Galena is a village surrounded by nature and modern convenience
Settled at the northern tip of the Hoover Reservoir, Galena is a village of just under 1,000 residents. Though a fraction of the size of surrounding communities like Polaris and Sunbury, homeowners are attracted to the area for its new homes, opportunities for outdoor recreation and quality of life. “Galena is a very comfortable spot to live,” says Maggie Chudik, an agent with Coldwell Banker Realty. “You can have the small-town feel without being in the middle of nowhere.”
21st-century homes are in the northside
The southern half of the village is filled with turn-of-the-20th-century traditional homes on lots that are typically a quarter of an acre or less. Sidewalks are rare, and homes often have narrow driveways leading to a carport or single-car garage. Galena’s newest developments are typically in the western half of the village or the northern outskirts, which share a border with Sunbury. Two-story New Traditional homes are typical here, frequently built on half an acre and larger lots. Neighborhoods are usually neat, master-planned communities connected by sidewalks and winding streets. The median price for homes in Gelena is in the $620,000s, compared to the national median of around $400,000.
Big Walnut High School has top-ranking basketball and football teams
Galena is served by Big Walnut Local School District, which has seven schools and a B-plus from Niche. Big Walnut High School’s athletics department is well-known in the area. Its football team was a state semifinalist in 2024, while its basketball team won the district championship in 2025.
Hundreds of acres of nature preserves and parks are just south
Miller Park is a community hub with playground equipment, a full-size basketball court and shaded picnic pavilions. Nearby is the Galena Brick Trail, which offers a view of the reservoir and a connection to the Ohio to Erie Trail: a 326-mile path that connects Lake Erie and the Ohio River. Char-Mar Ridge Park has 150 acres of woodlands, meadows and streams. Hikers and nature lovers come to walk the Glacier Ridge Trail on the hunt for picturesque scenery and wildlife sightings. The Gertrude S. Lawrence Woods Nature Preserve is dedicated to protecting the local ecology, including the endangered Indiana Bat. Visitors can appreciate the area’s bluffs, ravines and untouched forest from a 1.5-mile trail.
Laid-back restaurants and diners are available
Most shopping is done in Sunbury, which has fast food options and familiar franchises like Kroger, CVS and Ace Hardware. In addition to daily blue plate specials, the Galena Diner puts an upscale spin on the greasy spoon with menu items like crab cakes and grilled salmon. Son of Thurman offers specialty burgers, deli-style sandwiches and jumbo wings in 12 different flavors.
Sunbury hosts family friendly events
The Sunbury Farmer’s Market is held on Wednesdays and Saturdays from May until October, offering locally grown produce, baked goods, teas and more. Held every summer since 2011, Sunbury Sizzle and Sounds is one of the city’s biggest block parties, hosting food trucks, family friendly activities and half a dozen live musical acts. “There are lots of community-oriented events in Sunbury,” says Chudik.
Columbus is 25 miles away
The main highway in Galena is state Route 3, and Columbus is about 25 miles southwest via Interstate 71. The nearest hospital is the OhioHealth Grady Memorial Hospital in Delaware. “It’s minutes from the Polaris Parkway area,” says Chudik. “It’s easy access to shopping and the freeway system.”
