Named after the Italian explorer Christopher Columbus, Columbus is a megacity in the Franklin County of Ohio. With the second-largest population among the cities of the Midwest, Columbus is the state capital of both Franklin County as well as the state of Ohio. Besides, Columbus makes the core city of the Ohio Metropolitan Area, offering the very best of Ohio’s countless amenities.

What is the community of Columbus like?  

Home to around 853,000 residents, Columbus is the 14th most populous city in the United States. Ranked by Niche as the 53rd best city for young professionals in America, Columbus is a place with unparalleled vibrance and optimism. From exciting diverse neighborhoods and top-notch educational facilities to the presence of almost all the national retail chains and world-class golf courses, Columbus has an incredible array of amenities to offer.

With more designers per capita than the rest of the United States – baring New York and Las Vegas – Columbus is a fashion capital. The community’s knack for fashion combined with Columbus’ reputation as a logistics hub – thanks to its central location – translates into a major attraction for top fashion brands to set up their headquarters in Columbus. Today, Columbus plays home to major fashion brands such as Express, Abercrombie & Fitch, Eloquii, Designer Shoe Warehouse (DSW), and Victoria’s Secret, among others.

Besides, Columbus is home to several gorgeous Metro Parks. From Inniswood that offers more than 100 acres of woods and lakes, and Homestead Park that spans over 44 acres offering wonderful hiking trails and breathtaking scenery to Dublin’s Coffman Park that features an amphitheater, a skate park, and many fishing ponds, Columbus’ parks are never wanting in diversity or adventure.  

Columbus also enjoys a very influential sporting culture. Home to NHL's Columbus Blue Jackets, the MLS' Columbus Crew SC, Triple-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians, the Columbus Clippers, and college-favorite, the Ohio State Buckeyes, there is always a team for you to cheer for no matter what the season.  

With a rich golfing history and being the birthplace of Jack Nicklaus, Columbus enjoys a legendary golfing scene. It is home to four of America’s top 100 golf courses, while two of them rank among the top 100 in the world. Two of Columbus’ top golf courses include the upscale 18-hole Champions Golf Course and central Ohio’s favorite Muirfield Village Golf Course that was founded by renowned golfer Jack Nicklaus.

What is Real Estate like in Columbus?     

Real estate in Columbus has shown an average growth of 2.41% per year since the year 2000. Besides, since 2000, the prices of homes in Columbus have appreciated by 64.91%. Local real estate firm, Mainstream Realty Pros, categorizes Columbus’s housing market as ‘very competitive’. The sale prices of homes in Columbus have experienced strong growth of more than 15.9% in March 2021 from the same month last year.   

The median home price in Columbus is $209,900. Currently, there are 2058 active homes for sale in Columbus, and normally it takes just 37 days for a listed home to get off the market. Moreover, the average cost to rent a house in Columbus is $1,243 per month. At present, there are 357,128 homes and apartments in the city, 43.5% of which are owned, and the remaining 56.5% are rented.      

How is the economic landscape of Columbus?     

Columbus enjoys a strong and diverse economy driven by education, insurance, banking, fashion, defense, aviation, food, logistics, steel, energy, medical research, health care, hospitality, retail, and technology sectors. At present, the greater Columbus area is home to six Fortune 500 companies, including American Electric Power, Alliance Data Systems, and Cardinal Health.

Over the last year, Columbus’ job market has grown by 0.9%, while its unemployment rate stands at a decent 4%. Also, the city’s job market is expected to grow by 34.2% in the next ten years. On average, a Columbus resident earns around $24,700 per annum. Besides, the city’s median household income per resident is $44,774. Most of the residents of Columbus work in construction, manufacturing, retail, finance, professional and technical services, and healthcare.    

How are the schools like in Columbus?     

Columbus is covered by 17 school districts, with Columbus City School District being the city’s major school district encompassing 115 schools and 48,925 enrolled students. Besides, Columbus also lies in proximity to many top-quality colleges including Columbus State Community College, Capital University Law School, the Columbus College of Art and Design, Fortis College, DeVry University, and Ohio Business College.

When it comes to higher education, Columbus is home to one of America’s most prestigious public universities – the Ohio State University (aka OSU or Ohio State). Ohio State’s main campus in Columbus has grown into the third-largest university campus in the United States with nearly 50,000 undergraduate students and almost 15,000 graduate students. Founded in 1870, Ohio State is considered to be Public Ivy – a title that reflects the university’s incredible academic credentials – and was ranked by US News in 2021 as the 17th best public university in America. Besides, OSU’s students, alumni, and faculty include 5 Noble Laureates, 104 Olympic medalists, and 7 Pulitzer Prize winners.

Columbus in a nutshell    

To sum up, Columbus is a world in its own right offering the highest quality of living standards, top-notch education, and immersive outdoor recreational opportunities. Home to nationally recognized companies, golf courses, shopping districts, and museums, Columbus offers an incredible opportunity to enjoy the best of Ohio.