Local Net Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Programs 1 program   13
Net Metering Net Metering Offered by only one or more Individual Utilities   ---
Net Metering Residential Size Limit No Limit   1
Net Metering Commercial Size Limit No Limit   1
Completed Climate Action Plans No State Climate Action Plan   ---
Regional Initiatives No   ---
States with Greenhouse Gas Inventories Yes   ---
States with Greenhouse Gas Reporting & Registries Yes   ---
States with Public Benefit Funds Funds support Energy Effeciency   ---
States with Renewable Portfolio Standards 0%   20
Date set for Renewable Portfolio Standards (Not Available)   (Not Available)
States with Green Pricing Programs Optional   ---
States with Renewable Energy Credit Tracking Systems No   ---
States with Mandates and Incentives Promoting Ethanol Exercises tax credit/exemption and/or grant supporting ethanol use   ---
States with Residential Energy Codes State Codes with ECPA Compliance   ---
States with Commercial Energy Codes 1999 ASHRAE or Later (ECPA Compliant)   ---
Green Building Standards for State Buildings None   ---
ICLEI's Cities for Climate Protection Participant (US CCP) No ---
% of State Generation that is from Renewable sources (2003) 0.7%   47
Average percentage of possible sunshine thru 1998: Length of record (years) 46 years 43
Average percentage of Possible Sunshine: Annual 48% 54
Annual Average wind speed, m.p.h. 8.3 mph 41
January Average wind speed, m.p.h. 9.8 mph 28
July Average wind speed, m.p.h. 6.5 mph 54
Heating Degree Days 5,708 days 40
Cooling Degree Days 797 days 24
Average Relative Humidity (%), Length of record (years) 39 years 15
Annual Morning Average Relative Humidity (%) 80% 26
Annual Afternoon Average Relative Humidity (%) 59% 35
Elevation, feet 771 feet 50
 
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
BACKGROUND INFORMATION      
SIZE & CLASSIFICATION
City Population (2005)2 693,983 15 (of 72 in EDN study) 6.2% of state population
City Population (2000) 711,470 15 (of 72 in EDN study)  
State Population (2005)2 11,155,606 7 (of 51 in EDN study)  
General Region Midwest ---  
EPA Region 5 ---  
PHYSICAL QUALITIES
City Land Area, square miles 210.0 square miles 22 0.5% of state land area
State Land Area, square miles 40,953 square miles 35  
Watershed Name Upper Scioto ---  
Elevation, feet 771 ft. (234.5 m) 35  
Average Daily Temperature - January 28.3°F (-2.1°C) 54
Average Daily Temperature - July 75.1°F (23.9°C) 29  
DEMOGRAPHIC SUMMARY
Median Age 32.3 years 29  
18 years and older, % of population (2004) 74.9% 27  
65 years and older, % of population (2004) 8.6% 62  
Under 5 years of age 57,199 kids (8.2% of total pop.) 15  
One Race-White % (2005) 65.5% 31  
One Race - Non-white % (2005) 34.5% 42  
Hispanic or Latino, of any race % (2005) 3.5% 61  
% of Population who Speak a non-English Language at Home (2004) 11.7% 47  
Largest School District Name Columbus City School District ---  
 
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1 Use of the * within the County field indicates the city is in multiple counties. Typically the county for which the city serves as a county seat was selected.
2 Use of the * within the Population Rank Indicates year 2000 data was used since year 2004 data was not available.
3 Scores in parenthesis indicate partial scores, e.g. at least one scored indicator was not available or reported for this city.
4 SITES is an acronym developed by EDN as a summary for the 'Safety, Income, Transportation, Education and Sprawl' Topic.
 
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© 2006 Earth Day Network