Years ago, when Mike Young was a freshman in high school, he had a dream to live out west one day.

Young graduated from Bowling Green State University in May 2004 and it didn’t take him long to leave Ohio.

“When I found out that my friend Andy was going to grad school at the University of Southern California, it was my opportunity knocking,” Young said. “I had just graduated, so I said, ‘Ok, I could stick around and work in Toledo or I can package everything up and move with him.'”

He decided on the warmer choice — Los Angeles, California.

According to current statistics, many people are leaving the Buckeye state. Some may not have always dreamed of it like Young, but the numbers show an outward migration.

New U. S. census data, which tracks population estimates by county, shows Ohio’s population has dropped 69,725 since 2000.

In fact, the census data shows that every county where an Ohio city lies, with the exception of Columbus’ Franklin County, has dropped in population since 2000.

Hamilton County, home of Cincinnati, has lost 30,692 of its residents, 3.6 percent of its population.

Cuyahoga County, home of Cleveland, has lost 42,838 residents — 3.1 percent of its population.

Lucas County and Montgomery County, where Toledo and Dayton lie respectively, have lost a little over one percent of their populations, according to the estimated census data.

In comparison, Wood County, including Bowling Green now houses 2,213 more people within the county — a 1.8 percent population increase.

But this is not the only survey that records movement in Ohio.

Another survey, taken by United Van Lines, tracks migration within the United States. United Van Lines is the nation’s largest household goods mover.

In 2004, 55.1 percent of the company’s shipments left Ohio, compared to 44.9 that were shipped in. The annual study has tracked shipment patterns since 1977.

Real estate firms and financial institutions use the survey of for business planning and analysis activities said Jennifer Bonham, who works in media relations at United Van Lines.

According to the study, United Van Lines has moved more people out of Ohio than in since 1977, with the exception of 1987 and 1991.

Oregon had the highest increase growth in shipments in 2004, according to the survey. 63.7 percent of the shipments went into the state with only 36.3 percent left.

On the other side of the spectrum, Indiana holds the highest move-out rate at 64.1 percent.

But why are people leaving Ohio?

JoAnn Kroll, director of the BGSU Career Center, will tell you it is not merely because of the weather.

Kroll helps countless students look for jobs after graduation and puts together numerous job fairs for the University.

In many cases she finds that students don’t want to leave Ohio, but they may be forced to in order to pursue jobs in their field of study.

“It seems to me that our students are less motivated to look outside of Ohio,” Kroll said. “If they are willing to relocate they have more companies to consider.”

Kroll said part of her job is helping students make themselves more marketable, but she worries they are limiting themselves by not looking outside of Ohio.

“Unfortunately what happens is they narrow their job search to a geographic area,” Kroll said of some of the students she sees. “They are taking jobs that don’t take a degree and that is a strategic mistake — they need to keep looking.”

Some students move home to save money in order to pay off loans, Kroll said. But she hopes they consider all of their options.

“My best advice is to look broadly for jobs. Look within and outside of Ohio,” Kroll said. “Find one that is better for your experience, then consider returning. You will have to relocate as you advance in your career.”

According to a report by the Ohio Department of Development, Ohio’s unemployment rate was 6.3 percent in March 2005. The national average was 5.2 percent.

Sidney Ribeau, president of Bowling Green State University, said the outward shift points to a shaky economy in Ohio, a problem state legislators need to address.

He also sees the importance of a solid public education in order to strengthen the economy in Ohio.

“We need to help create more reasons for companies to want to stay in the state,” Ribeau said. “One thing they look at is the educational systems, the development of new ideas. Companies rely on knowledgeable workers that can offer new innovations.”

Ribeau believes the state could truly benefit from programs that promote research in fields like biotechnology and biomedical sciences.

The largest output is Ohio is created in the manufacturing sector, but the slow economy needs to change to encourage new businesses in choosing Ohio, Ribeau said.

“We need to make sure that we invest in public education and our cities,” Ribeau said. “We want them to be places that attract businesses.”

This includes offering a place where regulations are in favor of new companies including flexible permit and license procedures.

Ribeau said he is happy with Governor Bob Taft’s effort for tax reform as well as what is called the Third Frontier.

In his State of the State address Taft he spoke about the need for a rejuvenated economy.

“It’s time to reform our tax system to reflect the economy of right now and tomorrow, not the economy of way back then, and yesterday,” Taft said in his Feb. 8, 2005 speech. “Tax reform is our number-one piece of unfinished work and my number-one priority. Together we must move Ohio forward into a new era of promise and prosperity.”

To simplify, Taft’s tax reform plan hopes to cut personal income tax by 21 percent across the board, it will eliminate the tax on machinery, equipment and inventories of businesses and eliminate Ohio’s corporate franchise tax.

The corporate franchise tax will be replaced with a lower commercial tax.

All of these are ways to encourage companies and businesses to move into Ohio, Ribeau said.

The Third Frontier is a project to expand Ohio’s high-tech research abilities and promote innovation to create more jobs in Ohio. It is a 10-year plan that will cost $1.1 billion.

“I think we are beginning to see a change at the state level,” Ribeau said.

For students at Bowling Green and all over the state this may be good news. Even Mike Young out in L.A., who said he might come back to Ohio later in life.

“Ohio is a great place to raise a family,” Young said. “But while I am young I don’t see myself moving back to Ohio anytime soon.”