Just southeast of downtown Columbus, Southern Orchards has been booming in recent years. Renovated homes and walkable streets have drawn more young professionals as Nationwide Children’s Hospital continues to expand. Being just minutes from shopping and entertainment also draws plenty of new homeowners.
With its tidy grid of historic homes, Southern Orchards feels classic but refreshed, thanks to years of renovation that have brought new energy to the neighborhood. Realtor Michael Jones of Coldwell Banker Realty says the area "has experienced a resurgence" over the last decade, driven in part by the growth of Nationwide Children's Hospital just north in Livingston Park. The hospital added a new 12-story building in 2012, and a new patient tower is expected to wrap up construction in 2028. "Today is much different than 10 years ago," Jones said. "Southern Orchards is still in transition, but you'll find a lot of younger and middle-aged people who want to get into an affordable, walkable urban environment."
Streets are lined with turn-of-the-20th-century Victorian, Craftsman and American Foursquare-style homes, with prices generally ranging from about $100,000 to the mid-$400,000s depending on condition. Duplexes and other multi-family homes are also common, typically selling between the high $100,000s and low $400,000s. The median price for a single-family home lands in the mid-$200,000s, generally putting Southern Orchards above Deshler Park and Driving Park, in line with Karns Park and less expensive than Livingston Park, Schumacher Place or Merion Village. "We love it because it's close to downtown, but you're still getting an affordable price in a prime location," said Elaine Dollenmayer, vice president of the Southern Orchards Civic Association.
Southern Orchards is zoned for Columbus City Schools, one of the largest districts in Ohio. Livingston Elementary is in the neighborhood's boundaries, and South High School is less than a mile away, making them both options for students who’d rather walk. School choice in Columbus City Schools includes magnet and alternative schools that families apply to through a district-run lottery, and popular programs can fill up quickly. Out-of-district students can apply through open enrollment, though acceptance depends on available space rather than automatic approval.
In addition to being about 2 miles from the heart of Columbus, Southern Orchards offers fairly easy routes to several major job centers around the region. Easton and John Glenn Columbus International Airport are both about 10 miles away, and the tech corridor in New Albany is less than 20 miles. The Central Ohio Transit Authority has bus stops along Parsons and East Jenkins avenues, helping commuters get around without a car. With sidewalks throughout the neighborhood, the area is known for being very pedestrian-friendly. “The walkability is great," says Dollenmayer.
Kobacker Park and Martin Park are popular neighborhood hangouts, each offering playground equipment and basketball courts. Just north of Southern Orchards, Livingston Park spans about 8 acres with a mix of open fields, mature trees and walking trails. Nearby in German Village, Schiller Park adds even more options with baseball diamonds, a fully stocked fishing pond and the Schiller Community Center.
With a mix of boutiques, retailers and a Kroger grocery store, Parsons Avenue is a go-to spot for everyday shopping. You’ll also find several fast food spots and chain restaurants, along with a solid lineup of locally owned places that give the street its personality:
Doug Ryan
KW Classic Properties Realty
(380) 333-6700
90 Total Sales
2 in Southern Orchards
$57K - $165K Price Range
Elizabeth Greulich
Rich Russo Realty & Co.
(380) 444-6768
32 Total Sales
2 in Southern Orchards
$235K - $250K Price Range
Janene Parham
Red 1 Realty
(380) 210-4635
203 Total Sales
2 in Southern Orchards
$195K - $310K Price Range
Matt Glanzman
RE/MAX ONE
(380) 777-9813
164 Total Sales
1 in Southern Orchards
$260,000 Price
Omar El Mejjaty
Carleton Realty, LLC
(380) 208-0537
425 Total Sales
1 in Southern Orchards
$279,000 Price
Jennifer Kessel-White
KW Classic Properties Realty
(380) 333-6311
188 Total Sales
4 in Southern Orchards
$45K - $393K Price Range
On average, homes in Southern Orchards, Columbus sell after 30 days on the market compared to the national average of 55 days. The median sale price for homes in Southern Orchards, Columbus over the last 12 months is $279,000, down 5% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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Median List Price
$299,450
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Median Sale Price
$279,000
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Median Single Family Sale Price
$278,750
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Median Townhouse Sale Price
$287,400
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Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$202,500
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Median Change From 1st List Price
3%
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Last 12 months Home Sales
61
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Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-5%
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Average Price Per Sq Ft
$178
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Number of Homes
1,078
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Number of Homes for Sale
29
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Median Year Built
1917
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Months of Supply
5.70
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Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,504
Significantly below the national average
1,935
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Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,171
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Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,041
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Median Lot Size Sq Ft
4,356
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$1,350 per month
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Number of Homes for Rent
23
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Median Rent
$1,647
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Median Single Family Home Rent
$2,000
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Median 4 Bedroom Single Family Home Rent
$1,900
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Median Townhouse Rent
$1,475
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Median 3 Bedroom Townhouse Rent
$1,475
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Median Condo Rent
$1,500
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Median 2 Bedroom Condo Rent
$1,100
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Total Population
3,799
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Median Age
33
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Population Density
15 ppl/acre
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Population under 18
29.9%
Above the national average
23.8%
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Population over 65
9.6%
Below the national average
19.1%
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Median Household Income
$41,190
Significantly below the national average
$79,597
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Average Household Income
$54,917
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High School Graduates
82.2%
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College Graduates
20%
Below the national average
34.1%
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Advanced Degrees
3.2%
Below the national average
13.3%
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% Population in Labor Force
69.7%
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Annual Precipitation
41''
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Average Winter Low Temperature
22°F
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Average Summer High Temperature
85°F
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Annual Snowfall
19''
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Bikeability
Walkability
Transit
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.
Historic homes and active neighborhood association define this Columbus community
