Quality of life, and the ability to enjoy where we live as well as where we work, is important to most everyone.
Delaware County has top rated K-12 schools, career centers, colleges and universities, unique communities, great arts, sports, scenic parks, recreational facilities and events. Our county is less than thirty minutes from the metro area of Columbus.
The residential workforce of Delaware County ranks high in health and wellness, education and affluence, and consistently contributes to the county’s strong sales tax base. These attributes make Delaware County an ideal place to establish your business and your home.
Living in Delaware County
Cost of Living
Delaware County offers a low cost of living and high quality amenities such as housing, utilities, transportation, health care and easy access to an array of goods and services. Regionally, the overall cost of living is lower than the national average, and lower than the state of Ohio.
Housing Trends
The following table shows the vacancy and homeownership rates in Delaware County and compares these rates to those at the regional, state, and national levels. The 4.0 percent vacancy rate is significantly lower than those in the larger areas and the ownership rate is significantly higher.
Housing Occupancy and Tenure, 2010-2012
Comparing Delaware County, Columbus Region, Ohio, and U.S.
Delaware County’s housing stock is much newer than that of the Columbus Region, the U.S., and especially Ohio.
Fully 65 percent of dwelling units in Delaware County were constructed in 1990 or subsequently, versus 32 percent of units in the Columbus Region, 29 percent of units nationwide, and 22 percent of units in Ohio.
Housing Unit Age Distribution, 2010-2012
Comparing Delaware County, Columbus Region, Ohio, and U.S.
The value of owner-occupied housing is higher than regional, state, and national averages; homes in the Columbus Region are more valuable than in Ohio, but generally less valuable than the national average.
The median owner-occupied home value in Delaware County is $245,900.
The median owner-occupied home value in Delaware County is $245,900. A median cannot be computed for the region, but the Ohio median is $130,600 and the national median is $174,600.
Source: 2010-2012 American Community Survey, U.S. Census Bureau.
Value of Owner-Occupied Housing, 2010-2012
Comparing Delaware County, Columbus Region, Ohio, and U.S.
Source: 2010-2012 American Community Survey, U.S. Census Bureau.
Commuting
Since 2001, employment in the county has more than doubled, gaining more than 41,000 jobs. The sole negative impact of the most severe recession since the 1930s was a net decline of 140 jobs in 2009.
The percentage of Delaware County workers driving alone to work is greater than average – 85% versus a national average of 76%. The travel time of workers living in Delaware County is typically somewhat longer than average for the region: 41% of those in Delaware County spend 30 minutes or more commuting one way, compared to 30% of commuters throughout the Columbus Region and 35% of commuters nationwide.
The percentage of workers living in Delaware County and working in other counties (particularly Franklin) has increased markedly over the past several decades, while an increasing percentage of Delaware jobs are filled by workers living outside the county (particularly Franklin). This increasing interdependence is a positive development: it reduces Delaware County’s economic risk by reducing the concentration of residents’ workplaces, thereby increasing economic resilience. But it also implies the need for close coordination with Franklin County in planning transportation improvements (including mass transit).
Travel Time to Work, 2010-2012
Comparing Delaware County, Columbus Region, Ohio, and U.S.
Source: 2010-2012 American Community Survey, U.S. Census Bureau.
Talent, Training & Education
In Delaware County, we believe an effective economic development strategy must be complemented by an equally effective and interrelated workforce development strategy.
Without well-trained, efficient workers, positions cannot be filled and when they are filled, those occupying those positions underperform. As a result, the business fails to achieve its growth potential and is unable to compete successfully with more efficient competitors elsewhere. Thus, an economic development strategy focusing solely on business attraction and retention is incomplete; a clear, consistent workforce strategy is equally important.
We believe neither economic development nor workforce development succeeds alone. Each needs the other.
Delaware County is proud to offer workforce development in an array of forms including career training programs, schools and universities to continuously prepare a highly skilled workforce. Among these are:
Ohio Wesleyan University (OWU) with 1,600 students, offers undergraduate degrees in more than 90 majors and concentrations, including business, computer science, and the natural sciences. OWU students also frequently seek internships in the local business community. These internships benefit both the student and the business.
The Delaware campus of Columbus State Community College (CSCC) offers four two-year degree programs that can be completed entirely on the campus, including the Associate of Science in Business Management, the Associate of Computer Information Technology, and Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees that are intended to fulfill the first two years of a four-year degree.
The Delaware Area Career Center provides unique elective courses to high school students in Delaware County and surrounding areas that combine academic learning with hands-on instruction in emerging college majors and career fields. Adult students can expand their career options at DACC through advanced training to increase their employability or give them a fresh start on a new career through programs such as Ohio Basic Peace Officer Training, Firefighting, and Nurse Aide Training.
Other Employment Resources include Delaware County Job and Family Services and OhioMeansJobs