Is North Linden the Best Neighborhood for a Starter Home?




Is North Linden the best neighborhood for a starter home in Columbus? For many local residents, when they hear “Linden”, they may only think of negatives such as crime and neighborhood condition. Like many other parts of urban Columbus, the area is changing as development forces and population growth have begun pushing in from all sides, however.

With the Columbus market on fire, supply low and prices skyrocketing due to heavy demand, Linden homes are being looked at with a new perspective. Linden homes are some of the most affordable anywhere in Columbus, and while the neighborhood can be hit or miss to say the least, North Linden has begun to emerge as a destination for first-time home buyers.

Although the southern part of Linden was constructed before WWII, the vast majority of the remaining area was built in the 1950s and 1960s as former soldiers looked to start new lives.
Because of the era in which many of the homes were built, most are single-story ranches or Cape Cod style cottages. The square footage of many of these homes tends to be around 1000 square feet or less. Until recently, the small relative size, among other issues, kept buyers away. The aforementioned tight real-estate market has given these homes potential new life.

North Linden is generally the part of the neighborhood that is to the between I-71 and Cleveland Avenue west to east and between Hudson Avenue and Cooke Road south to north. Let’s take a look at some of the homes currently on the market in this area to get a feel for what is available there.

1541 Genessee Avenue: $25,000
Square Footage: 1,056
This pre-WWII home is an example of many in the area that need some level of renovations- in this home’s case- major renovations. For those willing to take on a challenge, these types of inexpensive purchases could be a consideration.
Best neighborhood for a starter home 1541 Gennessee Avenue

1130 Pauline Avenue: $185,000
Square Footage: 1,412
Built in 1955, this home is much more typical of the housing stock that exists within the neighborhood, but on the larger side. Unlike the home above, this one has been fully renovated and shows the potential of what they can become. This type of home represents the top of the market in terms of price in the neighborhood, showing just how affordable the area really is.
https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/1130-Pauline-Ave_Columbus_OH_43224_M37110-45745


2587 Azelda Street: $119,900
Square Footage: 1,045
This 1956 home is typical of many in the area. It doesn’t necessarily have a brand new renovation, but has been kept updated and maintained over the years, so it is in great condition for an individual or small family.
https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/2587-Azelda-St_Columbus_OH_43211_M49757-14142


Beyond the less expensive prices and variety of quality fixer-uppers and renovated starter homes, North Linden is also well-situated near popular areas such as Easton, Clintonville, OSU Campus and the Morse corridor, which is rich in locally-owned restaurants and markets that specialize in foods and products from Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
While there are many positives, some negatives might be higher crime in some spots- particularly closer to Cleveland Avenue- lack of walkability to amenities, and lower ranked schools within the Columbus district. As with any neighborhood, prospective residents must weigh the pros and cons according to their own lifestyles and needs. If one is a current Columbus resident looking to downsize, or a new family to Columbus looking to purchase their first home in an extremely difficult market to break into, North Linden does offer some opportunities that other neighborhoods do not.

The North Linden Area Commission and the
Linden Neighborhood links provide additional news and information on this up and coming area of Columbus.



Columbus Relocation Resources



The Short North.

Columbus has been growing steadily its entire existance. The past 10 years have seen its fastest growth ever, however.
The city is attracting new residents not just from other parts of Ohio, but from across the United States and world. 50% of its overall growth is made up by either domestic migration or immigration from other nations.

There is now a steady stream of prospective residents in search for answers about the city and metro area. Hopefully, this post provides some of those desired answers.

Let’s look at some of the most common questions and attempt to provide the necessary information.

1. What are the most desirable places to live in Columbus?
The answer to this question depends on what someone is searching for. For this question, we’ll base the answer on 5 categories- affordability, walkability, safety, schools and access to amenities. Based on these topics, here are the most-recommended urban neighborhoods.

Click on any neighborhood to find out more information.

1. The Short North, including Italian Village and Victorian Village
Arguably the heart of Columbus’ urban core, the Short North is one of the most complete Midwest urban neighborhoods outside Chicago. While it has tons of amenities and walkability, a few potential negatives include the lack of parking and higher housing costs.
2. German Village and the Brewery District
German Village is one of the largest historic districts in the United States. Its preserved 19th Century brick buildings and streets, walkable amenities and landscaped parks make it one of Columbus’ most uniquely beautiful neighborhoods. However, all that beauty can come with higher housing prices and very strict preservation rules.
3. Downtown and the Arena District
The Downtown area, which includes the Arena District, is a rapidly growing area with tons of new housing and entertainment amenities. It is very walkable and the central hub of the city’s transit system.
4. Clintonville
Located just north of the massive Ohio State Campus, Clintonville is a larger, more family-oriented neighborhood with quality housing and decent schools.
5. Merion Village, Schumacher Place, Franklinton, Weinland Park, Olde Towne East, Westgate and Old North Columbus
These neighborhoods are for those who are okay with neighborhoods in transition. They are more affordable than the top 4, but also in various stages of revitalization. These neighborhoods provide some of the best long-term investment opportunities so long as you can look past some grit.

Based on the same criteria, here are the most-recommended suburbs.

1. Dublin
This outer northwest suburb has a great mix of urban and suburban neighborhoods, with plenty of options for most tastes. Great schools and a one of the most diverse suburban populations make Dublin a popular choice. Negatives include a general lack of transit and higher housing costs.
2. Bexley
Bexley is one of the oldest inner suburbs in the city. Its attractive older homes and beautiful tree-lined streets are right out of a John Hughes film. Great schools and walkable retail corridors make this suburb highly desirable. However, negatives include high property taxes and higher housing costs.
3. Grandview Heights
Grandview is another more urban inner suburb with a great mix of quality housing stock and amenities. Schools are also very good. Negatives include a very tight housing market that make finding a home difficult, along with higher costs.
4. Upper Arlington
This inner suburb is well known for its terrific schools and quality of life. It is more suburban in nature than other inner suburbs, and therefore a negative is its general lack of walkability to amenities. The cost of housing is generally higher.
5. Westerville
Westerville is a northern, outer traditional suburb. Positives include a nice, walkable downtown area and much less expensive housing the other suburbs on the list.

This list of urban and suburban places is just a starter list and is not to be limiting.

2. What are the best ways to find somewhere to live?
Beyond going with a realtor or doing internet searches, the best way to find somewhere to live is to visit your preferred neighborhood. Some house and apartments may not be advertised online, specifically those sales being managed by the owner. Another potential way is to visit local neighborhood social media sites to see if anyone has advertised their home or apartment. With the extremely fast-moving Columbus market, thinking outside the box can be beneficial.

As for more traditional ways of finding a house or apartment, here are some helpful resources.
The Columbus Land Bank Center
Columbus Realtors
Zillow
Realtor

3. What are some resources to help immigrate to Columbus from another country?
Because immgration is a large part of Columbus’ growth, resources for immigrants are also readily available. Here are some of the most useful for prospective and recent immigrants to Columbus.
Community Refugee and Immigraton Services
New Americans Initiative
US Citizenship and Immigration Services

4. Where can I find more information about the city and its quality of life?
For many more links on Columbus activities, local government, schools and much more, check out the Columbus Links and Resources




Ohio Census 2020 Response Rates



Ohio census 2020 response rates

The 2020 US Census is currently winding down, perhaps somewhat earlier than planned, but wrapping up nonetheless.
The accuracy of the Census relies heavily on enough people responding to the surveys. Because of the pandemic this year, the internet has played a bigger role in the response rates than normal, but there were still plenty of door to door workers doing surveys. How did Columbus, Central Ohio and other parts of the state do? Here are the Ohio census 2020 response rates.

First, let’s look at Ohio counties. These numbers are through September 2nd.

Top 10 counties for Census Response
1. Medina County: 81.9%
2. Delaware County: 79.7%
3. Geauga County, Warren County: 78.7%
4. Union County: 78.0%
5. Lake County: 77.4%
6. Auglaize County: 76.9%
7. Wayne County: 76.8%
8. Greene County: 76.0%
9. Miami County: 75.9%
10. Fulton County: 75.2%

Bottom 10 Counties for Census Response
1. Harrison County: 55.5%
2. Morgan County: 57.7%
3. Vinton County: 57.9%
4. Pike County: 58.5%
5. Monroe County: 58.8%
6. Lawrence County: 59.3%
7. Scioto County: 59.4%
8. Meigs County: 59.6%
9. Adams County: 59.9%
10. Ashtabula County, Athens County: 60.8%

Most of the high-reporting counties were large metro counties, while most of the low ones were Appalachia. This may be related to access to the internet, which again, played a crucial role this year.

Here are the counties that anchor Ohio’s largest metros
Lucas County: 64.6%
Cuyahoga County: 65.5%
Franklin County: 66.7%
Hamilton County: 66.7%
Mahoning County: 67.4%
Montgomery County: 68.0%
Stark County: 74.3%

Columbus’ Franklin County was tied for 3rd worst.

Now let’s look at Central Ohio cities and towns.
Minerva Park: 88.6%
Worthington: 86.8%
Upper Arlington: 85.7%
Westerville: 83.2%
Dublin: 82.7%
Canal Winchester: 81.8%
Grandview Heights: 81.8%
Gahanna: 81.1%
New Albany: 81.1%
Bexley: 79.5%
Grove City: 78.9%
Groveport: 78.9%
Pataskala: 77.4%
Hilliard: 77.0%
Valleyview: 76.5%
Reynoldsburg: 75.3%
Obetz: 72.7%
Pickerington: 71.6%
Columbus: 62.1%
Whitehall: 58.5%

Generally, the more urban commmunities tended to do worse than the outer suburbs. This has implications on urban areas possibly being undercounted, though the response rates are generally similar to what they were in 2010, so that concern is probably overblown to some extent.

If your’e interested in taking a further look at Ohio’s and other states numbers, visit the following link, in which response rates are tracked all the way down to the Census Tract level: https://2020census.gov/en/response-rates/self-response.html



Updates!




There have been a lot of updates and additions to the site in the last month.

The Historic Building Database pages now contain more than 1,200 buildings.

A new Local Sports History page has been added under the History tab. It contains information on Columbus’ college, minor and major league sports teams going back to the 19th Century.

The May Weather page has been updated with 2020 data, and records can be viewed back to 1879.

The numerous severe weather pages have all been updated to some degree over the past month or so with more links, events and even videos.

The Demographics and Population pages have been updated with 2019 population data, as well as various information related to income, GDP, housing and more!

Finally, a new Columbus Crime Statistics page has been added under the Demographics and Population tab. You can view total crimes, crime rates and maps going back to 1985.

2019 City Population Estimates



2019 city population estimates

The Census has just released 2019 city population estimates. These estimates are good for July 1, 2019. Let’s take a look at how Columbus compares to other cities in Ohio.

Ohio Top 30 Largest Cities by Rank
Census 2010————————————–July 1, 2019
1. Columbus: 787,033————————1. Columbus: 898,553
2. Cleveland: 396,815————————2. Cleveland: 381,009
3. Cincinnati: 296,943——————-—–3. Cincinnati: 303,940
4. Toledo: 287,208———————-——4. Toledo: 272,779
5. Akron: 199,110————————-—–5. Akron: 197,597
6. Dayton: 141,527—————————-6. Dayton: 140,407
7. Parma: 81,601—————————––7. Parma: 78,103
8. Canton: 73,007———————–——-8. Canton: 70,447
9. Youngstown: 66,982————————9. Youngstown: 65,469
10. Lorain: 64,097——————–———10. Lorain: 63,855
11. Hamilton: 62,477——————–——11. Hamilton: 62,082
12. Springfield: 60,608————————12. Springfield: 58,877
13. Kettering: 56,163————————-–13. Kettering: 54,855
14. Elyria: 54,533—————————-—14. Elyria: 53,757
15. Lakewood: 52,131———————––15. Newark: 50,315
16. Cuyahoga Falls: 49,652——————16. Lakewood: 49,678
17. Euclid: 48,920————————–—–17. Cuyahoga Falls: 49,106
18. Middletown: 48,694————————18. Dublin: 49,037
19. Mansfield: 47,821———————-—–19. Middletown: 48,807
20. Newark: 47,573————————–—-20. Beavercreek: 47,741
21. Mentor: 47,159—————————––21. Mentor: 47,262
22. Cleveland Heights: 46,121—————-22. Mansfield: 46,599
23. Beavercreek: 45,193——————–—-23. Euclid: 46,550
24. Strongsville: 44,750————————–24. Strongsville: 44,660
25. Fairfield: 42,510——————————25. Cleveland Heights: 43,992
26. Dublin: 41,751———————————26. Fairfield: 42,558
27. Warren: 41,557—————————-—-27. Grove City: 41,820
28. Findlay 41,202—————————–—-28. Delaware: 41,283
29. Lancaster: 38,780—————————–29. Findlay: 41,225
30. Lima: 38,771———————————–30. Westerville: 41,103

In 2010, 4 Columbus metro communities were in the top 30.  By last year, 6 were, with more poised to enter the list in the coming years.  This represents the Columbus region’s growing influence in the state and how its share of the state’s population continues to increase.

Top 30 Ohio Cities with the Highest Total Growth Census 2010 to July 1, 2019
1. Columbus: +111,520
2. Hilliard: +8,099
3. Dublin: +7,286
4. Cincinnati: +6,997
5. Delaware: +6,530
6. Grove City: +6,245
7. Westerville: +4,983
8. North Ridgeville: +4,927
9. Pickerington: +3,867
10. New Albany: +3,209
11. Mason: +3,158
12. Newark: +2,742
13. Marysville: +2,573
14. Beavercreek: +2,548
15. Wadsworth: +2,479
16. Reynoldsburg: +2,434
17. Gahanna: +2,235
18. Avon: +2,206
19. Harrison: +1,999
20. Sunbury: +1,978
21. Avon Lake: +1,923
22. Powell: +1,875
23. Grandview Heights: +1,797
24. Oxford: +1,739
25. Lancaster: +1,725
26. Canal Winchester: +1,717
27. Upper Arlington: +1,595
28. Monroe: +1,573
29. Fairborn: +1,524
30. Springboro: +1,522

The Columbus Metro had 18 of the top 30, including 8 of the top 10.



Top 30 Ohio Cites with the Highest Total Growth July 1, 2018 to July 1, 2019
1. Columbus: +7,684
2. Cincinnati: +1,663
3. Delaware: +1,356
4. Pickerington: +932
5. Westerville: +771
6. Youngstown: +609
7. North Ridgeville: +580
8. Sunbury: +483
9. Marysville: +471
10. Dublin: +443
11. Beavercreek: +415
12. Warren: +381
13. Newark: +314
14. Wadsworth: +291
15. Mason: +290
16. Harrison: +274
17. Grove City: +247
18. Oxford: +239
19. Miamisburg: +231
20. Troy: +229
21. Canal Winchester: +220
22. Xenia: +219
23. Cedarville: +209
24. Hilliard: +201
25. Fairborn: +182
26. Piqua: +182
27. Avon: +170
28. Plain City: +168
29. Aurora: +157
30. Springboro: +157

2018 to 2019, Columbus had 12 cities in the top 30, a lower number than the average of the decade. This is not necessarily indicating a slowdown in growth within the metro, however. The final year before a decennial census, population estimates tend to be used for final adjustments. This means that if a city is thought to have been estimated too high or too low through the decade, the final estimate year is adjusted accordingly and not necessarily according to true growth. The point of estimates is to get a snapshot of the population at the time of the estimate, but they are constantly being changed every time a new estimate comes out. This usually leaves the final estimate year as showing the slowest growth. This was true for 2008-2009 as well.

Finally, here is every Columbus Metro community ranked and the population change 2010-2019.
1. Columbus: 898,533 +111,520
2. Newark: 50,315 +2,742
3. Dublin: 49,037 +7,286
4. Grove City: 41,820 +6,245
5. Delaware: 41,283 +6,530
6. Westerville: 41,103 +4,983
7. Lancaster: 40,505 +1,725
8. Reynoldsburg: 38,327 +2,434
9. Hilliard: 36,534 +8,099
10. Gahanna: 35,483 +2,235
11. Upper Arlington: 35,366 +1,595
12. Marysville: 24,667 +2,573
13. Pickerington: 22,158 +3,867
14. Whitehall: 18,926 +864
15. Pataskala: 15,883 +921
16. Worthington: 14,692 +1,117
17. Circleville: 14,050 +736
18. Bexley: 13,770 +713
19. Powell: 13,375 +1,875
20. New Albany: 10,933 +3,209
21. Heath: 10,942 +632
22. London: 10,328 +424
23. Canal Winchester: 8,818 +1,717
24. Grandview Heights: 8,333 +1,797
25. Logan: 7,020 -132
26. Sunbury: 6,367 +1,978
27. Granville: 5,916 +270
28. Groveport: 5,621 +258
29. Obetz: 5,196 +664
30. Johnstown: 5,098 +466
31. New Lexington: 4,671 -60
32. Plain City: 4,586 +361
33. West Jefferson: 4,431 +209
34. Ashville: 4,385 +288
35. Baltimore: 3,004 +38
36. Buckeye Lake: 2,871 +125
37. Crooksville: 2,482 -52
38. Richwood: 2,480 +251
39. Hebron: 2,477 +141
40. Utica: 2,260 +128
41. Cardington: 2,071 +24
42. South Bloomfield: 1,979 +235
43. Roseville: 1,839 -13
44. Lithopolis: 1,796 +690
45. Mount Sterling: 1,793 +11
46. Commercial Point: 1,679 +97
47. Ashley: 1,608 +278
48. Somerset: 1,455 -26
49. Bremen: 1,452 +27
50. Minerva Park: 1,321 +49
51. Hanover: 1,204 +283
52. Millersport: 1,074 +30
53. Williamsport: 1,074 +51
54. Thornville: 1,008 +17
55. Urbancrest: 993 +33
56. Pleasantville: 959 -1
57. Milford Center: 902 +110
58. New Holland: 851 +50
59. Shawnee Hills: 820 +139
60. Junction City: 805 -14
61. Ostrander: 749 +106
62. Galena: 742 +89
63. Amanda: 738 +1
64. Marble Cliff: 732 +159
65. New Straitsville: 710 -12
66. Shawnee: 642 -13
67. Valleyview: 638 +18
68. Thurston: 604 +0
69. Corning: 568 -15
70. Buchtel: 567 +9
71. Carroll: 566 +42
72. Riverlea: 565 +20
73. Stoutsvlle: 565: +5
74. Kirkersville: 552 +27
75. Alexandria: 542 +25
76. Laurelville: 503 -24
77. Edison: 443 +6
78. Murray City: 435 -14
79. Sugar Grove: 426 +0
80. Hartford: 410 +13
81. St. Louisville: 386 +13
82. South Solon: 364 +9
83. Harrisburg: 341 +21
84. Marengo: 341 -1
85. Midway: 328 +1
86. Rushville: 309 +7
87. Magnetic Springs: 298 +30
88. Tarlton: 290 +8
89. Orient: 277 -1
90. Fulton: 255 -3
91. Lockbourne: 249 +12
92. Chesterville: 232 +4
93. Darbyville: 229 +7
94. Unionville Center: 229 -4
95. Gratiot: 220 -1
96. Glenford: 169 -4
97. Sparta: 160 -1
98. Hemlock: 152 -3
99. West Rushville: 143 +9
100. Brice: 120 +6
101. Rendville: 36 +0

Out of the 101 communities of any size in the Metro, 81 of them have either steady populations or estimated growth since 2010. Most of the 20 that have shown declines are very small communities in the Appalachia counties of Perry and Hocking, the furthest removed from Columbus’ influence.