Ranked as the 12th safest city in Ohio, Pataskala is a cozy small city in Licking County, Ohio. Located just 19 miles east of Columbus – Ohio's state capital – Pataskala has been named by Niche as the most diverse place to live in Licking County. Despite its small size, Pataskala is big on outdoor recreation and is home to a plethora of outstanding parks, golf courses, and schools. 

What is the community of Pataskala like?      

Living in Pataskala will offer you all the charms of a small town with easy access to the busy metropolis of Columbus to avail megacity offerings and enjoy its rich culture. Named by Niche as the 3rd best place to live in Licking County, Pataskala is primarily populated by young professionals and families, giving the city its unabating vibrance and optimism.  

Besides, Pataskala has certain features that make it so lovable. It is one of the most affordable places to live in Ohio with housing expenses and utility costs lower than the national average by 11% and 22% respectively. Besides, Pataskala is big on farms and orchards, which impart the charming city its countryside vibes. The family-owned Lynd Fruit Farm has got the city covered with its fresh jams, fruits, applesauce, ciders, and more. Besides, the farm is particularly loved for its apples, and visitors are allowed to pick as many apples as they want.  

Pataskala is also home to seven community parks that span over 127 acres of lush green spaces, wooded natural areas, and river frontage. Spread over 78 acres, Thomas J. Evans Foundation Park is the largest of the parks in Pataskala offering 22 acres of wooded areas that are perfect for escaping into the natural world. With a 1.4-mile hiking trail, the park offers a few softball diamonds, several soccer fields, two basketball courts, two playgrounds, 2 concession stands, and Conway Shelter House. Besides, the park also hosts the famous Pataskala Antique Power Show that features exhibitions of antique cars, tractors, equipment, and more.  

In addition, Pataskala is home to a myriad of incredible restaurants. Visit the Rusty’s Wharf, if you love popcorn shrimps, calamari, and other kinds of seafood, or head to Super Wok for gorging on the most delicious Chinese classics from Kung Pao chicken and vegetable-fried rice to Moo Shu pork and wonton soup. Besides, a whole lot of other eateries serve the most exotic cuisines and local favorites around the clock in this beautiful city.  

Pataskala also plays home to 3 golf courses: Broadview Golf Course, Cumberland Trail Golf Club, and Willow Run Golf Course Inc. In addition, there are a whopping 46 golf courses within 20 miles of Pataskala. 

What is Real Estate like in Pataskala?     

Real estate in Pataskala has shown an average growth of 1.91% per year since the year 2000. Besides, since 2000, the prices of homes in Pataskala have appreciated by a strong 48.9%. Local real estate firm, Mainstream Realty Pros, categorizes Pataskala’s housing market as ‘somewhat competitive’. The sale prices of homes in Pataskala have remained almost unchanged in March 2021 from the same month last year.   

The median home price in Pataskala is $257,900. Currently, there are 112 active homes for sale in Pataskala, and normally it takes just 38 days for a listed home to get off the market. Moreover, the average cost to rent a house in Pataskala is $1,230 per month. At present, there are 5,383 homes and apartments in the city, 71.3% of which are owned, and the remaining 28.7% are rented.      

How is the economic landscape of Pataskala?     

Over the last year, Pataskala’s job market has grown by 0.7%, while its unemployment rate stands at 4.1%. Also, the city’s job market is expected to grow by 32.7% in the next ten years.  

On average, a Pataskala resident earns around $28,600 per annum, almost in line with the US average of $28500. The city’s median household income of almost $68,000 per resident is, however, much greater than the US average of approximately $54000. Most of the residents of Pataskala work in construction, manufacturing, retail, finance, professional and technical services, accommodation, and healthcare.    

How are the schools like in Pataskala?     

Pataskala is covered by 3 school districts, with Licking Heights Local School District being the city’s major school district encompassing 6 schools and 4,495 enrolled students. Pataskala is home to Pataskala Public Library that has over 70,000 items with more than 12,000 cardholders and an annual circulation of 250,000. 

Besides, Pataskala also lies in proximity to many colleges including Bradford School, Hondros College, Fortis College Columbus, and Central Ohio Technical College.  

In addition, Pataskala lies 16 miles from Ohio’s most prestigious public university – the Ohio State University. Founded in 1870, Ohio State is considered to be “Public Ivy” and was ranked by US News in 2021 as the 17th best public university in America.  

Other prominent universities near Pataskala include Dension University (11 miles), Capital University (12 miles), and DeVry University Ohio (13 miles). 

Pataskala in a nutshell        

In a nutshell, Pataskala is a tight-knit community that enjoys living in the coziest of neighborhoods with easy access to Columbus’ legion recreational and employment opportunities. Offering top-notch educational facilities, parks, golf courses, and safe locales, Pataskala is an ideal place to call home, should you decide to move to Ohio.