As a rapidly growing metropolitan area, Central Ohio is in the midst of a building boom. What were vast acres of rich cornfield and pasture a few years back now grow subdivisions as developers try to keep up with demand for housing. Much of the housing stock in Columbus and the surrounding suburbs is relatively new.

The hottest growth areas continue to lie in the northern arc of I-270. The suburbs of Worthington, Dublin, Hilliard, and Westerville are burgeoning, even beyond the Franklin county border into southern Delaware County and Eastern Madison County.

COLUMBUS

The city of Columbus has every sort of neighborhood. Thanks partly to aggressive annexation in the 1950's and 1960's and a mixed economy, the city has not been strangled by suburban growth and has been able to maintain a healthy tax base to support public services and a good school system.  Columbus is also home to The Ohio State University campus, Battelle Laboratories, the new Center of Science and Industry, renowned Children's Hospital, and the recent addition of the Columbus Crew, our major league soccer team, and the Columbus Blue Jackets, the latest addition to the National Hockey League. A popular area just south of downtown is German Village, an area of authentic restored homes, cobblestone streets and a quaint village atmosphere.

BEXLEY

Bexley is known for its wide avenues of stately homes, including the governor's mansion.  Anyone who travels east on Broad Street passes through the grand houses of retailers, bankers and industrialists which sit on carefully manicured lawns.  From Tudor to modern style many of the houses were built during the prosperous 1920's .  Located within minutes of downtown Columbus, Bexley is a commute hater's paradise.

CANAL WINCHESTER

Beyond the outer belt, on the very southeastern edge of Franklin County, Canal Winchester remains a small rural town. It is on the very rim of the Columbus sprawl but it's easy access to the downtown and with the shrinking availability of property elsewhere in the county, it's independence could be affected in the near future. Today it is a close community with shady streets and a sleepy downtown.  Real working farms lie all around, but a couple of subdivisions nearby are signs of the change that inevitably will come to this town.

DELAWARE

The country seat of Delaware County located about 30 minutes north of Columbus and home to the world famous Little Brown Jug horse race. A small town atmosphere, pretty tree lined streets and the fastest growing county in Ohio. The city is also home to Ohio Wesleyan University, a liberal arts university.

DUBLIN

Growth has hit Dublin so hard that officials can only guess its current population figures.  Most residents find themselves in one of the many subdivisions in the area, the most exclusive being Murifield Village built in the 1970s by Jack Nicholas around a championship golf course that hosts the annual Professional Golfers' Association Memorial Tournament.  Dublin offers many wonderful community areas with local elementary schools and parks.  The boom has attracted comparable commercial development, including a commercial park along Frantz Road and strip shopping and hotels where the outer belt intersects Route 33. A heavy transferee area, this is a good place to make friends quickly and be involved in civic and school activities.

GAHANNA

Gahanna is another growing suburb with rural flavor. In 1987 Gahanna led the country in the construction of new homes.  Restoring existing structures and constructing new buildings in the style of the 1880s is the central objective in the revitalization of Olde Gahanna.  The city of Gahanna has approximately 350 acres of parkland that have been developed for outdoor recreation pursuits. 

GROVE CITY

Just beyond the outer belt at its intersection with I-71 southwest of Columbus, Grove City is a salt-of-the earth community where the largest attraction is the Beulah Park thoroughbred racetrack.  However, in recent years new industry and homes have been welcomed into Grove City and along with these restaurants and shopping.  Just minutes from Broad and High this community provides easy access to all parts of Columbus.

HILLIARD

This former farming community has exploded with growth during the past ten years.  The historical downtown has been beautifully preserved. An abundance of new subdivisions have developed all around the city - from starter homes; golf course communities to magnificent estates along the Scioto River - Hilliard offers a choice for everyone.  It also has one of the fastest growing school districts in the state of Ohio.

MARYSVILLE

A quaint, historic small town located just northwest of Columbus in Union County. A charming downtown area has attractive Victorian homes. New growth during the past ten years has seen several new subdivisions established. Marysville is home to Honda's Automobile Plant and the Scott's seed company.

NEW ALBANY

This rural town has exploded with with growth since the 1992 Parade of Homes built around the New Albany Country Club. Carefully designed New Albany has grown in to a magnificent showplace of Georgian architecture. With many homes approaching or surpassing the million dollar mark this community is central Ohio's most exclusive.

PLAIN CITY

A small farm community in Madison County located about midway between Columbus and Marysville. Currently several new home areas are developing with 10 minutes of Dublin in price ranges between $180,000 to $400,000. A number of little farm markets in the area attract many visitors from northwest Columbus.

POWELL

A bustling little historic town center known for its heavy pedestrian traffic on Saturday mornings. Located in southern Delaware County, this community is generally considered to be upscale although homes in all price ranges are available. The village offers plenty of park and recreation areas.

WESTERVILLE

Westerville was a typical Midwest college town with pretty Otterbein campus until the suburban boom hit in the mid 70s. It still retains a picturesque and lively downtown commercial center and many old houses on its quiet side streets.  Subdivisions abound on its outside edges.

UPPER ARLINGTON

Located across the Olentangy River from The Ohio State University, this is the most populous suburb of Columbus.  A haven for professors and college types who stay here, the Block-O banners are seen flying in abundance on football Saturdays.  With one of the top rated school systems in the Columbus area coupled with a tendency for residents to remodel rather than move, homes are always in demand.

WORTHINGTON

Worthington is more than a carefully preserved downtown. With little room to build left in Worthington, homeowners have purchased in the city of Columbus areas with Worthington Schools. Worthington seems to have everything including quaint, New England Style town center, high quality shopping and restaurants, an excellent school system and a variety of housing styles and prices.