$288,921Average Value$163Average Price per Sq Ft14Homes For Sale
Activism is Oberlin’s heart
Although Oberlin might look like any other town surrounded by farmland, the city has been a vocal advocate for civil rights since its founding in 1833. The community was active in the early abolitionist movement and set the tone for educational equality nationwide. “Oberlin has a very thought-provoking and inspirational history as it relates to race relations and gender rights,” says Liz Schultz, executive director at the Oberlin Heritage Center. “Many people visit to learn about our social history, idealism and how people were inspired to make the world a better place.” The city continues to preserve its activist spirit, as college students and community members still gather in Tappan Square to advocate for causes. Everyday living also includes walkable residential streets, sprawling green spaces and annual events that celebrate and inspire.
Walking around Oberlin is easy thanks to its network of sidewalks and bikeways.
Tappan Square, residing in the heart of Oberlin, hosts concerts, events, and political rallies.
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Oberlin College stands for civil rights
Oberlin College has long been the epicenter of the city’s activism. It was the nation’s first coeducational college and the first to accept students regardless of race. “Oberlin was very forward-thinking in terms of educational equality,” Schultz says. The Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King Jr. visited the city and college throughout the Civil Rights Movement. Current students build from the groundwork laid for them through community-based research and specialized majors like Africana Studies. Students advocate for change through organized protests and rallies, and the college works closely with the city to address its sustainability practices. Prekindergarten through 12th-grade students attend Oberlin City Schools. Niche gives the district a B-minus rating and ranks it the fifth-most diverse school district in Ohio.
Oberlin College was the first to accept both men and women of all races and ethnicities.
Oberlin School District has earned an overall grade of B-minus from Niche.
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Preserving Victorian homes and welcoming retirees
Most college students and faculty live around the college, while other homeowners live farther away in established neighborhoods. Colonial Revivals sit next to Craftsman-style homes, split-level houses and Victorian homes with screened-in side porches and big bay windows. Programs like the Heritage Home Program help owners upkeep historic properties. The city’s median home price is $270,000, less than the national median. Schultz says many older people move to the city for Kendall at Oberlin, a large retirement community offering cottage-style homes and apartments.
Some of Oberlin's Victorian homes have been converted in to multifamily dwellings.
Colonial-revival homes are ideal for larger Oberlin families.
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Honoring MLK Jr. and Oberlin’s heritage
Tappan Square is the city’s central green space, and The Oberlin Wetlands Habitat & Park offers several trails through its lush arboretum. The Oberlin Recreation Complex has acres of sports fields, while Oberlin Reservoir is a hub for fishing and sledding in the snow. Martin Luther King Jr. Park features historic sculptures honoring the late activist and the Oberlin-Wellington Rescue, one of the city’s most famous examples of direct opposition to The Fugitive Slave Act.
The Apollo Theatre is a grand, single-screen cinema that plays everything from modern releases to student films. The Oberlin Conservatory of Music holds the largest collection of Steinway pianos outside the Steinway factory and all of Oberlin College’s concerts. The Oberlin Heritage Center documents local history through guided walking tours. The Oberlin Underground Railroad Center preserves the city’s longstanding connection with the abolitionist movement.
Martin Luther King Jr Park, in Oberlin, features several memorials honoring activism in the city.
Apollo Theater, in downtown Oberlin, shows box office hits to student made documentaries.
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Bringing sustainable transportation to the city
Although State Route 511 is the city’s primary road, many residents choose not to drive. “I’d say 90% of the core of Oberlin is walkable, and biking is still very popular here,” Schultz says. The city is starting an electric car share program, and an EBus service runs a fixed route around Oberlin. While commuters use Highway 20 to reach larger cities, many work for Oberlin College, Allen Memorial Hospital or the Oberlin Industrial Park. The FAA Cleveland Air Route Traffic Control Center is also based in Oberlin, although Cleveland Hopkins International Airport is 30 miles away.
New businesses in downtown Oberlin
The Oberlin Community Improvement Corporation (OCIC) is a key player in revitalizing Oberlin’s downtown business district. The organization offers incentive programs to new and expanding businesses and special loans for firms willing to renovate their storefront facades. The OCIC also helps attract new companies to the city’s industrial park.
Hanson Records is Oberlin's premier vinyl and music shop.
Downtown Oberlin features a variety of restaurants and boutiques.
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Campus Illumination and the Ecolympics
Tappan Square holds most of the city’s events, from the Halloween parade to a summertime concert series. Family Fun Nights allow neighbors to connect, and Oberlin College celebrates its annual Campus Illumination and Social at the park.
Oberlin was the first city in Ohio to celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day, and the city has held a Juneteenth celebration annually for over 30 years. The community always participates in Lorain County Pride, and the Ecolympics show Oberlin’s commitment to increasing sustainability. The event is a competition between the City of Oberlin, Oberlin City Schools, Oberlin College and other organizations to conserve water and electricity.
More renewable energy, less crime
Historically, Oberlin has not been impacted by severe weather events or substantial flooding along Plum Creek. Over 80% of the city’s electricity is renewable, and programs like the Residential Composting Program incentivize community participation.
According to the FBI, violent crime in Oberlin remained unchanged between 2022 and 2023, but property crime decreased.
Written By
Isabel Butler
Photography Contributed By
Nile Vincz
Video By
Pasha Chichagov
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GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Oberlin, OH sell after 40 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Oberlin, OH over the last 12 months is $272,800, up 1% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Country living transcends with this updated 4 bedroom Colonial situated on 2.72 acres! The spacious front porch welcomes you, featuring a new front door with sidelights allowing natural light to flow into the foyer. Natural light continues throughout the entire main level with updated, lifetime warrantied windows (transferable). The generous living room, boasting fresh paint & updated ceiling
Welcome to the heart of Oberlin! Charming colonial with 2,000 square ft of living space! Updated home on large 1.5 acre lot with two outbuildings. Beautiful setting backs up to neighboring farm. Walk into a large mudroom with laundry hookups and kitchen with all appliances included and custom built-in cabinetry! All major updates have been completed! New roof and gutters, new windows, ALL new
Charming Two-Generation Farmstead on 36.99 Acres!! Step back in time while enjoying modern updates on this lovingly maintained, two-generation farm. This 4-bedroom, 1-bath Colonial, built at the turn of the century, sits on nearly 37 acres of mostly farmed land, offering both history and opportunity. The home features original hardwood floors, a remodeled kitchen (2023) with crisp white cabinets,
Modern Furnished Studio Near Oberlin College! Welcome to our Imagination Renovation studio, where modern comfort meets small-town charm. This beautifully updated space is fully furnished and thoughtfully stocked with cookware, dishes, and all the essentials you need for an easy stay. The tiled bathroom features Bluetooth surround sound and high-end finishes for a touch of luxury. With flexible
With an ideal location on Main Street, this unit opens into a living room with beautiful hardwood floors and a classic faux brick fireplace. A freshly renovated kitchen includes white cabinets, chrome fixtures and hardware with white subway tile backsplash. To complete the renovations, the bedroom and bathroom include floors, freshly painted walls and updated hardware. With views of Oberlin
A contemporary, two-story, accessible, and furnished condominium unit in the heart of downtown Oberlin is available for a 6-month lease! This high-quality, high-performance green building development is conveniently located amidst restaurants, shops, stores, banks, art museum/galleries, cinema/theater, post-office, libraries, and the famous town green. Accessed by an elevator or stairs, it offers
Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
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.
