The village of Ashville, Ohio, is a small community of a little more than 4,000 people. Its proximity to Columbus — which is just 22 miles to the north and an average commute time of 25 minutes away — draws those who work in the big city but want to live a quieter lifestyle. The village is known for its low cost of living, low crime rates, good schools, and affordable housing, but it is the annual festivals that have garnered national attention. If you are looking for a small town with lots of charm and big city amenities just a short drive away, Ashville could be your next home.
Those with children will appreciate Ashville's school system, the Teays Valley Local School District. The district includes an elementary and a primary school as well as a middle and high school. Students enjoy the 17:1 student-to-teacher ratio, which allows for smaller class sizes. Test scores for the school district run about 28 percent higher than the national average. Residents with and without children also come to Ashville for the extremely low crime rate. With only 948 crimes per 100,000 people, Ashville's crime rate is nearly 70 percent lower than Ohio's average of 3,084 crimes per 100,000 people.
Ashville is home to the Younkin Branch of the Pickaway County District Public Library. Many of the village's residents come to the facility to check out the books, magazines, and digital materials, take advantage of on-site computers and free Internet access, and participate in one of the library's community programs. Popular choices include the story times for toddlers and preschool-aged children as well as summer reading programs for all ages. The library is closed on Fridays.
However, the village's biggest claim to fame and major draw for families are the festivals. The Ashville Viking Festival is held every year at the end of April, and events include historical reenactments, costumed actors, and live entertainment. Artisans and vendors are also on site. Admission is free, with those coming to the festival just asked to bring a food item. The 4th of July Celebration is Ashville's biggest event of the year, and it was even featured in a New York Times article. The celebration includes three parades, live music and entertainment, and the village's famous fish sandwiches, all topped off by the fireworks show on the 4th.
Even though it is only a short distance from the biggest city in Ohio, the village of Ashville has a rural setting. There's plenty of fresh air and greenspaces to be had, and residents take advantage of these when the weather is warm enough. Ashville Community Park is located just a short distance from the elementary school, and the park includes basketball and baseball facilities as well as a fenced in playground. Residents can also get in some miles and get their nature fix at the Pickaway and Towpath Trails, which are continually being expanded.
Because Ashville is located in the heart of Ohio farm country, it is relatively easy to find locally grown produce and meat. There are several farmers and produce markets within a 10-mile radius of the village, and local farmers often sell their goods here during the summer and autumn growing seasons. Interested residents may also be able to join local co-ops or try their hands at some backyard gardening of their own. While there's only one grocery store in Ashville — the local IGA — a day trip to Columbus gives you access to plenty of organic grocery stores and fresh markets.
The housing market in Ashville is fairly varied, with the typical Midwestern bungalows and a spattering of old farmhouses mixed in with newer builds in housing developments. Almost half of homes have three bedrooms, with 23 and 21 percent having two and four bedrooms, respectively. Because this is a more modest area, only 3 percent of homes boast five or more bedrooms. The median price and average square footage of a home in this area is $164,900 and 1,640 feet, but there are plenty of homes on either side of the spectrum as well. Forty-three percent of homes are more recent — 1990 or later — constructions, but another 36 percent were built between 1950 and 1989. For those looking for old-school charm, character, and maybe even fixer-upper potential, it may be worth trying to get one of the 21 percent of homes built prior to 1950.
While Ashville is one of the quieter Columbus suburbs, it has plenty to offer those who are looking for their own little piece of the country.
