From its river views to its classic brick buildings, Marietta is like a painting come to life — one with well over two centuries of inspiration from which to draw. This area, in 1788, became the first permanent settlement in the Northwest Territory, a region that eventually encompassed Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin. Marietta’s location along the Muskingum and Ohio rivers has long been important to its economy and, today, the city of 13,000 offers jobs in a range of industries, a mix of established homes and an assortment of ways locals can spend their free time. “The biggest draw to Marietta is the small-town feel and the safety of the small community, where neighbors still look out for neighbors,” says Charlotte Keim, a Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Professional Realty and the former president and CEO of the Marietta Area Chamber of Commerce. “We’ve always described Marietta as a Norman Rockwell postcard because of the historic homes that we have, the brick-lined streets. And we’re blessed that we have enough diversity in our economy that if one employer folds, it doesn’t put the town in trouble.”
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Historic is common within Marietta’s housing stock
Homes dating back to the 1800s are common, built in classic Colonial and Victorian architectural styles. Prices span a wide gamut, anywhere between $15,000 and $500,000, depending on the condition and square footage. Most of Marietta’s newest single-family homes were built in the 1990s, in neighborhoods like Pine Meadows, where brick new traditional-style options come with floor plans of at least 2,000 square feet and sell for $400,000 to $520,000. The Win Beri Village development offers condos constructed in the early 2000s by the Ohio River for between $200,000 and $300,000. The median price is about $200,000, less than Athens, Ohio, just under 50 miles away, but more than Parkersburg, West Virginia, 14 miles away across the Ohio River. The national median is about twice that.
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Manufacturing and healthcare carry large footprints
The almost 200-bed Marietta Memorial Hospital is the city’s single-largest employer, part of a system with more than 3,000 employees. “They just recently affiliated with the Mayo Clinic and the Akron Children’s Hospital,” Keim says. “So we’re actually going to have children’s services available at a very high level. And, of course, the Mayo Clinic is world-renowned, and having that partnership just enhances the health-care options here.” Manufacturing is important as well, across a mix of companies and products.
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Whether on the trails or on the water, outdoor activities are easy to find
The Muskingum and Ohio rivers are magnets for outdoor fun. A paved trail traces along both rivers. The trail cuts through Ohio Riverfront Park on the Ohio River side, offering prime views of the water and the Williamstown Bridge. Indian Acres Park, on the north end of town, features a boat ramp into the Muskingum. “You’ve got a lot of boating activity, anywhere from canoeing and kayaking to powerboats,” Keim says. On land, besides the River Trail, the city is popular for mountain biking — the Marietta Trail Network features 15 miles of off-road paths. The Marietta Aquatic Center, by Indian Acres Park, is open in the warmer months. There’s a YMCA in town as well.
Marietta's weather includes warm summers and chilly winters, with an average of 11 inches of snow. The city’s location on two rivers puts it at risk of flooding.
Discover the beauty of Indian Acres Park.
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Downtown Marietta is the city’s commercial core
Marietta’s downtown is near the confluence of the two rivers and is full of restaurants, shops and event venues. “You’re not going to see the same thing you see in every other city or town,” Keim says. Build Up Marietta and the Spring Spruce Up Flash Grant are recent programs that have encouraged investment in the area, allowing business owners to apply for funds for their spaces. “That really is the heart of our city,” Keim says of downtown. “It’s where we gather. It’s where you bump into people and you say, ‘Hi.’”
Downtown is home to multiple events, including the Ohio River Sternwheel Festival, which draws tens of thousands. The festival celebrates the area’s riverboat history, takes place across three days in early September, and features a car show, music, fireworks and more. “The fireworks show is spectacular,” Keim says.
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Marietta High fosters career development
The Marietta City School District has a C-plus grade on Niche. The system serves 2,300 students across three elementary schools and a high school with grades 7 to 12. Marietta High includes a Career Education program, allowing students to learn from area professionals. More than 1,000 students attend the private Marietta College.
Marietta High School is fostering lifelong learners.
Experience excellence at Marietta High School.
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CABL is a connection to points around the city
Marietta's on-demand ride service. called the Community Action Bus Line, transports people for $1 a ride, Monday through Saturday. Interstate 77 is the major highway running through the city and leads to Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Airport, 7 miles away. The airport provides connecting flights to Charlotte for trips to places around the country. The interstate is also a route for drivers to reach some of the major cities in the region, from Columbus to Cincinnati.
Crime
There was an average of 33 arrests a month in the city in 2024, down from 37 a month in 2023, according to Marietta Police Department data.
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.
