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Western Hills

Western Hills

Suburban Neighborhood in Columbus, Ohio

Franklin County 43065
$361,284 Average Value
$222 Average Price per Sq Ft
1 Home For Sale

How schools, green space and perks shape life in Western Hills

Western Hills is known for contemporary homes and quiet streets, making it a popular choice in the northern Columbus metro area. Highly ranked public schools, plenty of green space and tax perks attract homeowners who want a calmer suburban lifestyle. Quick access to shopping, restaurants and major job centers only adds to the appeal.

What home styles and price ranges buyers find in this area

The area is almost entirely residential, with mostly single-family homes throughout. Most were built in the 1980s or later, giving the neighborhood a mix of New Traditional and midcentury styles. Home prices generally run from the mid-$200,000s to the mid-$400,000s, with a median in the mid-$300,000s, which is lower than Worthington, Dublin and the nearby neighborhood of Olde Sawmill. “They're inviting to first-time home buyers,” says Janet Rung, an agent with Coldwell Banker. “It's not limited to young adults... It's got a lot of depth as far as ownership.”

How strong schools and tax perks benefit home buyers

According to Candace DeFrancisco, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Realty, a significant advantage to living in Western Hills is that “you’re living in the Worthington School District but paying Columbus taxes.” The highly rated Worthington City School District pulled in a four-star overall rating on Ohio’s 2024–2025 School Report Card, putting it among the stronger districts in central Ohio for things like student achievement, growth and graduation rates. In 2025, the district also earned the Ohio Auditor of State Award with Distinction, an honor only a small share of districts statewide receive for clean audits and solid financial practices. More recently, the district spotlighted student success and academic programs during its 2026 State of the Schools event, which featured classroom highlights, arts performances and community involvement. Liberty Elementary School and Sutter Park Preschool are just south of the neighborhood, making them convenient walks for many locals.

Where the neighborhood is compared to downtown and nearby suburbs

The neighborhood is close to Interstate 270 and state Route 315, making commutes to job hubs pretty straightforward. Downtown Columbus and New Albany are both about 15 miles away, while Dublin and Worthington are closer to 5. Life in the Western Hills is mostly car-based, but several Central Ohio Transit Authority bus stops are available on Smoky Row Road.

Nearby parks and trails give residents plenty of outdoor options

While the neighborhood doesn’t have a public park of its own, there are several outdoor spots within a mile or two that have become very popular with residents:

  • Gators Bike Park has plenty of obstacles and trails for kids to hone their mountain biking skills.
  • The Olentangy Trail is a multi-use trail that connects Worthington to downtown Columbus, making it popular with hikers, bikers and joggers.
  • Antrim Park’s scenic lake is a regular spot for anglers and nature lovers alike.
  • Worthington Hills Country Club is a private facility with 18 holes, tennis courts and an Olympic-sized swimming pool.

Shopping and dining options cluster along Sawmill Road

Most shopping is along Sawmill Road, about 2 miles away. Surrounded by plenty of chain restaurants, big-box stores and retailers, it’s also where locals can go grocery shopping at the Walmart Supercenter or Kroger. Sunny Street Café is a local favorite for quick weekday breakfasts or relaxed weekend brunch. Swenson’s Drive-In has been around for nearly a century and is still known for its burgers, fries and milkshakes.

Phil Keeling
Written By
Phil Keeling
Paul Vilela
Photography Contributed By
Paul Vilela
Jonathan Bradley
Video By
Jonathan Bradley

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

John Glenn Columbus International

28 min drive

Bus

Smoky Row Rd & Stowbridge Rd

Bus

Smoky Row Rd & Plains Blvd

Bus

Smoky Row Rd & Swansford Dr

Reviews

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Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Western Hills US
Homicide 3 4
Sexual Assault 1 4
Assault with Weapon 1 4
Robbery 1 4
Burglary 3 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 3 4
Larceny 2 4
Crime Score 2 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes
780
Number of Homes for Sale
1
Median Year Built
1985
Months of Supply
0.30
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,554
Below the national average
1,933
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,318
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
7,405

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Rental Home Trends

Number of Homes for Rent
3
Median Rent
$2,495
Median Single Family Home Rent
$2,460
Median 3 Bedroom Single Family Home Rent
$2,460

Demographics

Total Population
2,060
Median Age
38
Population Density
10 ppl/acre
Population under 18
28.2%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
12.1%
Below the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$112,500
Significantly above the national average
$79,597
Average Household Income
$126,123

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
99.6%
College Graduates
46.1%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
13.1%
% Population in Labor Force
83.2%
Above the national average
64.9%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
41''
Average Winter Low Temperature
22°F
Average Summer High Temperature
85°F
Annual Snowfall
19''

Area Factors

Fairly bikeable

Bikeability®

50 / 100

Somewhat walkable

Walkability®

30 / 100

Limited public transit

Transit®

20 / 100
Source: Local Logic
Sources: Local Logic

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.

Nearby Neighborhoods

Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Western Hills