Plain City is a true Midwestern gem tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the big city but still only a half-hour's drive from Columbus. With a little more than 4,200 residents, the village still has that authentic small-town feel, and the quiet atmosphere, low crime rate, and focus on local history are just a few reasons why those just starting families or those who already have children call Plain City home.
Plain City's combination of good schools, low crime rate, and plenty of outdoor spaces makes it the perfect choice for families who want to raise their children in a safe, small-town environment away from the big city. The village is served by Jackson Alder Local School District, which includes two elementary schools, one middle school, a junior high, and a high school. There are approximately 2,200 students enrolled in the school system. The student-to-teacher ratio is 22:1, a bit above the Ohio average of 18:1, and the school is not very diverse, with less than 10 percent of students being minorities. However, what the school lacks in these areas, it makes up for with an impressive 97 percent graduation rate, well above the Ohio average of 82 percent, and test scores that run around 15 percent high than the rest of the state. The Plain City Public Library is popular with the village's youth and non-students alike. The facility offers plenty of family-friendly activities, such as Toddler Time, Story Time, and a LEGO Club, as well as community events and volunteer opportunities for adults.
The village has four main recreational areas: Pastime Campground, McKitrick Park, the Heritage Rail-Trail, and the Plain City Aquatics Center. Pastime Campground has spaces for both RVs and tent campers for a nominal fee, and it is open to the public from April to October. McKitrick Park is where residents go when they want to appreciate the beauty of nature and have some quiet time. The park is mostly wooded areas, and there is plenty of fishing to be had on Big Darby Creek. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources has also named part of the creek as a State Scenic River for its unique beauty. The Heritage Rail-Trail is a favorite with fitness enthusiasts, as the trail runs 6.1 miles from Plain City all the way to Hilliard. Walking, running, skating, and biking are all allowed on the trail. In the warm summer months, residents can cool off at the Aquatics Center, which features a sprayground for young children, a waterslide and diving board for the more adventurous, and plenty of space for parents to relax in lounge chairs. Residents can feel comfortable visiting these areas because the crime rate in Plain City is a full 66 percent lower than the rest of the state, coming in at only 1,062 crimes per 100,000 people. Minor property crimes are the most common.
The Farmers National Bank building in Plain City made it on to the National Register of Historic Places in 1995, and the downtown area serves as the hub for the historical district. Farmers National Bank was built in 1902 and cost only just over $15,000 at the time to build. It has changed names a few times over the years as other financial institutions came into town, but the structure serves as a visual reminder for residents of what Plain City looked like at the turn of the 20th century. The bank sits at the corner of Main Street and Chillicothe Street, and the original town clock is also nearby. The Plain City Historical Society is located in the downtown district, hosts local events, and operates the village's historical library and museum. The Pictorial History of Plain City exhibit can be see in the local library.
The median price of a home in Plain City is $384,900, and the average house size is almost 3,000 square feet. Three-fourths of homes in the areas have three to four bedrooms, but there are larger and more modest homes available as well. Houses in the village are fairly evenly split between older homes and newer builds. Twenty-two percent of homes were built before 1950, with the remaining 78 percent evenly split between the 1950-to-1989 and after-1990 categories. Expect to pay a premium for homes near the historic downtown or on the edges of the village. An occasional bargain can be had if you're willing to try a townhouse or put in the effort on a fixer upper. The housing market in Plain City is also relatively stable, which is an attractive feature for prospective buyers looking for a long-term investment.
While Plain City may not have some of the amenities of the more modern Columbus suburbs, it's the small-town charm and natural surroundings that set it apart.
