Here’s this newspaper’s takeaway from the data:
1. When it comes to population, these two regions are headed in different directions. According to Forbes.com, Raleigh was the fastest-growing U.S. metropolitan statistical area between 2000 and 2012, jumping 47.8 percent.
Population
Dayton — 801,259
Raleigh — 1,189,579
One-year population percent change
Dayton — -0.08 percent
Raleigh — 2.31 percent
2. Daytonians are less likely to have 4-year degrees. In addition, the region has fewer nearby research universities compared to Raleigh.
Percent of residents with a bachelor’s degree or higher:
Dayton — 26.5 percent
Raleigh — 42.5 percent
Research universities within 30 miles of downtown:
Dayton — Wright State University and University of Dayton
Raleigh — Duke University, North Carolina State University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
3. The Dayton region has a much lower cost-of-living.
Median rent
Dayton — $751
Raleigh — $912
Median home value
Dayton — $122,700
Raleigh — $206,000
Average household income
Dayton — $63,752
Raleigh — $82,859
Percent living below the poverty level
Dayton — 16.9 percent
Raleigh — 12.3 percent
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