Image Courtesy of Experience Columbus. 

Upper Arlington is a small city just west of Columbus, Ohio. Its proximity to the state capital adds a lot of value to moving here, where you are distanced from the bustle of Columbus with its almost 880,000 people. Being close to Columbus is one great thing about this city, but there is so much more to it.

Over the years Upper Arlington has developed its own identity and community, and it continues to grow as the years pass. Upper Arlington has embraced much of its history. Many old houses have undergone renovations through the years, meaning they are up to date with amenities but retain the historical charm that Upper Arlington has to offer. Whether you are preparing to move to the city or just visiting, Upper Arlington has plenty to discover. 

Here’s what you should know about moving to Upper Arlington:

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

History of Upper Arlington

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

In 1913, brothers King and Ben Thomson purchased 840 acres of land close to Columbus, Ohio. That farmland was chosen for its location west of the big, industrial city. It boasted a higher elevation and took advantage of the westerly winds common in that part of Ohio in order to keep the air clean of the smoke from Columbus’s coal-burning factories of the time.  The original name for that community was the “Country Club District,” but after only a few years they changed the name to Upper Arlington. Upper Arlington officially became a village in 1918, and quickly gained the designation of a city in 1941. 

For a brief time only three years after the Thomson brothers bought the land, the National Guard used the area as a training camp. At this camp, named Camp Willis, thousands of servicemen trained before the camp was dismantled later that year. After that short delay development of the village resumed. 

Upper Arlington’s development was modeled after the garden city plan. This idea, inspired by Ebenezer Howard in the late 19th century, was a break from the gridded city layouts that were common at the time. Instead, this model worked to incorporate the land itself into the layout of the city with curving, wide streets lined with trees. The garden city plan worked to combine the benefits of a countryside and city environment while avoiding their respective disadvantages. 

The city of Upper Arlington has preserved that layout in its historic district, leaving many tree-lined streets and green spaces in the southern district of the city. In the middle of the 20th century, Upper Arlington began annexing the surrounding land and incorporating it into their city. In the 1950s, Upper Arlington nearly doubled in size. In the 1960s, the city grew to the north. The city has been informally divided across Lane Avenue. 

In the first big boom of annexation, it spread to the east, west, and south. The newer, northern developments had a much different style than the older city core, abandoning the garden city model and utilizing a street grid, and building many ranch-style houses. In 1985, the southern half of the city, often referred to as the Upper Arlington Historic District, Old Arlington, or South of Lane officially became a part of the National Register of Historic Places. 

Upper Arlington by the Numbers

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

Upper Arlington’s Population

The population of Upper Arlington is around 35,000, giving it a population density of around 3,600 people per square mile. The median age in the city is 42.2, a bit higher than the US median age, which is 37.4. In Upper Arlington, the average number of people per household is 2.5, almost exactly the same as the average in the entire US. 

Upper Arlington’s Demographics

In Upper Arlington, 89.7 percent of the population is White, 0.9 percent are Black, 4.9% are Asian, 2.3 percent are Hispanic, and 1.9 percent are two or more races. 

The median cost of a home in Upper Arlington is $516,100. 16.7 percent of residents rent their living space in Upper Arlington. Due to its proximity to Columbus, many residents commute to the capital from Upper Arlington.

Upper Arlington’s Schooling

Upper Arlington Schools is a large district with 10 schools. There is one preschool, four elementary schools, two middle schools, one high school, one online academy, and a progressive, multi-age school. Upper Arlington Schools have been around for over 100 years and they endeavor to provide as many academic options as possible. They strive to prepare their students for success academically, athletically, and artistically. 

The US News ranked the Upper Arlington High School 1,006 out of almost 18,000 schools nationally, and 36 out of almost 700 schools in the state of Ohio.

Things to do in Upper Arlington

Upper Arlington’s proximity to Columbus opens up so many doors for exploring the city and its surrounding areas. Within Upper Arlington, there are boutique shops, fine restaurants, and great community events. One great fall activity is the Upper Arlington Night Market, an outdoor, open-air market with live music, local business, art, food, and much more! It takes place on the third Wednesday of August and September and is the perfect place to spend the night out. 

The Night Market is just one of the events that the City of Upper Arlington hosts throughout the year. You don’t need to fear getting bored in this city! Whether you are celebrating a special occasion, hosting friends and family, or just want to treat yourself — Upper Arlington has something for you!

Get to Know Upper Arlington Like a Local

Where People Shop, Dine, and Hang Out in Upper Arlington

Upper Arlington has so many options for things to do both in and around the city. Adjacent to Columbus, a 15 or 20-minute drive or shorter will bring you to countless activities with food, shopping, and much, much more! Upper Arlington is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, leaving you with much to explore in and around the city. The historic southern district is a great place to relax and enjoy the weather. 

Upper Arlington’s original development can be seen even today in all of its tree-lined streets and green spaces within city limits. Upper Arlington’s parks are an amazing place to take a walk and enjoy what nature has to offer. If you are planning a move to Upper Arlington, here is a little snapshot of some of the excellent things this city has to offer!

North Market

Upper Arlington’s own farmer’s market is full of fresh produce, boutique shops, and more!

59 Spruce Street | Downtown Columbus | northmarket.org

Looking for your go-to farmer’s market? Look no further than North Market — Central Ohio’s Authentic Public Market. This famous destination serves over one million guests each year and is consistently ranked as one of the top public markets in the country. North Market is located in downtown Columbus, about a 10-minute drive from Upper Arlington. There, you will find a ton of food options, each place having its own flair. You will never run out of delicious food to try! 

North Market has stood since 1876, providing Ohio’s best local, independent businesses a place to sell their wares to locals and tourists alike. It has a rich history. The North Market has lived through feast and famine over the years, fighting through the rough times to emerge stronger than ever before. North Market is an absolute must if you are visiting or moving into the Upper Arlington area. 

“I could easily come back here to not just dine, but shop as well. I would consider this the epicenter of food. They have Vietnamese, Indian, a meat counter, and other stuff as well. What a cool place this is. Go here if you can!” -- Yelp Review

Ninja Citi

Swing, climb, and jump your way through Ohio’s best indoor adventure course

2610 Sawmill Place Boulevard | Columbus | ninjaciti.com

Looking to bring out your inner ninja? Look no further than Ninja City, an indoor trampoline and obstacle adventure park located in the northwest section of Columbus, Ohio, just a few minutes away from Upper Arlington! Ninja city is an amazing attraction for all members of the family. If you do not want to get on the trampolines or clamber through their obstacle courses — no worries! You can enter the park as a spectator free of charge. 

Ninja Citi is a great place to go with some friends and spend a day having fun. Everyone has a side of them that wishes they were an American Ninja Warrior, right? Ninja Citi lets you step into their shoes! They have a large floor with their obstacles in a row, allowing you to move from one to the next in an organized fashion. They have plenty of obstacles for kids and adults, a section for parkour, and a large climbing area. 

“This is honestly the best place to feel like a true American Ninja Warrior. The sheer amount of attractions is absolutely insane! They have all of the classics from the show and other original ones. This is a fun activity for everyone young or old. I will be recommending this place to all of my friends!!” -- Yelp Review

German Village

Enjoy Ohio’s rich history in this quaint town

588 3rd Street | Columbus | germanvillage.com

German Village is a wonderfully preserved historical district in Columbus, Ohio. This district was designated as Ohio’s first Preserve America Neighborhood and for over 60 years a small group of dedicated members has worked together to ensure this bustling, vibrant neighborhood remains one of Ohio’s best attractions!

A trip to German Village is a great way to spend a weekend. It is full of many small businesses serving you food and drink, and there is plenty of shopping to do as well! On top of that, this historic district’s incredible maintenance means you can walk through cobbled streets full of beautiful architecture, manicured landscaping, and inviting stores. The German Village Society oversees the care of this district and hosts many fun, family-friendly events throughout the year. Be sure to keep an eye out for their next event!

“If you happen to be visiting Columbus, a stop in the German Village is a must. The century-old homes, cobblestone streets, Schiller park (second oldest park in Columbus), and five-star businesses will surely leave you with a smile on your face. Just know, folks here don't actually speak German, haha.” -- Yelp Review

There is so much to do in Upper Arlington, and with its beautiful historic district, great community, and proximity to Columbus — it is an amazing place to live. What do you think of the city? Let us know in the comments!