Galion is a rural town of about 10,000 people, located between Columbus and Cleveland in north Ohio. Anchored by a historic railroad depot, Galion was a "whistle stop" for presidential hopefuls such as Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1932 and Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1952, who spoke from the train platform. The town has deep roots in manufacturing, and today, 82 manufacturing companies employ about 2,800 people in Crawford County. While Galion faces a declining population, its identity is cemented in longstanding festivals, small businesses and revitalization.
"There is factory work and a hospital, so it's a place for opportunity," says Dan Amaro, Realtor with e-Merge Real Estate, who has been selling in the Galion area for three years. "There is affordable housing and a commute to the big cities. I think it's an untapped market."
Galion is a rural town of about 10,000 people, located between Columbus and Cleveland in north Ohio.
Harding Way is Galion's Uptowne business district with antique stores, specialty stores, restaurants, bars and entertainment.
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Historic renovations and new construciton potential
The median price for a single-family home in Galion is around $160,000, which is well under half of the national median and slightly lower than surrounding communities such as Mansfield and Bucyrus. Nineteenth-century Italianate, Eastlake and Queen Anne homes and 20th-century Dutch Colonial and Tudor Revival homes line residential streets in Galion's core. "Galion has a lot of distressed properties, so that presents a lot of opportunity for renovations and forced appreciation," Amaro says. Aspen Terrace is a gated community with newer duplexes, single-family homes and shared amenities on the south end.
With more than 250 vacant acres in town, there is a lot of growth potential here, Amaro says, especially with Intel's new 1,000-acre chip factory in construction outside of Columbus. "It's pushing people out this way, and I'm seeing it a year in advance," he says.
The median price for a single-family home in Galion is around $160,000.
A historic Victorian home in Galion, Ohio features a covered front porch.
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Five-star preschool in the Galion City School District
With an overall C-plus from Niche, The Galion City School District oversees one early learning program and one primary, intermediate, middle and high school. All are clustered together on the west side of town and are graded between C and B-minus. The district's preschool program serves three- and four-year-olds and earns a five-star rating from the Ohio Department of Education. In 2024, the district added a Civil Air Patrol squadron for middle and high schoolers, with programs in emergency services and aerospace education.
The district's preschool program serves three- and four-year-olds and earns a five-star rating from the Ohio Department of Education.
Galion High School in Galion, Ohio is rated C-plus by Niche.
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New playground at Heise Park
Playgrounds, sports fields, dog parks and water features are spread across town at Galion's five city parks, which continue improving. In 2019, Heise Park received a new playground for individuals with special physical and sensory needs. The new playset is shaped like a road grader to honor Galion's prominence in the road machinery industry. Just south of town are reservoirs with opportunities to fish and sled in the winter months.
Heise Park in Galion, Ohio received a new playground for individuals with special physical and sensory needs.
Heise Park in Galion Ohio features an athletic field.
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Shopping local on Harding Way
Harding Way is Galion's Uptowne business district with antique stores, specialty stores, restaurants, bars and entertainment. Locals park on the street for close access to all these options, located within a three-block area. The food scene includes casual sports bars and diners, such as Whistle Stop Café, serving breakfast staples from the bar or the booth. Galion Community Theatre is a fomer movie house-turned performing arts venue hosting musicals and youth theatrical productions.
business district with antique stores, specialty stores, restaurants, bars and entertainment.
Whistle Stop Café in Galion, Ohio is a perfect place for breakfast or lunch.
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Depot Day celebrates Galion's railroad history
Galion's history and community are rooted in longtime festivals. The Pickle Run 5K race is a favorite annual tradition on Fourth of July weekend. The race originated in the 1970s as a fundraiser for the Galion Booster Club, and remains a celebration of fitness and community spirit with a craft show, parade, rides and bounce houses. The Crestline Harvest Festival and Galion Oktoberfest ring in the fall season with parades, beer gardens, craft shows and live bands.
Once the headquarters for the Cleveland, Chicago, Cincinnati and St. Louis railroad, Galion's train depot remains an economic centerpiece. A $2.2 million renovation project will renovate the two-story building and add 10 new office spaces for lease by small businesses. The annual Depot Day spotlights Galion's history with displays, educational talks and entertainment. While passenger service is no longer available, the occasional freight train rattles through.
Locals drive to Columbus and Cleveland
Galion is a mainly car-dependent area, although municipal transportation resources are available. The town is about 60 miles from Columbus and 95 miles from Cleveland. Highway 30 and State Route 61 are nearby connectors to Interstate 71, which leads to the major cities. Columbus's John Glenn International Airport is the nearest commercial airport and has direct flights to 50 destinations. There are no fixed bus routes in town, but Seneca-Crawford Area Transportation provides on-demand rides to medical appointments, banks, shops and social engagements. Avita Health System's Galion Hospital has a wide variety of specialty services and around-the-clock emergency care.
Crime, weather and water quality considerations
Galion crime rates tend to trend low. According to FBI data, both property and violent crime rates have been below state and national averages over the past five years. In recent years, Galion has not met state guidelines for the maximum amount of Total Trihalomethanes — a potentially harmful substance — in its water supply. To correct the violation, it is improving its water treatment infrastructure. Galion is also susceptible to tornadoes, especially in April, May and June.
Written By
Liz Coughlin
Photography Contributed By
Lyuda Dehlendorf
Video By
Matt Pangman
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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.
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On average, homes in Galion, OH sell after 36 days on the market compared to the national average of 50 days. The median sale price for homes in Galion, OH over the last 12 months is $168,000, up 12% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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