Columbus among major U.S. cities with highest birth rates, study finds

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A recent study found Columbus has one of the highest birth rates out of America’s largest cities.

SmartAsset, a financial technology company, examined U.S. Census Bureau data for 37 of the largest cities where data was available to determine where birth rates were the highest.

The study found the birth rate in major U.S. cities is lower than the national average. Across the U.S., the average rate of women 15-50 who had a child in 2022 was 5.2%, compared with 5% in major cities. 

Out of the largest American cities, Columbus ranked as having the ninth highest birth rate in the country. In 2022, 14,009 women between 15 and 50 gave birth, equating to 5.6% of women in the state. 

Taking the number one spot as the city with the most births was Indianapolis; 14,482 women, or 6.5%, gave birth in the state in 2022. In second place was Dallas, with 21,862 women, or 6.3%, giving birth in the state. Las Vegas had the third highest birth rate, with 9,477 women, or 6.1%, giving birth.

Completing the top 10 is Fresco, California (4), El Paso, Texas (5), San Antonio, Texas (6), Oklahoma City (7), Houston (8), and Nashville, Tennessee (10). Texas cities dominated the top 10, with four making the list for the cities with the highest birth rates. 

The major U.S. city with the lowest birth rate is Seattle, with 5,760 women, or 2.6%, giving birth in 2022. Seattle is followed by Milwaukee (3.2%), Boston, (3.4%), Portland, Oregon (3.5%), and Austin, Texas (3.8%).