05/26/2026
Cleveland and Akron are mentioned a lot in this piece
For decades, the swath from the Dakotas to Ohio steadily lost population to other parts of the country, as manufacturing jobs disappeared and the growth of the service economy pulled people to the South.
Now signs are emerging that the out-migration is slowing, and, in some places, even starting to reverse.
It may be too early to call a Midwest Renaissance, but for the first time in years, the numbers are pointing in an upbeat direction.
The improvement is most evident in places with service-based economies such as Indianapolis, Columbus and Des Moines. But it is also showing up in metropolitan areas like Cleveland and Akron, which have struggled to evolve from their industrial legacies.
🔗 Read more: https://on.wsj.com/3RJuVUJ
