Census: No Doubt Kent Is a College Town

The U.S. Census Bureau released new demographic and housing data today on communities across Ohio, including Kent.

Kent Patch broke the initial news when the were released, but this new data paint a more detailed picture of the city.

The biggest segment of Kent's population is college age, according to the figures. More than 28 percent, or 8,274 of Kent's residents, are between the ages of 20 and 24. The second-largest group, 5,143 people, are ages 15 to 19 and account for 17.8 percent of the city's population.

The median age for Kent is 23. Conversely, just 9.1 percent of the city's residents are 62 or older.

Kent Mayor Jerry Fiala said he's not surprised. After all, Kent is home to Kent State University — Ohio's second-largest public university. And enrollment has been increasing like clock work every semester for the past few years.

"Kent’s a nice place to be and there’s a lot to offer," he said. "I think with the university and climb in enrollment, I think that’s going to continue to grow."

Fiala said he also attributes the younger population to a resurging job market in Kent and the greater Kent area, including Akron, Youngstown and even Cleveland.