# Pickerington, Ohio

Pickerington is a city in Fairfield and Franklin counties in the central region of the U.S. state of Ohio. It is a suburb of Columbus. The population was 23,094 at the 2020 census. It was founded in 1815 as Jacksonville, named after Andrew Jackson. The name was changed in 1827 in honor of its founder, Abraham Pickering. As land annexation, development, and immigration into the Columbus area continues, the city of Pickerington (like many area suburbs) has generally followed suit. Pickerington is home to the Motorcycle Hall of Fame, located off of Interstate 70.
The Ohio Secretary of State certified Pickerington as a city in 1991 and it was designated as the "Violet Capital of Ohio" in 1996 by the Ohio Legislature. At 11.1 sq mi (29 km$^2$), Pickerington is the second-largest city in Fairfield County behind Lancaster. Pickerington is located just east of Columbus.

## Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 11.1 square miles (28.75 km$^2$), all land.

## Demographics
### 2020 census

As of the census of 2020, there were 23,094 people, 8,373 households, and 7,787 families living in the city The population density was 2,355.8 inhabitants per square mile (909.6/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the city was 69.1% White, 19.0% African American, 4.9% Asian, and 6.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.4% of the population.
There were 7,787 households. The average household size was 2.97 and the average family size was 3.33.
The median age in the city was 36.2 years. 30.2% of residents were under the age of 18; The gender makeup of the city was 48.6% male and 51.4% female.

### 2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 18,291 people, 6,226 households, and 4,869 families living in the city. The population density was 1,877.9 inhabitants per square mile (725.1/km$^2$). There were 6,680 housing units at an average density of 685.8 per square mile (264.8/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the city was 80.1% White, 13.0% African American, 0.2% Native American, 2.9% Asian, 0.7% from other races, and 3.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.5% of the population.
There were 6,226 households, of which 50.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.8% were married couples living together, 11.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 21.8% were non-families. 17.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.92 and the average family size was 3.33.
The median age in the city was 32.9 years. 33.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 31.5% were from 25 to 44; 22% were from 45 to 64; and 6.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.6% male and 51.4% female.

### 2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 9,792 people, 3,468 households, and 2,687 families living in the city. The population density was 1,317.4 inhabitants per square mile (508.7/km$^2$). There were 3,573 housing units at an average density of 480.7 per square mile (185.6/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the city was 93.18% White, 3.72% African American, 0.08% Native American, 1.38% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.41% from other races, and 1.19% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.35% of the population.
There were 3,468 households, out of which 48.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.3% were married couples living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.5% were non-families. 18.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.82 and the average family size was 3.25.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 32.7% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 35.6% from 25 to 44, 19.8% from 45 to 64, and 5.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $63,664, and the median income for a family was $71,161. Males had a median income of $51,155 versus $31,850 for females. The per capita income for the city was $25,839. About 2.6% of families and 3.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.6% of those under age 18 and 1.8% of those age 65 or over.

## Law and government

Pickerington uses the weak-mayor version of the mayor-council government, which constitutes an elected executive mayor position, an elected city council, and an appointed city manager position.

### Mayor

The current mayor, Lee A. Gray, was elected in November 2011. Gray previously served as mayor from 1992 to 1999 and as a city council member in 1987.

### City council

The Pickerington City Council is a seven-member body that is elected by rolling. There are four standing committees in the council: the finance committee, the rules committee, the safety committee, and the service committee.

### Administration

There are several positions appointed between the mayor and city council to aid in the day-to-day management of the city.

### Police department

The Pickerington Police Department, currently led by Chief Tod Cheney, is a 24/7 operation consisting of approximately 30 sworn personnel, 10 civilian dispatchers/records technicians, and 1 administrative assistant.
The police department is responsible for all police activities within the city and is made up of the patrol bureau and detective bureau.

## Education

Pickerington Local School District consists of 15 buildings: two high schools, one alternative high school, two junior high schools, three middle schools, seven elementary schools, and an early childhood learning center.
PLSD is made up of approximately 43.4% White, 33.3% African-American, 8.9% Asian, 6.8% Hispanic, .2% American Indian, and 7.4% multi-racial students. 40.9% of students are on a free/reduced lunch program. 15.0% are students with disabilities. The school district also has an average attendance rate of 93.4%.

### Schools

High schools (9–12)
* Pickerington High School Central
* Pickerington High School North
* Pickerington Alternative School
Junior highs (7–8)
* Pickerington Ridgeview Junior High School
* Pickerington Lakeview Junior High School
Middle schools (5–6)
* Diley Middle School
* Harmon Middle School
* Toll Gate Middle School
Elementary schools (K–4)
* Fairfield Elementary
* Heritage Elementary
* Pickerington Elementary
* Violet Elementary
* Tussing Elementary
* Sycamore Creek Elementary
* Toll Gate Elementary

## Infrastructure
### Healthcare

OhioHealth Pickerington Methodist Hospital is on Refugee road in Pickerington. In 2021 OhioHealth announced details of a six-story, 220,000 square foot hospital that includes additional cancer services to the Pickerington community. It opened in December 2023, OhioHealth Pickerington Methodist Hospital expanded the services of what was Pickerington Medical Campus to a full service hospital.

### Parks and recreation

Pickerington Parks and Recreation Department oversees a vast expanse of parkland that spans over 158 acres, featuring a community pool and an array of amenities such as shelter houses, fishing ponds, basketball courts, softball fields, soccer fields, tennis courts, a putting green, playgrounds, swing sets, an arboretum, a covered bridge, sledding hills, a skate park, and an adult obstacle course.

### Transportation
#### Local roads

The city's two main corridors are Hill Road (state route 256) which runs from Main Street in Reynoldsburg through to Olde Pickerington Village and Refugee Road which runs through the top of the city.

#### Highways

Pickerington has one highway running through it Interstate 70 in the North of the city on the border of Reynoldsburg.

#### Rail history

In 1879, the first Toledo and Ohio Central Railroad (T&OC) train arrived in Pickerington after the completion of the railroad tracks and depot. The event marked the beginning of a growth period, with Pickerington's population expanding from 150 to 290 residents, and the township's population increasing from 1,220 to 1,970. For over fifty years, trains transported passengers to and from Pickerington, but with the rise of car ownership and paved roads, rail travel declined. In 1950, Pickerington's passenger service was discontinued, and the depot stopped handling freight traffic eight years later in 1958.

#### Public transit

Lancaster-Fairfield Public Transit has 2 bus routes in Pickerington. One is a loop the other connects to Lancaster and Carroll.

## Economy

According to the city's 2023 Popular Annual Financial Report, the top employers in the city are:
| Employer | # of Employees |
| Pickerington Local School District | 1,276 |
| OhioHealth Corporation | 1,150 |
| Kroger | 369 |
| Kohl's | 289 |
| Cracker Barrel Restaurant | 238 |
| Roosters Wings | 237 |
| ABRH, LLC. | 155 |
| McDonalds | 146 |

## Notable people

* Annette Echikunwoke, first US Olympic medalist in Women's Hammer Throw, Silver Medal 2024 Paris Olympics
* Alex Bayer, NFL football player
* Justin Boren, NFL player
* Zach Boren, NFL player
* Shane Bowen, NFL coach, Tennessee Titans
* Jake Butt, NFL player
* Taco Charlton, NFL player, Pittsburgh Steelers
* Pat Elflein, NFL player, Carolina Panthers
* Lindsay Hollister, television actress
* Caris LeVert, NBA player, Cleveland Cavaliers
* Roger Lewis Jr., NFL player
* Earl Moore, MLB pitcher who threw the first nine-inning no-hitter in the American League
* Brian Peters, NFL player
* Arthur Raymond Robinson, Indiana senator, "dark horse" presidential candidate on the Republican ticket in 1932
* Dan and Tom Ryan, professional Halo players
* Jill Gray Savarese, actress
* Brian Shaffer, Ohio State University medical student who disappeared in Columbus in 2006
* Spencer Sutherland, singer-songwriter
* A. J. Trapasso, football player, Ohio State University and NFL