Cedarville's identity is shaped by its local university
Cedarville is culturally and geographically centered around its namesake university. In 2023, The Washington Post even ranked it as Ohio's "collegiest" town. "A majority of the people who move there either work for Cedarville University or are parents of students," says Jennifer Stewart, a Realtor with eight years of experience who works for Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices. "The university is a Bible college, so it's very much a small, religious area." She notes that Cedarville's status as a dry town is another draw. The only "pub" is Mom & Dad's Dairy Bar and Grill, which slings milkshakes. Cedarville is surrounded by farmland, small enough to be walkable and anchored by Main Street shopping and dining. When residents want a bigger city, Xenia is less than 10 miles away.
A mix of established homes and some new construction
Ranch and farmhouse styles, cottages and Colonial Revivals have a foothold here. Close to town, homes are on grid-style streets shaded by oak trees. On the outskirts, they may be on multiple acres. Smaller homes and fixer-uppers range from around $100,000 to $300,000. Newer, larger homes and more land increase the range from $330,000 to $600,000. Most homes are older; some date back to 1900. "There is now a push to start building more homes because houses don't come on the market often," Stewart says. At the same time, she notes a grassroots desire to stall this type of growth. "Many farmers have put their land into a land trust so developers can't touch it." One of the newest subdivisions is The Meadows of Cedarville, featuring custom one- and two-story homes blending Craftsman and farmhouse elements. While Cedarville University is a centerpiece of life, Stewart confirms that most students live on campus versus rent in town.
Education options range from small schools to a Baptist college
Cedar Cliff Local School District covers public education through three schools. Cedarville Elementary School earns an A-minus on Niche. Cedarville Middle School and Cedarville High School are on one campus, and both score a B rating. The high school participates in a SolidWorks program that allows students to earn engineering certifications. Cedarville University is rooted in the Baptist faith and has a chapel on campus that students enrolled in more than six credit hours are required to attend.
Shops and eateries along Main Street
Colonial Pizza is a favorite Main Street hangout spot. "They have things other than pizza, sandwiches and stuff, but that's incredibly popular," Stewart says. Mom & Dad's Dairy Bar and Grill is a go-to for a classic burger and shake combo and serves over 50 flavors of ice cream. Beans-n-Cream has a wide-ranging breakfast, lunch and beverage menu which includes smoothies and mocha lattes. Rinnova Coffee is a spot to refuel on campus. Cedarville Village Market is the only grocery store in town. Cedarville also has a Dollar General and a few local stores, including The Village Petaler, a flower designer. "If you needed a Kroger or Walmart, most people would head into Xenia," Stewart says.
Places to play ball, fish and hike around Cedarville
Cedarville University's campus has a range of recreational facilities, some of which are open to the public, including the 18-hole disc golf course. Cedarville Community Park has a playground and baseball diamonds. It's situated along a fishing creek and a portion of the Ohio to Erie Trail, which spans hundreds of miles. Massie Creek Soccer Park has several fields for casual play and pickup games. Indian Mound Reserve is just outside town, spanning nearly 170 acres. It encompasses three parks, all connected by vast hiking trails.
Community events and campus performances
Cedarville Opera House is on Main Street for dinner and a show and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Cedar Fest has been a Labor Day weekend tradition since the 1980s. Complete with parades, vendors and fireworks, it celebrates Senator James H. Kyle, who was born here and was one of the main sponsors of the holiday's founding bill. Cedarville University has its own events, including theatrical performances at the DeVries Theater, which the public can attend.
Bus and shuttle services support local and student travel
Ohio state Route 72 and U.S. Route 42 pass through Cedarville. Route 72 doubles as the town's Main Street, and 42 is the route to Xenia. Greene Cats provides scheduled bus services, where riders can be dropped off and picked up from any location within Greene County. The university offers a shuttle service to Dayton and Columbus airports for students, supporting their travels during academic calendar breaks.
Written By
Kathryn Ashworth
