Are you visiting the Columbus area or thinking of relocating to the region? Whether you’re driving through the area on a road trip or trying to decide which city will be your new home, a good place to start is exploring the largest Franklin County cities.
What cities are in Franklin County, Ohio? The county is home to 16 cities, the largest of which is Columbus. The entire Franklin County area is part of metro Columbus with dozens of suburbs, each offering something unique.
This guide will cover the ten largest Franklin County, Ohio cities by population. Note that we won’t cover villages or towns near Columbus, Ohio, townships, or census-designated places (CDPs) which are only defined for demographic purposes by the US Census Bureau.
About Franklin County, Ohio
Franklin County is Ohio’s most populous county. The county seat and largest city is Columbus, the state capital and largest city in Ohio which takes up nearly half of the county’s total area.
Named for Benjamin Franklin, Franklin County was established just after Ohio became a state in 1803. Columbus became the capital in 1816 when it was chosen for its central location and major river access. Interestingly, Columbus was only laid out by surveyors in 1812, just four years before it became the capital. It was designed from the beginning as the capital for the state and its population grew from 700 people in 1815 to 4,000 in 1834 when it was large enough for the status of “city.”
There are 16 cities in Franklin County, Ohio along with 10 villages, 17 townships, and five census-designated places. In Ohio, townships are a form of smaller local government and further divide up counties. Some of the largest townships in Franklin County are:
- Montgomery Township, a “paper” township that no longer exists as a separate unit of government due to annexation by the city of Columbus.
- Jefferson Township (pop. 11,000) includes parts of Gahanna and Columbus
- Madison Township (pop. 23,500) includes parts of the cities of Columbus, Groveport, Pickerington, and Canal Winchester
- Mifflin Township (pop. 35,000) includes parts of Gahanna and Columbus
- Norwich Township (pop. 32,000) includes parts of Columbus and Hilliard
- Plain Township (pop. 6,000) includes part of Columbus and the city of New Albany
- Prairie Township (pop. 16,500) includes part of Columbus
- Trujo Township (pop. 27,000) includes most of Reynoldsburg and part of Columbus
- Washington Township (pop. 50,000) includes the cities of Dublin and part of Hilliard
Where is Franklin County, OH? The county is located in central Ohio between the counties of Fairfield, Delaware, Madison, Licking, Pickaway, and Union.
Franklin County, OH Demographics
- Population: 1,316,756
- Area: 532.4 sq mi
- Population density: 2,473 people/sq mi
- Median age: 34.3
- Median household income: $64,713
- Median home price: $250,000
- Educational attainment: 91% high school grad or higher; 42% bachelor’s degree or higher
#1. Columbus
- Population: 902,073
- Area: 219.2 sq mi
- Population density: 4,115 people/sq mi
- Median age: 32.4
- Median household income: $57,118
- Median home price: $237,000
- Educational attainment: 90% high school grad or higher; 39% bachelor’s degree or higher
- Columbus, OH map
The largest of cities in Franklin County, Ohio is Columbus, the state capital. Columbus has a population of almost one million, but it’s the only city in the county with more than 50,000 people. The second largest city in the Midwest after Chicago, Columbus is the third largest state capital and 14th largest city in the U.S. with a metro population of 2.14 million spread over ten counties.
Columbus is known as the Discovery City and Indie Art Capital and known for its public art, award-winning municipal park system, family-friendly attractions, and low cost of living. It’s home to Ohio State University, one of America’s largest universities with a main campus student body of 60,000, and the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, rated as one of the best zoos in the country.
With a thriving economy and cost of living 8% below the national average, it’s no surprise Columbus is a great place to live for families, young professionals, and retirees! You can learn more in our complete guide to living in Columbus, OH.
#2. Dublin
- Population: 46,499
- Area: 24.7 sq mi
- Population density: 1,885 people/sq mi
- Median age: 40.1
- Median household income: $137,867
- Median home price: $391,500
- Educational attainment: 97% high school grad or higher; 75% bachelor’s degree or higher
- Dublin, OH map
Dublin, Ohio is the second-largest of Franklin County cities despite having a population below 50k. Dublin is the most affluent city in Franklin County, OH with a median household income more than double the state and Columbus metro median! It’s also one of the most educated cities with three-quarters of residents holding a degree.
Dublin is frequently rated as one of the Best Small Cities in America and one of America’s safest cities. Why? Because Dublin has so much to offer!
- Employment opportunities. Dublin has 20+ corporate headquarters, over 4,300 businesses, and an entrepreneurial center.
- Great education. Dublin has one of the top school districts in Ohio with three high schools that consistently rank among the best in the U.S. Students have an average ACT score of 25.5! There are 25 colleges and universities nearby including Ohio University at Dublin.
- Premier golf courses. Dublin is famous for the annual Memorial Tournament at the Muirfield Village Golf Club, an upscale golf community.
- Parks and recreation. Dublin boasts 65+ developed public parks and more than 100 miles of trails. One of the most popular is Coffman Park, a 105-acre park with a skating rink, playground, and historic home. Hayden Falls Park along the Scioto River has a picturesque waterfall and gorge, the perfect place for hiking. Residents enjoy boating, kayaking, and sailing along the Scioto River and the nationally recognized Art in Public Spaces program.
Dublin, OH is also famous for the annual Dublin Irish Festival, one of America’s largest Irish events recognized as the Most Outstanding Global Festival and Event City in the World.
#3. Grove City
- Population: 40,797
- Area: 17.2 sq mi
- Population density: 2,376 people/sq mi
- Median age: 38.5
- Median household income: $74,284
- Median home price: $260,000
- Educational attainment: 94% high school grad or higher; 34% bachelor’s degree or higher
- Grove City, OH map
Grove City ranks third among cities in Franklin County by population. Just 10 miles southwest of downtown Columbus, Grove City was once known for its massive groves of maple, oak, walnut, and beech. Most of the trees were cleared for settling, but the village of Grove City was named in 1853 for the handful of groves that remained.
Grove City offers an affordable cost of living and amazing amenities for families and young adults. The city is home to great parks like Gantz Park with gardens, an arboretum, playgrounds, a farmhouse and sports plus the 620-acre Scioto Grove Metro Park, a riverfront forested park with a playground and gorgeous views. Families also love the Big Splash water park operated by the city and the highly rated Grove City YMCA with a space-themed playground, splash park, and sledding.
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#4. Westerville
- Population: 39,877
- Area: 12.6 sq mi
- Population density: 3,164 people/sq mi
- Median age: 41.9
- Median household income: $93,717
- Median home price: $345,000
- Educational attainment: 97% high school grad or higher; 52% bachelor’s degree or higher
- Westerville, OH map
Best known for Otterbein University, Westerville is one of the largest Franklin County, Ohio cities. It was once called the Dry Capital of the World thanks to an 1859 ordinance banning alcohol sales which led to the “Westerville Whiskey Wars” when a businessman twice opened a saloon in the city which was blown up by locals. Westerville’s temperance movement was so serious, the Anti-Saloon League moved their headquarters to the small town from Washington, D.C. in the early 20th century before they were successful in getting the Eighteenth Amendment ratified and starting the Prohibition era.
Today, Westerville is a popular suburb for families with highly rated schools and family-friendly attractions. It bills itself as a “City Within a Park” with 41 parks and rec centers plus sports complexes, hundreds of acres of preserved forests, and ZipZone Outdoor Adventures. Residents love the Inniswood Metro Gardens nature preserve and Hoover Reservoir Park with boating, fishing, and bird-watching.
It’s one of the most expensive places to live in the county, but it offers a great quality of life! Learn more with our guide to living in Westerville, OH.
#5. Reynoldsburg
- Population: 38,129
- Area: 11.1 sq mi
- Population density: 3,433 people/sq mi
- Median age: 37
- Median household income: $67,120
- Median home price: $255,000
- Educational attainment: 92% high school grad or higher; 31% bachelor’s degree or higher
- Reynoldsburg, OH map
The city of Reynoldsburg is located in Licking, Franklin, and Fairfield counties about 12 miles east of Columbus. Fifth on the list of cities in Franklin County, OH by population, Reynoldsburg is one of the best suburbs for outdoor recreation.
Reynoldsburg is home to several parks and family-friendly amenities. Blacklick Woods Metro Park is a massive 643-acre park with wildlife, trails, a nature center, and a golf course. It’s one of the most-visited parks in metro Columbus! Families love John F. Kennedy Park with a large new playground.
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#6. Hilliard
- Population: 36,411
- Area: 14.3 sq mi
- Population density: 2,552 people/sq mi
- Median age: 36.8
- Median household income: $96,959
- Median home price: $311,000
- Educational attainment: 96% high school grad or higher; 55% bachelor’s degree or higher
- Hilliard, OH map
The affluent suburb of Hilliard is 13 miles northwest of downtown Columbus and one of the best Franklin County cities for families. Hilliard is often named one of the best places to live in Ohio with a great quality of life, short downtown commute, low crime, and beautiful parks. Residents enjoy an excellent school district, close-knit community, and tons of family-friendly amenities.
The crown jewel of Hilliard is the Homestead Metro Park with sprawling green space, sand volleyball, a fishing bridge, and more. At the Roger A. Reynolds Municipal Park, kids can swim and sled, while the Hilliard Family Aquatic Center offers swimming lessons and more.
Learn more about this beautiful suburb with our guide to living in Hilliard, OH.
#7. Upper Arlington
- Population: 35,299
- Area: 9.8 sq mi
- Population density: 3,605 people/sq mi
- Median age: 40.6
- Median household income: $123,548
- Median home price: $482,500
- Educational attainment: 99% high school grad or higher; 77% bachelor’s degree or higher
- Upper Arlington, OH map
Upper Arlington, or UA, is one of the largest Franklin County, Ohio cities and one of the most affluent, ranking second after Dublin, OH. Upper Arlington is also the best educated of cities in Franklin County Ohio with an impressive 77% of residents holding at least a bachelor’s degree and almost all residents holding a high school diploma or GED.
Upper Arlington is ranked as one of the best places to live in the country by Money magazine thanks to its quality of life, low crime, great art scene, and excellent outdoor recreation. Residents enjoy amenities like Thompson Park and the Ohio State University Golf Club.
Learn more about living in Upper Arlington, OH with our complete guide to the city!
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#8. Gahanna
- Population: 35,268
- Area: 12.4 sq mi
- Population density: 2,939 people/sq mi
- Median age: 39.9
- Median household income: $88,475
- Median home price: $300,000
- Educational attainment: 97% high school grad or higher; 49% bachelor’s degree or higher
- Gahanna, OH map
The city of Gahanna in northeast Franklin County adjacent to Columbus, New Albany, Mifflin Township, and Jefferson Township. An affluent suburb, Gahanna is home to several private schools like the Columbus Academy and its downtown has undergone revitalization to add new public spaces, restaurants, and amenities.
Residents enjoy nearly a dozen beautiful and well-maintained parks like Hannah Park and Friendship Park with creek access for fishing and canoeing.
#9. Pickerington
- Population: 20,631
- Area: 9.8 sq mi
- Population density: 2,095 people/sq mi
- Median age: 35
- Median household income: $97,192
- Median home price: $355,000
- Educational attainment: 96% high school grad or higher; 45% bachelor’s degree or higher
- Pickerington, OH map
Pickerington may be one of the smallest cities in Franklin County, Ohio, but it’s a great place to live for families. Just 17 miles southeast of downtown Columbus in Fairfield and Franklin counties, Pickerington is known for its tree-lined streets, very low crime rate, excellent schools, and historic downtown shopping district.
Pickerington has one of the strongest housing markets in the county with home prices 42% higher than the county average. Housing in this affluent suburb is in demand with families with a highly rated school district that includes Pickerington High School North, ranked #13 in the Columbus metro area with an impressive AP participation rate of 73%.
Residents also enjoy great parks and entertainment options like the large Pickerington Ponds Metro Park, the PYAA Sports Complex, and the Rule 3 bowling alley.
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#10. Whitehall
- Population: 18,915
- Area: 5.3 sq mi
- Population density: 3,584 people/sq mi
- Median age: 31.6
- Median household income: $42,526
- Median home price: $150,000
- Educational attainment: 85% high school grad or higher; 15% bachelor’s degree or higher
- Whitehall, OH map
The small suburb of Whitehall is just 15 minutes east of Columbus. The introduction of the country’s first regional shopping center in the late 40’s and expanding borders helped Whitehall experience rapid population growth. Between 1950 and 1960, it grew from 4,300 to more than 20,800 people! Today, it’s known for its affordability, growing economy, and diverse population with more than 20% of residents speaking a language other than English at home.
In recent years, Whitehall has experienced significant development which has brought in more jobs and better recreation for its residents. This includes a new headquarters for Heartland Bank, the Norton Crossing mixed-use development with luxury apartments, the new Whitehall Community Park, and the Whitehall Community Park YMCA.
List of Cities in Franklin County, OH
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Cities in Franklin County, OH Map
Franklin County Cities FAQ
How many cities are in Franklin County, OH?
There are 16 cities in Franklin County, Ohio. The county also has 10 villages and 17 townships. There are five census-designated places (CDPs) and about seven other unincorporated communities.
What is the most populous city in Franklin County?
The most populous city is Columbus, the county seat with a population of 902,000.
What is the wealthiest city in Franklin County, OH?
Dublin is the most affluent Franklin County city with a median household income of $137,900. It’s followed by Upper Arlington where households earn a median income of $123,500.
What is the largest city in Franklin County by area?
Columbus is the largest Franklin County, OH city by area with 219 square miles of area. That’s nearly half the area of the county! The second-largest city by area is Dublin with 24.7 square miles of area.
What is the Columbus, Ohio county name?
Columbus is the county seat of Franklin County.
Which of These Franklin County Cities Is Right for You?
Does one of these beautiful cities sound like the perfect place for your family? Whether you’ve decided on urban living in the capital or you’d prefer the space of the suburbs with excellent schools and outdoor recreation, Krupp Moving & Storage is ready to help. Give us a call once you’ve settled on a new neighborhood for a free, affordable moving estimate!
