Main image courtesy of Title First Agency.

When you think of a small town community chances are you imagine a nice area with lots of tree-lined streets and friendly neighbors. You probably also would expect to see a bustling business district with lots of locally owned businesses with owners who take a lot of pride in their work. If this sounds like a great place and somewhere you’d like to move to, you could be imagining Fredericktown, OH! 

This village would be a great place to start a new life in, especially if you’re looking to move away from the hustle and bustle of a larger city. But what’s it like to really live there, and what does this town have to offer? Glad you asked, because here’s what you should know about moving to Fredericktown:

• History of Fredericktown
• Facts and figures about Fredericktown
• Local favorite things to do in Fredericktown
• And more!

The History of Fredericktown, OH

Before Moving to Fredericktown, Get to Know the History of Your New Home

Like many similar towns in Ohio, Fredericktown first started out as a purchase from the U.S. government. A surveyor from Virginia, Louis Sullivant, purchased 4,000 acres of land between the south and east forks of Owl Creek. Of those 4,000 acres, he offered 50 to John Kerr if he agreed to come and settle, as well as erect a mill. Kerr was a part of a Quaker community that had relocated to the Ohio area from Maryland. He followed through on his agreement, and by 1807, had built a dam, created a log cabin, and put up a mill to grind corn. 

The town was platted in 1807 and was given the name Fredericktown in honor of the Quakers’ home in Frederick, Maryland. More cabins were built and Kerr purchased additional land as settlers continued to arrive in the area. Fredericktown kept growing and by 1850, the Sandusky, Mansfield, and Newark railroad came through it, spurring additional growth leading to its rise as a produce shipping center. The town was incorporated and continued to grow steadily adding schools, churches, and businesses as the population increased. 

Fredericktown by the Numbers

Learn About Fredericktown's Economy, Demographics, and What It’s Really Like to Live Here

Fredericktown is located in north central Ohio in Knox County, and consists of 2.07 square miles. It is about 53 miles to the north of Columbus, which makes it a nice getaway to a slower pace of life. 

Fredericktown's Population and Economy

The most recent census put Fredericktown’s population at about 2,526. This town is on the smaller side, which makes it a great place to move to if you want to really create close ties with your neighbors. The median age is 36.3, the median home income is around $42,148, and the median cost of a home in Fredericktown is $172,700, which is much lower than the national average. The cost of living is around 18.9% lower in Fredericktown than in the rest of the country, which means your salary goes further.

Fredericktown has an unemployment rate of 3.7%, which is much lower than the national average of 6.0%. The predicted future job growth is a little lower than the national average, coming in at 23.3%. The sales and income tax rates for Fredericktown are very similar to the national average, coming in at 7.3% sales and 4.5% income. 

Agriculture is still a large part of the Fredericktown economy, and many farms in the area are still family-owned and operated. Some have been going strong for over 100 years! You can expect to also see frequent visits to the business district and farmer’s markets by the local Amish population. 

Fredericktown’s Demographics

98.3% of the population identifies as white, and there are 1,273 people per square mile, with around 2.5 people per household. This is very similar to the national average of people per household of 2.6. 57.3% of Fredericktown’s population is married, and 27.8% are married with children.

Over 71% of Fredericktown’s population identify as Republican, and Knox County as a whole remains overwhelmingly conservative.

Fredericktown’s Schooling

Schools have been a part of Fredericktown from the early beginning, with the first one erected in 1812. The town has one elementary school, one middle school, and one high school. There are no private schools located in Fredericktown. The school district spends about $8,728 on each student, and there is a student to teacher ratio of 21 to 1. The smaller size of the school district means that students receive more attention from faculty members, which can help them excel in their studies. 

Things to do in Fredericktown

Fredericktown is a great community with plenty of opportunities to enjoy the slower side of life. Whether it’s getting outside to enjoy the forests and hiking trails, enjoying the farm shows, or taking a day trip to the bustling city of Columbus, you won’t be bored when you move to Fredericktown, OH! This town has all the amenities you can expect from larger towns, such as:

• Police, EMS, and fire departments
• A public library
• Senior center
• Wellness center
• Municipal building
• Recreational areas

Let’s see what this vibrant community has to offer, and check out some of the places that locals like to visit.

Get to Know Fredericktown Like a Local

Where People Shop, Dine, and Hang Out in Fredericktown, OH

Just because Fredericktown is a small town, doesn’t mean there’s not a lot to do! There are all kinds of things for you to check out or get involved in once you’re a resident. This town has many seasonal events lined up for you which include:

• Agriculture shows
• A fall festival
• Christmas walk and holiday parade
• The Tomato Show (more on that below)
• And more! 

Let’s discuss a few of the things that make Fredericktown so unique.

Recreational activities

There are all kinds of fun things to do outside in Fredericktown

If you like to spend time outdoors, then a move to Fredericktown could be just what you need! This small town on the rural side has plenty of space for you to enjoy your favorite activities. Want to ride horses or have horses already of your own? You’ll feel right at home among the town’s equestrian enthusiasts. Most specialize in the Western saddle, with barrel racing being a particular favorite.

There is 130 acres of recreational land set aside for residents and non-residents alike to enjoy. This includes a variety of parks, a pond, bike paths, hiking trails, and wooded land for you to explore. There are lakes nearby if fishing or boating is your thing. Not to mention you can’t beat the campsites for spring, summer, and autumn fun. Whether you’re a runner, hiker, biker, walker, or swimmer, there’s plenty to keep you busy all year long when you’re in Fredericktown.

If you’re into winter sports, you’ll be excited to know that Fredericktown is less than 30 miles from the ski resort Snow Trails in Mansfield!

Tomato Show

Check out the local tomato harvest and enjoy yourself at this annual festival

If you’re a fan of all things tomato, then you’ll definitely want to check out the Fredericktown Tomato Show. This annual event has been running since 1976, and is a great opportunity to not only take advantage of some of the best seasonal tomatoes in the area, but to get together and have a great time with family and friends in the community. The festival runs the Wednesday through Saturday after Labor Day, and will be back again in 2022. 

When you think of a fun, old time festival, this is it. Similar to a county fair, are all kinds of competitions you can join in, including:

• Best vegetables
• Best canned goods
• Best baked goods
• Best tomatoes and tomato products
• And best flowers

You can also expect to see a fabulous parade with local vendors, floats, a marching band, fire trucks, tractors, and classic cars. There will also be tractor pulls, races for all ages (including a baby crawl!), live music, arts, crafts, antiques, cars, cornhole, plenty of delicious food, and fun games. 

Every year a Little Miss Tomato is crowned to preside over the festivities. Locals look forward to this festival each year as a chance to not only taste the best in shows, but to really relish in the fun, family-friendly entertainment—not to mention some of the best tomatoes out there! 

Duffer’s Restaurant and Pub

Come down to this local tavern and enjoy some delicious food and drinks!

39 N. Main St. | Fredericktown | facebook.com/duffersfredericktown

If you’re looking for a great place to get a fantastic meal, then you’ve got to stop into Duffer’s Restaurant and Pub. This place has been serving the locals of Fredericktown for years, and if you’re thinking of making this town your home, you should definitely stop in and try the food. They have everything from burgers, hoagies, daily combos, soups, salads, wraps, and yummy shareables like loaded potato chips, chili cheese fries, and pulled pork nachos. 

But what they’re really known for is their panini selection! The top favorites include the pub club, the chicken melt, and the tomato caprese melt. And don’t forget to try their rotating selection of drafts! From local Ohio craft breweries, domestics, and imports, there’s sure to be a brew that’s right for you.

“Duffer's is the perfect place to enjoy a lunch! They have patio and indoor seating. The atmosphere really feels like a small English pub! The food was great; good menu and selection. I had a Reuben (daily special) and my mom had the tomato caprese melt. Thanks for the great lunch!” -Google Review

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Brickhouse Grind

The local coffee shops that brings the community together!

10 S. Main St. | Fredericktown | thebrickhousegrind.com‍

Many people like to start their day with a delicious cup of coffee. If you move to Fredericktown, your new go-to coffee spot is sure to be Brickhouse Grind! This locally-owned coffee house seeks to be the place where you can go meet up with friends, enjoy a cup of coffee, or spend some time reading a book. In addition, it has all your favorite coffeehouse staples like hot coffee, iced coffee, lattes, cafe americanos, espresso, and cappuccinos. Their coffee is harvested by small plot coffee farmers, which ensures an elevated taste. 

What goes better with coffee than a fresh made cookie, muffin, scone, shortbread, or biscotti that are all made the same day in house? At Brickhouse, there’s always something sweet to try.

In addition to providing the residents of Fredericktown with exceptional coffee and pastries, Brickhouse Grind also offers art lessons for children to help open their eyes to the wonders of art. There are classes in watercolor, acrylic, drawing, sculpting, photography, and even screen printing!

“Super cute inside and steady busy on a Saturday at 11am. My coffee is fresh and delicious (got an Americano). Also got some choc choc chip muffins. Definitely stop in if you can. The inside has so much character. Very clean.” -Yelp Review

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Fredericktown Farmer’s Market

Head here for farm fresh produce and more all summer long!

1 E. Sandusky St., Fredericktown Square | Fredericktown | facebook.com/fredfarmersmarket‍

From June until August, you can enjoy the bounties of local farmers, cooks, and other artisans at the Frederickstown Farmer’s Market. Each Thursday the community gathers at the town square to enjoy fresh local produce, cottage goods, baked goods, and agricultural products. There is always live music and games, and plenty of food for you to try while you’re there. Once you visit once, you’re sure to make a weekly event out of it!

If you’re on the fence about moving to Fredericktown, OH, we think you should definitely give it a go! If you’re ready for a small town that’s full of life, then this could be the spot for you. What’s your favorite thing to do in Fredericktown? Let us know in the comments!

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