Blue Jay has forest views, new homes and access to shopping districts
Cellphone towers are the tallest structures for miles in Blue Jay, a rural neighborhood in Hamilton County, Ohio. Some homes are on multiple acres, and windows look out onto tree-covered hills. “Back yards here kind of abut into Miami Whitewater Forest,” says Jack Fogle, a wildlife interpreter for the Great Parks of Hamilton County, adding that Blue Jay is primarily known for its older homes and large lot sizes. Within the last decade, however, construction crews have cleared several acres to make way for brand-new subdivisions — the area’s proximity to Cincinnati has made it popular with commuters. Harrison shopping centers are within a few miles, and there’s also Miamitown to the west, where some storefronts date back to the early 1900s.
Some homes in Blue Jay sit on multiple acres and overlook tree covered hills.
Brand new construction in Blue Jay features large homes that sit on oversized lots.
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A mix of midcentury homes and modern subdivisions
There’s a mix of midcentury ranch-style houses and new construction in Blue Jay. Homes built between the 1950s and ‘60s typically sell for between $175,000 and $300,000, whereas New Traditional homes with multi-car garages are often priced higher, selling for between $400,000 and $500,000. Community association fees come with landscaping services and access to neighborhood playgrounds. In some parts of Blue Jay, residents still enjoy multiple acres; there’s space for off-roading vehicles, hunting trails and fishing ponds. Properties like these can sell for upwards of $500,000.
Homes built between the 1950s and ‘60s typically sell for between $175,000 and $300,000.
Recently built neighborhoods include sidewalk lined streets and ample yard space.
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Pathways at Henry Harrison High School
Students are incorporated into the Southwest Local School District, where Miami Whitewater Elementary School and Harrison Middle School both have B-minus grades from Niche. William Henry Harrison High School earns a C-plus, and there are more than 10 career pathways, including business and hospitality, biomedical science and computer science. According to Fogle, more than 100 field trip groups, including many from the Southwest Local School District, visit Miami Whitewater Forest every year.
Harrison Junior High recently opened its doors in 2021 to welcome students in grades 6-8.
William Henry Harrison High School is a four year comprehensive high school with a current enrollment of approximately 1200 students.
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Hiking, boating and golf in Miami Whitewater Forest
The neighborhood is bordered by the Miami Whitewater Forest, part of the Great Parks system. “Miami Whitewater was founded in the mid-1950s, and now It’s over 4,600 acres. We’ve slowly been adding on land,” explains Fogle. There are several hiking and biking trails, an 80-acre man-made lake and campgrounds. Visitors can rent pontoon boats and kayaks to take out onto the water, and fishermen cast off from the banks of Miami Whitewater Forest Lake. The park’s golf course is open to the public. In May, visitors come to town for the Pollinator Festival and 5K. The day-long event has live music and vendors, and in the past, it’s also included an immersive butterfly exhibit. Fogle describes how “the butterflies fly around, and sometimes they even land on your fingertips.” Other events include Spark in the Dark, a festival of lights on the water, and a winter hike series in January. “Sometimes there’s several feet of snow on the ground, and we do it anyway,” says Fogle.
Miami Whitewater Forest Golf Course features a putting green as well as a driving range.
Miami Whitewater Forest features several boat launches for kayakers as well as a boat rental station to enjoy its 85 acre lake.
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Harrison Pike dive bars and nearby shopping districts
Locals can meet for beers, pizza or hoagies at Dew Drop Inn on Harrison Pike. The bar and grill also hosts trivia and karaoke nights. For buffets and chain restaurant options, a Home Depot, and Kroger for groceries, shoppers drive to Harrison’s central business district about 4 miles away. Some of Fogle’s go-to local restaurants include The Big Greek Café and Nick’s Restaurant.
The Dew Drop Inn is located in the heart of Blue Jay and offers a variety food, drink and entertainment options.
Harrison Center is a nearby shopping center with a variety of big name and locally owned stores.
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Blue Jay is divided by Interstates 74 and Interstate 275
The neighborhood is intersected by Interstates 74 and 275, and commuters can reach Cincinnati in less than 25 minutes, depending on traffic. The larger city is about 20 miles away. Harrison’s small airport is primarily used by Cincinnati State aviation students, but the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport has dozens of nonstop destinations to choose from. For medical care, Mercy Health—Harrison Medical Center is about 5 miles away.
Blue Jay is close to Harrison’s small airport, which is primarily used by Cincinnati State aviation students.
Blue Jay commuters are next to I-74, giving them direct access to Cincinnati and beyond.
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
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Sandra Wethington,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Transit
Airport
Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International
45 min drive
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Blue Jay
US
Homicide
3
4
Sexual Assault
2
4
Assault with Weapon
2
4
Robbery
2
4
Burglary
3
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
2
4
Larceny
3
4
Crime Score
2
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
348
Median Year Built
1969
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,839
On par with the national average
1,924
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
28,314
Distribution of Home Values
Source: Public Records
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Sandra Wethington,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
1,141
Median Age
41
Population under 18
25.4%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
20.2%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$84,606
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$89,580
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
95.2%
College Graduates
20.1%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
3.5%
% Population in Labor Force
77%
Above the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
45''
Average Winter Low Temperature
21°F
Average Summer High Temperature
87°F
Annual Snowfall
10''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
2/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
7/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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.
