Columbus

Columbus, the capital and largest city of Ohio, is located at the junction of the Scioto and Olentangy rivers. As of the 2020 census, the population is 905,748, making it the 14th most populous city in the United States and the second most populous in the Midwest, following Chicago. Franklin County‘s seat is this vibrant city, which also stretches into parts of Delaware and Fairfield counties and forms the center of the Columbus metropolitan area, covering ten counties in central Ohio.

The area where numerous Native American villages once stood along the banks of the Scioto River serves as a strong anchor for Columbus’s past. Franklinton, now a neighborhood within the city, was founded in 1797 and marked the beginning of European habitation in the area. Strategically at the junction of the Scioto and Olentangy rivers, Columbus was formally founded in 1812. The name of the city honors the Italian adventurer Christopher Columbus, reflecting the European impact on its founding.

Beginning in 1816 as the state capital, Columbus became the county seat in 1824. The city has seen periods of industrialization and expansion mixed with difficulties, including floods and economic downturns, over its past. For Columbus, the 1950s signaled the start of notable growth; by the early 1990s, it was the biggest city in Ohio in both land area and population. This development path has persisted into the twenty-first century, with continuous renovation projects revitalizing many neighborhoods—including the downtown area.

Columbus stands out for having a diverse economy that is not overly dependent on any one industry. Many noteworthy companies and institutions call the city and its environs home. Head office of the biggest private research and development foundation in the world, Battelle Memorial Institute, is Columbus. Additionally housed in the city is Chemical Abstracts Service, the biggest clearinghouse of chemical data worldwide. Furthermore, greatly influencing the educational and research scene of the city is Ohio State University, among the biggest universities in the country.

Having six Fortune 500 companies‘ headquarters in the Greater Columbus area has strengthened its economic situation even more. These call for Cardinal Health, American Electric Power, Bath & Body Works, Inc., Nationwide, Bread Financial, and Huntington Bancshares. This concentration of big companies emphasizes how important the city is as a Midwest business and innovation center.

The vast glacier that covered the majority of Ohio during the Wisconsin Ice Age is what distinguishes Columbus geographically due to its relatively level topography. The terrain is not totally homogeneous, though; elevation varies from 670 feet above sea level where the Scioto River leaves Franklin County near Lockbourne to 1,132 feet at the county’s highest point near New Albany. Alum Creek, Big Walnut Creek, and Darby Creek among the city’s rivers and creeks help to add to the geographical variety of the area and have been very important in determining its history and growth.

Located just northwest of Downtown Columbus, the junction of the Scioto and Olentangy rivers has been a central focus for the expansion of the city. With Alum Creek and Olentangy River tributaries cutting through shale and others of the Scioto River forming the limestone bedrock, the rivers and their tributaries have carved out ravines that provide diversity to the terrain. Though beautiful, these rivers have also caused flooding in the area; the Great Flood of 1913 stands out as especially important in Columbus’s history.

Comprising 223.11 square miles, Columbus has 5.94 square miles of water and 217.17 square miles of land. Aggressive annexation policies carried out under Mayor Jim Rhodes‘s direction produce the city’s large land area. Using control over the municipal water system, this approach sought to inspire nearby towns to become part of the city, so promoting Columbus’s expansion and present ranking as the Ohio city with the biggest land area.

Columbus’s varied collection of neighborhoods, each with their own special appeal and character, is among its most unusual qualities. Columbus has become known as a “city of neighborhoods” thanks in great part to this variety. Among the most well-known neighborhoods are Clintonville, valued for its tree-lined streets and community feel; Franklinton, one of the oldest areas of the city now under renovation; German Village, well-known for its preserved 19th-century architecture; The Short North, a center for arts and culture; and Victorian Village, noted for its historic Victorian-era homes.

From education to insurance to banking to fashion to defense, aviation, food, logistics, steel, energy, medical research, health care, hospitality, retail, and technology, Columbus boasts a strong and diverse economy. As seen by the city’s rather steady performance during the Great Recession of 2007–2009, this economic variety has helped to explain its resilience during economic downturns. Being the state capital guarantees a strong government presence since public sector employment offers the main single source of employment available in Columbus.

Many museums and galleries serving a range of interests enhance Columbus’s cultural scene. Established in 1878, the main art institution in the city is the Columbus Museum of Art, which features an outstanding collection of American and European art ranging from the Renaissance to early modernism. Complementing the museum is the Wexner Center for the Arts, a modern art gallery and research center connected with Ohio State University.

The Ohio History Center, which houses the headquarters for the Ohio History Connection and boasts large displays on the past of the state, is open for exploration by history buffs. The city also boasts COSI (Center of Science and Industry), a well-known science museum with interactive exhibits that has been named among the best science centers for families around the nation.

The park system of Columbus offers enough to delight outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. While the surrounding area boasts 19 regional parks and the Metro Parks system, the city’s Recreation and Parks Department manages about 370 city parks. Among the notable green areas are the Ohio State campus‘s Chadwick Arboretum, the Scioto Audubon Metro Park close to downtown, and the unusual Topiary Park, which mimics the well-known painting “A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte” in sculptured shrubbery.

Comprising lowland gorillas, polar bears, manatees, Siberian tigers, cheetahs, and kangaroos, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is clearly a major draw. Offering still another source of entertainment for both guests and locals, the zoo complex also features the Zoombezi Bay water park and amusement park.

Columbus is a city of festivities, commemorating various aspects such as cuisine, music, culture, and history. The Columbus Arts Festival, conducted annually along the Scioto Mile, showcases the works of numerous artists and attracts visitors from across the nation. The Ohio State Fair, one of the largest state fairs in the nation, provides a quintessentially American experience through its agricultural exhibitions, amusement rides, and live performances. Notable events include the Dublin Irish Festival, the Jazz & Rib Fest, and the Columbus International Film & Animation Festival.