As the 15th largest city in the United States, Columbus is well-known for being a great place to live, work and raise a family. Offering the amenities of a large city and the charm of a small town, Columbus is the heart of Midwest hospitality.

The Population

In 2000, during the last U.S. Census poll, the population of Columbus was 700,000 people and the metropolitan area population was 1.5 million people. In March 2001, The Columbus Dispatch began an excellent series on the 2000 Census and the Columbus demographics You can read one of the articles on the population growth in Columbus and outlying areas here. In addition, Mayor Michael Coleman’s recent creation of the Young Professionals Commission has begun the large-scale initiative to continue the population growth of talented young people in the Columbus community.

Economy and Careers

In 2006 Money magazine ranked Columbus eighth in the magazine's selection of the 10 best big cities in its Best Places to Live issue. In 2005 Popular Science magazine ranked the nation’s cities based on technology indicators such as the research and development budgets at universities, and hospital use of robotic surgery. Columbus placed 7th on the list.

In 2002, BET.com named Columbus, Ohio the number one city for Black families. According to the findings, "Columbus is a growing community of diverse neighborhoods, high employment, affordable homes and, according to its supporters, lots of African Americans who care about their community so much you couldn't pay them to move." The article can be accessed here for as long as it remains posted on the BET.com website.

Living in Columbus

One of the best features of Columbus is the number of diverse neighborhoods close in to downtown without the hassle of freeway travel. German Village is less than a mile south of downtown and is a protected Historic Preservation District, officially designated on the National Register of Historic Places. It is an eclectic neighborhood of restored brick homes, restaurants and shops. Victorian Village is another historic residential district that lies just northwest of the downtown area. This attractive, livable, affordable neighborhood is filled with beautiful, nineteenth century architecture. The homes, townhouses and apartments accommodate people from a variety of income levels and social backgrounds

Bexley is a Columbus suburb a few miles east of downtown and includes both starter houses and estate-sized mansions, continually increasing property values, and an excellent school system. Upper Arlington is five miles northwest of downtown and is a close-in, upscale community with an excellent school system. Other neighborhoods a short distance from downtown include Grandview, a predominantly residential community featuring older homes and tree-lined streets; Clintonville, a nice family neighborhood surrounded by many parks; and the Short North district, a revitalized area of housing, art galleries and restaurants just a mile north of downtown.

Housing in downtown Columbus is exploding with condominium projects across the central downtown, as well as in the Brewery District, and the arena district. With riverfront views, an eco-friendly environment, easy access to public transportation, and proximity to shops, businesses, restaurants and bars, the downtown area is an ideal home for young people.

In addition to the number of diverse communities within a few miles of the central city, there are many affordable, convenient and attractive places to live within a 30-mile radius of Columbus including Delaware, Dublin, Granville, Grove City, Hilliard, New Albany, Powell, Westerville and Worthington.

Arts and Entertainment in Columbus

As an area with both artistic and cultural flair, Columbus offers an outstanding array of music and dance companies, art galleries, and theater performances. Musical options include The Columbus Symphony Orchestra, Opera Columbus and BalletMet Columbus, the city's professional ballet company. Numerous facilities host special events and concerts throughout the city in large venues such as Nationwide Arena, Germain Amphitheater, and the Schottenstein Center, in addition to dozens of smaller venues and theaters.

Other Columbus gems include the Franklin Park Conservatory, The Columbus Museum of Art, the science and industry center COSI, Wexner Center for the Arts, music, film and cultural festivals, and of course “Gallery Hop”. Held once-a-month in the Short North, which is known for its exquisite art galleries, the Saturday night ritual of Gallery Hop keeps shops and stores open late for art enthusiasts and restaurant-goers who hit High Street for a night of fun.

Sports in Columbus

Columbus is a sports town. In the fall and early winter the Ohio State Buckeye football team is the center of the sports community activity. In the fall of 2000 the Columbus Blue Jackets, a National Hockey League expansion franchise, started play at the Nationwide Arena on the downtown riverfront. The Columbus Crew is the city's major league soccer team and the Columbus Clippers is the Triple A Club for the Washington Nationals. Columbus is also less than two hours away from the Cleveland Browns and Cleveland Indians to the north and the Cincinnati Bengals and Cincinnati Reds to the south.

Columbus also offers dozens of parks for outdoor recreation activities, such as running, biking, rollerblading and tennis. The Olentangy Multi-Use Trail, which runs for 12.75 miles along the Olentangy River, connects Worthington, Clintonville, The Ohio State University, Harrison West and Downtown neighborhoods. The trail is a favorite among many residents.