Columbus

by The Linguist

 

Columbus, Ohio

Columbus is the capital and largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio. As of 2021, the population of Columbus was 905,748, making it the 14th largest city in the United States. Columbus is the county seat of Franklin County and is located in central Ohio.

History

Columbus was founded in 1812. The city was planned as the state’s new capital on the banks of the Scioto River. Columbus was established as the state capital in 1816. The city was named after explorer Christopher Columbus.

Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, Columbus continued to grow in population and importance. As the state capital, Columbus was a center of industry and commerce. The National Road reached Columbus in 1833, enhancing the city’s connections to the east coast. The Ohio State University was founded in Columbus in 1870.

Population

The population of Columbus in 2022 was estimated to be 905,748 residents, making it the 14th largest city in the United States. The Columbus metropolitan area, which encompasses Franklin and other surrounding counties, has an estimated population of over 2 million residents.

Columbus has grown rapidly in recent decades. It surpassed 800,000 residents in 2000 and reached over 900,000 by 2020. Population growth has been driven by annexation as well as an influx of residents from other parts of Ohio and beyond.

Economy

As the state capital and Ohio’s largest city, Columbus is a center of economic activity. Major employers in Columbus include Ohio State University, JP Morgan Chase, Nationwide Insurance, Honda, Alliance Data, and Cardinal Health. Healthcare, education, insurance, banking, fashion, defense, aviation, food, steel, energy, logistics, automotive, and technology are key industries in Columbus.

Columbus has a diverse, resilient economy with a GDP of around $140 billion as of 2019. The city has experienced steady job growth in recent years. Columbus has been ranked as one of the top cities for business and careers by Forbes.

Attractions and Landmarks

Columbus is home to many notable attractions and landmarks:

  • Ohio Statehouse – the state capitol building, completed in 1861. Address: 1 Capitol Square, Columbus, OH 43215. Phone: (614) 466-2613.
  • Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens – botanical garden located in Franklin Park. Address: 1777 E Broad St, Columbus, OH 43203. Phone: (614) 715-8000.
  • Columbus Zoo and Aquarium – one of the largest zoos in the country. Address: 4850 W Powell Rd, Powell, OH 43065. Phone: (614) 645-3400.
  • COSI Columbus – science museum located downtown. Address: 333 W Broad St, Columbus, OH 43215. Phone: (614) 228-2674.
  • National Veterans Memorial and Museum – museum honoring veterans. Address: 300 W Broad St, Columbus, OH 43215. Phone: (614) 562-4366.
  • Arena District – entertainment district downtown with sports venues, restaurants, and nightlife.
  • German Village – historic neighborhood south of downtown known for architecture, shopping, and dining.
  • Short North Arts District – neighborhood near downtown with art galleries, boutiques, and restaurants.

Some key landmarks and their coordinates:

  • Ohio Statehouse: 39.9635° N, 82.9868° W
  • Santa Maria replica ship in downtown Columbus: 39.9608° N, 83.0031° W
  • Schiller Park: 39.9816° N, 83.0135° W

Transportation

Columbus is served by a network of freeways, including Interstate 71, Interstate 70, Interstate 270, and Interstate 670. Public transportation is provided by the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA), which operates an extensive bus system and the CBUS downtown circulator in Columbus.

John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) provides passenger air service for the region. The airport offers flights to over 120 destinations on 12 airlines, serving around 8 million passengers annually as of 2021. There are also cargo and corporate aviation services offered at Rickenbacker International Airport south of the city.

Education

The primary public school district in Columbus is the Columbus City Schools district. It has over 50,000 students in more than 100 schools. Some of the largest high schools include Northland, Eastmoor Academy, Bexley, and Walnut Ridge. There are also many private and parochial school options in Columbus.

Higher education institutions located in Columbus include:

Sports

Columbus is home to several professional and college sports teams:

  • Columbus Blue Jackets – NHL hockey team playing at Nationwide Arena in the Arena District.
  • Columbus Crew – MLS soccer team playing at Lower.com Field.
  • Columbus Clippers – Minor league baseball team affiliated with the Cleveland Guardians.
  • Ohio State Buckeyes – Ohio State University athletic teams compete in Division I NCAA sports.

The Ohio State Buckeyes football team is especially popular, drawing over 100,000 fans for home games at Ohio Stadium on campus.

County and Local Information

Columbus is located in Franklin County. The county government is located at:

Franklin County Government Center
373 S. High St., 26th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: (614) 525-3322

Some additional local resources in Columbus include: