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occupations (60 percent compared to 36 percent in the metro area). Nearly 45 percent of the city’s households have an average household income of more than $100,000.

Education

Dublin residents have significantly higher levels of education than the Columbus metropolitan area average. The percentage of high school graduates is 11 percent higher than the metropolitan average, and the percent of residents with a bachelor’s degree or higher is more than 34 percent greater.

Age Distribution

Age distribution shows that when compared to the metropolitan area, Dublin has a higher percentage of younger and older baby boomers (35-54 years) with children (5-19 years) and a lower percentage of young adults and seniors. Table 2E identifies the proportion of each major age group in Dublin and compares Dublin statistics with the metropolitan area.

The median age in Dublin is 35.4 — only slightly higher than the Columbus metro average of 33.6 and national median age of 35.3.

The areas north of I-270 and US 33 have higher

percentages of young families with children, whereas outlying areas of the City are more popular with the elderly.

Dublin is an attractive place for relatively wealthy families to raise their children.

Currently, the smaller percentages of seniors and young adults indicates the possible lack of viable affordable or alternative housing options, services, or employment options to attract young adults and retain seniors. In the next 25-30 years, the age make-up of the population will change significantly. The City will have a higher percentage of empty-nesters and seniors.

Applying Demographic Characteristics

Age and income are the two best predictors of what a person will choose to do during leisure time. From a planning perspective for parks and recreation services, it is helpful to analyze the preferences by citizens relative to their age group.

The racial composition in Dublin is 91 percent white and 8 percent Asian (primarily Japanese, Asian Indian and Chinese).

Although race may play a role in recreational preferences, there are more similarities in the

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