$293,918Average Value$160Average Price per Sq Ft17Homes 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
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Video By
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GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Oberlin, OH sell after 50 days on the market compared to the national average of 55 days. The median sale price for homes in Oberlin, OH over the last 12 months is $239,900, down 17% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome to 371 Washington Circle, a charming and move-in-ready bi-level home ideally situated in the heart of Oberlin! Featuring 4 bedrooms and 1.5 baths, this spacious home offers a comfortable and versatile layout along with several valuable updates completed within the past few years, including a newer roof, high-efficiency boiler, and stylish luxury vinyl plank flooring throughout the lower
This 80 +/- acre property in Lorain County, Ohio, offers a combination of land use flexibility, natural features, and convenient access that may appeal to a variety of buyers. Located just east of Oberlin, with frontage and two access points on State Route 20, the property offers both visibility and accessibility for potential development or recreational use. The property is zoned Business,
PRIME 1/2 an acre BUILDABLE lot located at the end of the street!!!!! 70 x 312 !!! UTILITIES available!!!! Close proximity to all CONVENIENCES *Please do your due diligence so YOUR DREAM can come to fruition* Feel free to call Oberlin Building department w/any questions* Seller FINANCING may be possible -- will look at ALL offers!!!!
Welcome to 29 S Prospect St — a well-maintained and character-filled home with an abundance of natural light nestled in the heart of Oberlin. Just moments from downtown and Oberlin College, this property offers the perfect blend of small-town charm and everyday convenience. This inviting home features spacious living areas filled with natural light, creating a warm and comfortable atmosphere
Welcome home to this inviting 3-bedroom, 2-full bath ranch, where comfortable one-floor living meets warmth and charm. Beautiful hardwood floors flow throughout the home, creating a timeless feel, while the spacious four-season sunroom offers the perfect spot to relax with your morning coffee, unwind after a long day, or enjoy the changing seasons. Ceiling fans throughout add comfort, and one of
Escape to your own private retreat on 13.2 picturesque wooded acres, where modern updates meet the beauty of nature. Surrounded by the Lorain County Metro Parks and bordering the Oberlin Western Reserve Land Conservancy, this exceptional property offers unmatched privacy while remaining just a short drive to Oberlin College, the freeway, shopping, and the airport. Outdoor enthusiasts will also
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,
Completely Remodeled Inside & Out! Welcome to 234 N Main Street in Oberlin, where timeless charm meets modern living. This beautifully renovated 5-bedroom, 2.5-bath home has been thoughtfully remodeled from top to bottom, offering a truly move-in-ready opportunity with quality craftsmanship and stylish finishes throughout. No detail was overlooked during the renovation. From the rough-ins to the
A spacious home full of potential located near downtown Oberlin and the college. Offering over 3,000 sq ft of living space, this property features 8 bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms, hardwood floors, and marble fireplaces that add timeless character. Recent improvements include updated vinyl siding, vinyl windows, and a boiler heating system. While it does not currently have air conditioning, its size,
Discover this beautifully updated 4-bedroom, 3-bath Colonial just moments from Oberlin College and downtown amenities. This home blends historic charm with modern comfort, offering expansive living areas, a bright kitchen, a large family room, and generously sized bedrooms—including a spacious primary suite.Outside, enjoy a large, private, fully fenced lot with mature trees—perfect for
Spacious Colonial home, one of a kind layout located in historic Oberlin, Ohio. Features include a very unique floor plan which includes a first-floor master suite and bath. Bright and airy living room. Family room with fireplace, and large eat-in kitchen with sliding door to open deck overlooking the panoramic back yard. Three bedrooms on upper level and a full bath! (3 full baths in total).
Property Id: 1816211 Recently remodeled, bright and charming cottage in a park like setting, now available for rent! Cottage is located behind the main house. Off-street parking is available just in front of the garage. Located mere blocks from downtown Oberlin and Oberlin College. All new windows receive abundant natural light and offer beautiful views of the property, forest, and wildlife.
** ONE (OF ONLY TWO) SUITES LEFT - $950 ** FULLY FURNISHED: One Private Bedroom Suite with Ensuite Bath,Large Well-Appointed Home,Only one other tenant,Located blocks from Oberlin College and Conservatory, this home is perfect for visiting professors, faculty members, or a professional seeking a comfortable and peaceful home during their time in
A 3 bedroom, 1.5 bath townhouse in a residential complex within walking distance to campus and downtown, and easy access to highways, is now available for rent! A covered common porch opens to a small entry foyer equipped with a coat closet. The first floor south-facing large living and dining room is bright and spacious. An adjacent kitchen has a gas stove, full-size refrigerator, a double sink
Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
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