alaska, the youngstown region, and perspective

Just out of curiosity, I checked the population of the great state of Alaska. According to the U.S. Census Bureau . . .

670,053 people lived in Alaska in 2006.

- - -

Now let's look at what is commonly called the Youngstown region:

251,026 in Mahoning County (OH)
217,362 in Trumbull County (OH)
118,551 in Mercer County (PA)
110,542 in Columbiana County (OH)

which in that same year of 2006 was
697,481 people

add the
91,795 people from Lawrence County (PA) which is less than two miles from the Youngstown city limits can you get a total of

789,276 people in 2006 for the Youngstown region.

Definitely larger than Alaska, and still, one of the top 100 largest metro areas in the United States even without Columbiana and Lawrence counties.

and the Youngstown region is smack in the middle, the central hub if you will, of the 7.5 million Cleveburgh mega-region.

- - -

two things for all you mega-regional people:

Listen here for this week's interview on Lincoln Avenue with Youngstown Mayor Jay Williams - discussing regionalism.

Follow here the upcoming Restoring Our Prosperity Policy Summit to take place in Columbus this Wednesday, September 10th. Breakfast will be served at 8am at the Columbus Convention Center in the Short North.

The summit's agenda can be read here for those who cannot attend.