Once an emblem of American manufacturing, Ohio faces a new reality. Ohio rural communities are losing citizens to better-off areas. While urban growth dominates the national story, these “disappearing towns” show abandoned businesses, dwindling services, and a losing sense of community. This article examines five Ohio towns and their downfall.
Buckeye Creek
Eastern Ohio’s Buckeye Creek was once a bustling town in the hills. In its heyday, the US Steel mill employed generations of locals and gave them stability. In 2018, Buckeye Creek’s mill closed because to economic hardship. Impact was immediate and catastrophic. Within five years, the town’s population has dropped by over 40% from its 1990s peak of 8,500…