Set within the farms and woodlands that fill the landscape north of Columbus, the city of Delaware started as a hard-scrabble settlement in the early 1800s. Like many of the towns surrounding Ohio's capital, it saw an industrial boom that began in the middle of the 20th century and has continued steadily since. But even as the city grows, locals hope to maintain a level of rural hospitality they see as part of their roots. "We're a suburban community that's close to the amenities of Columbus, but we're set aside enough that you have that smaller town feel," says Catlin Frazier, a councilwoman for the city.
Delaware is set within the farms and woodlands that fill the landscape north of Columbus.
The city of Delaware started as a hard-scrabble settlement in the early 1800s.
Relax at Henmick Farm & Brewery, a full-service taproom for gather outdoors.
Delaware Skatepark is a great place to spend time with friends.
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An industrial hub that continues to grow
The automotive industry has been Delaware's professional backbone for decades, with leading employers like Advance Auto, Jegs and PPG Industries maintaining distribution centers in the area. Other top job creators include Ohio Wesleyan University, OhioHealth and the local government and public school system. As tech giants like Intel put the final touches on microchip factories in the area, local leaders expect to see a concentrated boom in population. "Like many communities in Central Ohio, we're going to see that 'Intel effect,'" says Frazier. "Anywhere within 40 miles of the company should expect a lot of growth." This growth has made Delaware the fastest-growing county in Ohio and among the top 25 fastest in the nation. As a result, local and state governments plan to expand area infrastructure and renovate nearby highways.
OhioHealth Grady Memorial Hospital delivers high-level care to our Delaware community.
The automotive industry has been Delaware's professional backbone for decades.
PPG Industries maintains distribution centers in Delaware.
Delaware the fastest-growing county in Ohio and among the top 25 fastest in the nation.
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Award-winning school districts and historic homes
The Historic Northwestern Neighborhood is the site of some of Delaware's oldest and most admired homes, including beautifully renovated Victorians and Tudors. Midcentury Cape Cods and ranch-style houses are common near Mingo Park, and the latest contemporary construction fills newer communities like Springer Woods. The average value for a home in Delaware is in the mid-$400,000s, lower than the national average in the mid-$500,000s. Existing homes range in price from the low $200,000s to the low $800,000s. New construction starts in the low $300,000s and maxes out in the low $800,000s.
Delaware contains two school districts: Delaware City Schools, which covers the majority of the city, and Olentangy Local School District, which takes care of expanding regions in the southeast. Delaware City Schools has a B-rating from Niche and received the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce's "Exceeds School Standards" rating. "We're particularly proud of our partnerships with Ohio Wesleyan University and Columbus State University," says Director of Communications for Delaware City Schools, Jennifer Ruhes. "We offer several post-secondary options to students that reduce the cost of college courses."
The Olentangy Local School District has an A-plus from Niche, which lists it as one of the ten best school districts in Ohio and the fifth best for athletics. In 2024, the district received a five-star rating from the state of Ohio for the second year in a row. It was only one of two districts with over 10,000 students to achieve this honor.
Ohio Wesleyan University was founded in 1844 and serves over 1,500 students a year with over 70 undergraduate majors and 24 varsity sports.
New construction in Delaware starts in the low $300,000s and maxes out in the low $800,000s.
New contemporary construction in Delaware fills newer communities like Springer Woods.
The Historic Northwestern Neighborhood is the site of some of Delaware's oldest and most adm
Midcentury Cape Cods and ranch-style houses in Delaware are common near Mingo Park.
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Harness Racing and one of the oldest restaurants in Ohio
Local attractions include The Strand Theatre, Arena Fair Theatre, Meeker Homestead Museum and Ross Art Museum. The city's historic downtown is home to Bun's Restaurant, one of the oldest restaurants in Ohio. Established in 1864, this Delaware landmark offers laid-back diner fare in a family-friendly atmosphere.
Mingo Park's athletic fields are some of the area's most popular spots on Saturday mornings when the youth soccer league season is in session. The 50-acre green space is also home to canoe launch points into the Olentangy River, a skate park and recent expansions for pickleball. Smith Park features multiple playgrounds, a stocked fishing pond and multiple baseball and softball fields.
The Little Brown Jug is the area's largest annual event, regularly attracting as many as 45,000 attendees. Founded in 1946, the Triple Crown harness horse racing event is held in the Delaware County Fairgrounds every third Thursday after Labor Day. "It brings in some of the biggest crowds in Central Ohio," says Frazier.
Delaware's Ohio Wesleyan University was founded in 1844 and serves over 1,500 students.
Bun's Restaurant in Delaware, is one of the oldest restaurants in Ohio.
The Strand Theatre, is a movie theater located in downtown Delaware.
Harness racing happens year round at the Delaware Fairgrounds track.
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Improvements on the way for Columbus commute
The city is intersected by U.S. Routes 23, 36 and 42, along with Ohio Route 37, creating convenient commutes. Columbus and John Glenn Columbus International Airport are 30 miles south—a fact relevant to the majority of the city's locals. "Eighty percent of our residents actually work outside of the city, so we've got that usual traffic and rush hour during peak times of the day," says Catlin Frazier. "But we're working with the county and state levels on infrastructure progress to increase traffic in areas where there's a lot of movement." John Glenn International sees over 150 flights daily, providing access to cities like Atlanta, Paris and Las Vegas. Delaware County Transit offers scheduled ride services throughout the week but does not offer a fixed route bussing system.
Important to know
According to the Federal Bureau of Investigations, Delaware's property crime instances in 2023 were 53 percent lower than Ohio's and 58 percent lower than the United States overall. In the same year, violent crime in Delaware was 51 percent lower than Ohio's and 47 percent lower than the nation's.
Locals refer to Delaware as a "four-season city," with warm summers, snowfall, and rainfall on par with other areas in Ohio.
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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.
