WELCOME TO METROPOLITAN COLUMBUS
The metropolitan Columbus region is nestled in central Ohio. The City of Columbus is the capital of and the largest city in the state of Ohio. The city and its surrounding communities are home to more than 1.7 million people. This area and the counties that it encompasses are nationally recognized as being one of the nation’s finest places to live, work, play, and raise a family. Newcomers to this diverse region will discover a pleasing blend of urban neighborhoods, vibrant suburbs, master-planned and golf communities, and friendly small towns. In spite of the high quality of life, Greater Columbus offers a comparatively low cost of living. One of the many surprises that await new residents is the power of the housing dollar, particularly when compared to other major metropolitan centers.
Services
Residents of Metropolitan Columbus are serious about quality education, evidenced by highly respected public and private schools as well as highly respected institutions of higher education. Research centers join a network of public universities, private institutes, independent colleges, and strategically located community college campuses to ensure opportunities close to home. State-supported universities combine with a number of private colleges. With approximately 100,000 college students in the Metropolitan Area, there are a large number of people employed within higher education institutions. Large organizations include The Ohio State University, Capital University, Franklin University, Ohio Dominican University, and Columbus State Community College, as well as numerous other smaller colleges and schools.
Healthcare facilities are no less prolific or prestigious, encompassing teaching hospitals, research institutes, centers of excellence, regional medical centers, and support services of every type. Progressive healthcare systems ensure well-managed hospitals that excel in innovation. Columbus is home to many outstanding hospitals, The Grant Medical Center, located Downtown, is part of Ohio Health, a faith-based, non-profit organization. Ohio Health has been serving Columbus since 1891. In 2009, Grant was ranked by U.S. News and World Report as one of the United State’s best hospitals. Another Ohio Health operated hospital, Riverside Methodist, located in north-central Columbus, was also named one of the country’s best hospitals in 2009 by U.S. News and World Report. The Nationwide Children’s Hospital is one the country’s premier children’s hospital, ranked in the top 10 of NIH-supported centers for their category and is the fifth largest in the country. Other outstanding local hospitals include Ohio State University Medical Center, Mt. Carmel, Doctor’s Hospital, and University Hospital East, as well as others, and there are many specialty medical facilities throughout the city
