$187,013Average Value$109Average Price per Sq Ft5Homes For Sale
Generational roots and Ohio Northern University bring people to Ada
Ada is an agricultural village of 5,000 people in Hardin County, about 20 minutes west of Lima. The small community is home to Ohio Northern University and Wilson Sporting Goods, the manufacturer of the official football of the NFL. A connected community draws buyers to the area — and, locals say, helps keep them there. “The folks grow up, graduate high school, and they may go to college or see what life’s about in the big city. But then when they start their families, they want to move back because they have that family support,” says local Realtor Rhonda Crouse with Realitstar. “My son could ride his bike down the street and stay out all day at the swimming pool and I felt safe. It’s very family oriented, and people rally around each other.”
Ohio Northern University was established in Ada over 150 years ago.
Wilson Sporting Goods in Ada produces leather footballs for the NFL.
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Ada Exempted Village Public Schools and ONU
Ohio Northern University is a private university with five colleges and roughly 3,000 students. “It’s a top college and, in my opinion, better than Ohio State University,” Crouse says, emphasizing its law, pharmacy and engineering programs. The expansive campus also features a stadium and ball fields. Before college, local students head to Ada Exempted Village Public Schools, which receives an overall B grade from Niche. The high school offers more than a dozen career pathways, plus job training at Apollo Career Center, which offers 35 programs and the opportunity to earn college credit.
Ada Elementary School is a public school in Ada with a student teacher ratio of 17 to 1.
Ada High School is a public high school in Ada with approximately 400 students with a student teacher ratio of 16 to 1.
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Homes range from early 1900s styles to new builds
Ada’s housing stock mostly consists of homes built between the early 1900s and the 1950s, with a healthy collection of Victorian, National, American Foursquare, Craftsman-style and ranch-style houses. At the same time, there is new construction throughout town and new housing additions. Older homes are more likely to have driveways, detached garages and street parking, but buyers can also find attached one- and two-car garages. The median price of a single-family home is about $250,000, on par with the Bluffton median and higher than the Lima median of roughly $175,000.
Traditional National homes are common in the neighborhoods surrounding downtown Ada.
There are many styles of home in the city of Ada including ranch and craftsman.
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War Memorial Park anchors Ada’s sports and outdoor fun
War Memorial Park is Ada’s primary recreational and activity hub. It’s the home of War Memorial Stadium, which hosts Ada High School football, soccer, and track and field competitions. The park also features a large playground, ball fields and the municipal pool and splash pad. Nearby, the Ada Dog Park offers a fenced-in green space for pups to run off-leash. Golfers can hit the links at public courses like Colonial Golfers Club, Hidden Creek Golf Club and Bluffton Golf Club. ONU’s Freed Center highlights student talent and brings entertainment to the university and the public, while the Art Deco-style Ada Theatre shows first-run flicks at an affordable cost. Football fans can tour the Wilson Sporting Goods facility, where more than 500,000 NFL leather footballs are produced by hand every year. Wilson has also manufactured every Super Bowl football since 1967.
Ada War Memorial Park in Ada has many amenities including a playground for the kids.
Come to Colonial Golfers Club to play a round with friends.
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Main Street has local shops, restaurants and student favorites
Main Street is lined with brick facades that house small businesses like The Mercantile on Main, a local boutique, and Whatever Cards and Games, a hobby and card game shop. UNOH students and locals both frequent restaurants like El Campo Mexican Restaurant and the Regal Beagle. There’s no shortage of pizza restaurants in Ada, with Padrone’s and East of Chicago. The Inn at Ohio Northern University is an on-campus boutique hotel with a bar, restaurant and live music on the patio. Groceries are available at Community Markets.
El Campo is a lively restaurant in Ada serving up some of the best fresh Mexican fare.
The Inn and Ohio Northern University is a local hotel in Ada that also has a wonderful bar and restaurant.
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Festivals celebrate farming and football
The Farmers and Merchants Picnic has been an Ada tradition for more than 100 years. The daylong festival celebrates area agricultural producers and local businesses. “My son would count down the days to the Farmers and Merchants Picnic and stay the whole day there,” Crouse says. The Harvest and Herb Festival has Ada’s largest parade and brings more than 100 food and retail vendors to Main Street. One of the village’s newest events is the Made in Ada Wilson Football Festival, a late summer celebration that recognizes Wilson Sporting Goods for its role in the community with a live football-making experience, live music and family friendly activities.
Columbus and Dayton are reachable in under two hours
Sidewalks make it easy for pedestrians to get around town. “Everything is pretty much within walking distance,” Crouse says. State Routes 81 and 235 intersect in Ada and serve as the town’s main thoroughfares. Drivers can reach Bluffton and Bluffton Hospital within 10 miles. Interstate 75 is about 10 miles away and connects to Dayton, about 90 miles south. It’s roughly an 80-mile drive to Columbus and John Glenn Columbus International Airport.
Written By
Leslie Klosterman
Photography Contributed By
Jennifer Rehkopf
Video By
Daniel Quattro
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Tina Pearson,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Ada, OH sell after 24 days on the market compared to the national average of 54 days. The median sale price for homes in Ada, OH over the last 12 months is $181,550, up 26% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Location to everything. Walking distance to ONU campus, downtown and shopping. 4-units that all have separate utilities paid by tenants. Strong occupancy. All units have appliances, stove, refrigerator, washer, dryer. Tenant parking in the rear.#1 lease end 11/30/2025#2 lease end 5/31/2026#3 lease end 7/31/2026#4 lease end 5/31/2026
Total Remodeled 4 bedroom two story located just 2 blocks north of ONU campus. Walls were taken down to studs just 3 years ago. All new plumbing, new heat/cooling system. Is rented $1395 month through April 2026.
Mid-century modern ranch near the Ada Park. Convenient 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. It is a short walk to ONU. Spacious eat-in kitchen. Owners En-suite is at opposite end of the house. All appliances stay. Detached 2 car garage and plenty of yard space for recreation. Off street parking.
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Cavco Rainier 430ES | Pre-Sale Opportunity in Ada Home Features and Efficient Design The Cavco Rainier 430ES provides 1,013 square feet of living space at 746 North Main Street. This three-bedroom, two-bathroom residence is designed for functional utility and long-term durability. The interior features resilient vinyl flooring throughout, offering a consistent and low-maintenance surface. Climate
Leave the noise and unpredictability of the city behind for the stability you've earned. Welcome to Northland, a community purposefully managed for those who value peace, order, and a true sense of security. This brand-new 2026 Adventure Home (Lot 61) offers a pristine 960 sq. ft. sanctuary featuring 3 spacious bedrooms and 2 modern bathrooms. Designed for the responsible homeowner, this
*Property disclosures and additional documents will be released upon receipt of pre-approval/Proof of funds. Showings are available to pre-approved buyers only. Please submit a mortgage pre-approval letter or proof of funds to the listing agent prior to scheduling a tour*! Looking for a large(r) home on Main Street in Ada? You just found it and it has a ton of updates and amenities for you to
Clayton Intuition 35MY016663AH | Pre-Sale Opportunity in Ada Home Features and Efficient Design The Clayton Intuition offers 990 square feet of smartly engineered living space at 746 North Main Street. This three-bedroom, two-bathroom residence is designed for functional utility and long-term durability. The interior features resilient vinyl flooring throughout, providing a consistent and
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Peaceful Country Living on 1.19 Acres. Enjoy the tranquility of country living in this spacious 3-bedroom, 2 full bath bi-level home nestled on a beautiful 1.19-acre lot bordering mature woods. Withprivacy, space, and scenic views, this property offers the perfect blend of comfort and nature. Inside, the home features a welcoming family room highlighted by a cozy gas fireplace, perfect for
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