Southern Ohio City Saved by Ham and Potato Dinner

Southern Ohio City Saved by Ham and Potato Dinner

An Ohio community has successfully challenged the results of the 2020 Census and retained its city status.

There were 4,612 residents in Nelsonville as of the latest census, which showed 780 people had left the community since 2010. According to Ohio law, a village is a community with fewer than 5,000 residents instead of a city.

Using a 1953 state law, the City Council fought to avoid downsizing.

Auditors, volunteers, and five enumerators were appointed by City Auditor Taylor Sappington to count the heads in the town. They even held a ham and potatoes dinner last week just to make sure residents were there.

Frank LaRose, Ohio’s secretary of state, has certified Nelsonville to be a city with 5,373 residents.