Local advocacy groups are encouraged to consider our findings in needs assessments, planning and policy development.

Dear Readers:

We are pleased to announce the publication of The Social Areas of Cincinnati: An Analysis of Social Needs, Fourth Edition. The first two editions, published by the Cincinnati Human Relations Commission in 1974 and 1986, have been widely used by local government departments, health and social service agencies, community groups, and a wide variety of others.

The Third Edition, co-authored by Dr. Janet Buelow, was published by the School of Planning of the University of Cincinnati in 1997. This Fourth Edition updates the 1974, 1986 and 1997 studies and measures the changes that have taken place in thirty years. While the majority of our analysis focuses on Cincinnati city, we have provided some analysis of Cincinnati’s metropolitan area. Metropolitan area leaders will want to pay special attention to Chapters 10 and 11. This edition adds an examination of vulnerable populations in Cincinnati – minorities, Appalachians, seniors, children, and the unemployed and underemployed.

Local advocacy groups are encouraged to consider our findings in needs assessments, planning, and policy development. Past editions have been used in planning the location of a senior center, a recreation center, health programs and various public and private community projects. Also, information from previous editions has been used in numerous grant applications and by neighborhood organizations to advocate for public works.

Citizens of Cincinnati neighborhoods should note that our studies refer to the statistical neighborhoods as defined by the City Planning Commission. The statistical neighborhood boundaries vary somewhat from the functional neighborhoods as they define themselves. Our neighborhood list has only 48 neighborhoods. A map of the functional neighborhood boundaries can be obtained from the City Planning Commission.

Readers are welcome to contact the authors for advice on how to utilize this report in planning, proposal writing, or advocacy. Those who feel that the data in this report are in error or misinterpreted should contact the authors. Any serious errors will be corrected in future printings or through errata sheets.