About 10 miles south of Columbus, the Obetz-Lockbourne area is a quiet, laid-back spot with a wide stretch of greenery in its backyard. Known for well-maintained midcentury homes and access to highly ranked schools, the area is popular with families. A relatively low cost of living and easy commutes to work also appeal to homeowners, while annual holiday traditions foster a tight-knit community.
Most homes are in the northern part of Obetz-Lockbourne, gathered around neighborhoods like Far South and Mulberry Grove. Don Cary, vice president of Horizons Asset Management, says the area’s history and cost of living tend to keep people around for the long haul. “You find that a lot of people who move here, stay here,” he says, later pointing out: “It’s not a high-priced area. It’s a nice little community, and people like it that way.”
The majority of the area was developed in the 1950s and ‘60s, with one-story Cape Cods and ranch-style houses typically selling between $80,000 and the low $300,000s. Split-levels and other two-story homes usually range from the low $100,000s to the low $300,000s. New developments are fairly common, with 21st-century New Traditional homes priced from the mid-$200,000s to the high $400,000s. The median price for a single-family home here is in the low $200,000s, making the area generally less expensive than neighboring communities like Groveport and Grove City.
Students in Obetz and Lockbourne attend the Hamilton Local School District. Cary says the schools here are well-known for their quality. “It’s one of the reasons people move to the area,” he says. School choice mostly comes down to your assigned public school, with the option to apply for open enrollment if you want to transfer in or out of the district. Whether you get in depends on available space and district rules, not a lottery.
Interstate 270 and Ohio Route 317 run right through the area, making it easy to get around the metro. Commutes to Columbus, Grove City, Canal Winchester and Groveport are about 10 miles or less, while Easton and New Albany are closer to 20 miles. About half of Obetz is made up of industrial parks, and the Groveport Rickenbacker Employee Access Transit shuttle offers free rides for employees heading into those areas. Outside of that, most people rely on a car. Parsons Avenue is lined with Central Ohio Transit Authority bus stops.
Lockbourne’s 2-mile Magnolia Trail in Locke Meadows Park traces routes used by guide boats centuries ago. The trail also runs alongside a playground and basketball court, right next to the village’s historic canal remnants. Hamilton Township Park offers access to Big Walnut Creek and has multi-purpose fields and a baseball diamond with a concession stand and pavilions for game-day crowds. Over in Obetz, the Area 51 Disc Golf Course spans 31 acres with 18 holes. Meanwhile, the Scioto Southland Community Center hosts everything from mobile produce markets to sports and fitness camps for kids.
Plenty of shopping options are near the community’s west side, where I-270 intersects with U.S. Route 23, including Kroger, Lowe’s and a variety of chain restaurants. But there are still lots of locally owned spots, too:
Started in the 1970s, Obetz Zucchinifest is an annual four-day festival that celebrates all things zucchini with live music, rides, food vendors and offbeat contests. Quirky events like the zucchini weigh-in and themed parades draw in a mix of locals and visitors each summer looking for entertainment, fair food and zucchini-infused beer.
Tracy Hess
The Agency Cleveland Northcoast
(380) 208-0182
147 Total Sales
2 in Obetz-Lockbourne
$180K - $270K Price Range
Missy Lewie
Mainstream Realty Pros
(380) 210-5470
77 Total Sales
2 in Obetz-Lockbourne
$178K - $240K Price Range
Maria Milligan
RE/MAX Premier Choice
(380) 235-5209
62 Total Sales
1 in Obetz-Lockbourne
$120,000 Price
Diane Todd
Howard Hanna Real Estate Svcs
(888) 367-6113
62 Total Sales
15 in Obetz-Lockbourne
$100K - $270K Price Range
Amanda Herman
Realty ONE Group ROG Refined
(740) 639-2838
131 Total Sales
1 in Obetz-Lockbourne
$330,000 Price
Randy Abrams
Red 1 Realty
(380) 205-9973
73 Total Sales
3 in Obetz-Lockbourne
$167K - $310K Price Range
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Obetz-Lockbourne | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 4 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 4 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 4 | 4 |
| Robbery | 4 | 4 |
| Burglary | 4 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 4 | 4 |
| Larceny | 4 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 4 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
On average, homes in Obetz-Lockbourne, Columbus sell after 30 days on the market compared to the national average of 58 days. The median sale price for homes in Obetz-Lockbourne, Columbus over the last 12 months is $225,825, down 2% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
|
Median List Price
$235,000
|
Median Sale Price
$225,825
|
|
Median Single Family Sale Price
$228,000
|
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$272,500
|
|
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$127,000
|
Median Change From 1st List Price
2%
|
|
Last 12 months Home Sales
372
|
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-2%
|
|
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$165
|
|
|
Number of Homes
8,635
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Number of Homes for Sale
52
|
|
Median Year Built
1966
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Months of Supply
1.70
|
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Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,338
Significantly below the national average
1,933
|
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,896
|
|
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,052
|
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
684
|
|
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
7,405
|
|
$1,392 - $2,569 per month
$1,167 - $1,646 per month
$1,150 - $1,800 per month
$1,325 - $1,550 per month
$875 - $990 per month
|
Number of Homes for Rent
26
|
Median Rent
$2,117
|
|
Median Single Family Home Rent
$1,950
|
Median 4 Bedroom Single Family Home Rent
$2,155
|
|
Median Condo Rent
$900
|
Median 2 Bedroom Condo Rent
$899
|
|
Total Population
29,645
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Median Age
40
|
|
Population Density
2 ppl/acre
|
Population under 18
25.8%
On par with the national average
23.8%
|
|
Population over 65
17.6%
On par with the national average
19.1%
|
|
|
Median Household Income
$58,027
Significantly below the national average
$79,597
|
Average Household Income
$67,785
|
|
High School Graduates
84.6%
|
College Graduates
14%
Below the national average
34.1%
|
|
Advanced Degrees
4%
Below the national average
13.3%
|
% Population in Labor Force
64.8%
|
|
Annual Precipitation
43''
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Average Winter Low Temperature
19°F
|
|
Average Summer High Temperature
86°F
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Annual Snowfall
16''
|
Bikeability
Walkability
Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
A modest suburb ideal for first-time homebuyers
Plenty of park space and job opportunities in this area southeast of Columbus
Contemporary living near trails, parks and major routes into Columbus
Affordable east‑side living with parks, old‑school charm and quick city access
Stable South Side Columbus community of longtime residents and first-time buyers
A colorful, close-knit community neighbors Columbus' German Village
