Is Hilliard Ohio a Good Place to Live? Moving to Ohio

We’ve put together this guide to help you if you were wondering if Hilliard, OH is a good place to live and if it's worth moving there. Hilliard is the 35^th largest city in Ohio, and a top-rated Columbus suburb. The population was 37,114 in 2020, a 30% increase since the 2010 census.  

There are a lot of people moving to the area, so before you decide to join them, here are a few things to know about Hilliard.   

What is Hilliard like? 

These statistics are an overview to offer you a general idea of what Hilliard is like. We’ll also cover more information like history, cost of living, crime rate, and pros and cons further down.  

*Data from Census.gov 

History of Hilliard, OH 

The city of Hilliard can be traced back to 1852 when Mr. John Reed Hilliard bought farmland in western Franklin County. The town began as Hilliard’s Station, a popular shipping point for agricultural products and supplies. The original train station has been restored and remains in Weaver Park.  

On September 1, 1853, John Hilliard platted the area, and the town became Hilliard after the post office was established in 1854. In 1869, the Village of Hilliard became incorporated with only 280 residents.  

Flash forward to the 1950s, when residential subdivisions (and major growth) were brought to Hilliard. In 1960, Hilliard gained official city status after attaining a population of 5,633. The 1980s also brought a boom with the completion of the I-270 Outerbelt.  

Hilliard is a mix of small business owners and major corporations that contribute to the greater Columbus metro area. There are approximately 1,104 companies in Hilliard that employ about 15,961 people. 

Cost of Living: Is it Expensive to Live in Hilliard? 

Overall, the cost of living in Hilliard is slightly higher than the national average, and higher than the Ohio state average. The housing costs in Hilliard are also higher than the state and national averages, but transportation and health costs are lower. The rental rates in Hilliard are average for the area, about $1,221 for a 959 sq. ft. apartment.  

*Data from BestPlaces.net 

Safety: Is Hilliard safe? 

According to CrimeGrade.Org, Hilliard, OH has a C crime grade. The city is in the 41^st percentile for safety, meaning 59% of US cities are safer. Per year, the rate of crime in Hilliard is 30.47 per 1,000, which is slightly lower than the rate of crime in Columbus (36.79 per 1,000 residents). It is also safer than the similarly sized city of La Crosse, WI. 

Food and Entertainment in Hilliard 

Although Hilliard is considered a quiet area, it is still considered a great place to live with plenty to do. Find a variety of shopping opportunities in the Mill Run neighborhood, Market at Hilliard, and Hilliard Square Shopping Center, as well as grocery stores around town. 

There are also a number of parks and natural spaces in town. Roger A. Reynolds Municipal Park is the most notable, with a pool, lazy river, small amphitheater, athletics courts and more. Reibel Woods and Scioto Run Nature Trail offer walking and hiking paths, and Heritage Trail Dog Park is a great place to take your furry friend for some exercise.

For some family friendly fun, check out Ten Pin Alley, the Early Television Museum, Hilliard Family Aquatic Center or even Dave and Buster’s.  

Hilliard is home to a variety of awesome dining options, with everything from American cuisine to ethnic foods to comfort classics. Some of the top restaurants in the area include Starliner Diner, Abner’s Casual Dining, The Olive Tree Lebanese and Mediterranean Café, and Wild Ginger Asian Fusion.  

Pros & Cons of Living in Hilliard 

Pros 

There are a variety of pros to living in Hillard, OH. Even though the cost of living is slightly higher than the national average, it is still reasonably priced. The cost of transportation and health are lower than the national average.  

Hilliard is also home to a great public school district. According to state test scores, 71% of students are proficient or better in math, and 68% are at least proficient in reading. It’s also a great district for athletes in the area. Hilliard is home to the state-of-the-art Innovation Campus, a learning center where kids can explore interests, gain personalized learning experiences and more.  

Hilliard is also nearby colleges and universities in the Columbus area including Columbus State Community College, Franklin University, Columbus College of Art and Design and The Ohio State University. 

Another positive thing about living in Hilliard is the economy. With a median household income higher than that of the national average, and about 1,104 companies in the city, Hilliard boasts a great place to work and grow your business. 

Cons 

There are more homeowners than renters in Hilliard (71% versus 29%, respectively), but the median home costs are much higher than Columbus and the national average.  

Crime is another factor deterring people from living in Hilliard. There are both good and bad areas of town, but the overall crime grade in the area is a C. The most dangerous neighborhoods are in southern Hilliard.  

The climate in Hilliard may also be considered a con. The summers are warm and humid, and the winters are freezing, snowy and windy. It’s partly cloudy year-round. 

Quality of Life in Hilliard 

Hilliard offers residents a small-town atmosphere, with the convenience of a big city just a short drive away. It is a top-ranked suburb of Columbus, known as both a great place to raise a family and one of the top 10 suburbs for young professionals.  

Many residents enjoy the sense of community and welcoming atmosphere. The city of Hilliard offers regular community events, outreach programs and activities like summer concerts and movies.  

Top neighborhoods in the area include Heritage Preserve, a nature-focused new development, Hampton Oaks, just a short walk to Old Hilliard and Ballantrae, a golf community. Old Hilliard is a popular entertainment area with outdoor space, shopping, dining and events.  

Wrapping Up: Is Hilliard a Good Place to Live? 

We hope this guide has helped you decide if Hilliard is the place for you.  

Hilliard offers an affordable cost of living, growing economy and population, as well as highly rated public schools. The area is great for families and young professionals.  

The community is one of the best suburbs of Columbus, but higher than average housing costs and a C crime grade may deter people from moving there.  

Whether you decide to move to Hilliard or not, if you ever need self-storage, feel free to reach out to Store Space. Find Store Space in Hilliard, or our other locations around the United States with our storage location finder.