Columbus, Ohio Best and Worst Neighborhoods

Central Ohio is brimming with a wide variety of laidback suburban neighborhoods, dense urban communities, and everything in between. 

Deciding whether or not a particular neighborhood is for you? You’ve come to the right place. Thanks to a strong economy and numerous attractions, Columbus consistently ranks as one of the top places to live in the United States. As a car accident lawyer in Columbus, we have worked in all parts of the city and have been here for over 30 years.

Here’s an overview of various neighborhoods in Columbus, OH. 

Best Neighborhoods in Columbus 

1) Upper Arlington

Upper Arlington is a neighborhood that will exceed expectations. It boasts a crime rate 37 percent lower than the national average and is 95 percent safer than the cities in Ohio. 

Here, children can attend some of the best schools in the city, as average school test scores in this neighborhood are 87 percent higher than those of the national average.

It’s also easy to get around the neighborhood, with its well-maintained roads and ample sidewalks. Commuters who wish to take public transit can hop on the COTA (Central Ohio Transit Authority) bus 3, 32, or 13. Rideshare bicycles are also available from the CoGo public bike share system.

While generally safe, Upper Arlington still has its share of vehicle accidents. Data from the Upper Arlington Police Division show that in 2020 alone, some 272 traffic crashes were reported in the neighborhood.

2) German Village

German Village is known to be among the friendliest history neighborhoods in Columbus. 

Both an animated neighborhood and tourist destination, it is full of art galleries, specialty stores, coffee houses, and historic buildings. German Village boasts a crime rate below one percent, a high school graduation rate of 96 percent, and a post-secondary degree rate of almost 70 percent.

Due to the lively character of German Village, traffic can get dense on some roads like Mohawk Street, Jaeger Street, and E. Livingston Avenue (US 33). For commuters who don’t have cars, the community is served by COTA buses 1, 5, and 8.

Traffic accidents seldom happen in this small area, but they have resulted in serious injuries and fatalities. In recent years, crashes have occurred on streets like South High Street, East Jenkins Avenue, and 3rd Street Bridge (I-70/71).

3) Bexley

There is something for everyone in Bexley. The suburb is ideal for families looking for a relaxed environment while being just a few minutes away from the conveniences of the city. Bexley’s unemployment rate is 43 percent lower than the national average, while the overall crime rate is 37 percent lower than that of the national average.

With its tree-lined roads and spacious sidewalks, Bexley is walker-and jogger-friendly. Public commuters are served by the COTA 10 bus as well as ridesharing services. Motor vehicle traffic is typically light in this area, only getting busy on some parts of roads like Drexel Avenue, Cassady Avenue, and S. Stanwood Road.

Vehicle accidents are also quite seldom here. Bexley PD data show that only 164 crashes occurred in the neighborhood for the entirety of 2020. A vast majority of them (126) resulted in property damage only.

4) Clintonville

Clintonville is a diverse modern community located just north of downtown, close to Ohio State University. This charming neighborhood is ideal for singles and business professionals, as housing varies in terms of both price points and style. 

The overall crime rate in Clintonville is 30 percent lower than the national average, making it safer than 93 percent of Ohio cities.

Clintonville is also fortunate to have mostly normal traffic on its streets, except for some stretches of Acton Road, Oakland Park Avenue, and Calumet Street during rush hour. 

Commuters in the area have plenty of public transit options, including COTA bus lines 2, 4, 31, and 102.

Clinton Township, of which Clintonville is the center, has relatively few traffic crashes. In 2020, only 224 traffic accidents occurred in the township, according to police data.

5) Westerville

Located in northeast Columbus, Westerville is one of the best places in the city to reside. It is home to a historic uptown district and boasts excellent schools, family-friendly parks, and lots of green space. In 2009, Money Magazine ranked Westerville as the 15th best place to live in the U.S.

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Commuters in Westerville will find wide sidewalks and sufficient bus transport via COTA 43, 34, and 23. Motor vehicle traffic is fairly light on most roads in this area.

Traffic collisions, however, are inevitable. In 2020, Westerville had a total of 305 crashes, including 1 fatality and 4 serious injuries.

Worst Neighborhoods in Columbus

1) Milo Grogan

Though the cost of living in Milo Grogan is 11 percent lower than the Columbus average, the overall crime rate in this neighborhood is a whopping 146 percent higher than the national average. People may want to think twice before moving into this neighborhood as the chances of being a victim of a crime are 1 in 15.

Milo Grogan is also a high-traffic area, largely due to I-71 running across the heart of the neighborhood, plus I-670 bordering it. Public transportation in the neighborhood includes the COTA 22 bus.

Vehicle accidents in this area typically occur on East 5th Avenue, St. Clair Avenue, and Atcheson Street.

2) Franklinton

The cost of living in Franklinton is 14 percent lower than the Columbus average, but its crime rate is 151 percent higher than the national average. 

Franklinton is safer than only 43 percent of the cities in Ohio, and the chances of being a crime victim are 1 in 14.

Commuters have many transportation options in Franklinton, including COTA’s 3, 9, and 10 buses. Several major highways run through the area, including I-71, US 62, and US 40. Because of this, motorists will often encounter congested roads.

In addition, some serious accidents occur in this area. Just in the last several months, Franklinton has had hit-and-runs on South Yale Avenue and Sullivant Avenue, leaving several fatalities and critical injuries.

3) Fort Columbus Airport

With a cost of living that is 23 percent lower than the national average, the overall crime rate in Fort Columbus Airport is 141 percent higher than the rest of the country. 

This neighborhood is safer than roughly 56 percent of the cities in Ohio, and like Franklinton, people have a 1 in 15 chance of becoming a victim of a crime.

You won’t find many traffic reports naming “Fort Columbus Airport” because this is an unofficial name for the area around John Glenn Columbus International Airport — roughly from Alum Creek and I-670 in the west to I-270 in the east.

With an international airport and some major highways in the neighborhood, Fort Columbus Airport is typically high traffic. COTA bus line 7 serves this area, alongside ride-sharing vehicles and airport shuttles.

Accidents in this area have occurred on E 5th Avenue and Stelzer Road, among others.

Regardless of the neighborhood you live in accidents happen and if they do it’s wise to consult with an experienced Columbus car accident lawyer. So, if you or a loved one have been involved in a motor vehicle accident or had any other kind of serious injury, call the Columbus  personal injury lawyers at  The Fitch Law Firm today for free case consultation and put our legal experience to work for you.