If you are relocating to the Central Ohio area and are looking for a great place to live, then a Blacklick Ohio home might be a great choice for you. Located along the banks of the meandering Blacklick Creek, Blacklick is a small community, currently unincorporated, about 20 minutes east of downtown Columbus. A collection of neighborhoods and developments, Blacklick currently resides in the limits of Jefferson Township located just to the north. The area has recently been recognized by several organizations in Ohio for working to prevent disorganized sprawl and choosing instead to maintain a careful, thoughtful approach to the area's rapid growth. Blacklick represents one of the more affordable options among Columbus' suburbs, with home values averaging in the low $ 100,000 range. Blacklick is a working-class suburb with a median household income slightly above the national average. The area also enjoys crime, unemployment and poverty rates below state and national rates.
Blacklick is also home to a number of apartment and condominium developments, many located in beautiful rural and suburban settings that allow residents to escape the high cost and noisy atmosphere of the city. Blacklick residents are served by four separate public school districts, divided along geographical lines through the region. Depending on their precise location, residents may be served by Columbus City Schools, Gahanna Jefferson City Schools, Licking Heights Local School District or Reynoldsburg City Schools. Columbus City Schools offer a large number of quality schools and preschool options. Gahanna Jefferson City Schools maintain seven public elementary schools, three middle schools and one central high school to serve its families' needs. As a district, these schools earned a state rating of "Excellent" for the 2009-2010 school year. Reynoldsburg City Schools maintain six elementary schools, four middle and junior high schools and one high school. These schools were collectively awarded the state rating of "Excellent" for the 2008-2009 school year. The Licking Heights School District offers three elementary schools, one middle school and one high school. Together, these schools were awarded a rating of "Excellent with Distinction," the highest available rating, by the state of Ohio.
Blacklick takes its name from Blacklick Creek, so named because the creek bed is dotted with darkly colored salt stones, which offer a mineral-rich treat for local animals and wildlife. The creek is a 27-mile long tributary of the larger Big Walnut Creek, which in turn flows into Scioto River, the largest water system in the central Ohio region. The area offers a number of water recreation opportunities.
Much of Blacklick's appealing draws from its status as an affordable, conveniently located yet quiet community within easy reach of Columbus. Located just five minutes from Columbus International Airport and interstate 670, Blacklick residents can gain fast access into or out of the Columbus area. Columbus itself has the offers of any large city and enjoys an economic diversity that leads to a great deal of insulation from economic downturns, making Blacklick a unique area in its ability to offer affordable housing options and a vibrant economic community nearby. Residents can enjoy a low-cost living at home and then commute into one of America's largest cities for work, shopping or other activities. This is why if you are moving to the Central Ohio area, a Blacklick home may be the right choice for you.