Not everyone wants to live in the quietest rural town or the most bustling big city. Sometimes you need that sweet in-between, where you can easily access the more vibrant parts of the state while keeping your day-to-day life more calm and slow-paced.

If that sounds like you, then allow us to introduce to you the town of Hilliard, Ohio! This popular Columbus suburb has been growing in size and economic potential for years, and will continue to do so in the decades to come. Hilliard has everything you could want in a suburb!

Here’s what you should know about moving to Hilliard:

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

History of Hilliard

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

It all started in 1852, when John Reed Hilliard bought ten acres of farmland in western Franklin County, OH. This land is between Big Darby Creek to the west and the Scioto River to the east. 

The town was originally called Hilliard’s Station, because it grew around the railroad route and stations of the Piqua and Indiana Railroad. Hilliard’s Station served a significant economic role in the 1800s, as it was considered an ideal shipping point for agricultural products and supplies sold to — or by — farmers in the area.  

The town’s official area was platted by John Hilliard in 1853. The next year, a post office was established in town and the word “Station” was dropped from the official name — finally, the beginnings of the Hilliard we know and love today!

The Village of Hilliard was officially incorporated in 1869, and the first railroad station was built there in 1886. With a population of just 280 residents, the original platted area of Hilliard contained a variety of residences and businesses with different architecture styles and ages. 

Population growth was explosive in the mid-1900s, when the construction of three large residential subdivisions and connection to the Columbus regional sewer and water systems opened up the area to major commercial and residential expansion. 

The Village of Hilliard finally gained official city status from the Secretary of State of Ohio in December of 1960, once the town had gained a population of 5,633. Explosive growth came upon the city once again with the completion of the I-270 Outerbelt. Today, the population of Hilliard continues to grow strongly. 

The Hilliard Historical Society and Museum, incorporated in 1966, set out to establish a historical village and museum which would preserve our understanding and appreciation for early pioneer life in Hilliard. The society has established its village and museum in Weaver Park.

Hilliard by the Numbers

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

Making the big move can be scary, especially when you don’t know your new neighborhood well. Allow us to reassure you with some helpful facts and figures that will show you how awesome Hilliard is!

Your New Neighbors

Hilliard is a popular suburb of Columbus, with a population density of 2,410 people per square mile and a total population of 34,386 at last estimate. This is a 25.0% increase since 2010 — a huge boost! Hilliard’s growing population is living proof that this is a vibrant, evolving town that you will love being a part of. 

This population skews younger than the U.S. average, with a large population of young adults and new families. In fact, most Hilliard residents — about 60.6% — are part of a married couple. Of the approximate 12,614 households in the area, 9,290 are family households, and 43.3% of those households have children.

These children attend Hilliard City School District, ranked #10 on the list of Best School Districts in the Columbus Area by Niche. If your child is an athlete, this school district is an even better fit, sitting at #6 on the Best School Districts for Athletes in Ohio list. At Hilliard Davidson High School, the average graduation rate is 92%, and many go on to attend one of Ohio’s great universities.

Hilliard is religiously and politically diverse. About 41% of people are religious, and within that group are people who practice Islam, Judaism, Catholicism, and Protestantism. The Hilliard area leans slightly liberal, but is ranked to be less uniformly left-leaning than Franklin County as a whole. 

When it comes to race and ethnicity, Hilliard is unfortunately less diverse. However, as a suburb of Columbus, it is close to one of the most diverse cities in the state. This grants more opportunities for learning about new cultures, cuisines, and traditions.

Economy and Jobs

The unemployment rate in Hilliard currently sits at 4.4%, much below the national average of 6.0%. In fact, the neighborhood has actually seen modest growth in the job market over the past year, despite the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This growth in the job market is predicted to continue at a remarkable rate in the future. Future job growth over the next ten years is estimated to be 40.4%, much higher than the U.S. average of 33.5%. Job opportunities in Hilliard are not in short supply!

Some of the most common occupations of Hilliard residents are in the sectors of manufacturing, retail trade, finance and insurance, educational services, health care, and professional, scientific, or technical services. 

The family median income in Hilliard is above average, at $113,783. The median home cost is $277,200, and home appreciation in the last 10 years has been around 33% — buying a home in Hilliard could be a strong investment!

Weather and Climate

Like most of Ohio, Hilliard is no stranger to all four seasons. You’ll get to enjoy the brisk breezes of fall, cozy snow days of winter, beautiful blooms of spring, and sunny afternoons of summer every year. In July, the high is typically around 85 degrees, and the January low is usually around 21 degrees.

On average, there are 176 sunny days in Hilliard and 136 days of precipitation. This yearly precipitation includes 39 inches of rain and 22 inches of snow, on average.

The annual BestPlaces Comfort Index, which ranks the comfortability of a town’s climate, recently gave Hilliard a 7.1 out of 10. BestPlaces says this score indicates that Hilliard “is more comfortable than most places in Ohio.” The most pleasant months are September, June, and August.

Get to Know Hilliard Like a Local

Where People Shop, Dine, and Hang Out in Hilliard

Hilliard is a great town full of so much to do and see. Here are some of the many great spots that you’ll surely become familiar with once you’re a Hilliard local!

Center Street Market (and the DORA)

Real People, Real Dining, Real Fun

5534 Center St | Old Hilliard | instagram.com

This section wraps two Hilliard staples into one, because it is possible to attend both at the same time. While the DORA and Center Street Market were once totally distinct entities, the boundary of the DORA has since extended to include parts of the market. 

DORA is short for Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area. This is a specifically defined area within a city where patrons 21 and over are allowed to purchase alcohol from permitted establishments and carry them openly. DORAs have begun to appear all over Ohio!

Center Street Market is home to eleven vendors, including Dumplings of Fury, The Cheesecake Girl, Two Step Tacos and Al’s Delicious Popcorn. From those names alone, you can see that this area is full of diverse and unique food vendors. 

Since the two areas overlap, you can enjoy some of Center Street’s delicious dumplings or tasty tacos as you sip on a cold beer in the DORA. This area is often home to live entertainment, like the Celebration at the Station event happening every week this summer!

“Imagine the best food trucks gathering together in a beautiful food court then imagine the trucks have been traded for full service shops with ample indoor and outdoor seating. Live music on Thursday afternoons and a splash park fountain adjacent... It's all here and more to discover within a few minutes walk of famous Old Hilliard shops.” — Google Review

New Grounds Coffee House

Delicious Coffee in a Warm Atmosphere

6318 Scioto Darby Rd | Hilliard | facebook.com

This coffee shop is a favorite of many Hilliard locals. The staff is known to be friendly, warm, and fun. They make delicious coffee drinks — mostly specializing in sweet drinks and fancy specialties, though they do offer regular coffee! 

Hilliard residents have been raving about the frozen buckeye latte — the shop’s most popular drink — for years! It’s made with peanut butter, espresso, vanilla, milk, whipped cream, white satin, and chocolate and peanut butter swirls. 

This is a great environment for catching up with an old friend, going on a lowkey first date, or just getting some work done on your own! But if you’re in a rush to grab your morning coffee on the way to work, New Grounds has the solution. Just swing through the drive-thru for a quicker and more convenient experience. 

“They provide fast friendly service and look for ways to make your visit the absolute best. If you are looking for a local place to enjoy a nice hot or cold beverage, this is the place. Thank you, New Grounds Coffee House for being a part of the community” — Google Review

Good Life Thrift Store

Cute Clothes for a Cause

3658 Main St | Hilliard | facebook.com

There’s already a social good in buying from thrift stores — buying secondhand helps to cut down on excessive waste and questionable “fast fashion” practices. Good Life in Hilliard wants to make even more positive change in the world with their store.

The thrift store is a non-profit, and is part of Good Life Ministries. This is a Christian organization which aims to spread their faith through humanitarian efforts. Much of their work centers in India, where they support children and families in need by building water wells, distributing sewing machines, and providing free medical and eye care. 

Good Life Thrift Store has the goal to provide high-quality goods at low prices. This includes more than just clothes — they also sell toys, home decor, school supplies, and more! The store gives all its profits to Good Life Ministries to support their humanitarian efforts. 

“I personally love coming here. Everyone is so nice and helps me if I have a question. Constantly having awesome deals and items to find. Staff is super friendly. Best part too is knowing where your money is going. Thumbs up for the Good Life.” — Facebook Review

Bee Bubbly Juicery

Bubble Tea, Cold-Pressed Juice, and Smoothies

4013 Main St | Downtown Hilliard | instagram.com

Bee Bubbly Juicery is pretty new to the neighborhood, but has become a fast favorite of Hilliard locals. It’s within walking distance of many shops and stores, so you can grab a juice on the go as you do some shopping!

This is the only store in town which serves bubble tea currently. Bubble tea is a fun, popular drink that originated in Asia and also goes by the name “boba.” It consists of tea — often with milk — and chewy tapioca pearls, along with any flavorings or toppings the store offers. 

In addition to bubble tea, Bee Bubbly serves specialty lemonades, cold-pressed juices, and smoothies. If you want a cold, sweet, and refreshing drink on a sunny afternoon in Hilliard, you know where to go!

“Some places have great bubble tea or great smoothies or great cold pressed juices, Bee Bubbly Juicery in Hilliard, Ohio has ALL of these. Often, healthy and delicious don't match well… at this place, they match perfectly. The drinks are FANTASTIC!!!!! Stop by this new place to try one of these delicious treats” — Yelp Review

Hilliard is a beautiful Columbus suburb with so much to offer. On any given day, you can grab drinks at the DORA, spend a day at Center Street Market, or visit the historic Hilliard museum in Weaver Park. 

This is the perfect town for the next chapter of your life. What are you waiting for?