Multicultural influences in the "Birthplace of the tomato"
Set in the eastern stretches of the Columbus metro area, Reynoldsburg is a gateway to the farmlands of Licking and Fairfield counties. As a result, it’s no surprise to learn that the first tomato for commercial use was bred here in the 1870s, leading to the nickname “The Birthplace of the Tomato.”
In the years since, Reynoldsburg has grown from a tiny village to a thriving town, opening its doors to new businesses and cultures. The Bhutanese-Nepali community here makes up nearly 20% of the population, giving this Central Ohio town greater diversity than surrounding areas. This multi-culturalism manifests through holidays, cuisine and residents like Bhuwan Pyakurel, the first Bhutanese-Nepali elected official in the country.
The Reynoldsburg community has continued to grow at a rapid pace since 2014.
Reynoldsburg is proudly known as the "Birthplace of the Tomato."
Try the authentic Nepali chicken thali at Durmar, a local favorite in Reynoldsburg.
EG Market in Reynoldsburg provides the community with authentic Nepali and Asian goods.
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Historic Colonials and new construction
Median real estate prices fall in the high $180,000s, lower than the national median in the low $400,000s and the Columbus median in the high $200,000s. Historic centennial American Foursquare and Colonials are in Olde Reynoldsburg. The largest, most modern construction is in neighborhoods like Woods At Reynoldsburg and several central subdivisions under construction. Midcentury ranch-style and split-level homes line the streets in areas like Elmbrook Village and Brice Estates.
Though many residents commute to Columbus for work, there are some sizeable corporations in the area, including the headquarters of Victoria’s Secret. “They’re the largest employer in the area,” says Jasmine Stewart, Public Information Specialist for Reynoldsburg. “They’re really involved with the community. You’ll see them sponsoring events and making donations to local causes.” In recent years, tech giants like Google, Intel and Meta have opened data centers and manufacturing plants 10 miles north in New Albany, making Reynoldsburg a convenient location from which to commute.
Historic American foursquares and colonials grace the streets of Olde Reynoldsburg.
Reynoldsburg neighborhoods include split-level designs popular in mid-century architecture.
Reynoldsburg neighborhoods include ranch and split-level homes from the 1950s-70s.
Victoria’s Secret runs its global brand from its headquarters near Reynoldsburg.
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Diwali-Tihar and the Tomato Festival
The Department of Parks and Recreation oversees 10 parks and public facilities, including community gardens, a sports complex and historic homes. In addition to its skatepark and multiple lit baseball diamonds, JFK Park hosts a summer farmers’ market. The 42-acre Huber Park is the site for the Tomato Festival, Reynoldsburg’s largest festival, held annually in August. “It’s like the Ohio State Fair, but on a smaller scale,” says Stewart.
In addition to the Tomato Festival, Reynoldsburg is home to various city-funded events, including the Blues and Brews Festival, Holiday Tree Lighting and Juneteenth Celebration. The city’s Diwali-Tihar Festival was first held in 2021 and has grown in popularity every year since, hitting 15,000 attendees in 2024.
John F. Kennedy Park in Reynoldsburg offers a skate park for visitors.
Residents of Reynoldsburg flock to Blacklick Woods Metro Park for outdoor fun.
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Unique locally-owned businesses
In addition to familiar franchises and big box stores, Reynoldsburg is home to several mom-and-pop shops. “With the city’s increased diversity comes a lot of family-owned businesses,” says Brandon Mullins, Communications Coordinator for Reynoldsburg City Schools. “Between the import grocery stores and Nepalese restaurants, there’s a lot to explore.”
Durbar in Reynoldsburg offers delicious Nepali dishes in a romantic atmosphere.
Koffee Paradise in Reynoldsburg is one of the first Filipino coffee shops in Ohio.
Unique Bhutanese-Nepali restaurants like Darshan are located in Reynoldsburg.
Jolly Pirate Donuts is a community staple in Reynoldsburg.
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Three major highways
Reynoldsburg is bordered by State Route 16 and Interstate 70, with Route 40 cutting through the city and acting as its Main Street. Access to these busy thoroughfares means traveling to the surrounding area is straightforward. However, this can also lead to high levels of traffic. “A commute out of Reynoldsburg can take a while,” says John Kohlhepp, Keller Williams Capital Partners Realtor. “Reynoldsburg has just grown so much that the infrastructure hasn’t been able to keep up.” John Glenn International Airport is less than 10 miles northwest and has 148 daily flights to areas like Paris, Orlando and Denver.
The largest English-learning student population in Ohio
Reynoldsburg City School District has an overall grade of B-minus from Niche, commending it as the most diverse school district in Ohio. “We have one of the largest English-learning student populations in Ohio,” says Mullins. “So we have more resources in place for students with those needs.” Mullins claims that a tight-knit community is responsible for the district’s success. “We try to build the culture—get more involved with the families,” he says. “So the students feel like they’re a part of something, not just going to class.”
Rose Hill Elementary in Reynoldsburg covers grades K-5th grade.
Baldwin Road Junior High in Reynoldsburg emphasizes academic and personal development.
Reynoldsburg High School offers AP courses and dual enrollment options for college credit.
Columbus Torah Academy serves the Jewish community with comprehensive K-12 programs.
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Important to know
According to FBI statistics, Reynoldsburg has more crime per capita than Ohio and the country overall. Property crime dropped 10% in 2023, while violent crime increased 8%.
Reynoldsburg has long, muggy summers and cold, very dry winters. Minor flooding along Blacklick Creek is common, necessitating flood insurance in the areas most affected.
Mount Carmel Reynoldsburg is the city’s nearest hospital, providing emergency and primary care to the surrounding area.
Future developments
The Reynoldsburg Comprehensive Plan includes several future developments for the city, including new parks, alternative traffic and parking options. Plans are also underway to develop Olde Reynoldsburg, creating a destination for food and entertainment.
Downtown Reynoldsburg’s mural is a tribute to the city’s past, present, and future.
The Meta Data Center brings jobs and innovation to Reynoldsburg’s growing economy.
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Written By
Phil Keeling
Photography Contributed By
Holly Haarmeyer
Video By
Jacob Branchaud
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Kevin Sullivan,
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 Reynoldsburg, OH sell after 21 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Reynoldsburg, OH over the last 12 months is $300,000, up 2% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Impressive two-story home on a premium wooded lot with a spacious fenced backyard! The bright family room features a cozy fireplace and flows into the large kitchen with island, pantry, and inviting eating area. Newer luxury vinyl plank flooring enhances the first floor, which also offers a separate laundry room and an open layout ideal for entertaining. Upstairs, the primary suite includes a
Welcome to this charming Cape Cod in Marabar Heights, right in the heart of Reynoldsburg. With 1,217 square feet, this 3-bedroom, 1-bath home combines classic character with modern updates. Features include a remodeled kitchen and bath, beautiful hardwood floors, and a partially finished basement offering bonus living space and storage. The large fenced yard with patio provides versatile outdoor
**Location, Location, Location—and This One Is Truly Exceptional!**Tucked away on a private, low maintenance, heavily wooded **over half-acre lot** with a **picturesque stream**. Feels like a nature reserve with all the birds and animals you will see. This custom quality **all-brick and stucco** two-story home offers over **3,400 sq ft** of move-in-ready living space. With **4
Remarkable home in the Indian Creek Subdivision on a large lot with beautiful landscaping. This property has been exceptionally well cared for with thoughtful updates throughout the years. New energy efficient windows were installed in 2010, and a new 30-year three dimensional shingle roof was added in 2011. The kitchen was beautifully updated in 2019 with quartz countertops, Cardell cabinets,
End unit! Open floor plan! Remodeled kitchen with island and overhead recessed and industrial lighting. Newer water heater, HVAC, appliances, ceiling fans, blinds and more! Quiet home with concrete walls. Laundry room with washer and dryer. View of inner courtyard and pool on your covered balcony. The complex has a community room, library, fitness center and interior elevator! Walk to shops
BRAND NEW COMMUNITY OF LUXURY TOWNHOMES! Welcome to The Ravines at Taylor Townhomes in Reynoldsburg, OH. 2 and 3 bedroom well-appointed townhomes, everything is brand new! Pet friendly, pool, clubhouse, private entrance, attached garage, on-site staff, 24-hour maintenance. Schedule a tour to find out why you need to call Ravines at Taylor, home.
This 2 bedroom, 1.5 bath condo is ready for its new tenant! Neutral colors throughout. The living room opens to the kitchen and has access to the privately fenced patio. The kitchen includes refrigerator, dishwasher and electric range. The half bath is located on the first floor. The main bedroom has a walk-in closet. Check out this great condo!
Welcome to Thornton Hall, an Ardent Community! These open concept one, two, and three-bedroom suites in Reynoldsburg, Ohio, offer all the comfort and amenities you need for a luxury living experience. Enjoy spacious floor plans that you can personalize to suit your lifestyle. Make yourself at home and take advantage of onsite amenities designed for entertainment and connecting with your new
Near the Columbus suburb of Reynoldsburg, a neighborhood started taking shape in the early 1990s. More than 30 years after the first homes began going up, Taylor Ridge is a community close to employment opportunities and convenient commuting routes. Broad Street is just to the north, Main Street is a couple miles south, and Interstate 70 is about four miles to the south.
Today, people looking to buy in Taylor Ridge have a variety of homes where they could live. “There’s anywhere from three-bedroom ranch-style at 1200 square feet to a four bedroom, two-and-a-half bathroom two-story with around 2000 square feet,” says Jerri Zealer, a Realtor with Howard Hanna Real Estate Services. The homes were primarily built in the 1990s and, on average, have about 1800 square feet. Most homes have a two-car attached garage. You can expect to pay between $300,000 and $400,000. The Condominiums at Taylor Ridge run between $180,000 and $225,000 and have two bedrooms and two bathrooms. They are shared-wall units with a one-car attached garage.
Students in the area attend classes in the Reynoldsburg City School District, with an overall ‘B’ grade on the Niche website. Taylor Road Elementary School may be within walking distance of some students in Taylor Ridge. Niche indicates that the student-to-teacher ratio is 19-to-1, and the school has earned ‘B’ grades in the quality of the classes and teachers. Waggoner Road Junior High has an 89% pass rate of students taking advanced Algebra I courses. That’s slightly above the state average. Niche shows Reynoldsburg High School – Summit Campus has a 92% average graduation rate. Even children not ready for grade school are covered with pre-school care and early education at Taylor Woods KinderCare.
The homes in Taylor Ridge are south of the corporate headquarters of Victoria’s Secret and Bath & Body Works. The two used to be the same company but separated in 2021. Both employees are still in the same building. The number of workers totals about 8,000. The two companies are one of the largest employers in the Columbus area.
You don’t have to travel very far to enjoy some local flavor in the form of the neighborhood pizza shop. The crust at Creno’s pizza tends to be thicker than traditional Columbus-style pizza, and the sauce’s taste has a hint of sweetness. Creno’s is known for its 29-inch Big Kahuna, which weighs around 10 pounds. There is a Big Kahuna challenge where a team of two tries to tackle the whole pie in 22-and-a-half minutes. You’ll get a picture on their Wall of Fame if your team does that. If you want to make your own pizza at home or need essentials for your kitchen, it’s just a mile south on Taylor Road to get to the Kroger on Taylor and Main. It’s two-and-a-half miles to the north to get to the Meijer on Broad.
You’re only a couple miles from the suburb of Reynoldsburg, known as the Birthplace of the Tomato. Alexander Livingston, who is from Reynoldsburg, is credited with developing what is known as the “Paragon Tomato,” the first-ever grown for commercial use. “The Livingston House and Museum is at the corner of Graham and Palmer, just south of Taylor Ridge,” Zealer says. “Sometimes they have concerts and other events outside of the house.” The house where Livingston lived dates to the 1860s and has been placed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Property Mix - Square Feet
Weather
Annual Precipitation
41''
Average Winter Low Temperature
22°F
Average Summer High Temperature
85°F
Annual Snowfall
19''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®®
29/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®®
27/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®®
32/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
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.
