Former steel town on the banks of the Little Miami River
Middletown, Ohio, has plenty of ghost stories. And the majority date back to this city's earliest days. A factory town along the Little Miami River, Middletown thrived on its paper, tobacco — and by1900, steel — industries. Today's residents, many of which are descendants of the city's founders, continue to pass down local lore. "We've had some paranormal investigators come in over the years," says Erin Allen, assistant manager at the Swire Inn, a downtown restaurant built shortly after the Civil War. Tunnels in the basement, she says, once led to the Sorg Mansion, and she's even had a supernatural experience or two in the attic. Still, Middletown is more than its ghosts and secret passageways; it's also a midway point between commercial hubs like Dayton and Cincinnati. "We're right off a major highway, Interstate 75, which gives that convenience of being able to get to either of those bigger cities pretty quickly," says Re/MAx Victory + Affiliates Realtor Donna Deaton, who has nearly 20 years of experience selling in the area. Today, Middletown's population hovers around 51,000, a substantial increase since a period of instability in the 1980s and another after the 2008 financial crisis. Revitalization efforts by nonprofits like Downtown Middletown, Inc. have resulted in business development in the city's historic downtown area and recent years have also seen the addition of subdivisions on the city's outskirts. Although times are changing in Middletown, some stories are likely to stick around for another century or two.
Downtown Middletown is full of mom and pop retails and restaurants.
Middletown is located in Butler and Warren County.
Middletown is home to the historic Sorg Opera House.
Middletown's historic downtown district has experienced recent revitalization.
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Competitive housing prices and architecture that spans decades
Housing in Middletown spans several decades, from the early 20th-century cottages in neighborhoods like Church and Avalon to mid-century ranch-style houses in the Euclid Heights-Runnymede neighborhood. Prospective buyers will also find New Traditional designs in outlying cul-de-sac subdivisions like Sawyers Mill, where two-car garages are the standard and newly planted trees promise shade for future generations. "People also move [to Middletown] because it's affordable," explains Deaton. Single-family homes, which sit on gridded streets closer to downtown, typically fall between $150,000 and $350,000, while investment properties can start at $70,000. The median sale price in Middletown is $200,000, significantly less than half the national average of $420,000.
Middletown has homes that date back to the 1800's such as the Sorg Mansion.
Many homes in Middletown are single story Cape Cod's and Bungalows.
Colonial homes are scattered throughout Middletown.
Middletown has build many New Traditional homes to keep up with the housing market.
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St. Patrick's Day, twinkle lights in the park and hot air balloons
Middletown has an active events calendar, from winter markets to summer movie nights in the park. "Next year is our second annual St. Patrick's Parade," says Jeri Lewis, the city's community project coordinator. "We had our first one last year, and it was huge," families typically attend decked out in all green. Lewis also highlights Middletown's Sunday morning farmers market, which starts in June and finishes up for the season in October. Businesses on Main and Central keep their doors open late for First Fridays. "This is also our fourth year of the Holiday Whopla," says Lewis, adding that festivities include a downtown ice rink, a Santa Parade and an event called Light up Middletown. "It's basically a Christmas Light show in Smith Park. It's all donation-based, and you drive through a lighted tunnel with your radio station switched to a particular station to listen to Christmas music." Summer in the city also means The Ohio Challenge, a weekend-long hot air balloon showcase in Smith Park that also includes a vintage car show and fireworks. For other events, there's live theater at the historic Sorg Opera House, which is just down the street from the Sorg Manion's iconic turrets.
Downtown mom-and-pops and big-box shopping in outlying neighborhoods
Some storefronts in Middletown's downtown business district date back to the mid-19th century, and the iconic seven-story Goetz Tower is set to undergo renovations thanks to recent tax credits. Eateries include a mix of sit-down American restaurants, cozy Irish Pubs like the Swire Inn, new-age breweries and quaint cafes; and there's even a small-town candy shop with old-fashioned black-and-white tiled floors too. Central Pastry Shop, which first opened in the 1940s, is a favorite of former Middletown resident and Vice President-Elect JD Vance, who stopped by on the campaign trail in 2024. "When I moved here, my husband told me the history of Middletown and how Central Pastry makes the best cakes, even better than the ones in New York," says co-owner Vera Slamka. "I said, 'That's impossible. How can a bakery make it better than in New York?' But he was right." Residents will also find big-box stores and chain restaurants in strip malls like Eastgate Plaza Shopping Center and Towne Mall, plus more options all along North Verity Parkway.
Take a walk throughout Downtown Middletown and discover a mom and pop retail or restaurant.
Downtown Middletown is where many locals go for entertainment options.
Mz Jades restaurant serves delicious fresh dinner in Middletown.
Milton donuts has unique homemade sweets to shop in Middletown.
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Fishing, walking trails and four golf courses
There are over 30 public parks throughout Middletown, where residents will find hiking trails, athletic facilities and community centers. At nearly 100 acres, Smith Park is the city's largest, and licensed fishermen can cast their lines out for channel catfish in the central pond. From Smith Park, walkers and bikers can also access the Great Miami River Trail, a multi-use paved path along the western and northern edges of the community. It spans a total of 93 miles and connects Middletown to surrounding communities like Hamilton and Fairfield. The U.S. Forest Service and National Association of State Foresters partnered with the Arbor Day Foundation to recognize Middletown as a Tree City USA in 2007, and the city is also home to two nature preserves: Bull's Run and Armbruster. Forest Hills Country Club, Brown's Run Country Club and Wildwood are private golf courses within the city, and Green Crest is open to the public.
Play a round at Forest Hills Country Club in Middletown.
Take the kids to Sunset Park in Middletown and enjoy the playground.
Smith Park in Middletown has public amenities perfect for enjoying an afternoon.
Goldman Park in Middletown is beloved by the community.
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The Middletown City School District and library services
The Middletown City School District serves approximately 6,100 students in prekindergarten through 12th grade, and it earns an overall C-minus grade from Niche. There are 10 schools within the district, and the Middletown Mighty Middies kick off at Barnitz Stadium during football and soccer seasons. Institutions of higher education within the city include Miami University Middletown, a satellite campus for Miami University and also one of the city's largest employers. MidPointe Library Middletown offers everything from weekly yoga classes to in-library case managers who are also trained in mental healthcare.
MidPointe Library in Middletown offers educational services to the community.
Middletown Middle School educates grades 6-8 in Middletown.
Miller Ridge Elementary School in Middletown is a great education option for your kids.
The Middletown High School football team plays at Barnitz Stadium.
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Decreasing crime rates since 2020
According to recent FBI data, Middletown's violent crime and property crime rates have both decreased since 2020. The chances of falling victim to a violent crime in Middletown are 1 in 413, which is less than both the Ohio and national average. Residents can view interactive crime maps on Middletown's official website, a resource showing where crimes were committed in the city. There's also a forum where citizens can submit complaints of police misconduct.
A midway point between Dayton and Cincinnati
Middletown's name is derived from its position as a midway point between Dayton and Cincinnati, both of which are accessible via Interstate 75. Cincinnati is approximately 40 miles south, a trip that typically takes around 50 minutes. There's also the CincyLink Express Bus, part of the larger Butler County Regional Transit Authority System, which departs several times a day from the Middletown Meijer. Dayton is 25 miles—or just over 30 minutes—north, and residents can use either city's international airport, although Cincinnati's provides far more direct flight options. Middletown Transit Services, or MTS, offers four routes within Middletown: the Red Line, Blue Line, Green Line and Gold Line. The Red Line travels from downtown to Atrium Medical Center, the nearest hospital and one of the city's leading employers.
Born in Turkey, emigrated to the United States in 1982 to make better life for myself and my family, awarded a scholarship at the university of Cincinnati in Design, graduated from DAAP with master's degree in Design in 1986. Since then, have worked on projects large and small as designer, project coordinator, and woodworker for over 30 years. On projects ranging from single family to turn key residential, religious, institutional and health care, my responsibilities to myself and my customers has always been to excellent work. My duty to my customers has always been to bring projects in on budget. Ultimately the experience and training in interior and exterior woodworking has uniquely positioned me to judge the quality and value of existing mill-work, and, to help clients make judgments about the practicality, pricing and purpose of new work. Because of my decades of contacts with contractors and suppliers, large and small, in all of the trades, I can quickly and efficiently assist client in resolving their problems and concerns with any property.
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