Tucked against the western shores of the Hoover Reservoir, Westerville is a city 15 miles northeast of Columbus, Ohio. Once considered the “Dry Capital of the World,” the area established a reputation for sobriety as the home of the Anti-Saloon League during the Prohibition era of the early 20th century. It would maintain this notoriety right up until 2004, when the first legal beer was sold in the Uptown district’s history.
However, this isn’t the only change that Westerville has seen in recent years. “I’ve lived here since 1968 when it was basically a village,” says Rick Rano, a Re/Max Affiliates Realtor. “Now it’s blown up, a lot like the other suburbs in the Northeastern corridor. But it’s still got that small-town feel.” An influx of job creators is responsible for this boom, attracting residents looking for a suburban experience that includes highly-ranked public schools, extensive green spaces and a sense of history.
Westerville is a city 15 miles northeast of Columbus, Ohio.
Westerville was once considered the “Dry Capital of the World".
Westerville's Uptown historical district is a popular attraction.
Westerville, Ohio is known for its schools, extensive green spaces and a sense of history.
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A thriving job market on the Medical Mile
Top employers include JP Morgan Chase and Mount Carmel Health System, a major part of the area’s healthcare services on Cleveland Avenue, known locally as the Medical Mile. The city has a history steeped in education, with the seminary that would become Otterbein University being founded in 1839. This private university and the Westerville City School system are also top job creators in the area, employing over 3,300 people between them.
With a population of over 40,000, Westerville is among the Columbus-adjacent communities experiencing significant growth as new jobs from the so-called Midwest Silicon Valley tech boom gain a foothold in the region.
JP Morgan Chase is one of the top employers in Westerville, Ohio.
Mount Carmel Health System in Westerville, Ohio is a part of the Medical Mile.
Otterbein University is a private school in Westerville , Ohio that was founded in 1839.
With a population of over 40,000, Westerville has experienced significant growth recently.
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The City Within A Park
Named for the Anti-Saloon League that called it home, the Temperance Row Historic District features rustic Craftsman homes that date back as far as 1910. Midcentury homes dominate the landscape in neighborhoods like Westerville Estates, while late 20th-century designs are more common in areas like The Woods. The newest, most modern homes are often found in planned communities like Brookstone. Potential homeowners can expect a minimum price tag in the low $300,000s for older homes with lower square footage. As homes increase in square footage and lot size, they reach the mid $500,000s, peaking in the mid $800,000s.
The Westerville City School District is home to nearly 30 public schools, including three high schools and an alternative school. It rates an overall A-minus from Niche, which ranks it as one of the 50 best districts in Ohio for athletes. “Our district emphasizes innovative teaching practices and technology integration, preparing students for a rapidly changing world,” says Melanie Amato, Westerville City Schools’s Director of Communications. Amato also says the school district prioritizes arts education and athletics, along with other extracurriculars that aid in student development.
Otterbein University has been in Westerville since the middle of the 19th century and remains a major influence on the local culture. “Westerville was one of the original stops on the Underground Railroad,” says Elia Hughes, real estate consultant with the Raines Group. “And the people who started Otterbein were all a part of that.” With over 650 acres of public green space and 51 miles of trails within 12 square miles, natural beauty is a significant factor in the area’s recreation and charm. “The parks system is second to none,” says Rick Rano. “A lot of people call Westerville The City Within a Park.” Standouts include the botanical displays at Inniswood Metro Gardens, the dense wood flora of Sharon Woods, Alum Creek Park North’s historic amphitheater and the boating and fishing of Hoover Reservoir. The Westerville Bike and Walkways system has miles of trail loops stretching across the city. “There’s nowhere you can’t go on that bike path system,” says Krista Lofthouse, real estate consultant with The Raines Group.
Interstates 71 and 270 border the city, while State Route 3 cuts directly through it, offering several options for a quick visit to Columbus, 15 miles southwest, or a longer trip to Detroit, nearly 200 miles north. “Our accessibility is a serious selling point,” says Sandy Raines, founder of The Raines Group. “You’ve got major highways going in every direction: north, south, east and west.” The John Glenn Columbus International Airport is 12 miles to the south. It works with a dozen airlines to provide nearly 150 daily flights to cities like New York, Orlando, Paris and Cancun. The Central Ohio Transit Authority offers a bus service with stops along Polaris Parkway and Cleveland Avenue.
Rustic Craftsman homes in Westerville, Ohiothat date back as far as 1910.
Midcentury homes can be found around Downtown Westerville.
Sharon Woods Metro Park in Westerville, Ohio features a bike path and a lake.
The residents of Westerville can enjoy boating and fishing on Hoover Reservoir.
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Craft distilleries in the shadow of Prohibition
Local museums include the Hanby House Historic Site, the Westerville History Museum, the Anti-Saloon League Museum and the Frank Museum of Art. Local and franchise restaurants are sprinkled throughout the city, including Giammarco’s Italian and the Westerville Grill. Perhaps out of a sense of irony, distilleries and breweries have grown quite popular since the ban on alcohol was lifted a scant twenty years ago.
The community lines up for regular city events like the Music & Arts Festival, celebrated every July with its 50th anniversary in 2024. The city has various other events popular with locals, like the Sounds of Summer Concert Series, Food Truck Festival and Westerville Area Resource Ministry Food Drive.
The Frank Museum of Art in Westerville, Ohio is located in the Uptown district.
The family home of composer Benjamin Hanby in Westerville, Ohio is now a museum.
Giammarco's is a popular Italian restaurant in Westerville, Ohio.
The ban on alcohol in Westerville, Ohio was lifted in 2004.
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Important to know
In 2023, Westerville saw a property crime rate 18% higher than the Ohio average and 6% higher than the national average. Westerville’s instances of violent crime in the same year were 41% lower than Ohio’s average and 36% lower than the national average. “The police and fire department are very involved in the community,” says Raines.
Culture and history in Central Ohio
What started as a tiny village in central Ohio has spent the last hundred and fifty years growing into a bustling suburb of Columbus with a sense of culture and history all its own. Westerville grows steadily, attracting residents looking for reputable schools, a prolific park system and small-town charm.
Rob is the Managing Partner of Thomas Riddle Real Estate Group. Rob manages their listings, negotiates contracts, and provides guidance and market knowledge for his team. Having closed hundreds of transactions over the past decade, Rob takes great pride in sharing his expertise with buyers and sellers. Rob is a lifetime resident of New Albany. He has a B.S. in Merchandising from the University of Kentucky, and moved back home after college to begin a career in fashion retail. In 2012, shortly after his return to New Albany, Rob became a licensed Realtor. Rob quickly realized his passion for real estate and he stepped away from his corporate job in the fashion industry to fully devote himself to serving his real estate clients. In 2021, Rob obtained his Brokers License. When not selling real estate, Rob and his wife, Johnna, enjoy restoring their 1800s farmhouse with the help of their two boys, Stanley and Charlie.
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