Neighborhoods Surrounding Columbus
You'll find that the greater Columbus area and its adjacent counties are diverse and home to many different neighborhoods and cities. Whether rural or urban, central Ohio boasts communities for every interest, job hunt, family, and lifestyle. We've listed out descriptions for a few of those below to help you learn about the area.
For more information about schools and places of worship, see our Relocation Guide.
Keep scrolling to find each suburb, city or county's individual website listing with more information about each area.
Dublin | Gahanna | Grove City | Hilliard | New Albany | Reynoldsburg | Westerville | Worthington |
Fairfield County | Licking County | Union County | All
Dublin
Located northwest of Columbus, suburban Dublin is best known as the home of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, the Memorial Tournament and the largest three-day Irish Festival in the world. Check out the vibrant and walkable downtown area that includes both the charming Historic Dublin and the lively and thriving Bridge Park area, complete with the longest single tower S-shaped suspension bridge in the world.
Gahanna
Named one of the "best hometowns" by Ohio Magazine, you'll find Gahanna east of Columbus, a diverse, family-friendly community home to 750+ acres of parkland, a walkable downtown adjacent to Creekside Park with its trails and paddleboats, unique shopping and dining options and more. Gahanna is just minutes from John Glenn International Airport and downtown Columbus, and also has the distinction of being the Herb Capital of Ohio and the home of the Ohio Herb Center.
Grove City
Located just southwest of Columbus, suburban Grove City is home to both the bustling Stringtown Road area and a Historic Town Center. Grove City offers dining, fine arts, history and shopping options, and you'll also find the largest paintball structure in the U.S. in Grove City. There are endless options for spending time outdoors — you can go geocaching, urban backpacking, canoeing and more. Nearby lies Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park, with over 7,000 acres of forests, prairies and wetlands, famous for its free-roaming bison.
Hilliard
Suburban Hilliard, west of Columbus, has something for everyone and is known for its small town, family-friendly charm and hospitality. You'll find the walkable Downtown Hilliard — also known as Old Hilliard in recognition of its historic charm — full of events, historic attractions and experiences (such as the Early Television Museum and the Historic Village at Weaver Park), parks, shops, a food hall and more.
New Albany
Located northeast of Columbus and named the #1 Suburb in America by Business Insider, New Albany is a thriving community attractive to young professionals and families alike. Well known as the upcoming home of Intel's $20 billion chip manufacturing project, New Albany boasts a walkable downtown and green space, the Philip Heit Center for Healthy New Albany, community walks and activities, a popular farmers market, an outdoor amphitheater, 2,000 acres of parkland, and local shops and restaurants.
Reynoldsburg
Known as "the birthplace of the tomato," Reynoldsburg is a small suburb southeast of Columbus that lies in Fairfield, Franklin, and Licking Counties. Home to the annual Tomato Festival and historic sites associated with it, Reynoldsburg also boasts Walnut Woods Metro Park and other green space, as well as several state offices.
Westerville
North of Columbus and sometimes known as a "city within a park," Westerville has both suburban areas and a vibrant downtown. In Westerville, you'll find a thriving cultural arts community, breweries, shops, restaurants, hotels and more, as well as Otterbein University. As the birthplace of Prohibition, Westerville has its share of historic sites, and you can also experience parklands and 50+ miles of trails in the area.
Worthington
Worthington sits just north of Clintonville and the University District. Known for its walkable, New England-style streets, the city boasts local businesses and charming shops, a popular farmers market and holiday celebrations, historic sites and museums, and a local art walk. Worthington also offers both indoor and outdoor recreation for the whole family, from indoor adventure courses to ziplining. You can even access the Olentangy Trail nearby, running north and south all the way to Downtown. This close-knit and bustling community also supports its own “green team,” focuses on initiating sustainability in the city.
Fairfield County
Located southeast of Columbus, Fairfield County holds part of Buckeye Lake, a popular waterfront destination for Columbus residents, the town of Lancaster, known for its historic downtown, and Pickerington, a family-friendly suburb with parkland, local businesses and more.
Licking County
Licking County, found just east of New Albany, is a neighbor to Columbus' Franklin County. Licking County is home to Granville, a charming and historic town known for its inns, B&Bs and Denison University. Further east lies Newark, a newly revitalized area with a bustling downtown; the county is also home to parts of Buckeye Lake, a popular waterfront destination for Columbus residents. Explore the other towns and areas in Licking County using the link in their listing below.
Union County
Best known as the home of Marysville and its Honda manufacturing plant, the area has much to offer in the way of rural and historic charm. You'll find local businesses and restaurants, shops, historic experiences, wineries, breweries and more in Union County.