The city of Columbus spreads over a land area of 190.9 sq mi. Its large size relative to many American cities is mostly a result of a long-standing and aggressive policy of annexing surrounding vacant or agricultural land. The city then extends water and sewage lines into the new area so that the land can be developed, thereby encouraging urban growth. The region’s relatively flat topography aids the expansion.

Columbus is at the core of a six-county metropolitan region, encompassing Franklin, Licking, Fairfield, Delaware, Pickaway, and Madison counties and covering a land area of 3,142 sq mi. Important suburban communities include Upper Arlington, Worthington, Delaware, Westerville, Gahanna, and Whitehall.

A network of interstate highways encircles the city and radiates from its center, encouraging movement between Columbus and its suburban communities. The downtown area, where both state government and commercial activities vie for primacy, lies in the southern part of the city. The center of the downtown is the intersection of Broad and High streets; in a park at the intersection stands the Doric-columned statehouse. Immediately to the south lies German Village, a privately funded historic restoration district. This area of several blocks is organized around Shiller Park and has small, red brick houses that date mostly from the 1840s. At one time in a deteriorated condition, German Village today is a revitalized neighborhood of gentrified residences, German restaurants and bakeries, and a few boutiques. Its proximity to downtown allows many of its primarily young-to-middle-aged residents to walk to work.

North of downtown is the campus of The Ohio State University, whose more than 35,000 students make it the largest educational institution in Ohio. Along High Street between downtown and the Ohio State campus is Short North, a trendy neighborhood of shops, galleries, restaurants, and markets.

Real Estate: United States - Ohio

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Official Website for the City of Columbus, Ohio

The Columbus Post