Set in the hills of the Allegheny Plateau, the suburban town of Mansfield was once a 19th-century industrial manufacturing hub. In the years since, this seat of Richland County has expanded culturally, attracting new residents, businesses and even Hollywood. However, real estate prices are lower than in similar towns like Delaware or Dublin. "Our average sales price is about half of the national average, but we don't feel like we're lacking for amenities," says Stephanie Webb, a Realtor with Keller Williams Legacy Group Realty. A sense of community permeates the area as a result. "It's very tight-knit here," says Webb. "People move away and then come back to raise their kids here—they can't imagine living anywhere else."
Nestled in north-central Ohio, Mansfield is halfway between Cleveland and Columbus.
Discover Mansfield Reformatory, the filming location of The Shawshank Redemption.
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Victorian classics and new construction
The median price for a home in Mansfield falls in the high $170,000s, below the national median average in the low $400,000s. "A lot of people in this country don't think you can get a really nice home in our price range—they don't think it exists," says Webb. "But here it does." Early 20th-century Victorian homes, once home to railroad and manufacturing executives, line the streets in the city's central historic districts. Foliage-wrapped midcentury homes fill the city's southern border, reflecting the midcentury population growth, while 21st-century construction is available in neighborhoods like Bridgewater.
Mansfield's Victorian homes were once home to railroad and manufacturing executives.
Mansfield had a population boom that is reflected in the era's south side Midcentury homes.
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Careers in healthcare and the correctional industry
Though manufacturing was the city's dominant industry from the mid-1800s to the 1970s, it has diversified since. Webb cites the healthcare industry, pointing out OhioHealth and Avita Medical—two of the city's biggest job creators. OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital is the largest in the city, offering in-house heart and vascular care while being home to the largest orthopedic team in the area. It’s also the major regional trauma center serving north-central Ohio. The Mansfield and Richland Correctional Institutions are men's state prisons and two of the other largest employers.
OhioHealth supports Mansfield with quality care and trusted expertise.
Avita Hospital is dedicated to keeping Mansfield healthy and thriving.
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Preserved 18th century homes in South Park
Mansfield's Department of Parks and Recreation has over 100 acres of public parks, with facilities ranging from the athletic to the historic. In addition to a dog park and walking trails, South Park is the home of a preserved 18th-century village open for special events and demonstrations. Liberty Park has outdoor facilities, including a skate park, a sledding hill and freshly renovated basketball courts. The city is updating its park system with new facilities and improvements for public parks, a project that will continue through 2025.
The area is home to several cultural centers, including the Richland Academy for the Arts, Kingwood Center and the Mansfield Reformatory: a historic 19th-century prison featured in films like "The Shawshank Redemption." The Snow Trail Ski Resort is popular with locals and visitors alike. "People don't think of skiing when they think of Ohio," says Webb. "But we've got it, and people come from all over to take advantage."
Fuel your creative passion in the heart of Mansfield at Richland Academy for the Arts.
Step into serenity at Kingwood Center Gardens in Mansfield.
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A revitalized downtown builds on Mansfield’s history
The city has seen an increase in local offerings in addition to franchise restaurants and big box stores. "The downtown area has been completely revitalized," says Webb. "You're going to find many events there, plus mom-and-pop businesses and restaurants." A shining example of revitalization using the historic bones of the city, Hudson & Essex repurposes a showroom built to sell Hudson and Essex automobiles into a fine dining restaurant. Underneath, diners can eat within Civil War-era beer caverns, where Mansfield’s 19th-century brewers once fermented their lagers.
Fresh groceries and friendly service are at Kroger in Mansfield.
Discover hidden gems and local favorites in Mansfield’s restaurant scene.
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Undergrad programs at OSU Mansfield
The Mansfield City School District supports 10 public schools in the area. Niche gives the district a C-minus, with higher marks for its diversity. There are limited private options, although St. Peter’s Junior High and High School, a Catholic institution for grades seven through 12, earns an A-minus from Niche. Ohio State University has a branch in Mansfield with nearly 900 undergraduate students.
Mansfield City School District supports 10 public schools in the area.
St. Peter’s Catholic Junior High and High School serve grades seven through 12 in Mansfield.
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The historic Lincoln Highway and county public transit
America’s first coast-to-coast route, the Lincoln Highway – also called U.S. Route 30 – passes through the heart of Mansfield. It connects to Interstate 71, which passes through Mansfield on the way to Columbus, nearly 70 miles southwest. "You've got Columbus an hour south and Cleveland an hour north," says Webb. Public transport is limited, with Richland County Transit providing a handful of fixed bus routes as well as door-to-door Dial-A-Ride services. The John Glenn Columbus International Airport is 66 miles south and offers 150 daily flights worldwide.
Important to know
While 2023 saw a decrease in overall crime from 2022, the crime rate in Mansfield remained higher than the state and national average.
Mansfield has cold, dry winters and hot, muggy summers. On average, July is its hottest month, while January is its coldest.
Written By
Phil Keeling
Photography Contributed By
Sam Blythe
Video By
Jason Jacot
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Chris Shea,
an experienced agent in this area.
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 Mansfield, OH sell after 39 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Mansfield, OH over the last 12 months is $196,500, up 23% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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