Ohio dominates national 'micropolitan' ranking
Ohio's small towns -- locales with populations of between 10,000 and 50,000 people -- are on the grow, with 17 cities earning a spot in Site Selection's ranking of Top 100 Micropolitans in 2018. Ohio's 109 qualifying investments dwarfed second-place Kentucky.
In fact, four Ohio micropolitans -- Findlay, Wooster, Ashland and Defiance -- earned a spot in the Top 10, with Findlay and Wooster claiming the top two spots.
"Micropolitans are sprinkled throughout the state of Ohio, and some are right out of a work by Norman Rockwell," Site Selection boasts. "Charming, yes. Sleepy, no."
This marks the third consecutive year that Ohio has produced more micropolitans than any other state. Findlay earned the top spot in the rankings with 23 qualifying investments, marking the fifth consecutive year it has led the nation. "It's a record of dominance that has helped propel the town of 41,000 residents to superstar status," noted Site Selection.
Ohio 2018 Top Micropolitans (listed by national ranking)
| Micropolitan | Projects |
| 1. Findlay | 23 |
| 2. Wooster | 17 |
| T5. Ashland | 11 |
| 8. Defiance | 9 |
| T14. Tiffin | 6 |
| T14. Wapakoneta | 6 |
| T19. Fremont | 5 |
| T19. Sidney | 5 |
| T41. Ashtabula | 3 |
| T41. Bellefontaine | 3 |
| T41. Bucyrus | 3 |
| T41. Celina | 3 |
| T41. Zanesville | 3 |
| T62. New Philadelphia-Dover | 2 |
| T62. Norwalk | 2 |
| T62. Salem | 2 |
| T62. Wilmington | 2 |
Findlay Mayor Lydia Mihalik, who spearheaded the city's rise to the top of Site Selection's annual rankings, was recently tapped by Gov. Mike DeWine to head the Ohio Development Services Agency.
"What's happening in Ashland is different from Defiance. What's happening in Findlay is different from Wooster," she told Site Selection. "Every community has its different area of uniqueness. But, really, what stands out is that midwestern pride and work ethic. These communities are oriented toward solutions."
Click here to access the complete findings from Site Selection.
