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The second edition of Community Research Partners’ Data Bytes estimates the number of Somalis in Franklin County. CRP Data Bytes provide a snapshot of a topic of importance to our region and state today. Data Byte topics cover a wide range of social, economic, and community issues. CRP’s first Data Byte, on the topic of downtown Columbus demographics, drew a tremendous response on Columbus Underground and elsewhere.
With continued civil strife in Somalia, dating back to 1991, the number of Somali refugees in the U.S. has grown over time. Columbus is host to the second-largest Somali community in the U.S., behind Minneapolis. While there is a need to better understand this community, estimates for Franklin County range widely, from less than 10,000 according to Census data to over 30,000 or 40,000 according to some local Somali organizations. Using local administrative data such as birth certificates and student records, we have determined that the county’s Somali population is approximately 15,000.
Click here to read more about the methods behind this figure.
Very interesting topic. I’ll have to give the study a good read through later tonight when I have a free moment. :D
Well I am confused here’s why I read the study
Their numbers are all over the place and don’t match up .
- American Community survey says 8,097 – CRP birth data method 13,311-41,338 ?!?! – CRP student Data Method 15,473 Wile the birth-data method yields a wide range of population estimates, other information about the local Somali population suggests that actual figure is closer to the lower end. The student data was consistent with this assessment. Therefore, the CRP analysis produces a 2007 estimate of the Franklin county population of about 15,000. I mean it’s all over the place so…
A good place to turn to for accurate information would be Community Refugee and Immigration Services (http://www.cris-ohio.com). I bet if you spoke with someone over there, they would be able to shine some light about which number or data source would be the most accurate.
I worked with them two summers ago and it turns out that central Ohio has a huge job market for the Low English Proficiency and low-skilled workforce. PLUS, I believe the City of Columbus gets a tax break for setting up services and welcoming Somali refugees.
where is the best place to eat Somali food in Columbus?
misskitty, your point raises one of the main issues we had in designing this report. We could’ve just highlighted the one method and said 15,000. However, we wanted to check several different sources and data, and be thoroughly open about the methodology.
The number typically cited in the media is 30,000 (or more) but it is provided without justification. We wanted to derive an estimate based on data and evidence. The Data Byte is therefore as much about the research process as it is about the result.
As for restaurants, there are a number of good ones, but Darbo would be a fine place to start: http://darborestaurant.com/
The population is difficult to measure for sure, I have been told as high as 90,000 to as low as 20,ooo.
The radio station broadcasts two Somali language programs on Saturdays and Sundays to serve this most terribly underserved population. The program content is a mixture of news and entertainment; more importantly it provides information about resources and opportunities that English speaking United States residents have always taken for granted, but would be totally new and possibly intimidating and unaccessible from from a refugees point of view that has no or little grasp on English and likely can not read or write in the Somali language. This informational contennt is stuff lik how to call the fire department if there is a fire, how to go to a doctor, how to contact a lawyer, tenents rights, civil rights, how to contact city hall… basically a tutorial on American living.
As an entertainment mechanism, these radio programs provide the sole form of broadcast media catered to Somali and East African people in the city.
Luuliyo Somai Program: Saturday amd Sunday 4:30pm-6pm
http://www.luuliyo.com/?p=349
Danjir Solmali Program: Saturday and Sunday 6pm-8pm
http://danjirnews.org/
http://WCRSFM.ORG
The map doesn’t show any Somalis on the Far East side, specifically the Eastland area, Whitehall, Reynoldsburg, Hamilton Road corridor. Based on that, I will guess your estimate is quite low. How would birth certificates and student records alone produce an accurate count without a lot of assumptions? What are those assumptions? For every birth or student there are 2 parents? What about extended families, siblings beyond school age, childless adults, etc? I recall an estimate from a few years back that placed the number of Somalis eligible to vote (citizens) at 20,000. Based on that number the total population is probably much higher.
^^^^Somewhere in Little Somalia on Cleveland Ave which has the greatest concentration of Somali restaurants. According to the Somali Link African Paradise Cuisine is a good bet.
African Paradise is a ridiculously good bargain. Two people totally stuffed, including soft drinks and tax, at $16 plus tip.
Since I can’t couch my critique and questions about the report as a restaurant recommendation, I’ll just stay out of this.
This report is nothing more than an assumption. The total number of Somalis who live in Franklin county is 15,473. Wow.
Let me show you the discrepancy here. At one point they said the Somali students who goes to Columbus City Schools are 9,604 in 2007. And another point they said the Columbus Somali Population is 13,926. Also another place they mentioned that the number of Somalis who live in Franklin county is 15,473. If you just compare the numbers of the data it shows how this information is not accurate data. This is how I came up with my conclusion. If the number of students who goes to Columbus City Schools is 9,604 students, and the number of Somalis who live in Columbus City is 13,926 then isn’t that mean 69% of the Somali population who live in Columbus City are children and 62% of overall Somali population who live in Franklin county are children. That means the overall Somali population who reside in Ohio are more children than adult?
Do the math and you will understand why I said there’s something wrong with this report.
Thanks.
NB: I am not dicrediting anybody. All I am just trying to suggest is that the number is way higher than what the data suggested.
AH, the report says that the Somali population (not just students) within the Columbus City Schools is 9,604. That boundary is different from City of Columbus.
UncommonSense, if you have any data, links or other evidence beyond hearsay to support your points, we would love to see it. Thanks.
WCRS,
Please call my office. I would like to have some information about the H1N1 (Swine) Flu read on your program. 645-8580
Thanks!
jungaroo –
I don’t need evidence other than that I live near a major Somali population center in this city that you haven’t taken into account. That leads me to believe that your study is flawed, and estimate is worthless. You haven’t answered my questions about what methods or assumptions you use to come up with that number. Why would I have to provide you with data? I’m not making money churning out crap data. Remember kids – You can’t spell crap without C-R-P.
15,000 Somalis? Tally seems low to some
Friday, May 22, 2009 3:12 AM
BY MARK FERENCHIK
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Past estimates of Franklin County’s Somali population have ranged from 30,000 to 80,000. But a new report says that it’s more like 15,000.
An accurate number helps government agencies funnel funds for social services — English classes, jobs programs, etc. — to specific groups.
READ MORE