Wheelersburg offers a quiet lifestyle near the Ohio River
Settled along the bend of the Ohio River, Wheelersburg was founded in the early 19th century, just 10 miles south of Portsmouth. “People mainly come here for the cost of living if they’re relocating. I’ve sold homes to people coming in from nearly every state,” says Cathy J. Scott, a Wheelersburg local and Realtor of two decades with Century 21. “And then some people are just coming home. They go out and live their lives, but nothing is like getting back to your roots, where everyone knows everyone. Wheelersburg has a simpler way of life.” Surrounded by the hills of the river valley, it offers a rural feel while still providing everyday shopping amenities and city proximity.
A mix of midcentury and contemporary architecture
The architecture and construction dates in Wheelersburg range from classic midcentury ranch-styles and bungalows to sprawling contemporary brick homes. Some properties sit at the bend of the Ohio River, while others are tucked back on winding, tree-shaded back roads. “You get more bang for your buck here. Property taxes are slightly higher, but so are property values,” Scott says. “You can find cute little starter homes, and you can find riverfront property, so it really is a good mix. I think overall there’s an almost country feel to the community.” The median sales price for single-family homes in Wheelersburg is $220,000.
Wheelersburg High School exceeds expectations
The Wheelersburg Local School District serves the community, and parents can apply to enroll their children in a district of their choice with Ohio’s school choice program. Kids can start at Wheelersburg Elementary School, which receives a B-minus from Niche, before heading to B-plus Wheelersburg Middle School. Wheelersburg High School, which gets a B, exceeds overall state performance standards according to Ohio School Report Cards.
Playgrounds, pickleball and pools keep locals active
The Porter Township Community Park, located near the heart of Wheelersburg, is one of the most popular green spaces in the area. It features two playgrounds, two basketball and pickleball courts, a volleyball set-up and a walking trail. The park sits adjacent to the Porter Township Community Pool. On Wheelersburg’s south side, the Ed Miller Stadium comes alive on Friday nights with high school football games played by the Wheelersburg Pirates.
Nearby retail offer essentials, dining and more
Most of the retail in Wheelersburg is located in small plazas and strip malls along Route 52, ranging from big-name stores like Lowe’s and Kroger to independent businesses. Interspersed with fast-casual chains are locally owned restaurants, and the hand-tossed pies and sandwiches at Panheadz Pizza and Pattyz have been a Wheelersburg favorite for over a decade. More shopping options can be found nearby, whether it’s a stop into the Walmart Supercenter in New Boston or browsing the specialty shops of downtown Portsmouth.
Getting around the Portsmouth area via Route 52
Wheelersburg is bordered by Route 52, which runs east-west along the Ohio River past major areas such as Cincinnati and Portsmouth. Using Route 52, residents can drive the 10 miles right into downtown Portsmouth in about 20 minutes. “A new bypass connected Route 53 and 73, so that’s helped tremendously around Portsmouth,” Scott says. The community does not have access to any official public transportation. While small, the Huntington Tri-State Airport serves a couple of commercial airlines and is only 35 miles away, compared to the 124 miles it takes to get to the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport.
