Columbus, Ohio - Wikipedia Columbus, Ohio Columbus, Ohio City City of Columbus Images, from top left to right : Downtown Columbus, Ohio Statehouse Capitol Square, University Hall ( Ohio State University ), Short North, Nationwide Arena, Santa Maria replica Flag Seal Nickname ( s ) : The Discovery City, Arch City, Indie Art Capital, Cowtown, The Biggest Small Town in America, Cbus Location in Franklin County Location in the state of Ohio, US Columbus, Ohio Columbus, Ohio Columbus, Ohio Show map of Ohio Show map of the US Show map of North America Show all Location in Ohio, United States & North America Coordinates : 39 ° 59 ′ N 82 ° 59 ′ W ﻿ / ﻿ 39.983 ° N 82.983 ° W ﻿ / 39.983 ; - 82.983 Coordinates : 39 ° 59 ′ N 82 ° 59 ′ W ﻿ / ﻿ 39.983 ° N 82.983 ° W ﻿ / 39.983 ; - 82.983 Country United States State Ohio Counties Delaware, Fairfield, Franklin, Pickaway Settled February 14, 1812 Named for Christopher Columbus Government Mayor Andrew J. Ginther ( D ) City Council Members Elizabeth C. Brown ( D ) Mitchell J. Brown ( D ) Shannon G. Hardin ( D ) Zachary M. Klein ( D ) Jaiza N. Page ( D ) Michael Stinziano ( D ) Priscilla R. Tyson ( D ) Area City 223.11 sq mi ( 577.85 km ) Land 217.17 sq mi ( 562.47 km ) Water 5.94 sq mi ( 15.38 km ) Elevation 902 ft ( 275 m ) Population ( 2010 ) City 787,033 Estimate ( 2016 ) 860,090 Rank US : 14th Density 3,624.0 / sq mi ( 1,399.2 / km ) Urban 1,368,035 ( US : 36th ) Metro 2,021,632 ( US : 32nd ) CSA 2,424,831 ( US : 25th ) Demonym ( s ) Columbusite Time zone EST ( UTC - 5 ) Summer ( DST ) EDT ( UTC - 4 ) ZIP codes Zip codes 43085, 43201 - 43207, 43209 - 43224, 43226 - 43232, 43234 - 43236, 43240, 43251, 43260, 43266, 43268, 43270 - 43272, 43279, 43287, 43291 Area codes 614, 380 FIPS code 39 - 18000 GNIS feature ID 1080996 Website City of Columbus Columbus ( / kəˈlʌmbəs / kə - LUM - bəs ) is the state capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Ohio. It is the 14th-most populous city in the United States, with a population of 860,090 as of 2016 estimates. This makes Columbus the 3rd-most populous state capital in the United States after Phoenix, Arizona and Austin, Texas, and the second-most populous city in the Midwestern United States, after Chicago. It is the core city of the Columbus, Ohio, Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses ten counties. With a population of 2,021,632, it is Ohio 's third - largest metropolitan area. Columbus is the county seat of Franklin County. The city proper has also expanded and annexed portions of adjoining Delaware County and Fairfield County. Named for explorer Christopher Columbus, the city was founded in 1812 at the confluence of the Scioto and Olentangy rivers, and assumed the functions of state capital in 1816. The city has a diverse economy based on education, government, insurance, banking, defense, aviation, food, clothes, logistics, steel, energy, medical research, health care, hospitality, retail, and technology. Columbus is home to the Battelle Memorial Institute, the world 's largest private research and development foundation ; Chemical Abstracts Service, the world 's largest clearinghouse of chemical information ; NetJets, the world 's largest fractional ownership jet aircraft fleet ; and The Ohio State University, one of the largest universities in the United States. As of 2013, the city has the headquarters of five corporations in the U.S. Fortune 500 : Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, American Electric Power, L Brands, Big Lots, and Cardinal Health. The food service corporations Wendy 's, Donatos Pizza, Bob Evans, Max & Erma 's and White Castle and the nationally known companies Red Roof Inn, Rogue Fitness, and Safelite are also based in the metropolitan area. In 2016, Money Magazine ranked Columbus as one of `` The 6 Best Big Cities '', calling it the best in the Midwest, citing a highly educated workforce and excellent wage growth. In 2012, Columbus was ranked in BusinessWeek 's 50 best cities in America. In 2013, Forbes gave Columbus an `` A '' rating as one of the top cities for business in the U.S., and later that year included the city on its list of Best Places for Business and Careers. Columbus was also ranked as the No. 1 up - and - coming tech city in the nation by Forbes in 2008, and the city was ranked a top - ten city by Relocate America in 2010. In 2007, fDi Magazine ranked the city no. 3 in the U.S. for cities of the future, and the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium was rated no. 1 in 2009 by USA Travel Guide. Contents 1 History 1.1 Ohio Country 1.2 Virginia Military District 1.3 19th century 1.4 20th century to the present 1.4. 1 Aviation 2 Geography 2.1 Neighborhoods 2.2 Climate 3 Demographics 3.1 2000 census 3.2 2010 census 3.3 Rankings 4 Religion 5 Economy 5.1 Landmarks 5.1. 1 Landmark photos 5.2 Museums 5.3 Performing arts 5.3. 1 Film 6 Sports 6.1 Professional teams 6.2 Ohio State Buckeyes 6.3 Other sports 7 Parks and attractions 7.1 Fairs and festivals 7.2 Shopping 8 Law and government 8.1 Mayor and city council 8.2 Law 9 Education 9.1 Colleges and universities 9.2 Primary and secondary schools 9.3 Libraries 10 Media 10.1 Print 10.2 Television 10.3 Radio 11 Transportation 11.1 Grid and address system 11.2 Highways 11.3 Bridges 11.4 Airports 11.5 Mass transit 11.6 Bicycle 12 Notable people 13 Sister cities 14 See also 15 Notes 16 References 17 Bibliography 18 Further reading 19 External links History See also : Timeline of Columbus, Ohio Ohio country Map of the Ohio Country between 1775 -- 1794 depicting locations of battles and massacres surrounding the area that would eventually become Ohio. The area including modern - day Columbus once comprised the Ohio Country, under the nominal control of the French colonial empire through the Viceroyalty of New France from 1663 until 1763. In the 18th century, European traders flocked to the area, attracted by the fur trade. The area found itself frequently caught between warring factions, including American Indian and European interests. In the 1740s, Pennsylvania traders overran the territory until the French forcibly evicted them. In the early 1750s, the Ohio Company sent George Washington to the Ohio Country to survey. Fighting for control of the territory in the French and Indian War ( 1754 - 1763 ) became part of the international Seven Years ' War ( 1756 - 1763 ). During this period, the region routinely suffered turmoil, massacres, and battles. The 1763 Treaty of Paris ceded the Ohio Country to the British Empire. Virginia Military district After the American Revolution, the Ohio Country became part of the Virginia Military District, under the control of the United States. Colonists from the East Coast moved in, but rather than finding an empty frontier, they encountered people of the Miami, Delaware, Wyandot, Shawnee, and Mingo nations, as well as European traders. The tribes resisted expansion by the fledgling United States, leading to years of bitter conflict. The decisive Battle of Fallen Timbers resulted in the Treaty of Greenville, which finally opened the way for new settlements. By 1797, a young surveyor from Virginia named Lucas Sullivant had founded a permanent settlement on the west bank of the forks of the Scioto River and Olentangy River. An admirer of Benjamin Franklin, Sullivant chose to name his frontier village `` Franklinton ''. The location was desirable for its proximity to navigable rivers -- but Sullivant was initially foiled when, in 1798, a large flood wiped out the new settlement. He persevered, and the village was rebuilt. 19th century Old City Hall, completed in 1872 and burned in 1921 After Ohio achieved statehood in 1803, political infighting among prominent Ohio leaders led to the state capital moving from Chillicothe to Zanesville and back again. Desiring to settle on a location, the state legislature considered Franklinton, Dublin, Worthington, and Delaware before compromising on a plan to build a new city in the state 's center, near major transportation routes, primarily rivers. Named in honor of Christopher Columbus, the city was founded on February 14, 1812, on the `` High Banks opposite Franklinton at the Forks of the Scioto most known as Wolf 's Ridge. '' At the time, this area was a dense forestland, used only as a hunting ground. The `` Burough of Columbus '' ( sic ) was officially established on February 10, 1816. Nine people were elected to fill the various positions of Mayor, Treasurer, and several others. Although the recent War of 1812 had brought prosperity to the area, the subsequent recession and conflicting claims to the land threatened the new town 's success. Early conditions were abysmal with frequent bouts of fevers and an outbreak of cholera in 1833. The National Road reached Columbus from Baltimore in 1831, which complemented the city 's new link to the Ohio and Erie Canal and facilitated a population boom. A wave of European immigrants led to the creation of two ethnic enclaves on the city 's outskirts. A large Irish population settled in the north along Naghten Street ( presently Nationwide Boulevard ), while the Germans took advantage of the cheap land to the south, creating a community that came to be known as the Das Alte Südende ( The Old South End ). Columbus 's German population constructed numerous breweries, Trinity Lutheran Seminary, and Capital University. The Great Southern Hotel, located in downtown Columbus was completed in 1897 With a population of 3,500, Columbus was officially chartered as a city on March 3, 1834. On that day the legislature carried out a special act, which granted legislative authority to the city council and judicial authority to the mayor. Elections were held in April of that year, with voters choosing one John Brooks as the first mayor. Columbus annexed the then - separate city of Franklinton in 1837. In 1850, the Columbus and Xenia Railroad became the first railroad into the city, followed by the Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati Railroad in 1851. The two railroads built a joint Union Station on the east side of High Street just north of Naghten ( then called North Public Lane ). Rail traffic into Columbus increased -- by 1875, eight railroads served Columbus, and the rail companies built a new, more elaborate station. On January 7, 1857, the Ohio Statehouse finally opened after 18 years of construction. Legendary Columbus native James Thurber, subject of TIME Magazine 's July 9, 1951, cover Before the abolition of slavery in the South in 1863, the Underground Railroad was active in Columbus ; led, in part, by James Preston Poindexter. Poindexter arrived in Columbus in the 1830s and became a Baptist Preacher and leader in the city 's African - American community until the turn of the century. During the Civil War, Columbus was a major base for the volunteer Union Army. It housed 26,000 troops and held up to 9,000 Confederate prisoners of war at Camp Chase, at what is now the Hilltop neighborhood of west Columbus. Over 2,000 Confederate soldiers remain buried at the site, making it one of the North 's largest Confederate cemeteries. North of Columbus, along the Delaware Road, the Regular Army established Camp Thomas, where the 18th U.S. Infantry organized and trained. By virtue of the Morrill Land - Grant Colleges Act, the Ohio Agricultural and Mechanical College ( which became The Ohio State University ) founded in 1870 on the former estate of William and Hannah Neil. Waterford Tower, shadowed by the Miranova Condominiums in downtown Columbus. By the end of the 19th century, Columbus was home to several major manufacturing businesses. The city became known as the `` Buggy Capital of the World, '' thanks to the two dozen buggy factories -- notably the Columbus Buggy Company, founded in 1875 by C.D. Firestone. The Columbus Consolidated Brewing Company also rose to prominence during this time, and might have achieved even greater success were it not for the Anti-Saloon League in neighboring Westerville. In the steel industry, a forward - thinking man named Samuel P. Bush presided over the Buckeye Steel Castings Company. Columbus was also a popular location for labor organizations. In 1886, Samuel Gompers founded the American Federation of Labor in Druid 's Hall on S. Fourth Street, and in 1890 the United Mine Workers of America was founded at old City Hall. In 1894, James Thurber, who would go on to an illustrious literary career in Paris and New York City, was born in the city. Today the Ohio State 's theater department has a performance center named in his honor, and his youthful home near the Discovery District is on the National Register of Historic Places. 20th century to the present Street arches returned to the Short North in late 2002 `` The Columbus Experiment '' was an internationally recognized environmental project in 1908, which involved construction of the first water plant in the world to apply filtration and softening, designed and invented by two brothers, Clarence and Charles Hoover. Those working to construct the project included Jeremiah O'Shaughnessy, name - bearer of the Columbus metropolitan area 's O'Shaughnessy Dam. This invention helped drastically reduce typhoid deaths. The essential design is still used today. Columbus earned one of its nicknames, The Arch City, because of the dozens of wooden arches that spanned High Street at the turn of the 20th century. The arches illuminated the thoroughfare and eventually became the means by which electric power was provided to the new streetcars. The city tore down the arches and replaced them with cluster lights in 1914 but reconstructed them from metal in the Short North district in 2002 for their unique historical interest. On March 25, 1913, the Great Flood of 1913 devastated the neighborhood of Franklinton, leaving over ninety people dead and thousands of West Side residents homeless. To prevent flooding, the Army Corps of Engineers recommended widening the Scioto River through downtown, constructing new bridges, and building a retaining wall along its banks. With the strength of the post-World War I economy, a construction boom occurred in the 1920s, resulting in a new Civic center, the Ohio Theatre, the American Insurance Union Citadel, and, to the north, a massive new Ohio Stadium. Although the American Professional Football Association was founded in Canton in 1920, its head offices moved to Columbus in 1921 to the New Hayden Building and remained in the city until 1941. In 1922, the association 's name was changed to the National Football League. A decade later, in 1931, at a convention in the city, the Jehovah 's Witnesses took that name by which they are known today. Columbus Convention Center, downtown The effects of the Great Depression were somewhat less severe in Columbus, as the city 's diversified economy helped it fare marginally better than its Rust Belt neighbors. World War II brought a tremendous number of new jobs, and with it another population surge. This time, the majority of new arrivals were migrants from the `` extraordinarily depressed rural areas '' of Appalachia, who would soon account for more than a third of Columbus 's rising population. In 1948, the Town and Country Shopping Center opened in suburban Whitehall, and it is now regarded as one of the first modern shopping centers in the United States. Columbus artist James Mason 's French Topiary Gardens at the Old Deaf School Park, constructed in 1989 in downtown, was conceptually conceived from Georges Seurat 's A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte. The construction of the interstate highway signaled the arrival of rapid suburb development in central Ohio. To protect the city 's tax base from this suburbanization, Columbus adopted a policy of linking sewer and water hookups to annexation to the city. By the early 1990s, Columbus had grown to become Ohio 's largest city in land area and in population. Efforts to revitalize downtown Columbus have had some success in recent decades, though like most major American cities, some architectural heritage was lost in the process. In the 1970s, landmarks such as Union Station and the Neil House Hotel were razed to construct high - rise offices and big retail space. The National City Bank building was constructed in 1977, as well as the Nationwide Plazas and other towers that sprouted during this period. The construction of the Greater Columbus Convention Center has brought major conventions and trade shows to the city. The Scioto Mile is a showcase park being developed along the riverfront, an area that already had the Miranova Corporate Center and The Condominiums at North Bank Park. Corporate interests have developed Capitol Square, including the local NBC affiliate at the corner of Broad and High. The 2010 United States foreclosure crisis forced the city to purchase numerous foreclosed, vacant properties to renovate or demolish them -- at a cost of tens of millions of dollars. As of February 2011, Columbus had 6,117 vacant properties, according to city officials. Charles Lindbergh visited in 1928 for an aviation campaign. Aviation In 1907, 14 - year - old Cromwell Dixon built the SkyCycle, a pedal - powered blimp, which he flew at Driving Park. Three years later, one of the Wright Brothers ' exhibition pilots, Phillip Parmalee, conducted the world 's first commercial cargo flight when he flew two packages containing 88 kilograms of silk 70 miles ( 110 km ) from Dayton to Columbus in a Wright Model B. Military aviators from Columbus distinguished themselves during World War I. Six Columbus pilots, led by top ace Eddie Rickenbacker, achieved forty - two `` kills '' -- a full 10 % of all US aerial victories in the war, and more than the aviators of any other American city. After the war, Port Columbus Airport became the axis of a coordinated rail - to - air transcontinental system that moved passengers from the East Coast to the West. TAT, which later became TWA, provided commercial service, following Charles Lindbergh 's promotion of Columbus to the nation for such a hub. Following the failure of a bond levy in 1927 to build the airport, Lindbergh campaigned in the city in 1928, and the next bond levy passed that year. On July 8, 1929 the airport opened for business with the inaugural TAT west - bound flight from Columbus to Waynoka, Oklahoma. Among the 19 passengers on that flight was Amelia Earhart, with Henry Ford and Harvey Firestone attending the opening ceremonies. In 1964, Ohio native Geraldine Fredritz Mock became the first woman to fly around the world, leaving from Columbus and piloting the Spirit of Columbus. Her flight lasted nearly a month, and set a record for speed for planes under 3,858 pounds ( 1,750 kg ). Geography Main article : Geography of Columbus, Ohio Skyline of Columbus. John Glenn Columbus International Airport taken from the International Space Station The confluence of the Scioto and Olentangy rivers occurs just north - west of Downtown Columbus. Several smaller tributaries course through the Columbus metropolitan area, including Alum Creek, Big Walnut Creek, and Darby Creek. Columbus is considered to have relatively flat topography thanks to a large glacier that covered most of Ohio during the Wisconsin Ice Age. However, there are sizable differences in elevation through the area, with the high point of Franklin County being 1,132 ft ( 345 m ) above sea level near New Albany, and the low point being 670 ft ( 200 m ) where the Scioto River leaves the county near Lockbourne. Numerous ravines near the rivers and creeks also add variety to the landscape. Tributaries to Alum Creek and the Olentangy River cut through shale, while tributaries to the Scioto River cut through limestone. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 223.11 square miles ( 577.85 km ), of which 217.17 square miles ( 562.47 km ) is land and 5.94 square miles ( 15.38 km ) is water. Neighborhoods Main article : Neighborhoods in Columbus, Ohio Arena District Brewery District Clintonville Downtown East Columbus Easton Town Center Forest Park Franklinton German Village Harrison West Italian Village King - Lincoln Bronzeville Merion Village Near East Side Northland Old Oaks Olde Towne East The Short North University District Uptown Victorian Village Climate The city 's climate is humid continental ( Köppen climate classification Dfa ) transitional with the humid subtropical climate to the south characterized by hot, muggy summers and cold, dry winters. Columbus is within USDA hardiness zone 6a. Winter snowfall is relatively light, since the city is not in the typical path of strong winter lows, such as the Nor'easters that strike cities farther east. It is also too far south and west for lake - effect snow from Lake Erie to have much effect, although the lakes to the North do contribute to long stretches of cloudy spells in winter. The highest temperature ever recorded in Columbus was 106 ° F ( 41 ° C ), which occurred twice during the Dust Bowl of the 1930s -- once on July 21, 1934, and again on July 14, 1936. The lowest temperature ever recorded was − 22 ° F ( − 30 ° C ), occurring on January 19, 1994. ( wind chill was − 63 ° F ( − 53 ° C ) ). Columbus is subject to severe weather typical to the Midwestern United States. Severe thunderstorms can bring lightning, large hail and on rare occasion tornadoes, especially during the spring and sometimes through fall. A tornado which occurred on October 11, 2006 caused F2 damage. Floods, blizzards, and ice storms can also occur from time to time. Climate data for Columbus, Ohio ( Port Columbus Int'l ), 1981 -- 2010 normals, extremes 1878 -- present Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year Record high ° F ( ° C ) 74 ( 23 ) 78 ( 26 ) 85 ( 29 ) 90 ( 32 ) 96 ( 36 ) 102 ( 39 ) 106 ( 41 ) 103 ( 39 ) 100 ( 38 ) 91 ( 33 ) 80 ( 27 ) 76 ( 24 ) 106 ( 41 ) Mean maximum ° F ( ° C ) 58.7 ( 14.8 ) 63.3 ( 17.4 ) 74.8 ( 23.8 ) 82.2 ( 27.9 ) 87.1 ( 30.6 ) 92.2 ( 33.4 ) 93.5 ( 34.2 ) 92.7 ( 33.7 ) 89.3 ( 31.8 ) 82.1 ( 27.8 ) 71.4 ( 21.9 ) 61.3 ( 16.3 ) 94.9 ( 34.9 ) Average high ° F ( ° C ) 36.5 ( 2.5 ) 40.6 ( 4.8 ) 51.1 ( 10.6 ) 63.5 ( 17.5 ) 72.9 ( 22.7 ) 81.6 ( 27.6 ) 84.9 ( 29.4 ) 83.7 ( 28.7 ) 77.0 ( 25 ) 65.1 ( 18.4 ) 52.6 ( 11.4 ) 40.1 ( 4.5 ) 62.6 ( 17 ) Average low ° F ( ° C ) 22.6 ( − 5.2 ) 25.0 ( − 3.9 ) 32.7 ( 0.4 ) 42.6 ( 5.9 ) 52.2 ( 11.2 ) 61.5 ( 16.4 ) 65.5 ( 18.6 ) 64.1 ( 17.8 ) 56.5 ( 13.6 ) 45.0 ( 7.2 ) 36.1 ( 2.3 ) 26.8 ( − 2.9 ) 44.3 ( 6.8 ) Mean minimum ° F ( ° C ) 0.8 ( − 17.3 ) 5.5 ( − 14.7 ) 13.8 ( − 10.1 ) 26.0 ( − 3.3 ) 36.9 ( 2.7 ) 47.2 ( 8.4 ) 53.0 ( 11.7 ) 52.3 ( 11.3 ) 40.6 ( 4.8 ) 29.9 ( − 1.2 ) 20.4 ( − 6.4 ) 7.4 ( − 13.7 ) − 3.4 ( − 19.7 ) Record low ° F ( ° C ) − 22 ( − 30 ) − 20 ( − 29 ) − 6 ( − 21 ) 14 ( − 10 ) 25 ( − 4 ) 35 ( 2 ) 43 ( 6 ) 39 ( 4 ) 31 ( − 1 ) 17 ( − 8 ) − 5 ( − 21 ) − 17 ( − 27 ) − 22 ( − 30 ) Average precipitation inches ( mm ) 2.73 ( 69.3 ) 2.25 ( 57.2 ) 3.02 ( 76.7 ) 3.40 ( 86.4 ) 4.17 ( 105.9 ) 4.01 ( 101.9 ) 4.79 ( 121.7 ) 3.32 ( 84.3 ) 2.84 ( 72.1 ) 2.61 ( 66.3 ) 3.20 ( 81.3 ) 2.97 ( 75.4 ) 39.31 ( 998.5 ) Average snowfall inches ( cm ) 9.2 ( 23.4 ) 6.1 ( 15.5 ) 4.2 ( 10.7 ) 1.1 ( 2.8 ) trace 0 ( 0 ) 0 ( 0 ) 0 ( 0 ) 0 ( 0 ) 0.2 ( 0.5 ) 0.9 ( 2.3 ) 5.0 ( 12.7 ) 26.7 ( 67.8 ) Average precipitation days ( ≥ 0.01 in ) 14.0 11.4 12.8 13.7 13.9 11.2 10.6 9.2 8.4 9.4 11.4 13.2 139.2 Average snowy days ( ≥ 0.1 in ) 9.1 6.6 4.5 1.2 0 0 0 0 0 0.1 1.8 6.5 29.8 Average relative humidity ( % ) 71.4 69.5 64.5 62.5 66.5 68.5 70.6 72.8 72.8 69.3 71.8 74.1 69.5 Mean monthly sunshine hours 110.6 126.3 162.0 201.8 243.4 258.1 260.9 235.9 212.0 183.1 104.2 84.3 2,182.6 Percent possible sunshine 37 42 44 51 55 57 57 56 57 53 35 29 49 Source : NOAA ( sun 1961 -- 1990 ) Demographics Historical population Census Pop. % ± 1830 2,435 -- 1840 6,048 148.4 % 1850 17,882 195.7 % 1860 18,554 3.8 % 1870 31,274 68.6 % 1880 51,647 65.1 % 1890 88,150 70.7 % 1900 125,560 42.4 % 1910 181,511 44.6 % 1920 237,031 30.6 % 1930 290,564 22.6 % 1940 306,087 5.3 % 1950 375,901 22.8 % 1960 471,316 25.4 % 1970 539,677 14.5 % 1980 564,871 4.7 % 1990 632,910 12.0 % 2000 711,470 12.4 % 787,033 10.6 % Est. 2016 860,090 9.3 % U.S. Decennial Census 2015 Estimate Racial composition 1990 1970 1950 White 61.5 % 74.4 % 81.0 % 87.5 % -- Non-Hispanic 59.3 % 73.8 % 80.4 % n / a Black or African American 28.0 % 22.6 % 18.5 % 12.4 % Hispanic or Latino ( of any race ) 5.6 % 1.1 % 0.6 % n / a Asian 4.1 % 2.4 % 0.2 % 0.1 % Map of racial distribution in Columbus, 2010 U.S. Census. Each dot is 25 people : White, Black, Asian Hispanic, or Other ( yellow ) In 1900, whites made up 93.4 % of the population. Though European immigration has been on a decline, the Columbus metropolitan area has recently experienced increases in African, Asian, and Latin American immigration, including groups from Mexico, India, Somalia, and China. Although the Asian population is diverse, the city 's Hispanic community is mainly made up of Mexicans, though there is a notable Puerto Rican population as well. Many other countries of origin are represented in lesser numbers, largely due to the international draw of The Ohio State University. 2008 estimates indicate that roughly 116,000 of the city 's residents are foreign - born, accounting for 82 % of the new residents between 2000 -- 2006 at a rate of 105 per week. 40 % of the immigrants came from Asia, 23 % from Africa, 22 % from Latin America, and 13 % from Europe. The city had the second largest Somali and Somali American population in the country, as of 2004. Due to its demographics, which include a mix of races and a wide range of incomes, as well as urban, suburban, and nearby rural areas, Columbus is considered a `` typical '' American city, leading retail and restaurant chains to use it as a test market for new products. 2000 Census As of the 2000 census, 711,470 people, 301,534 households, and 165,240 families lived in the city. The population density was 3,383.6 inhabitants per square mile ( 1,306.4 / km ). There were 327,175 housing units at an average density of 1,556.0 per square mile ( 600.8 / km ). The racial makeup of the city was 67.93 % White, 24.47 % Black or African American, 0.29 % Native American, 3.44 % Asian, 0.05 % Pacific Islander, 1.17 % from other races, and 2.65 % from two or more races. 2.46 % of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. The five most common ancestries reported were German ( 19.4 % ), Irish ( 11.7 % ), English ( 7.9 % ), Polish ( 7.2 % ), and Italian ( 5.0 % ). The Ohio State University attracts thousands of students from all over the world There were 301,534 households out of which 28.0 % had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.1 % were married couples living together and 45.2 % were non-families. 34.1 % of all households were made up of individuals and 7.0 % had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 3.01. The age distribution is 24.2 % under the age of 18, 14.0 % from 18 to 24, 35.1 % from 25 to 44, 17.9 % from 45 to 64, and 8.9 % who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 94.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.9 males. The median income for a household in the city was $37,897, and the median income for a family was $47,391. Males had a median income of $35,138 versus $28,705 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,450. About 10.8 % of families and 14.8 % of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.7 % of those under age 18 and 10.9 % of those age 65 or over. 2010 Census As of the census of 2010, there were 787,033 people, 331,602 households, and 176,037 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,624.0 inhabitants per square mile ( 1,399.2 / km ). There were 370,965 housing units at an average density of 1,708.2 per square mile ( 659.5 / km ). The racial makeup of the city was 61.5 % White, 28.0 % African American, 0.3 % Native American, 4.1 % Asian, 0.1 % Pacific Islander, 2.9 % from other races, and 3.3 % from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.6 % of the population. Of the 331,602 households, 29.1 % had children under the age of 18, 32.0 % were married couples living together, 15.9 % had a female householder with no husband present, 5.1 % had a male householder with no wife present, and 46.9 % were non-families. 35.1 % of all households were made up of individuals and 7.2 % had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 3.04. The median age in the city was 31.2 years. 23.2 % of residents were under the age of 18 ; 14 % were between the ages of 18 and 24 ; 32.3 % were from 25 to 44 ; 21.8 % were from 45 to 64 ; and 8.6 % were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.8 % male and 51.2 % female. According to the `` 2013 Japanese Direct Investment Survey '' by the Consulate - General of Japan in Detroit, 705 Japanese nationals lived in Columbus, making it the municipality with the state 's second largest Japanese national population, after Dublin. Rankings Columbus was ranked as the 15th most literate city in the country in 2008 by Central Connecticut State University, and the 19th best educated. In 2006, Columbus was ranked by CNN Money as the 8th best big city in the country to live in. In 2012, Columbus was ranked by Bloomberg Businessweek as America 's 20th Best City, the highest - ranked city in Ohio. In 2010, the city was ranked as the second most manly city in the country by Sperling 's BestPlaces, up from number 7 in 2009. Also, that same year, the Dole Nutrition Institute named Columbus as a top city for salad consumption. In 2013, the Intelligent Communities Forum named Columbus the most intelligent city in the United States. Religion Holy Name Church is located in the University District of Columbus According to Sperling 's BestPlaces, 37.6 % of Columbus residents are religious. Of this group, 15.7 % identify as Protestant, 13.7 % as Catholic, 1.5 % as Jewish, 0.6 % as Muslim, and 0.5 % as Mormon. Places of worship include St. Paul 's Lutheran Church and Lamb of God Lutheran Church of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod, ISKCON Columbus, Trinity Episcopal Church, Global Community United Methodist Church, Christian Community Church North, the Glenwood United Methodist Church, Broad Street United Methodist Church, First Unitarian Universalist Church of Columbus, Second Presbyterian Church, St. Paul 's Episcopal Church, Shiloh Baptist Church, Roman Catholic Church 's St. Joseph 's Cathedral, ( the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Columbus ), the St. Thomas More Newman Center ( Catholic ), Holy Name Catholic Church, Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church, Columbus Chinese Christian Church, All Nations Christian Fellowship ( ANCF ), Veritas Community Church, the Indianola Church of Christ, the Greek Orthodox Church 's Annunciation Cathedral, North Columbus Friends Meeting ( Quaker ), The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter - day Saints Columbus Ohio Temple, Russian Baptist Fellowship in Westerville, Russian Baptist Church of Columbus ( in Dublin, OH ), the Ahlul Bayt Islamic Center, the Muslim Noor Islamic Cultural Center, Beth Jacob Synagogue ( Orthodox Jewish ) and the Reform Jewish Temple Israel, the oldest synagogue in Columbus, Life Church at Easton in NE Columbus and The First Baptist Church of Columbus, Ohio, one of the oldest baptist churches in Columbus located in East Columbus. Megachurches include Xenos Christian Fellowship, Vineyard Columbus, World Harvest Church located in a southeast suburb and the First Church of God located in Southeast Columbus off of State Route 104 and Refugee Road. Religious teaching institutions include the Trinity Lutheran Seminary and the Pontifical College Josephinum. Economy Main article : Economy of Columbus OPERS building, downtown Columbus has a generally strong and diverse economy based on education, insurance, banking, fashion, defense, aviation, food, logistics, steel, energy, medical research, health care, hospitality, retail, and technology. In 2010, it was one of the 10 best big cities in the country, according to Relocate America, a real estate research firm. MarketWatch ranked Columbus and its metro area as the No. 7 best place in the country to operate a business in 2008. In 2012, Forbes Magazine ranked the city as the best city for working moms. In 2007, the city was ranked No. 3 in the United States by fDi magazine for `` Cities of the Future '', and No. 4 for most business - friendly in the country. Columbus was ranked as the seventh strongest economy in the United States in 2006, and the best in Ohio, according to Policom Corp. In 2011, the Columbus metropolitan area 's GDP was $94.7 billion, up from $90 billion in 2009, up from $85.5 billion in 2006, $75.43 billion in 2005, and $69.98 billion in 2001. SERS building, downtown During the recession beginning in late 2007, Columbus 's economy was not impacted as much as the rest of the country, due to decades of diversification work by long - time corporate residents, business leaders, and political leaders. The administration of former mayor Michael B. Coleman continued this work, although the city faced financial turmoil and had to increase taxes, allegedly due in part to fiscal mismanagement. Because Columbus is the state capital, there is a large government presence in the city. Including city, county, state, and federal employers, government jobs provide the largest single source of employment within Columbus. In 2013, the city had four corporations named to the U.S. Fortune 500 list : Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, American Electric Power, L Brands, and Big Lots, with Cardinal Health located in suburban Dublin. Other major employers in the area include numerous schools ( for example, The Ohio State University ) and hospitals, hi - tech research and development including the Battelle Memorial Institute, information / library companies such as OCLC and Chemical Abstracts, steel processing and pressure cylinder manufacturer Worthington Industries, financial institutions such as JP Morgan Chase and Huntington Bancshares, as well as Owens Corning. Wendy 's and White Castle are also headquartered in Columbus. Major foreign corporations operating or with divisions in the city include Germany - based Siemens and Roxane Laboratories, Finland - based Vaisala, Tomasco Mulciber Inc., AY Manufacturing, as well as Switzerland - based ABB Group and Mettler Toledo. Landmarks See also : List of tallest buildings in Columbus, Ohio Columbus is home to several notable buildings, including the Greek Revival State Capitol, the art - deco Ohio Judicial Center and the Peter Eisenman - designed Wexner Center and Greater Columbus Convention Center. Other buildings of interest include the Rhodes State Office Tower, LeVeque Tower, and One Nationwide Plaza. The Ohio Statehouse construction began in 1839 on a 10 - acre ( 4 ha ) plot of land donated by four prominent Columbus landowners. This plot formed Capitol Square, which was not part of the original layout of the city. Built of Columbus limestone from the Marble Cliff Quarry Co., the Statehouse stands on foundations 18 feet ( 5.5 m ) deep, laid by prison labor gangs rumored to have been composed largely of masons jailed for minor infractions. The Statehouse features a central recessed porch with a colonnade of a forthright and primitive Greek Doric mode. A broad and low central pediment supports the windowed astylar drum under an invisibly low saucer dome that lights the interior rotunda. Unlike many U.S. state capitol buildings, the Ohio State Capitol owes little to the architecture of the national Capitol. During the long course of the Statehouse 's 22 years of construction, seven architects were employed. Relations between the legislature and the architects were not always cordial : Nathan B. Kelly, who introduced heating and an ingenious system of natural forced ventilation, was dismissed because the commissioners found his designs too lavish for the original intentions of the committee. The Statehouse was opened to the legislature and the public in 1857 and finally completed in 1861. It is located at the intersection of Broad and High Streets in downtown Columbus. In 1941, a New Deal artist named Rainey Bennett painted a 13 panel oil on canvas mural for the Neil House Hotel in Columbus. The building was destroyed to make way for the Huntington Center and the whereabouts of the panels are unknown. Founded in 1975, The Jefferson Center for Learning and the Arts is a campus of nonprofit organizations and a center for research, publications, and seminars on nonprofit leadership and governance. Located at the eastern edge of downtown Columbus, The Jefferson Center has restored 11 turn - of - the - century homes, including the childhood residence of James Thurber. These locations are used for nonprofits in human services, education and the arts. A to - scale replica of the Santa Maria is found on the Scioto Riverfront. It was installed in 1992 to commemorate the 500 - year anniversary of the discovery of America by Columbus 's namesake. As of 2013, the Santa Maria has been removed from the riverfront to make way for the Scioto Greenways project, a restoration of the Scioto River through downtown. Currently there are no plans to return the replica as it needs significant renovations. Within the Driving Park heritage district lies the original home of Eddie Rickenbacker, the famous World War I fighter pilot ace. Reconstruction of the home is underway. Established in 1848, Green Lawn Cemetery is one of the largest cemeteries in the Midwestern United States. Landmark photos The Ohio Statehouse, Capitol Square LeVeque Tower, Downtown Replica of Christopher Columbus 's ship, The Santa Maria, Downtown riverfront Franklin Park Conservatory, Franklin Park Museums Columbus Museum of Art, downtown The Columbus Museum of Art opened in 1931, and has a collection focusing on European and American art up to early modernism that includes extraordinary examples of Impressionism, German Expressionism and Cubism. The Wexner Center for the Arts, a contemporary art gallery and research facility, is located on the Campus of The Ohio State University. Also on campus is the Ohio State University Athletics Hall of Fame, located in the Jerome Schottenstein Center ( home of the basketball and men 's ice hockey teams ), as well as the Jack Nicklaus museum next door. Located on 88 acres ( 36 ha ), just east of Downtown in Franklin Park, the Franklin Park Conservatory is a botanical garden that opened in 1895. It features over 400 species of plants in a large Victorian style glass greenhouse building that includes rain forest, desert, and Himalayan mountain biomes. COSI Columbus, ( Center of Science and Industry ), is a large science museum. The present building, the former Central High School, was completed in November 1999, opposite downtown on the west bank of the River. In 2009, Parents magazine named COSI one of the ten best Science Centers for families in the country. The Ohio History Connection is headquartered in Columbus, with its flagship museum, the 250,000 - square - foot ( 23,000 m ) Ohio History Center, located 4 mi ( 6.4 km ) north of downtown. Along with the museum is Ohio Village, a replica of a village around the time of the American Civil War. The Kelton House Museum and Garden is a museum devoted to Victorian life. Built in 1852, it was home to three generations of the Kelton Family and was a documented station on the Underground Railroad. In 1989, Columbus hosted the `` Son of Heaven : Imperial Arts of China, '' a cultural exchange display from China featuring the artifacts of the ancient Chinese emperors. Performing arts The Ohio Theatre is a National Historic Landmark Columbus is the home of many renowned performing arts institutions including the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, Opera Columbus, BalletMet Columbus, the ProMusica Chamber Orchestra, CATCO, Columbus Children 's Theatre, Shadowbox Cabaret and the Columbus Jazz Orchestra. Throughout the summer Actors ' Theatre of Columbus offers free performances of Shakespearean plays in an open - air amphitheatre in Schiller Park, located in historic German Village. The Columbus Youth Ballet Academy was founded in the 1980s by internationally celebrated ballerina and artistic director Shir Lee Wu, a discovery of Martha Graham. Wu is now the artistic director of the Columbus City Ballet School, while her instruction remains in strong demand globally. Her students of the last couple decades have furthered their education at institutions such as The Juilliard School, School of American Ballet, and the Houston Ballet Academy, while some have gone on to perform with companies including the New York City Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Martha Graham Contemporary Dance Company, and BalletMet Columbus. Her students have won gold medals at the Youth American Grand Prix competition in New York, while others have been finalists in competitions such as the Concord De Dance de Paris. The Southern Theatre, built in 1896, is a federally designated historic site There are many large concert venues in Columbus, including arenas such as Nationwide Arena and Jerome Schottenstein Center. The EXPRESS LIVE ! ( formerly LC Pavilion ) ( formerly the PromoWest Pavilion ), Veterans Memorial Auditorium ( currently being rebuilt ), Mershon Auditorium, and the Newport Music Hall round out the city 's music performance spaces. In May 2009, the Lincoln Theatre, which was formerly a center for Black culture in Columbus, was reopened to the public after extensive restoration. Not far from the Lincoln Theatre is the King Arts Complex, which hosts various cultural events. The city also has a number of theatres downtown, including the historic Palace Theatre, the Ohio Theatre, and the Southern Theatre. Broadway Across America frequently presents touring Broadway musicals in these larger venues. The Vern Riffe Center for Government and the Arts houses the Capitol Theatre and three smaller studio theatres, providing a home for resident performing arts companies. Film Academy Award - winning movies filmed in Columbus and the central Ohio area include Steven Soderbergh 's Traffic in 2000. Other movies filmed in Columbus and the central Ohio area include Horrors of War ( by local filmmakers Peter John Ross, John Whitney, and producer Philip R. Garrett ) in 2006, Little Man Tate, Fallen Angels in 2006, Steven Soderbergh 's Bubble in 2005, Criminal Minds in 1998, Wolfgang Petersen 's Air Force One in 1997, Tango & Cash in 1989, Speak in 2004, Parker in 2013 and Teachers in 1984. Sports Mapfre Stadium, the first soccer - specific stadium in the U.S., and home to Columbus Crew SC. Columbus professional and major NCAA D1 teams Club League Sport Venue ( capacity ) Founded Titles Average Attendance Ohio State Buckeyes NCAA Football Ohio Stadium ( 105,000 ) 1890 8 105,261 Columbus Crew SC MLS Soccer Mapfre Stadium ( 19,968 ) 16,881 Ohio State Buckeyes NCAA Basketball Value City Arena ( 19,000 ) 1892 16,511 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL Ice hockey Nationwide Arena ( 18,500 ) 2000 0 15,857 Columbus Clippers IL Baseball Huntington Park ( 10,100 ) 1977 10 9,212 Ohio Machine MLL Field lacrosse Fortress Obetz ( 6,500 ) 2011 -- Professional teams Nationwide Arena, home of the NHL 's Columbus Blue Jackets, Arena District Columbus hosts two major league professional sports teams. The Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League ( NHL ) which play at Nationwide Arena and Columbus Crew SC of Major League Soccer ( MLS ) which play at Mapfre Stadium, the first soccer - specific stadium built in the United States for a Major League Soccer team. The Crew were one of the original members of MLS, and won their first MLS Cup in 2008. The Columbus Clippers, Triple A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians ( formerly a long - time affiliate of the New York Yankees through 2006, and the Washington Nationals through 2008 ), play in Huntington Park, which opened in 2009. The city was home to the Tigers football team from 1901 -- 1926. In the 1990s the Columbus Quest won the only two championships during American Basketball League 's existence. The Ohio Aviators were based in Obetz, Ohio and began play in the only PRO Rugby season before the league folded. Ohio State Buckeyes The Ohio Stadium, on the OSU Campus, is the 7th - largest non-racing stadium in the world and one of the largest football stadiums in the United States. Columbus is home to one of the most competitive intercollegiate programs in the nation, the Ohio State Buckeyes of The Ohio State University. The program has placed in the top - 10 final standings of the Director 's Cup five times since 2000 -- 2001, including No. 3 for the 2002 -- 2003 season and No. 4 for the 2003 -- 2004 season. The university funds 36 varsity teams, consisting of 17 male, 16 female, and three co-educational teams. In 2007 -- 2008 and 2008 -- 2009, the program generated the second-most revenue for college programs behind the Texas Longhorns of The University of Texas at Austin. The Ohio State Buckeyes are a member of the NCAA 's Big Ten Conference, and the football team plays home games at Ohio Stadium. The Ohio State - Michigan football game ( known colloquially as `` The Game '' ) is the final game of the regular season and is played in November each year, alternating between Columbus and Ann Arbor, Michigan. In 2000, ESPN ranked the Ohio State - Michigan game as the greatest rivalry in North American sports. Moreover, `` Buckeye fever '' permeates Columbus culture year - round and forms a major part of Columbus 's cultural identity. Former New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, an Ohio native who studied at Ohio State at one point and who coached in Columbus, was a big Ohio State football fan and donor to the university, having contributed for the construction of the band facility at the renovated Ohio Stadium, which bears his family 's name. During the winter months, the Buckeyes basketball and hockey teams are also major sporting attractions. Nick Foligno, captain of the NHL Columbus Blue Jackets. Other sports Columbus hosts the annual Arnold Classic fitness expo and competition in early March. Hosted by Arnold Schwarzenegger, the event has grown to eight Olympic sports and 12,000 athletes competing in 20 events. In conjunction with the Arnold Classic, the city hosted three consecutive Ultimate Fighting Championships events between 2007 -- 2009, as well as other mixed martial arts events. Automotive racing star Jeff Gordon 's company, Jeff Gordon Inc., along with Arshot Investment Corp., have plans to construct the Center for Automotive Research & Technology at Cooper Park, a proposed racing venue and center just west of downtown. Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, a business venture owned by Indianapolis 500 winner Bobby Rahal, television personality David Letterman, and entrepreneur Mike Lanigan, is based in the Columbus metropolitan area. Columbus has a long history in motorsports, hosting the world 's first 24 - hour car race at the Columbus Driving Park in 1905, organized by the Columbus Auto Club. The Columbus Motor Speedway was built in 1945 and held their first motorcycle race in 1946. In 2010 the Ohio State University student - built Buckeye Bullet 2, a fuel cell vehicle, set a FIA world speed record for electric vehicles in reaching 303.025 mph, eclipsing the previous record of 302.877 mph. The annual All American Quarter Horse Congress, the largest single breed horse show in the world is held at the Ohio Expo Center each October and attracts approximately 500,000 visitors annually. The Columbus Bullies were two - time champions of the American Football League ( 1940 -- 1941 ). The Columbus Thunderbolts were formed in 1991 for the Arena Football League, and then relocated to Cleveland as the Cleveland Thunderbolts ; the Columbus Destroyers were the next team of the AFL, playing from 2004 until the league 's demise in 2008. Parks and attractions Schiller Park, German Village Goodale Park, Victorian Village The Columbus and Franklin County Metropolitan Park District includes Inniswood Metro Gardens, a collection of public gardens ; Highbanks Metro Park ; Battelle - Darby Creek Metro Park ; as well as many others. Battelle - Darby Creek Metro Park is notable for its re-introduction of wild bison to the park in 2011, a herd that has expanded to 11 bison that are frequently on view for park visitors. The Big Darby Creek in the southwestern part of town is considered to be especially significant for its beauty and ecological diversity. Clintonville is home to Whetstone Park, which includes the Park of Roses, a beautiful 13 - acre ( 5.3 ha ) rose garden. The Chadwick Arboretum is located on the OSU campus, and features a large and varied collection of plants. Downtown, the famous painting Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte is represented in topiary at Columbus 's Old Deaf School Park. Also near downtown, a new Metro Park on the Whittier Peninsula opened in 2009. The park includes a large Audubon nature center focused on the excellent bird watching that the area is known for. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium 's collections include lowland gorillas, polar bears, manatees, Siberian tigers, cheetahs, and kangaroos. Its director emeritus, Jack Hanna, frequently appears on national television, including on The Tonight Show and the Late Show with David Letterman. In 2009, it was ranked as the best zoo in the United States. Also in the zoo complex is the Zoombezi Bay water park and amusement park. Fairs and festivals Greek Festival is held in August or September at the Greek Orthodox Church, downtown. The Ohio State Fair and Expo is held in late July to early August. Annual festivities in Columbus include the Ohio State Fair -- one of the largest state fairs in the country -- as well as the Columbus Arts festival and the Jazz and Ribs Festival, both of which occur on the downtown riverfront. In the middle of May, Columbus is home to Rock on the Range, marketed as `` America 's Biggest Rock Festival. '' The festival, which takes place on a Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and has hosted Metallica, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Slipknot, and other notable bands. During the first weekend in June, the bars of Columbus 's trendy North Market District host the Park Street Festival, which attracts thousands of visitors to a massive party in bars and on the street. June 's second - to - last weekend sees one of the Midwest 's largest gay pride parades, reflecting the city 's sizable gay population. During the last weekend of June, Goodale Park hosts ComFest ( short for `` Community Festival '' ), an immense three - day music festival marketed as the largest non-commercial festival in the U.S., with art vendors, live music on multiple stages, hundreds of local social and political organizations, body painting, and beer. The Short North district hosts the `` Gallery Hop '' monthly. The Hot Times festival, a celebration of music, arts, food, and diversity, is held annually in the historic Olde Towne East neighborhood. The city 's largest dining events, Restaurant Week Columbus, are held in mid-July and mid-January. In 2010, more than 40,000 diners went to 40 participating restaurants, and $5,000 was donated the Mid-Ohio Foodbank on behalf of sponsors and participating restaurants. The Juneteenth Ohio Festival is held each year at Franklin Park on Father 's Day weekend. Started by Mustafaa Shabazz, JuneteenthOhio is one of the largest African American festivals in the United States, including three full days of music, food, dance, and entertainment by local and national recording artists. The festival holds a Father 's Day celebration, honoring local fathers. Around the Fourth of July, Columbus hosts Red, White, and Boom ! on the Scioto riverfront downtown, attracting crowds of over 500,000 people. The popular Doo Dah Parade is held at this time, as well. During Memorial Day Weekend, the Asian Festival is held in Franklin Park. Hundreds of restaurants, vendors, and companies open up booths, traditional music and martial arts are performed, and cultural exhibits are set up. In recent years, it has drawn more than 100,000 people. The Jazz and Rib Fest is a free downtown event held each July featuring jazz artists like Randy Weston, D. Bohannon Clark, and Wayne Shorter, along with rib vendors from around the country. The Short North is host to the monthly `` Gallery Hop '', which attracts hundreds to the neighborhood 's art galleries ( which all open their doors to the public until late at night ) and street musicians. The Hilltop Bean Dinner is an annual event held on Columbus 's West Side that celebrates the city 's Civil War heritage near the historic Camp Chase Cemetery. At the end of September, German Village throws an annual Oktoberfest celebration that features authentic German food, beer, music, and crafts. The Short North also hosts HighBall Halloween, Masquerade on High, a fashion show and street parade that closes down High Street. In 2011, in its fourth year, HighBall Halloween gained notoriety as it accepted its first Expy award. HighBall Halloween has much to offer for those interested in fashion and the performing and visual arts or for those who want to celebrate Halloween and with food and drinks from all around the city. Each year the event is put on with a different theme and it increases in size and popularity. Columbus also hosts many conventions in the Greater Columbus Convention Center, a pastel - colored deconstructivist building on the north edge of downtown that resembles jumbled blocks, or a train yard from overhead. Completed in 1993, the 1,700,000 square feet ( 160,000 m ) convention center was designed by architect Peter Eisenman, who also designed the Wexner Center. Shopping Developer Richard E. Jacobs built the area 's first three major shopping malls in the 1960s : Westland, Northland, and Eastland. Of these, only Eastland remains in operation. Columbus City Center was built downtown in 1988, alongside the first location of Lazarus ; this mall closed in 2009 and was demolished in 2011. Easton Town Center was built in 1999, and Polaris Fashion Place in 2001. Law and government See also : List of Mayors of Columbus, Ohio and Columbus City Council City Hall Police headquarters Mayor and city council The city is administered by a mayor and a seven - member unicameral council elected in two classes every two years to four - year terms. The mayor appoints the director of safety and the director of public service. The people elect the auditor, municipal court clerk, municipal court judges and city attorney. A charter commission, elected in 1913, submitted, in May 1914, a new charter offering a modified Federal form, with a number of progressive features, such as nonpartisan ballot, preferential voting, recall of elected officials, the referendum, and a small council elected at large. The charter was adopted, effective January 1, 1916. The current mayor of Columbus is Andrew Ginther. Law Municipal police duties are performed by the Columbus Division of Police. In 2009, Columbus was ranked the 38th-most - dangerous U.S. city in the United States by CQ Press, using weighted crime statistics compiled by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. In 2011, Columbus had 92 homicides, an average year for the city, and 658 violent crimes for every 100,000 people. The Strategic Analysis and Information Center ( SAIC ) fusion center, one of the few in the country that uses state, local, federal, and private resources, is the primary public intelligence hub in the state and located in the Hilltop neighborhood. Education See also : List of Ohio State University people Columbus College of Art and Design, Discovery District The Ohio State University 's Drinko Hall is home of the Michael E. Moritz College of Law Colleges and universities Columbus is the home of two public colleges : The Ohio State University, one of the largest college campuses in the United States, and Columbus State Community College. In 2009, The Ohio State University was ranked No. 19 in the country by U.S. News & World Report for best public university, and No. 56 overall, scoring in the first tier of schools nationally. Some of OSU 's graduate school programs placed in the top 5, including : No. 5 for best veterinary program and No. 5 for best pharmacy program. The specialty graduate programs of social psychology was ranked No. 2, dispute resolution was ranked No. 5, vocational education No. 2, and elementary education, secondary teacher education, administration / supervision No. 5. Private institutions located in Columbus include Capital University Law School, the Columbus College of Art and Design, Fortis College, DeVry University, Ohio Business College, Miami - Jacobs Career College, Ohio Institute of Health Careers, Bradford School and Franklin University, as well as the religious schools Bexley Hall Episcopal Seminary, Mount Carmel College of Nursing, Ohio Dominican University, Pontifical College Josephinum, and Trinity Lutheran Seminary. Three major suburban schools also have an influence on Columbus 's educational landscape : Bexley 's Capital University, Westerville 's Otterbein University, and Delaware 's Ohio Wesleyan University. Primary and secondary schools Columbus Downtown High School Columbus City Schools ( CCS ), formerly Columbus Public Schools, is the largest district in Ohio, with 55,000 pupils. CCS operates 142 elementary, middle, and high schools, including a number of magnet schools ( which are referred to as alternative schools within the school system ). The suburbs operate their own districts as well, typically serving students in one or more townships, with districts sometimes crossing municipal boundaries. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Columbus also operates numerous parochial elementary and high schools. The second largest school district in the area is South - Western City Schools, which encompasses southwestern Franklin County. There are also several private schools in the area. St. Paul 's Lutheran School is a K - 8 Christian school of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod in Columbus. Some sources claim that the first kindergarten in the United States was established here by Louisa Frankenberg, a former student of Friedrich Fröbel. Frankenberg immigrated to the city in 1838. In addition, Indianola Junior High School ( now the Graham Expeditionary Middle School ) became the nation 's first junior high in 1909, helping to bridge the difficult transition from elementary to high school at a time when only 48 % of students continued their education after the 9th grade. The Ohio Chinese School ( OCS, 俄 州 新东方 中文 学校 ) is at 935 Northridge Road serving the greater Columbus communities and offering k - 12 enrichment programs and Chinese language classes. Libraries The Columbus Metropolitan Library ( CML ) has been serving residents of central Ohio since 1873. With a collection of 3 million items, the system has 22 locations throughout the area. This library is one of the most - used library systems in the country and is consistently among the top - ranked large city libraries according to `` Hennen 's American Public Library Ratings. '' CML was rated the No. 1 library system in the nation in 1999, 2005, and 2008. It has been in the top four every year since 1999 when the rankings were first published in American Libraries magazine, often challenging up - state neighbor Cuyahoga County Public Library for the top spot. CML was named Library of the Year by the Library Journal in 2010. Media Print The Columbus Dispatch building in 2008, Capitol Square There are a number of weekly and daily newspapers serving Columbus and Central Ohio. The only major daily newspaper in Columbus is The Columbus Dispatch ; its erstwhile main competitor, The Columbus Citizen - Journal, ceased publication on December 31, 1985. There are also neighborhood / suburb specific papers, such as the Dispatch Printing Company 's ThisWeek Community News, which serves 23 suburbs and Columbus, the Columbus Messenger, and the independently owned Short North Gazette. The Lantern and UWeekly serves The Ohio State University community. `` Alternative '' arts / culture / politics - oriented papers include Outlook Media 's Outlook : Columbus ( serving the LGBT community in Columbus ), and aLIVE ( formerly the independent Columbus Alive and now owned by the Columbus Dispatch ). The newest addition to the Columbus media scene is Live Local ! Columbus, a free, quarterly magazine that focuses on local arts, culture, and events. The Columbus Magazine, CityScene, ( 614 ) Magazine, and Columbus Monthly are the city 's magazines. Online media publication ColumbusUnderground.com also serves the Columbus region as an independently owned alternative voice. The city 's business community is served by The Daily Reporter, central Ohio 's only printed daily business and legal newspaper ; Columbus Business First, a daily online / weekly print business publication that is part of the Charlotte - based American City Business Journals, and Columbus CEO, a monthly business magazine. Extensive Statehouse coverage is provided by Gongwer News Service, a daily independent political newsletter. Television Columbus is the base for 12 television stations and is the 32nd largest television market as of September 24, 2016. WCMH - TV 4 ( NBC ) WDEM - CD 17 ( TMD ) WOSU - TV 34 ( PBS ) WSYX 6 ( ABC ) W23BZ - D 23 ( Ind ) WCPX - LP 48 ( MXC ) WGCT - CD 8 ( Ind ) WTTE 28 ( Fox ) WSFJ - TV 51 ( TBN ) WBNS - TV 10 ( CBS ) WCSN - LD 33 ( multiple networks ) WWHO 53 ( CW ) Television stations in Central Ohio and Greater Columbus Reception may vary by location and some stations may only be viewable with cable television Network O&Os are in bold Commercial stations WCMH - TV ( 4.1 NBC, 4.2 MeTV, 4.3 ION, 4.4 Laff ) WSYX ( 6.1 ABC, 6.2 MNTV / This, 6.3 ANT ) WBNS - TV ( 10.1 CBS, 10.2 H&I, Decades ) WDEM - CD ( 17.1 TLM, 17.2 Justice, 17.3 Bounce, 17.4 AZA ) W23BZ - D ( 23.1 Ind. / Bounce TV, 23.2 AZA ) WTTE ( 28.1 Fox, 28.2 TBD, 28.3 ASN ) WCSN - LD ( 32.1 Movies !, 32.2 Cozi, 32.3 Dalmar TV, 32.4 Afro 1 TV, 32.5 Guide Us TV, 32.6 Biz TV, 32.7 Youtoo America, 32.8 Infomercials ) W44DC - D 44 ( HSN ) WCPX - LP 48 ( Mexicanal ) WWHO ( 53.1 CW, 53.2 Charge !, 53.3 Comet ) Non-profit stations Public television WOSU - TV ( 34.1 PBS, 34.2 The Ohio Channel, 34.3 Create, 34.4 PBS Kids ) Religious WGCT - CD 8 ( Ind. ) WCLL - CD ( 19.1 DS HD, 19.2 DS SD ) WSFJ - TV ( 51.1 TBN, 51.2 Church, 51.3 JUCE TV, 51.4 Enlace, 51.5 SoaC ) Outlying areas WMNO - CD 22 ( Ind., Marion ) WOCB - CD 39 / WXCB - CA 42 ( Ind., Marion / Delaware ) WOUB - TV 20 ( PBS, Athens ) WOUC - TV 44 ( PBS, Cambridge ) WMFD - TV 68 ( Ind., Mansfield ) Cable - only stations Fox Sports Ohio The Ohio Channel SportsTime Ohio Spectrum Sports ( Mid Ohio ) Adjacent locals Cleveland WKYC ( 3.1 NBC, 3.2 Justice, 3.3 Cozi ) WEWS - TV ( 5.1 ABC, 5.2 Grit, 5.3 Laff ) WJW ( 8.1 Fox, 8.2 ANT ) Dayton WHIO - TV ( 7.1 CBS, 7.2 MeTV, 7.3 Laff ) Lima WTLW ( 44.1 Ind., 44.2 WOSN ) Toledo WTOL ( 11.1 CBS, 11.2 MeTV, 11.3 Grit ) Zanesville WHIZ - TV ( 18.1 NBC ) Defunct ONN WGSF 31 ( PBS ) Ohio broadcast television Charleston / Huntington, West Virginia Cincinnati Cleveland / Akron Columbus Dayton Ft. Wayne, Indiana Lima Marietta / Parkersburg, West Virginia Steubenville / Wheeling, West Virginia Toledo Youngstown Zanesville Warner Cable introduced its two - way interactive QUBE system in Columbus in December 1977, which consisted of specialty channels that would evolve into national networks Nickelodeon, MTV and The Movie Channel. QUBE also displayed one of the earliest uses of Pay - per - view and video on demand. Radio Columbus is home to the 36th largest radio market. The following box contains all of the radio stations in the area, as well as their current format : Map showing radio market areas in Ohio. Frequency Call letters Format Premiere date City of license 610 AM WTVN News / Talk NewsRadio 610 WTVN Columbus 820 AM WVSG Religious St. Gabriel Radio Columbus 880 AM WRFD Christian Talk AM 880 WRFD Columbus - Worthington 920 AM WMNI Adult Standards WMNI AM 920 Columbus 1230 AM WYTS Sports Talk Fox Sports Radio AM 1230 Columbus 1460 AM WBNS Sports Talk 1460 ESPN Columbus Columbus 1550 AM WDLR Adult Contemporary Local 1550 Delaware 1580 AM WVKO Gospel The Praise Columbus 88.1 FM WWGV Religious American Family Radio Grove City 88.7 FM WUFM Christian Rock RadioU Columbus 89.7 FM WOSU Public Radio 89.7 fm NPR News Columbus 90.5 FM WCBE Public Radio 90.5 WCBE Columbus 91.5 FM WHKC Christian Contemporary 91.5 FreedomFM Columbus 92.3 FM WCOL Country 92.3 WCOL Columbus 93.3 FM WODC Adult Hits 93.3 The Bus Ashville 94.7 FM WSNY Adult Contemporary Sunny 95 Columbus 95.5 FM WXMG Urban Adult Contemporary Magic 95.5 Lancaster 96.3 FM WLVQ Classic Rock Q - FM 96 Columbus 97.1 FM WBNS Sports Talk 97.1 The Fan Columbus 97.5 FM WOBN College 97.5 The Wildcard Westerville 97.9 FM WNCI CHR 97.9 WNCI Columbus 98.3 FM W252AY Community Columbus Community Radio 102.1 / 98.3 Columbus 98.9 FM WTOH Talk 98.9 The Answer Upper Arlington 99.7 FM WRKZ Active Rock 99.7 The Blitz Columbus 100.3 FM WCLT Country T - 100 Newark 101.1 FM WOSA Classical Classical 101fm Grove City 101.7 FM WNKO Classic Hits KOOL 101.7 New Albany 102.1 FM WCRM - LP Community Columbus Community Radio 102.1 / 98.3 Columbus 102.1 FM WCBX - LP Jazz Jazz 102.1 Columbus 102.5 FM WWCD Alternative CD102. 5 Baltimore 103.1 FM WVKO Spanish Adult Contemporary La Mega 103.1 Johnstown 103.5 FM WNND Classic Hits Rewind 103.5 / 104.3 Pickerington 103.9 FM WJKR Variety Hits 103.9 Jack FM Worthington 104.3 FM WNNP Classic Hits Rewind 103.5 / 104.3 Richwood 104.9 FM WCVO Christian Contemporary 104.9 The River Gahanna 105.7 FM WXZX Alternative 105.7 The X Hilliard 106.3 FM WBMO Classic Hip Hop Boom 106.3 London 106.7 FM WZCB Hip Hop 106.7 The Beat Dublin 107.1 FM WJYD Gospel Joy 107.1 Circleville 107.5 FM WCKX Hip Hop Power 107.5 Columbus 107.9 FM WVMX Hot Adult Contemporary Mix 107.9 Westerville Radio stations in Greater Columbus, Ohio market By FM frequency 88.1 88.7 89.7 90.5 91.5 91.9 92.3 92.7 92.9 93.3 94.1 94.7 95.1 95.5 95.9 96.3 96.7 97.1 97.5 97.9 98.3 98.5 98.9 99.3 99.7 100.3 101.1 101.7 102.1 ( Northeast Columbus / WCRM - LP ) 102.1 ( Northeast Columbus / WCRX - LP ) 102.5 103.1 103.5 103.9 104.3 104.5 104.9 105.3 105.7 106.3 106.7 107.1 107.5 107.9 By AM frequency 610 820 880 920 1230 1270 1320 1430 1460 1550 1580 Digital Radio 89.7 - 1 89.7 - 2 92.3 - 1 92.3 - 2 93.3 - 1 93.3 - 2 93.3 - 3 94.7 - 1 97.1 - 1 97.1 - 2 97.9 - 1 97.9 - 2 98.9 - 1 By callsign W225CS W236CZ W240CX W252AY W257CU W283CL W287CP WBMO WBNS WBNS - FM WCBE WCKX WCLT WCLT - FM WCOL - FM WCRM - LP WCRS - LP WCRX - LP WCVO WDLR WGRN - LP WHKC WJKR WJVG - LP WJYD WKCD WLOH WLVQ WMNI WNCI WNKO WNND WNNP WOBN WODC WOSA WOSB - FM WOSU - FM WQTT WRFD WRKZ WSNY WTOH WTVN WUFM WUOV - LP WVKO WVKO - FM WVMX WVSG WWCD WXMG WXZX WYTS WZCB Defunct WSLN ( 98.7 FM ) Now internet - only Ohio radio markets Akron Canton Cincinnati Cleveland Columbus Dayton Lima Marietta Toledo Youngstown -- Warren Other Ohio radio regions Ashtabula Ironton Mid-Ohio Sandusky Southern Ohio Wheeling / Steubenville See also List of radio stations in Ohio Transportation Columbus has numerous pedestrian skywalks linking together downtown buildings. Grid and address system The city 's street plan originates downtown and extends into the old - growth neighborhoods, following a grid pattern with the intersection of High Street ( running north -- south ) and Broad Street ( running east -- west ) at its center. North - South streets run 12 degrees west of due North, parallel to High Street ; the Avenues ( vis. Fifth Avenue, Sixth Avenue, Seventh Avenue, and so on. ) run east -- west. The address system begins its numbering at the intersection of Broad and High, with numbers increasing in magnitude with distance from Broad or High. Numbered Avenues begin with First Avenue, about 1 ⁄ mi ( 2.0 km ) north of Broad Street, and increase in number as one progresses northward. Numbered Streets begin with Second Street, which is two blocks west of High Street, and Third Street, which is a block east of High Street, then progress eastward from there. Even - numbered addresses are on the north and east sides of streets, putting odd addresses on the south and west sides of streets. A difference of 700 house numbers means a distance of about 1 mi ( 1.6 km ) ( along the same street ). For example, 351 W 5th Avenue is approximately ⁄ mi ( 800 m ) west of High Street on the south side of Fifth Avenue. Buildings along north -- south streets are numbered in a similar manner : the building number indicates the approximate distance from Broad Street, the prefixes ' N ' and ' S ' indicate whether that distance is to measured to the north or south of Broad Street and the street number itself indicates how far the street is from the center of the city at the intersection of Broad and High. Locations of numbered streets and avenues This street numbering system does not hold true over a large area. The area served by numbered Avenues runs from about Marble Cliff to South Linden to the Airport, and the area served by numbered Streets covers Downtown and nearby neighborhoods to the east and south, with only a few exceptions. There are quite few intersections between numbered Streets and Avenues. Furthermore, named Streets and Avenues can have any orientation. For example, while all of the numbered avenues run east -- west, perpendicular to High Street, many named, non-numbered avenues run north -- south, parallel to High. The same is true of many named streets : while the numbered streets in the city run north -- south, perpendicular to Broad Street, many named, non-numbered streets run east -- west, perpendicular to High Street. The addressing system, however, covers nearly all of Franklin County, with only a few older suburbs retaining self - centered address systems. The address scale of 700 per mile results in addresses approaching, but not usually reaching, 10,000 at the county 's borders. Other major, local roads in Columbus include Main Street, Morse Road, Dublin - Granville Road ( SR - 161 ), Cleveland Avenue / Westerville Road ( SR - 3 ), Olentangy River Road, Riverside Drive, Sunbury Road, Fifth Avenue and Livingston Avenue. Highways Columbus is bisected by two major Interstate Highways, Interstate 70 running east -- west, and Interstate 71 running north to roughly southwest. The two Interstates combine downtown for about 1.5 mi ( 2.4 km ) in an area locally known as `` The Split '', which is a major traffic congestion point within Columbus, especially during rush hour. U.S. Route 40, originally known as the National Road, runs east -- west through Columbus, comprising Main Street to the east of downtown and Broad Street to the west. U.S. Route 23 runs roughly north -- south, while U.S. Route 33 runs northwest - to - southeast. The Interstate 270 Outerbelt encircles the vast majority of the city, while the newly redesigned Innerbelt consists of the Interstate 670 spur on the north side ( which continues to the east past the Airport and to the west where it merges with I - 70 ), State Route 315 on the west side, the I - 70 / 71 split on the south side, and I - 71 on the east. Due to its central location within Ohio and abundance of outbound roadways, nearly all of the state 's destinations are within a 2 or 3 hour drive of Columbus. Lane Avenue Bridge, University District Bridges The Columbus riverfront hosts a few notable bridges which have been built since 2000. The 700 ft ( 210 m ) Main Street Bridge opened on July 30, 2010 and is the first bridge of its kind in North America. The bridge is located directly south of COSI on the Scioto river, featuring three lanes of traffic ( one westbound and two eastbound ) and another separated lane for pedestrians and bikes. The Rich Street Bridge opened in July 2012 and is adjacent to the Main Street Bridge connecting Rich Street on the east side of the river with Town Street on the west. The Lane Avenue Bridge is a cable - stayed bridge that opened on November 14, 2003 in the University District and spans the Olentangy river with three lanes of traffic each way. Airports John Glenn International Airport The city 's primary airport, John Glenn International Airport ( CMH ), is located on the east side of the city, with several smaller airports in the region as well. John Glenn, formerly known as Port Columbus, provides service to Toronto, Canada and Cancun, Mexico ( on a seasonal basis ), as well as to most domestic destinations, including all the major hubs except San Francisco, Salt Lake City, and Seattle. The airport was a hub for discount carrier Skybus Airlines and continues to be a home to NetJets, the world 's largest fractional ownership air carrier. According to a 2005 market survey, John Glenn Columbus International Airport attracts about 50 % of its passengers from outside of its 60 - mile ( 97 km ) radius primary service region. It is currently the 52nd - busiest airport in the United States by total passenger boardings. Rickenbacker International Airport, in southern Franklin County, is a major cargo facility and is utilized by the Ohio Air National Guard. Allegiant Air offers nonstop service from Rickenbacker to various Florida destinations. Ohio State University Don Scott Airport and Bolton Field are significant general - aviation facilities in the Columbus area. Mass Transit Columbus maintains a widespread municipal bus service called the Central Ohio Transit Authority ( COTA ). Intercity bus service is provided by Greyhound, Barons Bus Lines, Miller Transportation, GoBus, and other carriers. Currently, Columbus does not have any type of passenger rail service. Columbus used to have a major train station downtown called Union Station, most notably as a stop along Amtrak 's National Limited train service until 1977. The station itself was razed in 1979, and the Greater Columbus Convention Center now stands in its place. Until the founding of Amtrak in 1971 the Penn Central ran the Cincinnati Limited to Cincinnati to the southwest ( in prior years train continued to New York City to the east ) ; and the Penn Central ran the Ohio State Limited between Cincinnati and Cleveland, with Union Station serving as a major intermediate stop ( the train going unnamed between 1967 and 1971 ). The station was also a stop along the Pennsylvania Railroad, the New York Central Railroad, the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad, the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, the Norfolk and Western Railroad, the Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati Railroad and the Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Chicago and St. Louis Railroad. Columbus is now the largest metropolitan area in the U.S. without either a local rail or intercity rail connection ( Phoenix opened a light - rail system in 2008, but still lacks an Amtrak connection. ) However, studies are underway towards reintroducing passenger rail service to Columbus via the Ohio Hub project. Plans are in the works to open a high - speed rail service connecting Columbus with Cincinnati and to the proposed hub in Cleveland which offers rail service to the east, including Pittsburgh, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and New York City. Bicycle Cycling as transportation is steadily increasing in Columbus with its relatively flat terrain, intact urban neighborhoods, large student population, and off - road bike paths. The city has put forth the 2012 Bicentennial Bikeways Plan as well as a move toward a Complete Streets policy. Grassroots efforts such as Bike To Work Week, Consider Biking, Yay Bikes, Third Hand Bicycle Co-op, Franklinton Cycleworks, and Cranksters, a local radio program focused on urban cycling, have contributed to cycling as transportation. Columbus also hosts urban cycling `` off - shots '' with messenger - style `` alleycat '' races as well as unorganized group rides, a monthly Critical Mass ride, bicycle polo, art showings, movie nights, and a variety of bicycle - friendly businesses and events throughout the year. All this activity occurs despite Columbus 's frequently inclement weather. The new Main Street Bridge features a dedicated bike and pedestrian lane separated from traffic, as does the Rich Street Bridge. The city has its own public bicycle system. CoGo Bike Share system has a network of 335 bicycles and 41 docking stations ( 2016 ). PBSC Urban Solutions, a company based in Canada, supplies technology and equipment. Notable people Main article : List of people from Columbus, Ohio Sister Cities Columbus has ten sister cities, as designated by Sister Cities International. Columbus established its first Sister City relationship in 1955 with Genoa, Italy. To commemorate this relationship, Columbus received as a gift from the people of Genoa, a bronze statue of Christopher Columbus. The statue, sculpted by artist Edoardo Alfieri, overlooks Broad Street in front of Columbus City Hall. Genoa, Italy ( 1955 ) Tainan City, Taiwan ( 1980 ) Hefei, China ( 1988 ) Odense, Denmark ( 1988 ) Seville, Spain ( 1988 ) Dresden, Germany ( 1992 ) Herzliya, Israel ( 1996 ) Ahmedabad, India ( 2008 ) Niš, Serbia ( 2000 ) Curitiba, Brazil ( 2014 ) Accra, Ghana ( 2015 ) See also Ohio portal Battelle Hall Notes Jump up ^ Mean monthly maxima and minima ( i.e. the expected highest and lowest temperature readings at any point during the year or given month ) calculated based on data at said location from 1981 to 2010. Jump up ^ Official records for Columbus were kept at downtown from July 1878 to December 1947, and at Port Columbus Int'l since January 1948. For more information, see Threadex References Jump up ^ `` Ohio STEM Learning Network / Columbus ''. Archived from the original on November 29, 2014. Retrieved June 21, 2010. Jump up ^ `` A century ago, Columbus was the nation 's ' Arch City ' ''. Archived from the original on July 18, 2011. Retrieved June 21, 2010. Jump up ^ `` Columbus was once known as ' Arch City ' ''. Retrieved June 21, 2010. Jump up ^ `` Indie Art Capital = It 's Official ''. Retrieved June 21, 2010. Jump up ^ Sources for the nickname `` Cowtown '' include : The Columbus Dispatch, April 6, 2014 : `` Blue Jackets ' big win warranted bigger presence '' pp. C3 ( By Ray Stein ) The Columbus Dispatch, December 22, 2013 : `` Checking In -- Columbus should have a cow for new year '' pp. G1, 6 ( By Cindy Decker ) The Columbus Dispatch, April 7, 2013 : `` Elite Eight appearance not enough for some Matta critics '' pp. C3 ( By Ray Stein / J.T. Fermenti ) Columbus Dispatch, February 14, 2012 : `` People, places make for one great city '' pp. A1, 7 ( By Jeb Phillips ) Columbus Alive, February 2, 2012 : `` City : Cow - town image lives on at airport '' ( By John Ross ) The Columbus Dispatch, August 23, 2011 : `` She 's no longer in Cowtown '' People in the News pp. D6 ( By Colleen Wright ) The Columbus Dispatch, November 21, 2010 : `` Despite its attributes, Columbus lacks a catchy moniker '' pp. E1 - 2 ( By Joe Blundo ) The Cincinnati Enquirer, February 19, 2008 : `` Columbus Strives To Build A Big City Reputation '' pp. B2 ( By Julie Carr Smyth -- The Associated Press ) The Columbus Dispatch, April 16, 2006 : `` Some do n't like OSU 's new jerseys ; others just do n't like those who do n't '' pp. E3 ( By Ray Stein ) The Columbus Dispatch, September 5, 1998 : `` So To Speak -- Civic self - esteem ? We 'll let you know after football season '' pp. D1 ( By Joe Blundo ) National Geographic Magazine, March 1998, America 's First Highway, pp. 82 -- 99 ( By William R. Newcott -- National Geographic Senior Staff ) The Columbus Dispatch, June 1, 1997 : `` Simply Bovine ! Here 's a moo - vable feast of cowtown facts and fancies '' pp. J1, 2 ( By Joe Blundo ) The Columbus Dispatch, May 11, 1997 : `` Many feel moved to boo, moo after arena issue loses '' pp. 3F ( By George Strode ) The Columbus Dispatch, March 25, 1994 : `` Amphitheater without alcohol will draw drugs '' pp. A8 ( By Jack McEowen ) The Columbus Dispatch, March 12, 1994 : `` Columbus could support sports arena, NHL team '' pp. A7 ( By Randy Campbell ) The Columbus Dispatch, July 25, 1989 : `` Use of cowbells at stadium promotes the cowtown image '' pp. 8A ( By Lawrence S. O'Connor ) The Columbus Dispatch, June 9, 1989 : `` Lowly image does n't seem to bother us '' pp. F1 ( By Mike Harden ) The Columbus Dispatch, June 30, 1988 : `` City sleeps, Ocean rocks '' ( By Steve Wright -- Dispatch Popular Music Critic ) Vinyl Ecstasy -- The Second Q - FM - 96 Hometown Album -- LP Liner Notes 1980 ( By Steve Runner -- Program Director Q - FM - 96 ) Jump up ^ Gapp, Paul ( March 29, 1980 ). `` The American City -- Challenge of The ' 80s ''. Chicago Tribune. pp. 1, 10 -- 11. Jump up ^ The Columbus Dispatch, May 11, 1986 : `` Progress, growth are not in ' Hicksville ' dictionary '' pp. B2 ( By Bob Young ) Jump up ^ The Columbus Dispatch, April 26, 1986 : `` Bigger is not always better, growth not always progress '' pp. 10A ( By Brenda Petruzzella ) Jump up ^ `` Like it or not, Cbus now city 's nickname ''. Retrieved February 28, 2014. Jump up ^ `` City Council '', City of Columbus. Retrieved November 13, 2015. ^ Jump up to : `` US Gazetteer files 2010 ''. United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 14, 2012. Retrieved January 6, 2013. ^ Jump up to : `` American FactFinder ''. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 6, 2013. ^ Jump up to : `` Population Estimates ''. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 19, 2016. Jump up ^ ( 1 ) 610 WTVN Jump up ^ `` Zip Code Lookup ''. USPS. Archived from the original on September 3, 2007. Retrieved November 15, 2014. Jump up ^ `` US Board on Geographic Names ''. United States Geological Survey. 2007 - 10 - 25. Retrieved 2008 - 01 - 31. Jump up ^ https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2017/05/25/columbus-overtakes-indianapolis-now-countrys-14th.html Jump up ^ Rinehart, Earl. `` We 're No. 14 ! Columbus tops Indianapolis in population ''. Jump up ^ `` columbus - population - keeps - rising '' Columbus Dispatch. 2014. Jump up ^ Bureau, US Census. `` The South Is Home to 10 of the 15 Fastest - Growing Large Cities ''. Jump up ^ Bureau, US Census. `` The South Is Home to 10 of the 15 Fastest - Growing Large Cities ''. The United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2017 - 05 - 25. Jump up ^ Population in Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas Ranked by 2000 Population for the United States and Puerto Rico : 1990 and 2000 ( PDF ). U.S. Census Bureau. December 30, 2003. Retrieved on 2007 - 11 - 20 from https://www.census.gov/population/cen2000/phc-t29/tab03a.pdf. Jump up ^ `` 2 counties added to Columbus metro area '' Columbus Dispatch. 2013. Retrieved April 16, 2014. Jump up ^ `` Places in Franklin County, OH ''. Find a County. National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on June 16, 2008. Retrieved April 13, 2010. ^ Jump up to : `` Fortune 500 features 5 Central Ohio companies, down from 6 last year '', Columbus Business First. 2013. Retrieved June 25, 2013. Jump up ^ `` The 6 Best Big Cities ''. MONEY.com. Retrieved 2017 - 06 - 16. 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Jump up ^ `` The testing grounds of modern empire : the making of colonial racial order in the American Ohio country and the South African Eastern Cape, 1770s -- 1850s '', Christoph Strobel. Peter Lang, 2008. ISBN 1 - 4331 - 0123 - 8, ISBN 978 - 1 - 4331 - 0123 - 6. p. 22 Jump up ^ `` Chapter One : The Anglo - French Contest for the Ohio Country '', Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. Retrieved September 10, 2010. Jump up ^ Jennings, Francis ( 1984 ). The Ambiguous Iroquois Empire : The Covenant Chain Confederation of Indian Tribes with English Colonies from Its Beginnings to the Lancaster Treaty of 1744 ( reprint ed. ). Norton. p. 351. ISBN 9780393303025. Retrieved 2016 - 05 - 26. Jump up ^ Lentz, p. 33 Jump up ^ Moore, p. 101 Jump up ^ Lentz, pp. 41 -- 43 Jump up ^ Moore, p. 122 Jump up ^ Moore, pp. 135 -- 136 Jump up ^ Moore, pp. 138 -- 140 Jump up ^ Lentz, p. 58 ^ Jump up to : Lentz, pp. 63 -- 64 Jump up ^ Moore, p. 156 Jump up ^ Google Books. Books.google.com. April 26, 2006. Retrieved March 15, 2013. Jump up ^ Darbee, Jeffrey ( 2003 ). Taking the Cars : A History of Columbus Union Station. Columbus : The Ohio Historical Society. ISBN 0 - 9742573 - 0 - 3. Jump up ^ Lentz, pp. 70 -- 71 Jump up ^ Cole, Charles Chester ( 2001 ). A Fragile Capital : Identity and the Early Years of Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State University Press. pp. 193 -- 204. ISBN 9780814208533. Jump up ^ A Notable Colored Man has just Passed Away, Xenia Daily Gazette ( Xenia, Ohio ) February 8, 1907, page 7, accessed October 5, 2016 at https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6906223// Jump up ^ Lentz, p. 78 Jump up ^ Lentz, p. 57 Jump up ^ `` Columbus Buggy Company ''. touringohio.com. Retrieved 2017 - 04 - 07. Jump up ^ Lentz, pp. 85 -- 87 Jump up ^ Lentz, pp. 91 -- 92 Jump up ^ `` General Water Treatment Process '', Department of Public Utilities, City of Columbus ( 2007 ). Retrieved July 3, 2012 Jump up ^ Lentz, pp. 94 -- 95 Jump up ^ Lentz, pp. 112 -- 113 Jump up ^ `` NFL History ''. CBS Sportsline.com. Archived from the original on April 10, 2016. Retrieved December 24, 2006. Jump up ^ Lentz, pp. 116 -- 118 Jump up ^ Lentz, p. 122 Jump up ^ `` 1001 Gardens You Must See Before You Die '', Rae Spencer - Jones, Elizabeth Scholtz. Barron 's Educational Series, 2007. ISBN 0 - 7641 - 6005 - 2, ISBN 978 - 0 - 7641 - 6005 - 9. p. 80 Jump up ^ Lentz, p. 129 Jump up ^ Schneider, Keith ( 2016 - 05 - 31 ). `` Open Spaces Bring Light to Downtown Columbus ''. The New York Times. ISSN 0362 - 4331. Retrieved 2017 - 06 - 16. Jump up ^ Ferenchik, Mark ( February 26, 2011 ). `` City spends millions renovating, demolishing eyesore properties ''. The Columbus Dispatch. Archived from the original on February 28, 2011. Retrieved February 27, 2011. ^ Jump up to : `` 75 Years of Flight in Columbus '', Port Columbus International Airport. Retrieved July 3, 2012. Jump up ^ `` History of Air Cargo and Airmail from the 18th Century '', Camille Allaz. 2005. ISBN 0 - 9548896 - 0 - 6, ISBN 978 - 0 - 9548896 - 0 - 9. Jump up ^ Lyon, C.C. ( March 30, 1919 ). `` Six Columbus, O., Airmen Shot Down 42 Hun Planes ''. The Washington Herald. Washington, DC. Retrieved August 10, 2015 -- via Newspapers.com. Jump up ^ Geraldine Fredritz Mock Archived January 20, 2013, at the Wayback Machine. at Ohio History Central ^ Jump up to : Ringle, Dean C. ( 2007 ). `` Franklin County Ohio Road Map & Street Locator ''. Franklin County, Ohio : Franklin County Engineer. ^ Jump up to : Records for Columbus. Archived December 21, 2014, at the Wayback Machine. National Weather Service. Retrieved on 2008 - 11 - 16. Jump up ^ Tullis, Matt ; Mark Ferenchik ( October 13, 2006 ). `` Ruin, relief and rebuilding Tornado aftermath ''. The Columbus Dispatch. pp. NEWS 01A. Jump up ^ `` Station Name : OH COLUMBUS PORT COLUMBUS INTL AP ''. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 2013 - 03 - 30. Jump up ^ `` NowData - NOAA Online Weather Data ''. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 2017 - 02 - 27. Jump up ^ `` Records for Columbus ''. National Weather Service. Retrieved 2017 - 02 - 27. Jump up ^ `` WMO Climate Normals for COLUMBUS WSO AP, OH 1961 -- 1990 ''. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 2014 - 03 - 11. Jump up ^ `` Population and Housing Unit Estimates ''. Retrieved June 9, 2017. Jump up ^ United States Census Bureau. `` Census of Population and Housing ''. Archived from the original on April 22, 2013. Retrieved November 15, 2014. Jump up ^ `` Columbus ( city ), Ohio ''. State & County QuickFacts. U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 10, 2014. ^ Jump up to : `` Race and Hispanic Origin for Selected Cities and Other Places : Earliest Census to 1990 ''. U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 6, 2012. ^ Jump up to : From 15 % sample Jump up ^ Pyle, Encarnacion ( March 14, 2006 ). `` Columbus becoming a mini melting pot ''. The Columbus Dispatch. pp. News 01A. ^ Jump up to : `` Capacity Building Initiative : Immigrant and Refugee Organizations '' Archived May 14, 2013, at the Wayback Machine., Columbus Foundation. 2006. Retrieved July 3, 2012. Jump up ^ `` Dalayad Haji Hashi Jama, 72 ; Somalia 's Former First Lady ''. Los Angeles Times. 2004 - 07 - 31. Retrieved 2016 - 06 - 10. Jump up ^ Wolf, Barnet D. ( December 5, 2006 ). `` Fresch Approach Long John Silver 's test site tries grilling on for size ''. The Columbus Dispatch. Jump up ^ `` Columbus, Ohio ( OH ) Detailed Profile ''. City-Data.com. Retrieved May 5, 2009. Jump up ^ `` 2013 Japanese Direct Investment Survey : Summary of Ohio Results ( as of October 1, 2013 ) '' ( Archive ). Consulate - General of Japan in Detroit. March 5, 2014. Retrieved on June 17, 2014. Jump up ^ Eaton, Dan. `` Japanese companies added 2,700 Ohio jobs in 2013, survey finds. '' Columbus Business First. March 10, 2014. Retrieved on June 13, 2014. Jump up ^ `` America 's Most Literate Cities '' Archived May 8, 2015, at the Wayback Machine., Central Connecticut State University, Retrieved November 19, 2009. Jump up ^ `` America 's Most Literate Cities '' Archived May 8, 2015, at the Wayback Machine., Central Connecticut State University, Retrieved November 19, 2009. Jump up ^ `` America 's 50 Best Cities '', BloombergBusinessweek, Retrieved February 18, 2013 Jump up ^ `` Columbus No. 2 In Manliest City Ranking '' Archived June 28, 2010, at the Wayback Machine., Columbus Dispatch. June 24, 2010. Retrieved June 27, 2010 Jump up ^ `` America 's Manliest Cities '', Sperling 's BestPlaces, Retrieved January 9, 2010. Jump up ^ `` Baltimore Is a Top 2010 Salad City '', Reuters. July 13, 2010. Retrieved July 7, 2012. Jump up ^ Sullivan, Lucas ( January 24, 2013 ). `` Group names Columbus one of world 's most intelligent cities The Columbus Dispatch ''. Dispatch.com. Retrieved April 20, 2013. Jump up ^ `` Columbus Religion '', Sperling 's BestPlaces, Retrieved January 9, 2010. Jump up ^ `` Welcome to St. Paul 's ! ''. Jump up ^ `` What We Believe ''. Jump up ^ Market Watch, Best Places to do business Retrieved July 26, 2009. Jump up ^ Forbes, Best Cities for Working Mothers, Forbes, Retrieved October 12, 2012. Jump up ^ `` Study : Columbus has Ohio 's best economy '', Columbus Biz Journals, Retrieved January 9, 2010. Jump up ^ `` Archived copy '' ( PDF ). Archived from the original ( PDF ) on August 13, 2012. Retrieved 2012 - 08 - 09. ^ Jump up to : `` Top 100 U.S. metro economies '' Archived June 3, 2010, at WebCite, U.S. Conference of Mayors. Retrieved April 22, 2010. 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Jump up ^ `` Franklin Park Conservatory - Welcome to Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens ''. www.fpconservatory.org. Retrieved 2017 - 06 - 16. Jump up ^ Cicero, Karen. `` The 10 Best Science Centers ''. Parents. Retrieved October 27, 2011. Jump up ^ Columbus City Ballet School Retrieved July 26, 2009. Jump up ^ Siegel, Jim ( August 19, 2006 ). `` Theater 's future about more than politics, mayor says ''. The Columbus Dispatch. pp. News 05D. Jump up ^ Siegel, Jim ( December 5, 2006 ). `` State readies projects budget ''. The Columbus Dispatch. pp. News 01D. Jump up ^ Ohio Theatre, History of Shows Retrieved July 26, 2009. Jump up ^ Film Columbus, Movies filmed in Columbus metropolitan area Archived February 21, 2009, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 26, 2009. Jump up ^ `` The Comprehensive Guide to Careers in Sports '', Glenn Wong. Jones & Bartlett Learning, 2008. ISBN 0 - 7637 - 2884 - 5, ISBN 978 - 0 - 7637 - 2884 - 7. Jump up ^ `` Professional rugby team to begin play in Obetz in April ''. The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved March 24, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Top Ten Biggest Sports Stadiums In The World '', Top Ten Land. 2007. Retrieved September 6, 2010. Jump up ^ `` Stanford has built the nation 's most successful athletics program '', John Reid. Mercury News. June 22, 2010. Retrieved September 6, 2010. Jump up ^ `` About Ohio State Athletics '', Ohio State University. 2010. Retrieved September 6, 2010. Jump up ^ `` Report : OSU No. 2 for sports revenue '', BizJournals. June 15, 2009. Retrieved September 6, 2009. Jump up ^ `` Big Ten expansion : E-mails hint eyes are upon Texas '' Archived August 19, 2010, at the Wayback Machine., Bill Rabinowitz. Columbus Dispatch. June 4, 2010. Retrieved September 6, 2010. Jump up ^ `` ESPN.go.com ''. ESPN.go.com. Retrieved March 15, 2013. Jump up ^ Biz Journals, George Steinbrenner Retrieved July 28, 2009. Jump up ^ Arnold Schwarzenegger : A Biography Retrieved July 26, 2009. Jump up ^ `` Cooper Park takes next step '', Mark Ferenchik. Columbus Dispatch. August 31, 2010. Retrieved September 5, 2010. Jump up ^ `` Motor Sports, 24 Hour Race, Columbus Driving Park ''. Motorsport.com. March 15, 2005. Retrieved March 15, 2013. Jump up ^ `` The Buckeye Bullet 2 '' Archived September 4, 2010, at the Wayback Machine., Green Muze. August 31, 2010. Retrieved September 5, 2010. Jump up ^ `` All American Quarter Horse Congress '', Experience Columbus. 2009. Retrieved September 6, 2010. Jump up ^ `` Battelle Darby Creek - Metro Parks - Central Ohio Park System ''. Metro Parks - Central Ohio Park System. Retrieved 2017 - 06 - 16. Jump up ^ `` Wild Bison at the Battelle Darby Creek MetroPark Choosy Traveler ''. Choosy Traveler. Retrieved 2017 - 06 - 16. Jump up ^ `` Big Darby Creek Watershed ''. November 23, 2006. Archived from the original on August 7, 2008. Retrieved May 2, 2009. 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Jump up ^ `` Ohio History Central ''. Ohio History Central. Retrieved March 15, 2013. Jump up ^ Phillips, Jeb ( October 5, 2005 ). `` Check it out : Columbus Library notches no. 1 rating ''. The Columbus Dispatch. pp. News 01B. Jump up ^ `` HAPLR 100 for 1999 to 2006 ''. Hennen 's American Public Library Ratings. 1999 -- 2006. Retrieved May 3, 2007. Jump up ^ http://www.nielsen.com/content/dam/corporate/us/en/docs/solutions/measurement/television/2016-2017-nielsen-local-dma-ranks.pdf Jump up ^ `` Nick History ''. Viacom. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved September 25, 2007. Jump up ^ `` iTV Warner 's Qube ''. Media Visions. Retrieved February 13, 2012. Jump up ^ Arbitron Radio Market Rankings : Spring 2010, Arbitron, Spring 2010, Retrieved May 2, 2010 Jump up ^ Moore, p. 127 Jump up ^ `` Main Street Bridge : Steel Structure Makes Dramatic Visual Impact on Downtown Columbus Skyline ''. Downtown Columbus. Archived from the original on January 6, 2009. Retrieved August 6, 2010. Jump up ^ The Columbus Dispatch ( July 2, 2012 ). `` Fireworks spectators first to use Rich Street bridge The Columbus Dispatch ''. Dispatch.com. Retrieved March 15, 2013. Jump up ^ `` Rich Street Bridge Replacement '' ( PDF ). City of Columbus. Archived from the original ( PDF ) on December 22, 2009. Retrieved August 6, 2010. Jump up ^ `` Regional Airports economic impact study, Wilbur Smith Associates, Inc., January 2005, Chap 1 pp2 - 4 '' ( PDF ). Retrieved July 5, 2012. Jump up ^ Columbus Dispatch, February 26, 2012 : `` Ca n't get there from here ( At least, not without a layover '' ), pp. D1 - 2 ( By Steve Wartenberg ) Jump up ^ http://www.kfhgroup.com/aibra/Tables/tables.htm Jump up ^ `` Columbus Union Station ''. October 13, 2006. Archived from the original on October 28, 2006. Jump up ^ `` Metropolitan Areas Served by Amtrak ''. November 23, 2006. Retrieved May 2, 2009. Jump up ^ `` Phoenix debuts light - rail system ''. December 27, 2008. Archived from the original on December 31, 2008. Jump up ^ Columbus Dispatch, High Speed Rail Retrieved July 26, 2009. Jump up ^ `` Columbus ( OH ) Bikeways Plan ''. Altaprojects.net. Retrieved May 5, 2009. Jump up ^ `` Public Service Home ''. publicservice.columbus.gov. Jump up ^ Reed, Michael. `` About Us Yay Bikes ! Columbus, Oh ''. Yay Bikes !. Archived from the original on August 5, 2012. Retrieved July 5, 2012. Jump up ^ `` Third Hand Bike Co-Op ''. Retrieved June 22, 2017. Jump up ^ WCRS LP Columbus Community Radio ( November 15, 2008 ). `` Cranksters WCRS LP Columbus Community Radio ''. Wcrsfm.org. Retrieved May 5, 2009. Jump up ^ `` Critical Mass Columbus ''. Comacrew.homestead.com. Retrieved May 5, 2009. Jump up ^ `` Meet CoGo Bike Share ''. www.cogobikeshare.com. Retrieved 2016 - 09 - 07. Jump up ^ Austen, Ian ( 2015 - 01 - 09 ). `` The Uphill Push to Save a Bike - Share Pioneer ''. The New York Times. ISSN 0362 - 4331. Retrieved 2016 - 09 - 07. Jump up ^ `` SCI : Sister City Directory ''. Sister Cities International. Retrieved August 20, 2014. Jump up ^ Franken, Harry ( 1991 ). Columbus : The Discovery City. Chatsworth, CA : Windsor Publications. p. 22. ISBN 0 - 89781 - 397 - 9. Jump up ^ `` Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil ''. Greater Columbus Sister Cities Int'l. September 16, 2014. Jump up ^ Mark Ferenchik. `` Ceremony makes Accra, Ghana, a sister city to Columbus ''. The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved March 24, 2016. Bibliography Lentz, Ed ( 2003 ). Columbus : The Story of a City. Making of America series. Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 9780738524290. Moore, Opha ( 1930 ). History of Franklin County Ohio. Topeka - Indianapolis : Historical Publishing Company. Further reading See also : Bibliography of the history of Columbus, Ohio Cole, Charles Chester ( 2001 ). A Fragile Capital : Identity and the Early Years of Columbus, Ohio. Columbus, Ohio : Ohio State University Press. ISBN 9780814208533. Hunker, Henry L. ( 2000 ). Columbus, Ohio : A Personal Geography. Ohio State University Press. ISBN 9780814208571. Meyers, David ; Walker, Elise Meyers ; Vollmer, Nyla ( 2017 ). Carrying Coal to Columbus : Mining in the Hocking Valley. Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 9781625858122. External links Find more aboutColumbus, Ohioat Wikipedia 's sister projects Definitions from Wiktionary Media from Wikimedia Commons News from Wikinews Quotations from Wikiquote Texts from Wikisource Textbooks from Wikibooks Travel guide from Wikivoyage Learning resources from Wikiversity Official website Experience Columbus Columbus Convention and Visitor Bureau `` Columbus, Ohio ''. C - SPAN Cities Tour. A program that featured the history of and literary life in Columbus. The program aired on September 1 -- 2, 2012. Columbus, Ohio Neighborhoods and Areas Arena District Argyle Park The Bottoms Berwick Brewery District Briggsdale Near South and South Neighborhoods Cherry Creek Clintonville Downtown Driving Park East Broad Street Eastside Flytown Forest Park Franklinton Georgian Heights German Village Glen Echo Greater Hilltop Harrison West High Five Hilltop Holly Hill Italian Village King - Lincoln Bronzeville Lincoln Village Linden Milo - Grogan Mount Vernon Murray Hill Near East Side Northwood Park Old North Columbus Old Oaks Olde Towne East Olentangy West Riverbend San Margherita Short North South End University District Victorian Village Westgate Woodland Greater Columbus and Suburbs Amlin Bexley Blacklick Brice Canal Winchester Delaware Dublin Gahanna Galloway Grandview Heights Grove City Groveport Harrisburg Hilliard Lewis Center Lockbourne Marble Cliff Marysville Minerva Park New Albany New Rome Obetz Pataskala Pickerington Powell Reynoldsburg Riverlea Shawnee Hills Unionville Center Upper Arlington Urbancrest Valleyview Westerville Whitehall Worthington Counties Delaware Fairfield Franklin Attractions Actors ' Theatre of Columbus Beulah Park Racetrack Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum Columbus City Hall Columbus Commons Columbus Crew Stadium Columbus Metropolitan Library Columbus Museum of Art Columbus Zoo and Aquarium COSI Express Live ! Franklin Park Conservatory Goodale Park Greater Columbus Convention Center Hollywood Casino Columbus Huntington Park Jack Nicklaus Museum Jerome Schottenstein Center Jungle Jack 's Landing Kelton House LeVeque Tower Lincoln Theatre Marble Cliff Quarry Co. Nationwide Arena Newport Music Hall North Market Ohio History Center Ohio Stadium Ohio Statehouse Ohio Theatre Ohio Village Olentangy Indian Caverns One Nationwide Plaza Palace Theatre Rhodes State Office Tower St. Joseph Cathedral Schiller Park Southern Theatre Thurber House Wexner Center for the Arts Zoombezi Bay Colleges and universities Capital University Columbus College of Art and Design ( CCAD ) Columbus State Community College ( CSCC ) DeVry University Franklin University ITT Technical Institute Ohio Dominican University ( ODU ) Ohio State University ( OSU ) Otterbein University Pontifical College Josephinum Trinity Lutheran Seminary Media Buckeye TV Columbus Alive Columbus Messenger Columbus Monthly The Columbus Dispatch The Lantern ONN The Other Paper ( 614 ) Magazine WCMH 4 WSYX 6 WBNS 10 WTTE 28 WOSU 34 WSFJ 51 WWHO 53 Transportation Central Ohio Transit Authority ( COTA ) Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago and St. Louis Railway Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati Railroad Columbus and Xenia Railroad Union Station Airports Columbus Regional Airport Authority Bolton Field Don Scott Airport Port Columbus International Airport ( CMH ) Rickenbacker International Airport ( LCK ) Major streets and highways I - 270 I - 670 I - 70 I - 71 US 23 US 33 US 40 SR 3 SR 16 SR 104 SR 161 SR 315 SR 710 Shopping malls Eastland Mall Easton Town Center The Mall at Tuttle Crossing Polaris Fashion Place Former malls : Columbus City Center Northland Mall Westland Mall Miscellaneous Climate Catholic Diocese of Columbus City Council City Schools Columbus Ohio Temple History timeline Hospitals Mayors Metroparks Ohio portal Places adjacent to Columbus, Ohio Bellefontaine Marion Mansfield Springfield Columbus Zanesville Cincinnati Chillicothe Lancaster Articles Relating to Columbus and Franklin County State of Ohio Columbus ( capital ) Topics History Geography People Government Administrative divisions Law Elections Delegations Colleges and universities Motto Tourist attractions Portal Society Culture Crime Demographics Economy Education Politics Sports Regions Allegheny Plateau Appalachian Ohio Black Swamp The Bluegrass Extreme Northwest Ohio Glacial till plains Lake Erie Lake Erie Islands Mahoning Valley Miami Valley Northeast Ohio Northwest Ohio Vacationland Western Reserve Metro areas Akron Canton Cincinnati Cleveland Columbus Dayton Findlay - Tiffin Huntington - Ashland Lima Mansfield Steubenville Toledo Youngstown - Warren Largest cities Akron Canton Cincinnati Cleveland Columbus Cuyahoga Falls Dayton Elyria Euclid Hamilton Kettering Lakewood Lorain Mansfield Mentor Middletown Newark Parma Springfield Toledo Youngstown Counties Adams Allen Ashland Ashtabula Athens Auglaize Belmont Brown Butler Carroll Champaign Clark Clermont Clinton Columbiana Coshocton Crawford Cuyahoga Darke Defiance Delaware Erie Fairfield Fayette Franklin Fulton Gallia Geauga Greene Guernsey Hamilton Hancock Hardin Harrison Henry Highland Hocking Holmes Huron Jackson Jefferson Knox Lake Lawrence Licking Logan Lorain Lucas Madison Mahoning Marion Medina Meigs Mercer Miami Monroe Montgomery Morgan Morrow Muskingum Noble Ottawa Paulding Perry Pickaway Pike Portage Preble Putnam Richland Ross Sandusky Scioto Seneca Shelby Stark Summit Trumbull Tuscarawas Union Van Wert Vinton Warren Washington Wayne Williams Wood Wyandot Municipalities and communities of Delaware County, Ohio, United States County seat : Delaware Cities Columbus ‡ Delaware Dublin ‡ Powell Westerville ‡ Villages Ashley Galena Ostrander Shawnee Hills Sunbury Townships Berkshire Berlin Brown Concord Delaware Genoa Harlem Kingston Liberty Marlboro Orange Oxford Porter Radnor Scioto Thompson Trenton Troy CDPs Kilbourne Radnor Unincorporated communities Africa Alum Creek Bellepoint Berkshire Center Village Cheshire Condit East Liberty Harlem Hyatts Kingston Center Leonardsburg Lewis Center Norton Olive Green Orange Rome Stratford Vans Valley White Sulphur Ghost towns Carpenter 's Mill Coles Mills Cones Mills Edinburgh Footnotes ‡ This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties Municipalities and communities of Fairfield County, Ohio, United States County seat : Lancaster Cities Canal Winchester ‡ Columbus ‡ Lancaster Pickerington ‡ Reynoldsburg ‡ Villages Amanda Baltimore Bremen Buckeye Lake ‡ Carroll Lithopolis ‡ Millersport Pleasantville Rushville Stoutsville Sugar Grove Tarlton ‡ Thurston West Rushville Townships Amanda Berne Bloom Clearcreek Greenfield Hocking Liberty Madison Pleasant Richland Rush Creek Violet Walnut CDPs Fairfield Beach Hide - A-Way Hills ‡ Unincorporated communities Cedar Hill Colfax Delmont Dumontville Geneva Greencastle Hamburg Havensport Hooker Lockville New Salem New Strasburg North Berne Royalton Footnotes ‡ This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties Municipalities and communities of Franklin County, Ohio, United States County seat : Columbus Cities Bexley Canal Winchester ‡ Columbus ‡ Dublin ‡ Gahanna Grandview Heights Grove City Groveport Hilliard New Albany ‡ Pickerington ‡ Reynoldsburg ‡ Upper Arlington Westerville ‡ Whitehall Worthington Villages Brice Harrisburg ‡ Lithopolis ‡ Lockbourne ‡ Marble Cliff Minerva Park Obetz Riverlea Urbancrest Valleyview Townships Blendon Brown Clinton Franklin Hamilton Jackson Jefferson Madison Mifflin Norwich Perry Plain Pleasant Prairie Sharon Truro Washington CDPs Blacklick Estates Darbydale Huber Ridge Lake Darby Lincoln Village Unincorporated communities Amlin Blacklick Flint Galloway Georgesville New Rome Footnotes ‡ This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties Midwestern United States Topics Culture Geography Economy Government and Politics History Sports States Ohio Kentucky Indiana Michigan Illinois Missouri Iowa Wisconsin Minnesota North Dakota South Dakota Nebraska Kansas Major cities Chicago Detroit Minneapolis St. Paul St. Louis Cleveland Columbus Dayton Cincinnati Louisville Grand Rapids Fort Wayne Indianapolis Milwaukee Green Bay Madison Des Moines Kansas City Wichita Omaha Sioux Falls Rapid City Fargo State capitals Columbus Frankfort Indianapolis Lansing Springfield Jefferson City Des Moines Madison St. Paul Bismarck Pierre Lincoln Topeka Capitals of the United States by jurisdiction Nation : US Washington States : AL Montgomery AK Juneau AZ Phoenix AR Little Rock CA Sacramento CO Denver CT Hartford DE Dover FL Tallahassee GA Atlanta HI Honolulu ID Boise IL Springfield IN Indianapolis IA Des Moines KS Topeka KY Frankfort LA Baton Rouge ME Augusta MD Annapolis MA Boston MI Lansing MN Saint Paul MS Jackson MO Jefferson City MT Helena NE Lincoln NV Carson City NH Concord NJ Trenton NM Santa Fe NY Albany NC Raleigh ND Bismarck OH Columbus OK Oklahoma City OR Salem PA Harrisburg RI Providence SC Columbia SD Pierre TN Nashville TX Austin UT Salt Lake City VT Montpelier VA Richmond WA Olympia WV Charleston WI Madison WY Cheyenne Territories : AS Pago Pago GU Hagåtña MP Saipan PR San Juan VI Charlotte Amalie All - America City Award : Hall of Fame Akron, Ohio Anchorage, Alaska Asheville, North Carolina Baltimore Boston Cincinnati Cleveland Columbus, Ohio Dayton, Ohio Des Moines, Iowa Edinburg, Texas Fayetteville, North Carolina Fort Wayne, Indiana Fort Worth, Texas Gastonia, North Carolina Grand Island, Nebraska Grand Rapids, Michigan Hickory, North Carolina Independence, Missouri Kansas City, Missouri Laurinburg, North Carolina New Haven, Connecticut Peoria, Illinois Philadelphia Phoenix, Arizona Roanoke, Virginia Rockville, Maryland Saint Paul, Minnesota San Antonio Seward, Alaska Shreveport, Louisiana Tacoma, Washington Toledo, Ohio Tupelo, Mississippi Wichita, Kansas Worcester, Massachusetts Mayors of cities with populations exceeding 100,000 in Ohio Andrew Ginther ( D ) ( Columbus ) Frank G. Jackson ( D ) ( Cleveland ) John Cranley ( D ) ( Cincinnati ) Wade Kapszukiewicz ( D ) ( Toledo ) Dan Horrigan ( D ) ( Akron ) Nan Whaley ( D ) ( Dayton ) Other states AL AK AZ AR CA CO CT DE FL GA HI ID IL IN IA KS KY LA ME MD MA MI MN MS MO MT NE NV NH NJ NM NY NC ND OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN TX UT VT VA WA WV WI WY The 100 most populous metropolitan statistical areas of the United States of America New York, NY Los Angeles, CA Chicago, IL Dallas, TX Houston, TX Washington, DC Philadelphia, PA Miami, FL Atlanta, GA Boston, MA San Francisco, CA Phoenix, AZ Riverside, CA Detroit, MI Seattle, WA Minneapolis, MN San Diego, CA Tampa, FL Denver, CO St. Louis, MO Baltimore, MD Charlotte, NC San Juan, PR Orlando, FL San Antonio, TX Portland, OR Pittsburgh, PA Sacramento, CA Cincinnati, OH Las Vegas, NV Kansas City, MO Austin, TX Columbus, OH Cleveland, OH Indianapolis, IN San Jose, CA Nashville, TN Virginia Beach, VA Providence, RI Milwaukee, WI Jacksonville, FL Memphis, TN Oklahoma City, OK Louisville, KY Richmond, VA New Orleans, LA Hartford, CT Raleigh, NC Birmingham, AL Buffalo, NY Salt Lake City, UT Rochester, NY Grand Rapids, MI Tucson, AZ Honolulu, HI Tulsa, OK Fresno, CA Bridgeport, CT Worcester, MA Albuquerque, NM Omaha, NE Albany, NY New Haven, CT Bakersfield, CA Knoxville, TN Greenville, SC Oxnard, CA El Paso, TX Allentown, PA Baton Rouge, LA McAllen, TX Dayton, OH Columbia, SC Greensboro, NC Sarasota, FL Little Rock, AR Stockton, CA Akron, OH Charleston, SC Colorado Springs, CO Syracuse, NY Winston - Salem, NC Cape Coral, FL Boise, ID Wichita, KS Springfield, MA Madison, WI Lakeland, FL Ogden, UT Toledo, OH Deltona, FL Des Moines, IA Jackson, MS Augusta, GA Scranton, PA Youngstown, OH Harrisburg, PA Provo, UT Palm Bay, FL Chattanooga, TN United States Census Bureau population estimates for July 1, 2012 VIAF : 247586192 LCCN : n79049218 GND : 4085305 - 6 BNF : cb13771323z ( data ) Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Columbus,_Ohio&oldid=816599972 '' Categories : Columbus, Ohio Cities in Ohio Cities in Delaware County, Ohio Cities in Fairfield County, Ohio Cities in Franklin County, Ohio Populated places established in 1812 County seats in Ohio Planned cities in the United States National Road Populated places on the Underground Railroad 1812 establishments in Ohio Hidden categories : All articles with dead external links Articles with dead external links from December 2017 Articles with permanently dead external links Webarchive template wayback links Webarchive template webcite links Articles with dead external links from June 2016 Articles with dead external links from September 2016 Use mdy dates from November 2013 Coordinates on Wikidata Articles containing potentially dated statements from 2013 All articles containing potentially dated statements All articles with vague or ambiguous time Vague or ambiguous time from December 2013 Vague or ambiguous time from April 2013 All articles with unsourced statements Articles with unsourced statements from April 2013 Official website different in Wikidata and Wikipedia Wikipedia articles with VIAF identifiers Wikipedia articles with LCCN identifiers Wikipedia articles with GND identifiers Wikipedia articles with BNF identifiers Talk Contents About Wikipedia Wikivoyage Afrikaans አማርኛ Aragonés Asturianu Azərbaycanca تۆرکجه বাংলা Bân - lâm - gú Беларуская Беларуская ( тарашкевіца ) ‎ Bislama Български Brezhoneg Català Cebuano Čeština Corsu Cymraeg Dansk Deitsch Deutsch Diné bizaad Eesti Ελληνικά Emiliàn e rumagnòl Español Esperanto Estremeñu Euskara فارسی Føroyskt Français Frysk Gaeilge Gàidhlig Galego 贛 語 한국어 Հայերեն Hrvatski Ido Ilokano Bahasa Indonesia Interlingua Interlingue Ирон Íslenska Italiano עברית Kapampangan ქართული Қазақша Kernowek Kiswahili Kreyòl ayisyen Kurdî Кыргызча Кырык мары Latina Latviešu Lietuvių Ligure Magyar Malagasy മലയാളം मराठी მარგალური Nederlands नेपाल भाषा 日本 語 Napulitano Нохчийн Norsk Norsk nynorsk Occitan ਪੰਜਾਬੀ पालि پنجابی Papiamentu Piemontèis Polski Português Română Runa Simi Русский Саха тыла संस्कृतम् Sardu Scots Seeltersk Shqip Sicilianu Simple English Slovenčina Slovenščina Ślůnski Soomaaliga Српски / srpski Srpskohrvatski / српскохрватски Suomi Svenska Tagalog தமிழ் ไทย Türkçe Українська اردو ئۇيغۇرچە / Uyghurche Vèneto Tiếng Việt Volapük Winaray ייִדיש Yorùbá 粵語 Žemaitėška 中文 Edit links This page was last edited on 22 December 2017, at 11 : 36. 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Question: when did columbus become ohio's state capital
Answer: 1816