Yellow Springs began as a utopian dream and healing retreat
Yellow Springs' artsy energy, nature preserves and historic university attract folks of different stripes. Founded in the early 19th century by families envisioning a utopian society, the village became a resort town after its spring water was thought to have medicinal qualities. Yellow Springs' era of idealism has faded, but people are still drawn here for something different. "If you've ever walked downtown, it feels very 1970s, '80s. Retro," says Dylan Cassidy, a Realtor who's sold homes for five years and works for Key Realty. "Everything is walkable, which is very unique for a place in the middle of Ohio." Residents enjoy a diverse mix of entertainment in town, including from the comedy giant Dave Chappelle, who lives here and gives back to the community through live shows. The town's springs flow at one of its bordering nature preserves. Golden cornfields also create a natural buffer around this eclectic community.
New construction joins a mix of ranch, traditional and custom homes
Midcentury ranch-style, two-story traditional and custom-built homes have a foothold in Yellow Springs. Homes tend to be older but cared for and modernized. "Considering the price for the area, people know there's high expectations for each house," Cassidy says. "And there is a lot of uniqueness. You rarely walk in and say I've seen this layout before." New construction is rising, with the latest community being the 90-home subdivision Spring Meadows. Yellow Springs also recently voted to annex 84 acres for residential development. At the same time, the nonprofit organization Tecumseh Land Trust is partnering with local farmers to preserve land from being developed. Lots range from less than 10,000 square feet to more than 5 acres in Yellow Springs. The median sales price is around $400,000, higher than the state's figure.
Schools offer real-world learning and maintain solid scores
The Yellow Springs Exempted Village School District covers public education. Mills Lawn Elementary School, McKinney Middle School and Yellow Springs High School all earn B-plus ratings on Niche. Mills Lawn Elementary coordinates rich educational programming for its students, including a meet-and-greet with a Rainforest Alliance expert to learn about real-world conservation efforts. Antioch University is in Yellow Springs. The university was founded in 1850, and one of its most famous alumni is Coretta Scott King.
Downtown murals, music and multicultural cuisine
Hand-painted signs point to mural-decorated stores in downtown Yellow Springs. Little Fairy Garden is a fairy-garden supply store selling figurines, plants and terrariums. Yellow Springs Pottery is owned and operated by the artists who produce the clay works they sell. Village Herb Shoppe makes various home remedies for overall health. Dining is casual and diverse. Sunrise Cafe prides itself on being an all-day hangout spot specializing in American fare. Locals can catch drag shows and live music between Peach's Grill and Trail Town Brewing while sipping craft cocktails and beers. Mazu is a casual vegan eatery serving cuisine from different cultures. HaHa Pizza is one of several pizza parlors in town. Tom's Market and Rosie's Natural Foods are local grocery options. One of the most popular spots to get homemade ice cream and farm-fresh cheese in town is Young's Jersey Dairy.
Chappelle hosts a summer comedy series in town
Dave Chappelle's Summer Camp, a comedy series featuring Chapelle and guest performers, is held during July and August at Yellow Springs' Wirrig Pavilion. The event launched during the pandemic to support the local community and became an annual tradition.
Outdoor adventures from hiking and climbing to paddling
Glen Helen Nature Preserve borders the village to the east. It offers over 15 miles of trails passing through 400-year-old trees, along limestone cliffs and leading to the town's springs. The preserve has an outdoor education center that runs an internship program for aspiring environmental educators and a raptor center for rehabilitating birds. Events are also held here, including full moon hikes. John Bryan State Park surrounds the Clifton Gorge, a stretch of the Little Miami River. The park has a campground and its own network of trails, including for mountain biking and cross-country skiing. People also head here to play disc golf. A nearby public launch area outside the preserve grants paddlers access to the water. Gaunt Park's pool, playground and sports fields keep kids busy during the summer.
Springfield and Dayton aren't far
Ohio State Route 68 passes through Yellow Springs. Springfield is less than 10 miles north, and Dayton is 20 miles west. A severe storm swept through the area in 2024, causing downed trees over roadways, power outages and some property damage. While weather has its extremes, the local CAP Index Crime Score is 2 out of 10, lower than the national average.
Written By
Kathryn Ashworth
