Delaware City
RANK #785 / 996 NAT · #49 / 49 OH · POP 216,074
1YR FORECAST: +0.2%
5YR OUTLOOK: +16%
Historic Downtown Delaware, with its classic Strand Theatre, one of the nation's longest-operating movie theaters, offers a specific charm that locals often highlight first. Located just north of Columbus, Delaware County provides a blend of small-town atmosphere with convenient access to a major city. Commuting to Columbus is feasible, with options including public transit and private bus services, though most residents drive. The county is characterized by its parks and trails, including Alum Creek State Park and Preservation Parks, offering extensive outdoor recreation opportunities like hiking, boating, and disc golf amidst woodlands and meadows.
Life in Delaware County often appeals to families, drawn by highly-rated public school districts such as Olentangy Local Schools and Delaware City Schools. The local economy is diverse, with growth in professional and business services, and a notable presence in information technology. Recent economic developments include investments in commercial and residential properties, as well as expansions in technology infrastructure, including data centers. The county maintains a low unemployment rate and a high rate of homeownership.
Above national median (4.7x)
Below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Prices detached from rents
Housing is fairly valued at 5.5x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Amazon Web Services Data Center Campus
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
|
$2,000M | Planned |
|
Woodland Lake Mixed-Use Development
Wilcox Communities, Cody Coughlin company, Ltd.
|
$104M | Planned |
|
Redwood Powell - Home Road (Phases II & III)
Redwood USA LLC
|
$52M | Under Construction |
|
Delaware Southeast Focus Area Plan Housing Development
Various Developers
|
$50M | Planned |
|
Vertiv Customer Experience Center Microgrid
Vertiv
|
$50M | Operating |
|
Improved Interchange at I-71/U.S. 36/SR 37 and Proposed Sunbury Pkwy
Delaware County Engineer
|
$32M | Proposed |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
At 20/100, Delaware County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 996 counties we track. Median income of $123,995 combined with job growth of +2.8% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Housing in Delaware County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $393,000 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.32, with rents averaging $1,338/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Delaware County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +2.4% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +2.8% clip. Home values shifted +0.9% in the past year.
In significant numbers — 5.13% of Delaware County's current population relocated from another state, well above the national norm. That level of in-migration usually signals a county where jobs, affordability, or quality of life are pulling people in from elsewhere.