Upper Arlington is a small city just west of Columbus that gives residents a relaxed feel just minutes from the big city. The community of Old Arlington is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Upper Arlington hosts a number of annual events, including a Fourth of July parade and fireworks display, a Halloween festival at Tremont Elementary School, the Winter Festival and Tree Lighting, the Spring Fling, Summer Celebration, and Fall Fest. During the summer months, the community also hosts “Movie in the Park,” where movies are hosted at various local parks.
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Where Is Upper Arlington Ohio?
Upper Arlington is a city in Franklin County, Ohio, about 6 miles northwest of Columbus. The city is part of the Columbus Metro Area. Upper Arlington is bordered by the Scioto River to the west, by Columbus to the north and east, and on the south by Marble Cliff and Grandview Heights.
Upper Arlington OH Population & Demographics
Upper Arlington has a population of 36,800 people according to the 2020 census, which was a 9% increase from 33,771 in 2010. The median household income for Upper Arlington is $132,783. By comparison, the median household income in Columbus is $58,575. Upper Arlington has one of the highest median salaries in the state of Ohio.
The racial demographics of Upper Arlington are 86.4% White (84.9% non-Hispanic), 7.9% Asian, 4.9% of two or more races, and 0.6% Black or African American. The Hispanic population is 3.0%. Notable people from Upper Arlington include Jim Tressel, head football coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes, and Jack Nicklaus, professional golfer.
Additional Upper Arlington demographics:
- Median age: 39.4
- Sex ratio: 50.1% female to 49.9% male
- Homeownership rate: 78.9%
- Educational attainment: 80.1% bachelor’s degree or higher, 98.4% high school grad or higher
- Foreign-born population: 8.1%
- Veteran population: 1,181
Upper Arlington, OH is a safe place to reside. The crime rate in Upper Arlington is 65% less than the national average. The violent crime rate is 91% lower. The Upper Arlington crime rate is 810 crimes per 100,000 people and 37 violent crimes per 100,000. The Upper Arlington Police Division is devoted to serving and protecting the residents of Upper Arlington.
Cost of Living in Upper Arlington
Upper Arlington isn’t considered the most affordable place to live in Ohio. The cost of living in Upper Arlington is 14% more expensive than the national average. By comparison, the Columbus cost of living is 12% below the national average. Although the cost of goods and services, healthcare, transportation, and utilities are lower than the national average, groceries cost about the same as the national average.
What makes Upper Arlington relatively expensive is housing. Housing costs are 62% higher than the national average. The Upper Arlington, OH housing market is very competitive. The median cost of a home in Upper Arlington is $715,350, up 28.2% compared to last year. On average, homes in Upper Arlington sell after 33 days on the market compared to 32 days last year. You can check out Upper Arlington, OH homes for sale to get an idea of how much homes cost in the Upper Arlington area.
The average rent for an apartment in Upper Arlington is $1,390, but the cost will vary depending on location, size, quality, and other factors. The average apartment size is 854 square feet. The Columbus metro area requires $6,743 a month for a family of four, according to the Economic Policy Institute’s Family Budget Calculator.
Typical Upper Arlington, OH living expenses
- Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant: $15.00
- Domestic Beer: $5.00
- 1 Gallon of Milk: $3.16
- Dozen Eggs: $3.49
- 1lb Chicken: $5.49
- Average Tewksbury Monthly Utility Bill: $238.96
Source: Numbeo, Columbus Metro
Best Neighborhoods in Upper Arlington, OH
Upper Arlington has plenty of safe, beautiful neighborhoods, including the historic downtown area, with a variety of styles and amenities to suit any taste. Here are some of the best neighborhoods in Upper Arlington, depending on the lifestyle you’re looking for.
Kendale – Great for Professionals and Students
Kendale is a walkable community conveniently located near downtown Columbus and Ohio State University. Homes were built in the community in the 1960s, mostly ranch-style and split-level homes. You’ll find beautifully landscaped lawns, gabled rooftops, and attached garages. The neighborhood also has condos and apartment buildings.
The designated public schools for Kendale are Winterset Elementary School, Ridgeview Middle School, and Centennial High. Centennial ranks in the top 250 high schools in Ohio, according to U.S. News and World Report. Sunny 95 Park is a 15-acre green space that’s only about a mile away. The Shops on Lane Avenue, a Whole Foods Market, and dozens of upscale stores, casual and fine dining is nearby. The median home price in Kendale is $380,000.
Riverplace – Scenic Living Along the Scioto River
The community of Riverplace is right on the Scioto River. This established neighborhood features homes built from the 1940s to the 1990s. The homes are typically ranch-style, split-level, and Colonial. Many of the older homes back right up to the river. Most homes are three or four bedrooms, have full basements, are over 2000 square feet, and have two-car garages. Nearby Griggs Reservoir Park offers 186 acres of outdoor activities and nature preserves. The schools in Riverplace are excellent. Home prices in the community average about $400,000.
Scioto Trace – Great Neighborhood for Families
Scioto Trace is a beautifully laid out, safe community with winding roads, cul-de-sacs, and stunning contemporary houses. Lots of families with kids live in the community. The average price of a home in Scioto Trace is $624,378, but some homes can run over a million dollars, especially those that back up to the Scioto River.
Most of the homes were built in the Colonial style, although a few ranch-style homes exist in the neighborhood. Scioto Trace has a homeowner’s association offering community events throughout the year. The schools designated to Scioto Trace are A-rated. For outdoor lovers, Griggs Dam and Griggs Reservoir Park are within walking distance.
Upper Arlington, OH Weather & Climate
Upper Arlington weather typically has long, warm, humid summers and very cold, snowy, and windy winters. The hottest month of the year in Upper Arlington is July, with an average high of 84°F and an average low of 65°F. The coldest month of the year is January. Average lows are a frigid 23°F, and the highs average 36°F. Upper Arlington averages 39 inches of rain a year and 22 inches of snow.
Things to Do in Upper Arlington
Wondering what fun things you can do in Upper Arlington, OH? You’ll find lots of activities for the whole family right outside your door. Upper Arlington also has boutique shops, fine restaurants, and lots of great community events, such as the Upper Arlington Night Market held in the fall with an open-air market, live music, art, food, and plenty more. Nearby malls include the Kingsdale Shopping Center and Whole Foods Market Upper Arlington OH.
Here are some of the most popular attractions in Upper Arlington:
Thompson Park
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Thompson Park is a 49-acre park in Upper Arlington where residents can enjoy the fresh air, sit on park benches and relax, and take a stroll with their dogs. Thompson Park has a basketball court, a playground, a baseball field, a sledding hill, picnic tables, and more. For those who walk or run, Thompson Park has a 1.15-mile paved path.
4250 Woodbridge Rd, Upper Arlington, OH 43220, 614-583-5000
Upper Arlington Public Library
The Upper Arlington Public Library has three branches, Tremont road, Lane Road, and Miller Park. The library is not only a community resource for books, magazines, audiobooks, comics, TV shows, movies, video games, and more, it also has an early-learning play area, meeting rooms, and study spaces.
2800 Tremont Rd, Upper Arlington, OH 43221, (614) 486-9621
Griggs Reservoir Park
Griggs Reservoir Park extends from Griggs Dam to Lane Road on the East side of the reservoir. The park offers about 2.25 miles of hiking and biking trails, a boat launch area, nature preserves, a disc golf course, and more. The park is ideal for boaters, picnickers, and families. The park overlooks the Scioto River and has a camping area, multiple shelter huts, picnic tables, and grills. Wildlife in the park includes mallard ducks, white ducks, and Canadian geese, as well as squirrels, rabbits, raccoons, turtles, and other species.
2933 Riverside Dr, Columbus, OH 43221, 614-645-3300
Additional attractions near Upper Arlington:
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- Center of Science and Industry
- Columbus Museum of Art
- Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
Looking for more to do in Upper Arlington? The city has over 20 parks and recreational facilities, offering a wide range of activities for families, including playgrounds, sports fields, hiking trails, and picnic areas. You can also check out Upper Arlington City Event Calendar for more fun activities!
Upper Arlington OH Restaurants
You’ll find a variety of restaurants near Upper Arlington that you can choose from. Here are some of the top-rated restaurants you’ll want to try in the city:
Hudson 29 Kitchen & Drink
Hudson 29 serves American cuisine carefully prepared with expertly sourced ingredients. Both the lunch and dinner menus include appetizers, flatbreads, sushi rolls, salads, sandwiches, and hearty entrees, including wood grilled salmon, rigatoni bolognese, and chicken pappardelle. The bar features over 100 wines, cocktails, craft beers, and more.
1600 W Lane Ave, Upper Arlington, OH 43221, 614-487-0622
Lupo
Lupo is a one-of-a-kind restaurant in upper Arlington blending Italian, Mediterranean, and Spanish flavors, creating unique dishes with delicious ingredients. Pair your meal with wine or a cocktail from their extensive list. They source their ingredients locally and from around the world.
2124 Arlington Ave, Upper Arlington, OH, 43221, 614-914-6134
Jet’s Pizza
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Jet’s Pizza specializes in pastas, pizzas, and gelato. They prepare their food fresh every day from the finest ingredients and offer a mix of traditional recipes like chicken marsala and chicken parmigiana. You’ll also find interesting dishes they’ve created themselves.
4740 Reed Rd, Upper Arlington, OH 43220, (614) 326-0300
Jobs in Upper Arlington
The average salary in Upper Arlington is $70,000 per year, accoring to PayScale. The most popular jobs in the city are personal lines manager, development operations engineer, and financial advisor. Upper Arlington employs 17,600 people. Many residents make the short commute to Columbus for a variety of job positions.
Major employers near Upper Arlington:
- JPMorgan Chase & Co.
- Ohio State University
- Nationwide
- Bath and Body Works
- Cardinal Health
- Huntington Bank
- American Electric Power
- Abercrombie & Fitch
Upper Arlington Schools & Higher Education
The Upper Arlington City School District serves the city of Upper Arlington. The district includes Burbank Early Childhood School, five elementary schools, two middle schools, and Upper Arlington High. The high school mascot is the Golden Bear, named after professional golfer Jack Nicklaus, an alumnus of the school. The district also offers UA Online Academy, an online learning opportunity for students in grades 6 through 12. Private schools in the area include The Wellington School, St. Agatha Catholic, and St. Andrew Catholic. St. Agatha and St. Andrew offer K-8 programs. Students can also enjoy the Upper Arlington Public Library.
The Upper Arlington and Columbus area is home to 62 universities and colleges. The nearest and largest college to Upper Arlington is Ohio State University in Columbus, about 4 miles away. The school has 61,677 students. The highest rated college in the area is Kenyon College in Gambier. Clark State Community College in Springfield is the least expensive, with a yearly tuition of $3,296.
Upper Arlington Statistics & Information
- County: Franklin
- Area: 9.82 square miles
- Upper Arlington zip codes: 43212, 43220, 43221
- Area code: 614, 380
- Elevation: 814 feet
- Time zone: Eastern Standard Time (GMT-5)
- Closest airport: Port Columbus International Airport (CMH / KCMH), 13 miles
Upper Arlington OH Map
Explore the area and other fun attractions and restaurants with this map of Upper Arlington.
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