Evanston Cincinnati is one of 52 neighborhoods in Cincinnati. The east side community is known as the “educating community” and best known as the home of Xavier University and Walnut Hills High School, the highest rated school in the state. Are you thinking about moving to Evanston Ohio? Here’s what you’ll love about this family-friendly neighborhood in Cincinnati!
Where Is Evanston Cincinnati?
Evanston is a neighborhood in Cincinnati and is located on the east side. The east side is typically wealthier and more educated. Vine Street runs through the city, starting at the downtown riverfront area. East-west addresses start at Vine Street and zero. It serves as the official partition between west and east Cincinnati.
Evanston is bordered by:
- Hyde Park to the east
- Walnut Hills and East Walnut Hills to the south
- Avondale to the west
- North Avondale to the north
- The city of Norwood to the northeast
The neighborhood is home to the O’Bryonville Cincinnati business district, a small pocket between Hyde Park and East Walnut Hills.
It’s just 5 miles from Evanston to downtown Cincinnati or the Central Business District.
Map of Evanston, Cincinnati, OH
History of Evanston Ohio
The Evanston neighborhood was once two incorporated villages. The wealthy hilltop Woodburn village was incorporated in 1866 and spread north to the Jewish and Calvary cemeteries and south to the Ohio River. Woodburn was annexed to Cincinnati in 1863. The northern section is now part of Evanston while the southern section is part of East Walnut Hills.
The original Evanston village dates to a 1796 purchase by Captain James Lyon with his Revolutionary War bonus. The first settlement here became known as the village of Idlewild. The neighborhood incorporated in 1894 as Evanston after the Illinois city.
The two historic cemeteries in Evanston were established in the 1860s. St. Francis de Sales Church is the oldest church in the neighborhood and the largest. It was erected in 1845.
Evanston became a popular suburb thanks to its use of the Cincinnati water system, a volunteer fire department, a sewage system, and restrictions on home costs in most subdivisions. It was annexed by the City of Cincinnati in 1903.
The Evanston population peaked at 18,590 in 1960. It declined 20% by 1970 and another 35% by 1980.
Today, there are 8,838 people living in Evanston Cincinnati, according to the 2020 census. Of the 2,971 households, about 46% are families and 46% are singles. The sex ratio is skewed with 54% female residents to 46% male.
Evanston has a median household income of $44,621. About 29% of residents have a bachelor’s degree or higher.
What’s it Like Living in Evanston Cincinnati?
What is life like in the neighborhood? Evanston is mostly comprised of single-family homes. It’s a quiet community where most people own their own homes. This historically Black neighborhood is known for its excellent education and low crime. Many families live in Evanston and enjoy easy access to the city and surrounding suburbs, thanks to I-71.
While mostly residential, there are several commercial areas, including the O’Bryonville Cincinnati district in the southeast and along Montgomery Road.
Things to Do in the Evanston Neighborhood
After moving to Evanston, you’ll find plenty of things to do and regular community events. Here are just some of the popular activities and attractions in the area.
O’Bryonville Events
O’Bryonville was established by the O’Bryons, an Irish family of farmers who purchased 72 acres in the area. Other Irish families were attracted to the land, and it became the community of O’Bryonville. In 1865, it was broken into smaller city plots and quickly grew into a larger area. It was a thriving commercial district by 1925.
Today, the historic O’Bryonville district is a fun destination for shopping, dining, and community events. The original O’Bryon homestead still exists today as the Eighth & English restaurant. The district is very walkable, with tree-lined streets and small shops and galleries to explore. The Owl’s Nest Park hosts regular events and live music for residents.
When friends come to visit, make sure you head to O’Bryonville for the Flying Pig Marathon which cuts through the commercial district. The neighborhood renamed itself O’Piggyville in 2023 for the week of the marathon’s 25th anniversary – it was here the marathon actually started!
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Evanston Recreation Center – Your Neighborhood Rec Center
Your local rec center offers after-school activities for kids, a senior program, and a fitness center. It also has a playground and a shallow pool. Annual membership is $2 for youth, $10 for adults 18 to 24 or seniors 60+, and $25 for adults 25 to 59.
Evanston Recreation Center, 3204 Woodburn Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45207 (513) 861-9417
Avon Fields Golf Course – Nearby Golf Course, Clubhouse & Nature Center
Just north of the neighborhood in Paddock Hills is the Avon Fields Golf Course, an 18-hole course popular among locals. The course has a clubhouse with a shop and restaurant, plus a driving range and learning center. For those looking to combine golf with their stay in the Cincinnati area, StayAndPlay offers golf-friendly lodging options nearby that cater to players and vacationers alike. The area is also home to the Avon Woods Nature Center.
Avon Fields Golf Course, 4081 Reading Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45229 (513) 281-0322
Stones Lanes – Fun Neighborhood Bowling Alley
Your local bowling alley in neighboring Norwood is close to Xavier. They offer billiards, regular event nights, and a snack bar.
Stones Lanes, 3746 Montgomery Rd, Norwood, OH 45212 (513) 396-7003
O’Bryon’s Bar & Grill – Your Neighborhood Pub
This lively bar and grill has served the neighborhood since 1994 with two full bars, a rooftop patio, and a great menu of pub grub. It’s a great place to watch the game with friends!
O’Bryon’s Bar & Grill, 1998 Madison Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45208 (513) 321-5525
The BonBonerie – Local Local Bakery
This highly rated Evanston bakery offers a light café menu and high tea, plus a huge assortment of treats, including cupcakes and pastries.
The BonBonerie, 2030 Madison Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45208 (513) 321-3399
Rookwood Commons & Pavilion – Shopping Center Near Evanston
Just northeast of Evanston along I-71 is the Rookwood Commons shopping center where Hyde Park meets Oakley. It’s a popular destination for dining and shopping with retailers like Joseph-Beth Booksellers, T.J. Maxx, and Whole Foods Market.
Rookwood Commons & Pavilion, 3805 Edwards Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45209
Is Evanston Cincinnati Safe?
Evanston is a safe area with a low rate of crime. Here’s the 3-year average for crimes in this neighborhood in Cincinnati:
- Homicide: 1.0
- Rape: 2.67
- Robbery: 3.0
- Aggravated assault: 3.0
- Burglary: 7.67
- Car theft: 15.67
- Theft from vehicles: 11.0
- Other theft: 16.0
As of April 22, 2024, Evanston had just 11 reported offenses in the past 28 days. Most crimes are down from 2023 to 2024 except thefts that do not involve vehicles.
You can learn more about the Cincinnati crime rate and see reported crime by neighborhood from the Cincinnati Police Department’s Cincy Insights dashboard.
Evanston Neighborhood Schools
Residents living in Evanston are part of the Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS) district. Elementary schools are assigned based on neighborhood or attendance area, but magnet and high schools are not tied to your address. Cincinnati high schools for grades 7 to 12 are chosen by parents and students through an online lottery application. A paper application is required for upper grades.
Magnet schools, or magnet programs in neighborhood schools, are selected by an online lottery system. Certain schools also have entrance requirements.
Note: if you want to attend a school outside your area, such as a school in the West area, you need to submit an Out-of-Area application.
The neighborhood elementary school is Evanston Academy (PK-6), a 2020 Blue Ribbon School. It’s also a Community Learning Center (CLC), part of a unique program to serve the entire community with after-school programs, nutritional classes, mentoring, arts programs, health services, and more.
Alliance Academy of Cincinnati is also in the community. This K-8 charter school outperforms the CPS district in every subject. Academy of World Languages (AWL) in Hyde Park is a nearby PK-8 school with a citywide magnet program.
The closest high schools to Evanston are:
- Walnut Hills High School. It’s rated the best high school in Ohio with strict academic entrance requirements.
- Withrow University High School in Hyde Park. Known for its historic campus with an arching entry bridge and clock tower, it boasts a High School of Business for college-prep students with business administration courses and internships. The school also has an international language program and a robust credit flex program.
If you want your children to attend a different high school, the 2023/2024 Cincinnati Public Schools All-Schools Guide is a helpful resource. It provides academic and entrance requirements for every CPS school. You can also learn more about Cincinnati school districts with our complete guide!
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For higher education after moving to Evanston, you’ll have Xavier University right in your own backyard! This private Jesuit university is the country’s 4th oldest Jesuit and 6th oldest Catholic university, with an undergraduate enrollment of 4,900. It’s ranked #201 among national universities and #149 in Best Value Schools by U.S. News.
Evanston Apartments & Homes for Sale
Planning to buy a home after moving to Evanston? The median price of a home in the neighborhood is $252,500 or $103 per square foot. Many homes were built in the early 20th century with beautiful examples of Prairie, Colonial Revival, Swiss Chalet, Tudor Revival, and Bungalow home styles.
The neighborhood is mostly residential, with very limited options for renters. If you’re looking for a place to rent, you’ll find more options in neighboring Avondale or Walnut Hills. Desales Flats offers Evanston apartments near Purcell Martian High School. One- to two-bedroom apartments start at $2,025, about 35% higher than the Cincinnati average rent of $1,322.
Are you ready to enjoy life in Evanston as a resident? Bell Moving & Storage is ready to make your upcoming move as stress-free as possible. Call our 5-star Evanston movers today at (513) 942-7500 to get started with your free moving estimate!
