Sabina is a friendly community about 10 miles from Wilmington
When Mayor Danielle Johnson moved from the city to the quiet village of Sabina, one of the first things she noticed was how often neighbors greeted each other. “I always say I feel like I live in 'The Truman Show',” she says. “If you walk outside, you will pass by eight people who all say, ‘Good morning!’ ‘Hello!’, ‘Good morning!’ Everybody is so friendly and so welcoming. They all just want to know you and be your friend.” Those same neighbors regularly eat at the local diner and attend events at the Sabina Moose Lodge. Farmland surrounds the village, which is about 10 miles from Wilmington and Washington Court House . Sabina receives a CAP Index Crime Score of 2 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4.
20th-century houses include investment properties, manufactured homes
Sabina is a community of older homes, most of which were built between the late 19th and mid-20th centuries. Sidewalks line many residential streets, where oak trees shade grassy lawns. Early-1900s bungalows and National Folk designs with gabled roofs and front porches are common in the village center. Homes that are farther out are slightly newer, including ranch-style and manufactured houses. Prices generally range from $120,000 to $250,000, although investment properties can cost as low as $50,000. “This would be such an awesome place to invest, especially currently, because our housing prices are still down relative to other areas,” says Johnson, who is also a Realtor with Local Roots Realty. “If you want to get ahead of the curve and set your own property values, Sabina is the place to start. There are so many homes in the community that need love.”
Local eateries and stores in and around Sabina
There are only a handful of eateries in Sabina. Locals flock to Kim’s Classic Diner for comfort food served in an original Silk City Diner, one of about 1,500 manufactured restaurants from the Paterson Vehicle Company. “You’ll see the same people there every single day,” Johnson says. “You’ll see the same people there every single day,” Johnson says. Fresh Pizzas and Cream is one of three pizzerias in the village, although its menu also includes fries, hot dogs and ice cream. Car enthusiasts come to the establishment for Cruise In Thursdays. It is across the street from IGA, the only grocery store in the area. Johnson says locals travel to Wilmington and Washington Court House for more shops and restaurants, including Walmart. There is a Lowe’s in Wilmington.
Recreation includes village parks and Clinton-Fayette Friendship Trail
Richland Township Park has a playground, ball fields and a walking path. A footbridge leads to Sabina Park, which suffered a fire in late 2024. The park's shelter was rebuilt in July 2025, and plans for a new playground are underway. There is a public pool that is open during the summer and offers seasonal passes. “A lot of the surrounding communities do not have public pools, so that’s something that not only our residents enjoy, but residents from other areas, as well,” Johnson says. The Clinton-Fayette Friendship Trail is a multiuse trail that runs through the village. The finished path will connect Wilmington to New Holland and stretch over 30 miles, and the 7-mile stretch that runs through Sabina is already completed. The Sabina Moose Lodge puts on several community events throughout the year, from holiday celebrations like Easter egg hunts to weekly dinners and cornhole tournaments.
East Clinton schools work with local colleges
Students may attend East Clinton Local School District. Sabina Elementary School earns a C-plus from Niche, while East Clinton Middle and High Schools both receive a C-minus. College Credit Plus courses are available at the high school through Urbana University or Southern State Community College.
Residents walk, bike and drive around Sabina
With the Clinton-Fayette Trail and sidewalks along major roads, Sabina is pedestrian-friendly. “It’s pretty small, so you can get from one place to the other rather quickly,” Johnson says. Otherwise, residents rely on cars to get around. U.S. Route 22 goes through the village, leading about 60 miles to downtown Cincinnati . Dayton International Airport is one of the closest commercial airports, about 55 miles away. It offers nonstop service to 12 destinations. The nearest emergency room is at Clinton Memorial Hospital, a 15-mile drive.
