View source for Columbus, Ohio

{{Short description|Capital and most populous city of Ohio, United States}}{{Redirect|Columbus (city)|other cities|Columbus (disambiguation)#Places}}

{{Pp|small=yes}}
{{Use American English|date=March 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Columbus
| settlement_type    = [[List of US state capitals|State capital city]]
| image_skyline      = {{multiple image
  | border                         = infobox
  | total_width                    = 280
  | perrow                         = 1/2/2
  | caption_align                  = center
  | image1                         = Downtown Columbus View from Main St Bridge - edit1.jpg
  | alt1                           = Downtown Columbus and the Scioto Mile
  | caption1                       = [[Downtown Columbus, Ohio|Downtown Columbus]] and the [[Scioto Mile]]
  | image2                         = Ohio Statehouse 04.jpg
  | alt2                           = Ohio Statehouse
  | caption2                       = [[Ohio Statehouse]]
  | image3                         = Ohio-Columbus-University-Hall-2017-10-21-001.jpg
  | alt3                           = Ohio State University
  | caption3                       = [[Ohio State University]]
  | image4                         = Columbus, Ohio JJ 77b.jpg
  | alt4                           = The Short North
  | caption4                       = [[The Short North]]
  | image5                         = Columbus at night 01.jpg
  | alt5                           = COSI
  | caption5                       = [[COSI]]  
  | image6                         = Franklin Park Conservatory - 2773128756.jpg
  | alt6                           = Franklin Park Conservatory
  | caption6                       = [[Franklin Park Conservatory]]
  | image7                         = Ohio Stadium Overhead.jpg
  | alt7                           = Ohio Stadium
  | caption7                       = [[Ohio Stadium]]
}}
| image_flag         = Flag of Columbus, Ohio.svg
| flag_size          = 100px
| flag_link          = Flag of Columbus, Ohio
| image_seal         = Columbus seal.png{{!}}class=skin-invert
| image_blank_emblem = Columbus wordmark.svg
| blank_emblem_size  = 150px
| blank_emblem_type  = [[List of United States county and city insignia|Wordmark]]
| nicknames          = 
| mapframe           = yes
| mapframe-zoom      = 9
| mapframe-point     = none
| pushpin_map        = Ohio#USA
| pushpin_relief     = yes
| coordinates        = {{Coord|39|57|44|N|83|00|02|W|region:US-OH_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = United States
| subdivision_type1  = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of counties in Ohio|Counties]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[Ohio]]
| subdivision_name2  = {{hlist|[[Franklin County, Ohio|Franklin]]|[[Delaware County, Ohio|Delaware]]|[[Fairfield County, Ohio|Fairfield]]}}
| established_title  = Settled
| established_date   = {{Start date and age|1812|02|14}}
| named_for          = [[Christopher Columbus]]
| established_title2 = 
| established_date2  = 
| government_type    = [[Government of Columbus, Ohio|Mayor–council]]
| governing_body     = [[Columbus City Council]]
| leader_title       = [[List of mayors of Columbus, Ohio|Mayor]]
| leader_name        = [[Andrew Ginther]]
| leader_party       = [[Democratic Party (United States)|D]]
| leader_title1      = Council members
| leader_name1       = {{Collapsible list|titlestyle=font-weight:normal;background:transparent;text-align:left
|title                     = List<ref>{{cite web|title=City Council: Staff Directory|publisher=City of Columbus|url=https://www.columbus.gov/Government/City-Council/Directory|access-date=October 18, 2025}}</ref>
| frame_style              = border:none; padding: 0;
| title_style              =
| list_style               = text-align:left;
| 2 = Chris Wyche (D)
| 3 = Nancy Day-Achauer (D)
| 4 = Rob Dorans (D)
| 5 = Emmanuel Remy (D)
| 6 = Nick Bankston (D)
| 7 =  Melissa Green (D)
| 8 = Otto Beatty (D)
| 9 = Lourdes Barroso de Padilla (D)
| 10 = [[Shannon Hardin]] (D)}}
<!-- Area -->| unit_pref          = Imperial
| area_footnotes     = <ref name="TigerWebMapServer">{{cite web|title=ArcGIS REST Services Directory|url=https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/arcgis/rest/services/TIGERweb/Places_CouSub_ConCity_SubMCD/MapServer|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=September 20, 2022|archive-date=January 19, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220119173812/https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/arcgis/rest/services/TIGERweb/Places_CouSub_ConCity_SubMCD/MapServer|url-status=live}}</ref>
| area_total_sq_mi   = 226.26
| area_total_km2     = 586.00
| area_land_sq_mi    = 220.40
| area_land_km2      = 570.82
| area_water_sq_mi   = 5.86
| area_water_km2     = 15.18
| elevation_ft       = 791
| elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/>
| population_total   = 905748
| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_footnotes =
| population_est     = 933263 {{gain}}
| pop_est_as_of      = 2024
| pop_est_footnotes  = <ref name="USCensusQuickFacts">{{cite web |title=Columbus city, Ohio |work=QuickFacts |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/columbuscityohio |access-date=May 15, 2025 }}</ref>
| population_rank    = [[List of North American cities by population|40th]] in North America<br />[[List of United States cities by population|14th]] in the United States<br />[[List of cities in Ohio|1st]] in Ohio
| population_density_sq_mi = 4109.64
| population_density_km2 = 1586.74
| population_urban   = 1,567,254 ([[List of United States urban areas|US: 35th]])
| population_density_urban_km2 = 1,172.3
| population_density_urban_sq_mi = 3,036.4
| population_metro_footnotes = <ref name="2020Pop">{{cite web |title=2020 Population and Housing State Data |url=https://www.census.gov/library/visualizations/interactive/2020-population-and-housing-state-data.html |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=August 22, 2021 |archive-date=August 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210812173619/https://www.census.gov/library/visualizations/interactive/2020-population-and-housing-state-data.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
| population_metro   = 2138926 ([[List of metropolitan statistical areas|US: 32nd]])
| population_demonym = Columbusite<ref name="Columbusite">{{Cite web|title=Things you'll never hear a Columbusite say|url=http://www.610wtvn.com/onair/must-see-tvn-50480/things-youll-never-hear-a-columbusite-12289848|date=April 25, 2014|website=News Radio 610 WTVN|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141031214046/http://www.610wtvn.com/onair/must-see-tvn-50480/things-youll-never-hear-a-columbusite-12289848|archive-date=October 31, 2014}}</ref>
| demographics_type2 = GDP
| demographics2_footnotes = <ref>{{Cite web|title=Total Gross Domestic Product for Columbus, OH (MSA)|url=https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/NGMP18140|website=www.bea.gov}}</ref>
| demographics2_title1 = Metro
| demographics2_info1 = $182.088 billion (2023)
| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP Code]]s
| postal_code        = {{collapsible list
| title                          = ZIP Codes<ref>{{cite web|url=http://zip4.usps.com/zip4/citytown.jsp |publisher=USPS |title=Zip Code Lookup |access-date=November 15, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070903025217/http://zip4.usps.com/zip4/citytown.jsp |archive-date=September 3, 2007  }}</ref>
| frame_style                    = border:none; padding: 0;
| list_style                     = text-align:center;display:none
|43081, 43085, 43201–43207, 43209–43224, 43226–43232, 43234–43236, 43240, 43251, 43260, 43266, 43268, 43270–43272, 43279, 43287, 43291}}
| area_code_type     = [[North American Numbering Plan|Area codes]]
| area_code          = [[Area codes 614 and 380|614 and 380]]
| website            = {{official URL}}
| footnotes          = 
| timezone           = [[Eastern Standard Time Zone|EST]]
| utc_offset         = −5
| timezone_DST       = [[Eastern Daylight Time|EDT]]
| utc_offset_DST     = −4
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standards|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = 39-18000
| blank1_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info        = 1086101<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|1086101}}</ref>
| established_title1 = Incorporated
| established_date1  = {{Start date and age|1816|02|10}}<ref name="Manual"/>
}}

'''Columbus''' ({{IPAc-en|k|ə|'|l|ʌ|m|b|ə|s}}, {{respell|kə|LUM|bəs}}) is the [[List of capitals in the United States|capital]] and [[List of cities in Ohio|most populous city]] of the U.S. state of [[Ohio]]. With a population of 905,748 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]],<ref name="USCensusQuickFacts" /> it is the [[List of United States cities by population|14th-most populous city]] in the U.S., second-most populous city in the [[Midwestern United States|Midwest]] (after [[Chicago]]), and third-most populous U.S. state capital (after [[Phoenix, Arizona]], and [[Austin, Texas]]). The [[Columbus metropolitan area, Ohio|Columbus metropolitan area]], with an estimated 2.23 million residents, is the [[Ohio statistical areas|largest metropolitan area]] entirely in Ohio{{efn|The [[Cincinnati metropolitan area]], partially in Kentucky, has a larger population, at 2.30 million in 2024.<ref name=PopEstCBSA>{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-metro-and-micro-statistical-areas.html#v2024 |title=Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas Population Totals: 2020–2024 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]], Population Division |date=March 13, 2025 |access-date=March 13, 2025 }}</ref>}} and [[Metropolitan statistical area|32nd-largest metropolitan area]] in the U.S. Columbus is the [[county seat]] of [[Franklin County, Ohio|Franklin County]]; it also extends into [[Delaware County, Ohio|Delaware]] and [[Fairfield County, Ohio|Fairfield]] counties.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Template.cfm?Section=Find_a_County&Template=/cffiles/counties/county.cfm&id=39049 |title=Places in Franklin County, OH |work=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties |access-date=April 13, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080616120530/http://www.naco.org/Template.cfm?Section=Find_a_County&Template=%2Fcffiles%2Fcounties%2Fcounty.cfm&id=39049 |archive-date=June 16, 2008 }}</ref>

Columbus originated as several Native American settlements along the [[Scioto River]]. The first European settlement was [[Franklinton (Columbus, Ohio)|Franklinton]], now a city neighborhood, in 1797. Columbus was founded in 1812 at the confluence of the Scioto and [[Olentangy River|Olentangy]] rivers and was named after Italian explorer [[Christopher Columbus]]. It was planned as the state capital due to its central location and officially became the capital in 1816. The city grew steadily through the 19th century as a transportation and industrial hub via the [[National Road]], [[Ohio and Erie Canal]], and several railroads. Starting in the 1950s, Columbus experienced rapid [[Suburbanization|suburban growth]], becoming Ohio's largest city by area and population by the early 1990s.

Columbus diversified economically in the late 20th and early 21st centuries as a center for finance, insurance, education, and technology. The metropolitan area 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; and the [[Ohio State University]], one of the [[List of United States public university campuses by enrollment|largest universities in the United States]]. The Greater Columbus area is further home to the headquarters of [[Fortune 500|''Fortune'' 500]] companies [[Cardinal Health]], [[Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company|Nationwide]], [[American Electric Power]], [[Huntington Bancshares]] and [[Vertiv]]. It hosts cultural institutions such as the [[Columbus Museum of Art]], [[COSI]], [[Franklin Park Conservatory]] and [[Ohio Theatre (Columbus, Ohio)|Ohio Theatre]]. The city's major league professional sports teams include the [[Columbus Blue Jackets]] ([[National Hockey League|NHL]]) and [[Columbus Crew]] ([[Major League Soccer|MLS]]).

{{TOC limit|2}}

==Name==
{{further|#Italian-American community and symbols}}
The city of Columbus was named after 15th-century Italian explorer [[Christopher Columbus]].<ref name="WaPo"/> It is the second largest city in the world named for the explorer (after [[Colombo]]), who sailed to and settled parts of the Americas on behalf of [[Isabella I of Castile]] and Spain.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Thomas |first1=G. Scott |title=54 U.S. communities carry Columbus's legacy in their names |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/bizjournals/on-numbers/scott-thomas/2011/10/54-us-communities-carry-columbuss.html |website=The Business Journals |access-date=July 29, 2020 |date=October 10, 2011 |archive-date=March 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308142635/https://www.bizjournals.com/bizjournals/on-numbers/scott-thomas/2011/10/54-us-communities-carry-columbuss.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Although no reliable history exists as to why Columbus, who had no connection to the city or state of Ohio before the city's founding, was chosen as the name for the city, the book ''Columbus: The Story of a City'' indicates that a state lawmaker and local resident admired the explorer enough to persuade other lawmakers to name the settlement Columbus.<ref name="WaPo"/><ref name="ICT"/>

Since the late 20th century, historians have criticized Columbus for initiating [[European colonization of the Americas|the European conquest of America]] and for abuse, enslavement, and subjugation of natives.<ref name="Howard Zinn">{{cite web|url=http://www.newhumanist.com/md2.html|title=A People's History of the United States|author=Howard Zinn|publisher=Newhumanist.com|access-date=September 5, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080729234240/http://www.newhumanist.com/md2.html|archive-date=July 29, 2008}}</ref><ref name="Bigelow, B. 1992">Bigelow, B. (1992). ''Once upon a Genocide: Christopher Columbus in Children's Literature''.</ref> Efforts to remove symbols related to the explorer in the city date to the 1990s.<ref name="ICT">{{cite web |last1=Pember |first1=Mary Annette |title=Those statues didn't topple overnight |url=https://indiancountrytoday.com/news/those-statues-didn-t-topple-overnight-zABD-2ZRvkCMStnd60DASg |website=Indian Country Today |access-date=July 29, 2020 |date=June 25, 2020 |archive-date=July 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728191619/https://indiancountrytoday.com/news/those-statues-didn-t-topple-overnight-zABD-2ZRvkCMStnd60DASg }}</ref> Amid the [[George Floyd protests in Columbus, Ohio|George Floyd protests]] in 2020, several petitions pushed for the city to be renamed.<ref name="Columbus Underground">{{cite news|title=Christopher Columbus Statues Fall in Other Cities, Remain Intact in Ohio|work=Columbus Underground|url=https://www.columbusunderground.com/christopher-columbus-statues-columbus-ohio-we1|date=June 11, 2020|access-date=June 13, 2020|archive-date=June 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200613191219/https://www.columbusunderground.com/christopher-columbus-statues-columbus-ohio-we1|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2021, the iconic 22-foot tall statue of Christopher Columbus was removed from the south side of City Hall.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Columbus Monthly |date=January 2021 |title=Goodbye, Columbus |url=https://cdm16802.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/cbusmonthly/id/80360/rec/1 |access-date=2025-08-16 |website=Columbus Metropolitan Library, My History. www.columbuslibrary.org/myhistory |language=en}}</ref> 

Nicknames for the city have included "the Discovery City",<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.osln.org/regional/h-b-119-schools-programs/columbus.php |title=Ohio STEM Learning Network / Columbus |access-date=June 21, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129044357/http://www.osln.org/regional/h-b-119-schools-programs/columbus.php |archive-date=November 29, 2014 }}</ref> "[[Columbus streetcar arches|Arch City]]",<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thisweeknews.com/live/content/bexley/stories/2009/06/17/0618belentz_ln.html|title=A century ago, Columbus was the nation's 'Arch City'|work=ThisWeekNews &#124; Dispatch Printing Company Affliate Site |access-date=June 21, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718164914/http://www.thisweeknews.com/live/content/bexley/stories/2009/06/17/0618belentz_ln.html|archive-date=July 18, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.columbusunderground.com/columbus-was-once-known-as-arch-city/comment-page-1|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130102062726/http://www.columbusunderground.com/columbus-was-once-known-as-arch-city/comment-page-1|archive-date=January 2, 2013|title=Columbus was once known as 'Arch City'|access-date=June 21, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Prize For Double Light Arch Design Won By W. A. Paine|newspaper=The Columbus Dispatch|url=https://infoweb-newsbank-com.webproxy3.columbuslibrary.org/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&t=pubname%3A1467499E363272B3%21Columbus%2BDispatch&sort=YMD_date%3AD&page=1&fld-nav-0=YMD_date&val-nav-0=1909&fld-base-0=alltext&maxresults=20&val-base-0=%22Toledo%20and%20Ohio%20Central%22&docref=image/v2%3A1467499E363272B3%40EANX-NB-16342F18B53A08E8%402418387-163428ECCCA0751A%4012-163428ECCCA0751A%40|date=March 21, 1909|access-date=December 26, 2022|archive-date=September 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920165825/https://login.webproxy3.columbuslibrary.org/login?qurl=https://infoweb.newsbank.com%2fapps%2fnews%2fdocument-view%3fp%3dWORLDNEWS%26t%3dpubname%253A1467499E363272B3%21Columbus%252BDispatch%26sort%3dYMD_date%253AD%26page%3d1%26fld-nav-0%3dYMD_date%26val-nav-0%3d1909%26fld-base-0%3dalltext%26maxresults%3d20%26val-base-0%3d%2522Toledo%2520and%2520Ohio%2520Central%2522%26docref%3dimage%2fv2%253A1467499E363272B3%2540EANX-NB-16342F18B53A08E8%25402418387-163428ECCCA0751A%254012-163428ECCCA0751A%2540|url-status=live}}</ref> "Cap City",<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.columbusmonthly.com/news/20181126/as-it-were-arches-first-job-deter-ruffians|title=As It Were: Arches' first job: Deter ruffians|access-date=April 17, 2021|archive-date=April 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417002556/https://www.columbusmonthly.com/news/20181126/as-it-were-arches-first-job-deter-ruffians}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=csEBvE4uUlAC&pg=PP15|isbn = 978-1-4396-0087-0|title = Columbus and the State of Ohio: Cool Stuff Every Kid Should Know|year = 2011|publisher = Arcadia|access-date = March 19, 2023|archive-date = June 30, 2023|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230630235454/https://books.google.com/books?id=csEBvE4uUlAC&pg=PP15|url-status = live}}</ref> "[[wikt:cowtown|Cowtown]]",<!--See [[Special:Permalink/922394778]]--> "The Biggest Small Town in America"<ref>{{cite news |last=Gapp |first=Paul |author-link=Paul Gapp |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] |date=March 29, 1980 |title=The American City – Challenge of The '80s |pages=1, 10–11}}</ref><ref>[[The Columbus Dispatch]], May 11, 1986: "Progress, growth are not in 'Hicksville' dictionary" pp.B2 (By Bob Young)</ref><ref>[[The Columbus Dispatch]], April 26, 1986: "Bigger is not always better, growth not always progress" pp. 10A (By Brenda Petruzzella)</ref> and "Cbus".<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2014/02/28/like-it-or-not-cbus-now-citys-nickname.html | title = Like it or not, Cbus now city's nicknames | work = The Columbus Dispatch | access-date = February 28, 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140305131132/http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2014/02/28/like-it-or-not-cbus-now-citys-nickname.html | archive-date = March 5, 2014 | url-status = live }}</ref>

==History==
{{For timeline}}

===Ancient and early history===
[[File:Shrum Mound aerial 3.jpg|thumb|left|[[Shrum Mound]] in Campbell Memorial Park]]
Between 1000 B.C. and 1700 A.D., the Columbus metropolitan area was a center to indigenous cultures known as the [[Mound Builders]], including the [[Adena culture|Adena]], [[Hopewell tradition|Hopewell]] and [[Fort Ancient]] peoples. Remaining physical evidence of the cultures are their burial mounds and what they contained. Most of Central Ohio's remaining mounds are located outside of Columbus city boundaries, though the [[Shrum Mound]] is maintained, now as part of a public park and historic site. The city's Mound Street derives its name from a mound that existed by the intersection of Mound and [[High Street (Columbus, Ohio)|High Street]]s. The mound's clay was used in bricks for most of the city's initial brick buildings; many were subsequently used in the [[Ohio Statehouse]]. The city's [[Ohio History Center]] maintains a collection of artifacts from these cultures.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.experiencecolumbus.com/blog/post/5-places-in-central-ohio-to-experience-native-american-history/|title=6 Places in Central Ohio to Experience Native American History|date=July 5, 2018|website=www.experiencecolumbus.com|access-date=May 17, 2020|archive-date=July 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728174336/https://www.experiencecolumbus.com/blog/post/5-places-in-central-ohio-to-experience-native-american-history/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===18th century===
The area including present-day Columbus once comprised the [[Ohio Country]],<ref>{{Cite book|last=Strobel|first=Christoph|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eIJtFPirzr8C|title=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|date=2008|page=22|publisher=Peter Lang|isbn=978-1-4331-0123-6|language=en|access-date=September 6, 2015|archive-date=September 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920165817/https://books.google.com/books?id=eIJtFPirzr8C|url-status=live}}</ref> 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 [[North American fur trade|fur trade]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=The French and Indian War in Pennsylvania|work=Explore PA History|url=https://explorepahistory.com/story.php?storyId=1-9-6|access-date=December 26, 2022|archive-date=December 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221226182402/https://explorepahistory.com/story.php?storyId=1-9-6|url-status=live}}</ref> The area was often caught between warring factions, including American Indian and European interests. In the 1740s, Pennsylvania traders overran the territory until the French forcibly evicted them.<ref>{{cite book| last1 = Jennings| first1 = Francis| author-link1 = Francis Jennings| title = The Ambiguous Iroquois Empire: The Covenant Chain Confederation of Indian Tribes with English Colonies from Its Beginnings to the Lancaster Treaty of 1744| url = https://archive.org/details/ambiguousiroquoi00jenn
| url-access = registration| edition = reprint| publisher = Norton| date = 1984| page = [https://archive.org/details/ambiguousiroquoi00jenn/page/351 351]| isbn = 978-0-393-30302-5| access-date = May 27, 2016}}</ref> 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 (1763)|Treaty of Paris]] ceded the Ohio Country to the [[British Empire]].

Up until the [[American Revolution]], Central Ohio had continuously been the home of numerous indigenous villages. A [[Mingo]] village was located at the forks of the Scioto and Olentangy rivers, with Shawnee villages to the south and Wyandot and Delaware villages to the north. Colonial militiamen burned down the Mingo village in 1774 during a raid.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dispatch.com/news/20190407/as-it-were-treaty-couldnt-oust-local-indians|title=As It Were: Treaty couldn't oust local Indians|work=The Columbus Dispatch |access-date=July 15, 2021|archive-date=July 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210715190226/https://www.dispatch.com/news/20190407/as-it-were-treaty-couldnt-oust-local-indians}}</ref>

====Virginia Military District====
After the American Revolution, the [[Virginia Military District]] became part of the Ohio Country as a territory of Virginia. Colonists from the East Coast moved in, but rather than finding an empty [[frontier]], they encountered people of the [[Miami people|Miami]], [[Lenape|Delaware]], [[Wyandot people|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]] in 1795, 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 and Olentangy rivers. An admirer of [[Benjamin Franklin]], Sullivant chose to name his frontier village "[[Franklinton (Columbus, Ohio)|Franklinton]]".<ref>Lentz, p. 33</ref> The location was desirable for its proximity to the navigable rivers – but Sullivant was initially foiled when, in 1798, a large flood wiped out the new settlement.<ref>Moore, p. 101</ref> He persevered, and the village was rebuilt, though somewhat more inland.

After the Revolution, land comprising parts of Franklin and adjacent counties was set aside by [[United States Congress|Congress]] for settlement by [[Canadians]] and [[Nova Scotia]]ns who were sympathetic to the colonial cause and had their land and possessions seized by the British government. The [[Refugee Tract]], consisting of {{convert|103000|acre}}, was {{convert|42|mile}} long and {{convert|3-4.5|mile}} wide, and was claimed by 67 eligible men. The Ohio Statehouse sits on land once contained in the Refugee Tract.<ref name="Lands">{{cite book|last=Knepper|first=George W.|title=The Official Ohio Lands Book|publisher=The Auditor of the State of Ohio|page=51|url=https://ohioauditor.gov/publications/OhioLandsBook.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024222807/https://ohioauditor.gov/publications/OhioLandsBook.pdf |archive-date=October 24, 2014 |url-status=live|date=2002|access-date=May 10, 2020}}</ref>

===19th century===
[[File:View of Columbus O. From Capitol University.png|thumb|View of the city from [[Capital University]] in 1854]]
After [[Ohio]] achieved statehood in 1803, political infighting among prominent Ohio leaders led to the state capital moving from [[Chillicothe, Ohio|Chillicothe]] to [[Zanesville, Ohio|Zanesville]] and back again. Desiring to settle on a location, the state legislature considered [[Franklinton (Columbus, Ohio)|Franklinton]], [[Dublin, Ohio|Dublin]], [[Worthington, Ohio|Worthington]] and [[Delaware, Ohio|Delaware]] before compromising on a plan to build a new city in the state's center, near major transportation routes, primarily rivers. Franklinton landowners had donated two {{convert|10|acre|adj=on}} plots in an effort to convince the state to move its capital there.<ref name="attb">{{cite web|title=Statehouse|work=Ohio Statehouse|publisher=Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board|url=http://www.ohiostatehouse.org/about/capitol-square/statehouse|access-date=May 18, 2020|archive-date=May 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200531203224/http://www.ohiostatehouse.org/about/capitol-square/statehouse|url-status=live}}</ref> The two spaces were set to become [[Capitol Square]], including for the [[Ohio Statehouse]] and the [[Ohio Penitentiary]]. 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."<ref>Lentz, pp. 41–43</ref> At the time, this area was a dense forestland, used only as a hunting ground.<ref>Moore, p. 122</ref>

The city was incorporated as a borough on February 10, 1816.<ref name="Manual">{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=p0Y_AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA7|title=Legislative Manual of the State of Ohio|first=Ohio General|last=Assembly|date=May 22, 1912|via=Google Books|access-date=May 11, 2020|archive-date=September 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920165816/https://books.google.com/books?id=p0Y_AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA7|url-status=live}}</ref> Between 1816 and 1817, [[Jarvis W. Pike]] served as the first appointed mayor. 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, attributed to [[malaria]] from the flooding rivers, and an outbreak of [[cholera]] in 1833. It led Columbus to create the Board of Health, now part of the [[Columbus Public Health]] department. The outbreak, which remained in the city from July to September 1833, killed 100 people.<ref name="earlyhistory">{{cite web|url=https://www.thisweeknews.com/article/20120320/NEWS/303209518|title=Summer 1833 was a time of cholera in Columbus|website=ThisWeek Community News|access-date=May 11, 2020|archive-date=July 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728171259/https://www.thisweeknews.com/article/20120320/NEWS/303209518|url-status=live}}</ref>

Columbus was without direct river or trail connections to other Ohio cities, leading to slow initial growth. The [[National Road]] reached Columbus from [[Baltimore]] in 1831, which complemented the city's new link to the [[Ohio and Erie Canal]], both of which facilitated a population boom.<ref>Lentz, p. 58</ref><ref name="earlyhistory"/> A wave of European [[immigrants]] led to the creation of two ethnic [[enclave]]s on the city's outskirts. A large [[Irish people|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 ''[[German Village|Das Alte Südende]]'' (The Old South End). Columbus's German population constructed numerous breweries, [[Trinity Lutheran Seminary]] and [[Capital University]].<ref name = "zuahxa">Lentz, pp. 63–64</ref>

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 [[Private bill|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 [[John Brooks (mayor)|John Brooks]] as the first popularly elected mayor.<ref>Moore, p. 156</ref> Columbus annexed the then-separate city of Franklinton in 1837.<ref name="test">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HQ-DgBzxfx4C&q=columbus+annexed+franklinton&pg=PA7 |title=Columbus 1860–1910 |date=April 26, 2006 |access-date=March 15, 2013 |isbn=978-0-7385-3962-1 |last1=Barrett |first1=Richard E. |publisher=Arcadia |archive-date=September 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920165814/https://books.google.com/books?id=HQ-DgBzxfx4C&q=columbus+annexed+franklinton&pg=PA7 |url-status=live }}</ref>

{{multiple image
 | direction = vertical
 | image1 = Birds eye view of Columbus, Ohio LOC 84690606.jpg
 | caption1 = Bird's eye view map of Columbus in 1872
 | image2 = Central Market 1898.jpg
 | caption2 = [[Central Market (Columbus, Ohio)|Central Market]], pictured here in 1898, operated from 1814 to 1966.
}}

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 (Columbus, Ohio)|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.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Darbee|first=Jeffrey|year=2003|title=Taking the Cars: A History of Columbus Union Station|location=Columbus|publisher=The Ohio Historical Society|isbn=0-9742573-0-3}}</ref> Another cholera outbreak hit Columbus in 1849, prompting the opening of the city's [[Green Lawn Cemetery (Columbus, Ohio)|Green Lawn Cemetery]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dispatch.com/article/20120711/NEWS/307119704|title=Columbus Mileposts &#124; July 11, 1849: Cholera begins filling Green Lawn|first=Gerald|last=Tebben|website=The Columbus Dispatch|access-date=May 22, 2020|archive-date=July 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728182008/https://www.dispatch.com/article/20120711/NEWS/307119704|url-status=live}}</ref> On January 7, 1857, the [[Ohio Statehouse]] finally opened after 18 years of construction.<ref>Lentz, pp. 70–71</ref>

Before the abolition of slavery in the [[Southern United States]] in 1863, the [[Underground Railroad]] was active in Columbus and was led, in part, by [[James Preston Poindexter]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Cole |first1=Charles Chester |title=A Fragile Capital: Identity and the Early Years of Columbus, Ohio |date=2001 |publisher=Ohio State University Press |isbn=978-0-8142-0853-3 |pages=193–204 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fwfDYWIRiPMC&pg=PA193 |language=en |access-date=October 25, 2020 |archive-date=September 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920170315/https://books.google.com/books?id=fwfDYWIRiPMC&pg=PA193 |url-status=live }}</ref> 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.<ref name="obit">{{cite news |title=A Notable Colored Man has just Passed Away |newspaper=Xenia Daily Gazette |location=Xenia, Ohio |date=February 8, 1907 |page=7 |access-date=October 5, 2016 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6906223// |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=September 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920170243/https://www.newspapers.com/article/6906223/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

During the [[American Civil War|Civil War]], Columbus was a major base for the volunteer [[Union Army]]. It housed 26,000 troops and held up to 9,000 [[Confederate States Army|Confederate]] [[prisoners of war]] at [[Camp Chase]], at what is now [[Hilltop (Columbus, Ohio)|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.<ref>Lentz, p. 78</ref>

By virtue of the [[Morrill Act of 1862]], the Ohio Agricultural and Mechanical College – which eventually became the [[Ohio State University]] – was founded in 1870 on the former estate of William and Hannah Neil.<ref>Lentz, p.57</ref>

By the end of the 19th century, Columbus was home to several major manufacturing businesses. The [[Jeffrey Manufacturing Company]] was a major supplier of coal mining equipment.<ref name=hooper>{{cite book |first=Osman Castle |last=Hooper |title=History of the City of Columbus, Ohio |publisher=Memorial Publishing |date=1920 |pages=355–356 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WjWfaxIi7zgC}}</ref> The city became known as the "Buggy Capital of the World", thanks to the two dozen [[Carriage|buggy]] factories, notably the [[Columbus Buggy Company]], founded in 1875 by C.D. Firestone.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://touringohio.com/central/franklin/columbus/columbus-buggy.html|title=Columbus Buggy Company|website=touringohio.com|access-date=April 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170408082210/http://touringohio.com/central/franklin/columbus/columbus-buggy.html|archive-date=April 8, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> 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, Ohio|Westerville]].<ref>Lentz, pp. 85–87</ref>

In the [[steel|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 South Fourth Street, and in 1890, the [[United Mine Workers of America]] was founded at [[Columbus City Hall (1872–1921)|the old City Hall]].<ref>Lentz, pp. 91–92</ref>

===20th century===
{{multiple image
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 | image1 = Ohio - Columbus - NARA - 68147040 (cropped).jpg
 | caption1 = Downtown Columbus and the Scioto River {{circa|1924}}
 | image2 = Ohio - Columbus - NARA - 68147024 (cropped).jpg
 | caption2 = The city in 1936
}}

The Columbus Experiment was an 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 [[Flytown#O'Shaughnessy family|Jeremiah O'Shaughnessy]], name-bearer of the Columbus metropolitan area's [[O'Shaughnessy Dam (Ohio)|O'Shaughnessy Dam]]. This invention helped drastically reduce [[Typhoid fever|typhoid]] deaths. The essential design is still used today.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070430015442/http://utilities.columbus.gov/About_Us/WaterTreatmentProcess.htm "General Water Treatment Process", Department of Public Utilities, City of Columbus (2007).] Retrieved July 3, 2012</ref>

The [[1910 Columbus streetcar strike]] took place in downtown Columbus; the strike action turned into a violent riot, though was eventually unsuccessful.

Columbus earned one of its nicknames, "The Arch City", because of the [[Columbus streetcar arches|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 [[streetcar]]s. The city tore down the arches and replaced them with cluster lights in 1914 but reconstructed them from metal in [[the Short North]] neighborhood in 2002 for their unique historical interest.<ref>Lentz, pp. 94–95</ref>

On March 25, 1913, the [[Great Flood of 1913]] devastated the neighborhood of Franklinton, leaving over 90 people dead and thousands of West Side residents homeless. To prevent flooding, the [[United States Army Corps of Engineers|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 (Columbus, Ohio)|Ohio Theatre]], the [[American Insurance Union Citadel]] and to the north, a massive new [[Ohio Stadium]].<ref>Lentz, pp. 112–113</ref> Although the [[National Football League|American Professional Football Association]] was founded in [[Canton, Ohio|Canton]] in 1920, its head offices moved to Columbus in 1921 to the [[16 East Broad Street|New Hayden Building]] and remained in the city until 1941. In 1922, the association's name was changed to the [[National Football League]].<ref>{{cite web|title=NFL History |publisher=CBS Sportsline.com |url=http://www.nfl.com/history/chronology/1921-1930 |access-date=December 24, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160410134638/http://www.nfl.com/history/chronology/1921-1930 |archive-date=April 10, 2016  }}</ref> Nearly a decade later, in 1931, at a convention in the city, the [[Jehovah's Witnesses]] took that name by which they are known today.

The effects of the [[Great Depression]] were less severe in Columbus, as the city's diversified economy helped it fare better than its [[Rust Belt]] neighbors. [[World War II]] brought many new jobs and another population surge. This time, most new arrivals were migrants from the "extraordinarily depressed rural areas" of [[Appalachia]], who would soon account for more than a third of Columbus's growing population.<ref>Lentz, pp.116–118</ref> In 1948, the Town and Country Shopping Center opened in suburban [[Whitehall, Ohio|Whitehall]], and it is now regarded as one of the first modern shopping centers in the United States.<ref>Lentz, p. 122</ref>

The construction of the [[Interstate Highway System]] 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.<ref>Lentz, p. 129</ref> By the early 1990s, Columbus had grown to become Ohio's largest city in land area and in population.

Efforts to revitalize [[Downtown Columbus, Ohio|downtown Columbus]] have had some success in recent decades,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/01/realestate/commercial/downtown-columbus-comes-to-life-with-millennial-tower.html|title=Open Spaces Bring Light to Downtown Columbus|last=Schneider|first=Keith|date=May 31, 2016|work=The New York Times|access-date=June 16, 2017|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180211014655/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/01/realestate/commercial/downtown-columbus-comes-to-life-with-millennial-tower.html|archive-date=February 11, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> though like most major American cities, some architectural heritage was lost in the process. In the 1970s, landmarks such as [[Union Station (Columbus, Ohio)|Union Station]] and the [[Neil House]] hotel were razed to construct high-rise offices and big retail space. The [[PNC Bank Building (Columbus, Ohio)|PNC Bank building]] was constructed in 1977, as well as the [[One Nationwide Plaza|Nationwide Plaza]] buildings 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.

[[AmeriFlora '92]] was held in the city in 1992, part of the Christopher Columbus Quincentennial Jubilee, celebrating the 500th anniversary of Columbus's first voyage. The organizers also planned to create a replica Native American village, among other attractions. Local and national native leaders protested the event with a day of mourning, followed by protests and fasts at City Hall. The protests prevented the native village from being exhibited. Annual fasts continued until 1997. A protest also took place during the dedication of the ''Santa Maria'' replica, an event held in late 1991 on the day before [[Columbus Day]] and in time for the jubilee.<ref>{{cite news |last=Pember |first=Mary Annette |date=June 26, 2020 |title=Those statues didn't topple overnight |url=https://indiancountrytoday.com/news/those-statues-didn-t-topple-overnight-zABD-2ZRvkCMStnd60DASg |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626020812/https://indiancountrytoday.com/news/those-statues-didn-t-topple-overnight-zABD-2ZRvkCMStnd60DASg |archive-date=2020-06-26}}</ref><ref name="WaPo2">{{cite news |last=Flynn |first=Meagan |date=October 8, 2018 |title=Columbus, Ohio, once spent $95 million to help celebrate Columbus Day. Now, it's canceled. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2018/10/08/columbus-ohio-once-spent-95-million-to-celebrate-columbus-day-now-its-canceled/ |access-date=October 31, 2021 |newspaper=Washington Post}}</ref>

===21st century===
[[File:The Short North-2005-07-03-IMG 4540.jpg|thumb|[[Columbus streetcar arches|Street arches]] returned to the [[Short North]] in late 2002.]]
In 1999, just before the turn of the 21st century, the city's first African American mayor was elected. [[Michael B. Coleman|Michael Coleman]], a Democrat, served 16 years, the longest of any mayor of the city.<ref>{{cite news |last=Sullivan |first=Lucas |title=Mayor Coleman's plan: Finish term, join law firm |url=https://www.dispatch.com/article/20151111/NEWS/311119721 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190405104729/https://www.dispatch.com/article/20151111/NEWS/311119721 |archive-date=2019-04-05}}</ref> Coleman's administration led to Nationwide Insurance redeveloping the former [[Ohio Penitentiary]] site and nearby blocks into the [[Arena District]]. Similar new construction and redevelopment was taking place in the Brewery District, and a [[flood wall]] was completed in Franklinton in 2004, finally letting development resume in the neighborhood.<ref name="Lentz">{{cite Lentz|page=153}}</ref>

The [[Scioto Mile]] began development along the riverfront, an area that already had the [[Miranova Place|Miranova Corporate Center]] and [[The Condominiums at North Bank Park]]. 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.<ref name="foreclosures">{{cite news |title=City spends millions renovating, demolishing eyesore properties |first=Mark |last=Ferenchik |url=http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2011/02/26/vacant_homes.html?sid=101 |newspaper=[[The Columbus Dispatch]] |date=February 26, 2011 |access-date=February 27, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110228054014/http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2011/02/26/vacant_homes.html?sid=101 |archive-date=February 28, 2011 }}</ref> The city is focused on downtown revitalization, with recent projects being the [[Columbus Commons]] park, parks along the Scioto Mile developed along with a reshaped riverfront, and developments in the Arena District and Franklinton.<ref name="CJ">{{cite web |date=December 17, 2018 |title=Midwestern Breakout? |url=https://www.city-journal.org/columbus-ohio-growth |access-date=March 11, 2020 |work=City Journal}}</ref>

The [[COVID-19 pandemic in Columbus, Ohio|COVID-19 pandemic in Columbus]] began when the city reported its first official cases of [[COVID-19]] in February and March 2020 and declared a state of emergency, with all nonessential businesses closed statewide and tens of thousands of infected individuals across the city by March 2021.<ref name="5-18 report">{{cite web |publisher=The City of Columbus |title=City of Columbus and Franklin County Jurisdictions Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Summary of Cases |url=https://www.columbus.gov/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=2147515356 |access-date=July 27, 2020 |date=May 18, 2020 |archive-date=July 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728180041/https://www.columbus.gov/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=2147515356 |url-status=live }}</ref> The COVID-19 pandemic muted activity in Columbus, especially in its downtown core, from 2020 to 2022. By late 2022, foot traffic in downtown Columbus began to exceed pre-pandemic rates; one of the quickest downtown areas to recover in the United States.<ref>{{cite news|title=Which American downtowns are thriving — and which are struggling|work=Axios|url=https://www.axios.com/2023/05/04/downtown-recovery|date=May 4, 2023|access-date=May 22, 2023|archive-date=May 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230522182951/https://www.axios.com/2023/05/04/downtown-recovery|url-status=live}}</ref> Later in 2020, [[George Floyd protests in Columbus, Ohio|protests over the murder of George Floyd]] occurred in the city from May 28 into August.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Kovac, Mark |author2=Burger, Beth |author3=Sullivan, Lucas |title=Columbus downtown business owners clean up after protests |url=https://www.dispatch.com/news/20200530/columbus-downtown-business-owners-clean-up-after-protests |website=Columbus Dispatch |access-date=July 27, 2020 |date=May 30, 2020 |archive-date=July 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728201517/https://www.dispatch.com/news/20200530/columbus-downtown-business-owners-clean-up-after-protests }}</ref> On June 23, 2023, ten people were injured in a mass shooting in the city's Short North district. 

Columbus and its metro area have experienced growth in the [[high-tech manufacturing]] sector, with [[Intel]] announcing plans to construct a $20 billion factory and [[Honda]] expanding its presence along with [[LG Energy Solution]]s with a $4.4 billion battery manufactory facility in [[Fayette County, Ohio|Fayette County]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Intel in Ohio: You Were Built For This |url=https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/corporate-responsibility/intel-in-ohio.html |access-date=April 10, 2023 |website=Intel |language=en |archive-date=April 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230410160935/https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/corporate-responsibility/intel-in-ohio.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Honda to spend billions on Fayette County battery plant |url=https://www.dispatch.com/story/business/2022/10/11/honda-to-build-battery-plant-in-fayette-county-ohio-electric-vehicle-hub/69548391007/ |access-date=April 10, 2023 |website=The Columbus Dispatch |language=en-US |archive-date=June 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230621102343/https://www.dispatch.com/story/business/2022/10/11/honda-to-build-battery-plant-in-fayette-county-ohio-electric-vehicle-hub/69548391007/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In July 2024, Columbus was subject to a [[ransomware]] attack, for which the hacker group [[Rhysida (hacker group)|Rhysidia]] took credit.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Feuerborn |first=Mark |date=2024-08-01 |title=Ransomware group claims Columbus attack, selling 6 terabytes of passwords and more |url=https://www.nbc4i.com/news/local-news/columbus/ransomware-group-claims-columbus-attack-selling-6-terabytes-of-passwords-and-more/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240831010715/https://www.nbc4i.com/news/local-news/columbus/ransomware-group-claims-columbus-attack-selling-6-terabytes-of-passwords-and-more/ |archive-date=2024-08-31 |access-date=2024-09-06 |work=[[WCMH-TV|NBC4i]]}}</ref> In August 2024, Columbus Mayor [[Andrew Ginther]] claimed that the files obtained by Rhysidia were "unusable" to the thieves due to being either [[Encryption|encrypted]] or [[Data corruption|corrupted]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fox-Sowell |first=Sofia |date=2024-08-13 |title=Data stolen in Columbus, Ohio, ransomware attack likely 'unusable,' mayor says |url=https://statescoop.com/columbus-ohio-ransomware-data-unusable/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240831010744/https://statescoop.com/columbus-ohio-ransomware-data-unusable/ |archive-date=2024-08-31 |access-date=2024-09-07 |website=StateScoop |language=en-US}}</ref> Ginther's assertion was subsequently shown to be false by security researcher David Leroy Ross (who goes by the alias Connor Goodwolf), who revealed that the files were intact and contained data including names from [[domestic violence]] cases and [[Social Security number]]s of crime victims.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Feuerborn |first1=Mark |last2=Cleary |first2=Isabel |last3=Beachy |first3=Kyle |date=2024-08-13 |title=Confirmed: Columbus data leak affects residents, and what has been released |url=https://www.nbc4i.com/news/investigates/confirmed-columbus-data-leak-affects-residents-and-what-has-been-released/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240830212448/https://www.nbc4i.com/news/investigates/confirmed-columbus-data-leak-affects-residents-and-what-has-been-released/ |archive-date=2024-08-30 |access-date=2024-09-06 |work=[[WCMH-TV|NBC4i]]}}</ref> Columbus then sued Ross for alleged criminal acts, negligence, and civil conversion, as well as taking out a [[restraining order]] against Ross, both of which actions were later defended by City Attorney Zach Klein.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Goodin |first=Dan |date=2024-08-30 |title=City of Columbus sues man after he discloses severity of ransomware attack |url=https://arstechnica.com/security/2024/08/city-of-columbus-sues-man-after-he-discloses-severity-of-ransomware-attack/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240903143415/https://arstechnica.com/security/2024/08/city-of-columbus-sues-man-after-he-discloses-severity-of-ransomware-attack/ |archive-date=2024-09-03 |access-date=2024-09-07 |website=[[Ars Technica]] |language=en-us}}</ref> In response, a number of prominent cybersecurity researchers called on the city to drop the lawsuit.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Cleary |first1=Isabel |last2=Feuerborn |first2=Mark |date=2024-09-11 |title=Deal made with whistleblower after Columbus' data leak draws global attention |url=https://www.nbc4i.com/news/local-news/columbus/city-hack/columbus-handling-of-ransomware-attack-draws-global-attention/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240913014751/https://www.nbc4i.com/news/local-news/columbus/city-hack/columbus-handling-of-ransomware-attack-draws-global-attention/ |archive-date=2024-09-13 |access-date=2024-09-14 |work=[[WCMH-TV|NBC4i]]}}</ref>

In November 2024, about a dozen masked men dressed in black carried red [[swastika]] flags in Columbus chanting [[List of ethnic slurs|racial slurs]] and using [[pepper spray]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Park |first=Hanna |date=2024-11-18 |title=With swastika flags and bellowed slurs, neo-Nazi marchers strode through Columbus. Ohio's governor and officials condemn it |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/18/us/columbus-ohio-neo-nazi-march-hnk/index.html |access-date=2025-01-16 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref> The group identified themselves as "Hate Club".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ellis |first=Nicquel Terry |date=2024-11-21 |title=A neo-Nazi turf war may have just flared in Columbus, Ohio. Jewish, Black and elected leaders won't stand for it |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/21/us/columbus-ohio-neo-nazi-march/index.html |access-date=2025-01-16 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref> Oren Segal, ADL vice-president, said that this might related to the hate group [[Blood Tribe (neo-Nazi group) |Blood Tribe]]. "Blood Tribe views itself as the main white supremacist group in Ohio, so ... (the) 'Hate Club' march appears to have been an intentional effort to antagonize them."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ellis |first1=Nicquel Terry |title=A neo-Nazi turf war may have just flared in Columbus, Ohio. Jewish, Black and elected leaders won't stand for it |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2024/11/21/us/columbus-ohio-neo-nazi-march/index.html |access-date=25 November 2024 |work=CNN |date=21 November 2024 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Drenon |first1=Brandon |title=Biden condemns 'sickening' neo-Nazi march in Ohio |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cdxvdz7nd1jo |access-date=25 November 2024 |work=BBC News |date=19 November 2024}}</ref>

==Geography==
{{Main|Geography of Columbus, Ohio}}
[[File:Columbus by Sentinel-2, 2020-09-21.jpg|thumb|Aerial satellite image of Columbus]]
The confluence of the [[Scioto River|Scioto]] and [[Olentangy River|Olentangy]] rivers is just northwest of [[Downtown Columbus, Ohio|Downtown Columbus]]. Several smaller tributaries course through the [[Columbus metropolitan area, Ohio|Columbus metropolitan area]], including [[Alum Creek (Ohio)|Alum Creek]], [[Big Walnut Creek]] and [[Big Darby Creek|Darby Creek]]. Columbus is considered to have relatively flat [[topography]] thanks to a large [[glacier]] that covered most of Ohio during the [[Wisconsin glaciation|Wisconsin Ice Age]]. However, there are sizable differences in elevation through the area, with the high point of Franklin County being {{convert|1132|ft|m|abbr=on}} [[Height above sea level|above sea level]] near [[New Albany, Ohio|New Albany]], and the low point being {{convert|670|ft|m|abbr=on}} where the Scioto River leaves the county near [[Lockbourne, Ohio|Lockbourne]].<ref name="fracomap">{{Cite book| last =Ringle | first =Dean C.| title =Franklin County Ohio Road Map & Street Locator| publisher =Franklin County Engineer| year =2007| location =Franklin County, Ohio}}</ref>

Several 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. The numerous rivers and streams beside low-lying areas in Central Ohio contribute to a history of flooding in the region; the most significant was the [[Great Flood of 1913 in Columbus, Ohio]].<ref name="this week">{{Cite web|url=https://www.dispatch.com/story/archive/2013/03/26/meet-your-farmer-event-draws/39307936007/|title=Meet Your Farmer event draws crowd|first=Stephanie|last=Foster|website=The Columbus Dispatch|access-date=March 4, 2023|archive-date=March 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230304204640/https://www.dispatch.com/story/archive/2013/03/26/meet-your-farmer-event-draws/39307936007/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The city has a total area of {{convert|223.11|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|217.17|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|5.94|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{cite web|title=US Gazetteer files 2010 |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=January 6, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120702145235/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt|archive-date=July 2, 2012  }}</ref> Columbus has the largest land area of any Ohio city; this is due to [[Jim Rhodes]]'s tactic to annex suburbs while serving as mayor. As surrounding communities grew or were constructed, they came to require access to waterlines, which was under the sole control of the municipal water system. Rhodes told these communities that if they wanted water, they would have to submit to assimilation into Columbus.<ref>{{cite book|first=Richard Z.|last=Zimmerman|editor-last=Lamis|editor-first=Alexander P.|editor2-last=Usher|editor2-first=Brian|title=Ohio Politics: Revised and Updated|year=2007|page=87|publisher=Kent State University Press|isbn=978-0-87338-613-5}}</ref>

===Neighborhoods===
{{Main|Neighborhoods in Columbus, Ohio}}
[[File:Houses — Columbus, Ohio.jpg|thumb|Victorian houses facing [[Goodale Park]] in [[Victorian Village]]]]
Columbus has a wide diversity of neighborhoods with different characters,<ref name="neighborhoods">{{cite web |url=https://www.thelantern.com/2017/09/a-breakdown-of-columbus-many-neighborhoods/ |title=A breakdown of Columbus' many neighborhoods |work=The Lantern |last1=Barghouty |first1=Ghezal |last2=Stacy |first2=Sara |date=September 4, 2017 |access-date=October 27, 2021 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170905101457/https://www.thelantern.com/2017/09/a-breakdown-of-columbus-many-neighborhoods/ |archive-date=September 5, 2017 }}</ref> and is thus sometimes known as a "city of neighborhoods".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.wosu.org/news/2010-03-05/the-short-north-a-history |title=The Short North: A History |publisher=WOSU 89.7 NPR News |date=March 5, 2010 |access-date=October 27, 2021 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210521171227/https://news.wosu.org/news/2010-03-05/the-short-north-a-history |archive-date=May 21, 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nbc4i.com/local-4-you/ |title=Local 4 You |date=March 9, 2021 |publisher=NBC4 WCMH-TV |access-date=October 27, 2021 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413235231/https://www.nbc4i.com/local-4-you/ |archive-date=April 13, 2021 }}</ref> Some of the most prominent neighborhoods include the [[Arena District]], the [[Brewery District]], [[Clintonville (Columbus, Ohio)|Clintonville]], [[Franklinton (Columbus, Ohio)|Franklinton]], [[German Village]], [[The Short North]] and [[Victorian Village]].<ref name="neighborhoods"/>

===Climate===
{{main|Climate of Columbus, Ohio}}
The city's climate is [[Humid continental climate|humid continental]] ([[Köppen climate classification]] ''Dfa'') transitional with the [[Humid subtropical climate|humid subtropical]] ([[Köppen climate classification]] ''Cfa'') to the south characterized by warm, muggy summers and cold, dry winters. Columbus is within [[USDA]] [[hardiness zone]] 6b, bordering on 7a. Winter snowfall is relatively light, since the city is not in the typical path of strong winter lows, such as the [[Nor'easter]]s 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 contribute to long stretches of cloudy spells in winter.

The highest temperature recorded in Columbus is {{convert|106|F|0}}, which occurred twice during the [[Dust Bowl]] of the 1930s: once on July 21, 1934, and again on July 14, 1936.<ref name="National Weather Service">[http://www.erh.noaa.gov/iln/cmhrec.htm Records for Columbus.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141221145049/http://www.erh.noaa.gov/iln/cmhrec.htm |date=December 21, 2014 }} [[National Weather Service]]. Retrieved on November 16, 2008.</ref> The lowest recorded temperature was {{convert|-22|F|0}}, occurring on [[1994 North American cold wave|January 19, 1994]].<ref name="National Weather Service" />

Columbus is subject to [[severe weather]] typical to the [[Midwestern United States]]. Severe thunderstorms can bring [[lightning]], large [[hail]] and on rare occasions [[tornado]]es, especially during the spring and sometimes through fall. A tornado that occurred on October 11, 2006, caused [[Fujita Scale|F2]] damage.<ref>{{cite news| last =Tullis | first =Matt | author2=Mark Ferenchik| title =Ruin, relief and rebuilding Tornado aftermath| pages =NEWS 01A| newspaper =The Columbus Dispatch| date = October 13, 2006}}</ref> Floods, blizzards and ice storms can also occur from time to time.
{{Columbus, Ohio weatherbox}}

===Environment===
Columbus has focused on reducing its [[Human impact on the environment|environmental impact]] and [[carbon footprint]]. In 2020, a citywide ballot measure was approved, giving Columbus an [[electricity aggregation]] plan which will supply it with [[100% renewable energy]] by the start of 2023. Its vendor, AEP Energy, plans to construct new wind and solar farms in Ohio to help supply the electricity.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/politics/government/2020/11/03/election-results-columbus-issue-1-green-energy-electricity-plan/6085061002/ |title=Election results: Voters approve Columbus Issue 1 on energy |publisher=Dispatch.com |date= |access-date=February 25, 2021 |archive-date=November 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104081720/https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/politics/government/2020/11/03/election-results-columbus-issue-1-green-energy-electricity-plan/6085061002/ |url-status=live }}</ref><!--water purity and availability, air quality, environmental revitalization (Scioto River and Mile, Olentangy, IBAs, Metro Parks)-->

The largest sources of pollution in the county, as of 2019, are Ohio State University's McCracken Power Plant, the landfill operated by the [[Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio]] (SWACO) and the [[Anheuser-Busch]] Columbus Brewery. Anheuser-Busch has a company-wide goal of reducing emissions by 25% by 2025. Ohio State plans to construct a new heat and power plant, also powered by fossil fuels, but set to reduce emissions by about 30%. SWACO manages to capture 75% of its [[methane emissions]] to use in producing energy, and is looking to reduce emissions further.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/environment/2020/11/26/ohio-state-landfill-among-largest-greenhouse-gas-emitters-franklin-county-ohio-climate-change/3778192001/ |title=Ohio State, landfill among largest greenhouse gas emitters in Franklin County |publisher=Dispatch.com |date= |access-date=February 25, 2021 |archive-date=January 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210123225531/https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/environment/2020/11/26/ohio-state-landfill-among-largest-greenhouse-gas-emitters-franklin-county-ohio-climate-change/3778192001/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{Historical populations
|1812|300
|1820|1450
|1830|2435
|1840|6048
|1850|17882
|1860|18554
|1870|31274
|1880|51647
|1890|88150
|1900|125560
|1910|181511
|1920|237031
|1930|290564
|1940|306087
|1950|375901
|1960|471316
|1970|539677
|1980|564871
|1990|632910
|2000|711470
|2010|787033
|2020|905748
|2024 est.|933263
|align-fn= center
|source={{center|U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=http://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2016|archive-date=June 26, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626105142/http://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html|url-status=live}}</ref>}}<ref name="USCensusQuickFacts" />
|footnote=1812,<ref>{{cite book|author=Federal Writers' Project|author-link=Federal Writers' Project|title=Ohio Guide|publisher=Oxford University Press|series=[[American Guide Series]]|url=https://archive.org/stream/ohioguide00writ#page/246/mode/1up|date=1940|access-date=May 10, 2020}}</ref><br />1820–2019: U.S. Census<ref>{{cite web|title=Census of Population and Housing|work=[[United States Census Bureau]]|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|access-date=November 15, 2014|archive-date=March 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210321050514/https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=ITwVAAAAYAAJ|title = Centennial History of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio|last1 = Taylor|first1 = William Alexander|year = 1909| publisher=S. J. Clarke Publishing Company}}</ref>
}}

{| class="wikitable sortable collapsible mw-collapsed" style="font-size: 90%;"
|-
! Historical racial composition  !! 2020<ref name="census2020">{{cite web|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US3918000&y=2020&d=DEC%20Redistricting%20Data%20%28PL%2094-171%29&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=May 2, 2022|archive-date=May 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220502182425/https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US3918000&y=2020&d=DEC%20Redistricting%20Data%20(PL%2094-171)&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|url-status=live}}</ref>!! 2010<ref>{{cite web |url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/39/3918000.html |title=Columbus (city), Ohio |work=State & County QuickFacts |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140710083649/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/39/3918000.html |archive-date=July 10, 2014  }}</ref> !! 1990<ref name="census"/> !! 1970<ref name="census"/> !! 1950<ref name="census"/>
|-
| [[White Americans|White]] || 57.4% || 61.5% || 74.4% || 81.0% || 87.5%
|-
| —Non-Hispanic || 54.3% || 59.3% || 73.8% || 80.4%{{efn|name="fifteen"|From 15% sample}} || n/a
|-
| [[African Americans|Black or African American]] || 29.2% || 28.0% || 22.6% || 18.5% || 12.4%
|-
| [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (of any race) || 6.3% || 5.6% || 1.1% || 0.6%{{efn|name="fifteen"}} || n/a
|-
| [[Asian Americans|Asian]] || 5.9% || 4.1% || 2.4% || 0.2% || 0.1%
|}
[[File:Columbus Racial Dot Map.png|thumb|Racial distribution in Columbus in 2020: {{legend inline|outline=white|white|text=⬤|textcolor=Blue|White}} {{legend inline|outline=white|white|text=⬤|textcolor=green|Black}} {{legend inline|outline=white|white|text=⬤|textcolor=Purple|Asian}} {{legend inline|outline=white|white|text=⬤|textcolor=#ffa600|Hispanic}} {{legend inline|outline=white|white|text=⬤|textcolor=Brown|Mixed or Other}}]]

===2020 census===
In the 2020 United States census, there were 905,748 people living in the city, for a population density of 4,109.64 people per square mile (1,586.74/km<sup>2</sup>). There were 415,456 housing units. The racial makeup of the city was 57.4% [[White Americans|White]], 29.2% [[African Americans|Black or African American]], 0.2% [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or Alaska Native, and 5.9% [[Asian Americans|Asian]]. [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] of any race made up 6.3% of the population.<ref name="Quick Facts">{{Cite web |title=U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Columbus city, Ohio |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/columbuscityohio |access-date=April 7, 2022 |website=www.census.gov |language=en |archive-date=October 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211003152028/https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/columbuscityohio |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="2020 census">{{cite web |title=Columbus city, Ohio – Census Bureau Profile |url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Columbus_city,_Ohio?g=160XX00US3918000 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=9 January 2024}}</ref>

There were 392,041 households, out of which 25.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 30.8% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 25.1% had a male householder with no spouse present, and 33.7% had a female householder with no spouse present. 37.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.7% were someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26, and the average family size was 3.03.<ref name="2020 census"/>

21.0% of the city's population were under the age of 18, 67.5% were 18 to 64, and 11.5% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33.3. For every 100 females, there were 97.3 males.<ref name="2020 census"/>

According to the U.S. Census [[American Community Survey]], for the period 2016–2020 the estimated median annual income for a household in the city was $61,727, and the median income for a family was $76,383. About 18.1% of the population were living below the [[poverty line]], including 26.1% of those under age 18 and 12.0% of those age 65 or over. About 67.2% of the population were employed, and 38.5% had a bachelor's degree or higher.<ref name="2020 census"/>

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+'''Columbus, Ohio – Racial and ethnic composition'''<br /><small>{{nobold|''Note: the U.S. census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.''}}</small>
!Race / Ethnicity <small>(''NH = Non-Hispanic'')</small>
!Pop 2000<ref name=2000CensusP008>{{Cite web|title=P004 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Columbus city, Ohio|url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=p004&g=160XX00US3918000&tid=DECENNIALSF12000.P004|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
!Pop 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Columbus city, Ohio|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=160XX00US3918000&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
!{{partial|Pop 2020}}<ref name=2020CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Columbus city, Ohio|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=160XX00US3918000&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
!% 2000
!% 2010
!% {{partial|2020}}
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] alone (NH)
|475,897
|466,615
|style='background: #ffffe6; |470,705
|66.89%
|59.29%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |51.97%
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] alone (NH)
|172,750
|217,694
|style='background: #ffffe6; |256,509
|24.28%
|27.66%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |28.32%
|-
|[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] alone (NH)
|1,858
|1,643
|style='background: #ffffe6; |1,632
|0.26%
|0.21%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.18%
|-
|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] alone (NH)
|24,386
|31,734
|style='background: #ffffe6; |55,932
|3.43%
|4.03%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |6.18%
|-
|[[Native Hawaiian]] or [[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] alone (NH)
|326
|462
|style='background: #ffffe6; |325
|0.05%
|0.06%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.04%
|-
|[[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|Other race]] alone (NH)
|1,824
|2,032
|style='background: #ffffe6; |5,369
|0.26%
|0.26%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.59%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed race or Multiracial]] (NH)
|16,958
|22,494
|style='background: #ffffe6; |45,097
|2.38%
|2.86%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |4.98%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race)
|17,471
|44,359
|style='background: #ffffe6; |70,179
|2.46%
|5.64%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |7.75%
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''711,470'''
|'''787,033'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''905,748'''
|'''100.00%'''
|'''100.00%'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''100.00%'''
|}

=== 2010 census ===
In the [[2010 United States census]], there were 787,033 people, 331,602 households and 176,037 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|3624|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 370,965 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1708.2|/sqmi|/km2|1}}.

The racial makeup of the city included 815,985 races tallied, as some residents recognized multiple races. The racial makeup was 61.9% [[White Americans|White]], 29.1% [[African Americans|Black or African American]], 1% [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or Alaska Native, 4.6% [[Asian Americans|Asian]], 0.2% Native Hawaiian or [[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]], and 3.2% from other races.<ref name="Census2010 race">{{cite web|title=Race (Total Races Tallied)|work=2010 Decennial Census|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=race&g=1600000US3918000&tid=DECENNIALSF12010.P6|date=2010|access-date=May 21, 2021|archive-date=May 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210521155855/https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=race&g=1600000US3918000&tid=DECENNIALSF12010.P6|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] of any race were 5.9% of the population.<ref name="Census2010 H-L">{{cite web|title=Hispanic Or Latino Origin By Race (Total Races Tallied)|work=2010 Decennial Census|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=race&g=1600000US3918000&tid=DECENNIALSF12010.P7|date=2010|access-date=May 21, 2021|archive-date=May 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210521155856/https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=race&g=1600000US3918000&tid=DECENNIALSF12010.P7|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Population makeup===
Columbus historically had a significant population of [[white people]]. In 1900, whites made up 93.4% of the population.<ref name="census">{{cite web|title=Race and Hispanic Origin for Selected Cities and Other Places: Earliest Census to 1990 |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/documentation/twps0076/twps0076.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120812191959/http://www.census.gov/population/www/documentation/twps0076/twps0076.html |archive-date=August 12, 2012  }}</ref> Although [[Ethnic groups in Europe|European]] immigration has declined, the Columbus metropolitan area has recently experienced increases in [[Demographics of Africa|African]], [[Asian people|Asian]] and [[Latin Americans|Latin American]] immigration, including groups from [[Mexico]], [[India]], [[Nepal]], [[Bhutan]], [[Somalia]] and [[China]]. While the Asian population is diverse, the city's Hispanic community is mainly made up of [[Mexican Americans]], although there is a notable [[Stateside Puerto Ricans|Puerto Rican]] population.<ref>{{cite news| last =Pyle  | first =Encarnacion  | title =Columbus becoming a mini melting pot | pages =News 01A  | newspaper =The Columbus Dispatch  | date =March 14, 2006}}</ref> Many other countries of origin are represented in lesser numbers, largely due to the international draw of [[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 and 2006 at a rate of 105 per week.<ref name="CF" /> 40% of the immigrants came from Asia, 23% from Africa, 22% from Latin America and 13% from Europe.<ref name="CF">[http://www.gcir.org/system/files/cbi_report.pdf "Capacity Building Initiative: Immigrant and Refugee Organizations"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130514065007/http://www.gcir.org/system/files/cbi_report.pdf|date=May 14, 2013 }}, Columbus Foundation. 2006. Retrieved July 3, 2012.</ref> The city had the second-largest Somali and [[Somali American]] population in the country, as of 2004, as well as the largest expatriate [[Lhotshampa|Bhutanese-Nepali]] population in the world, as of 2018.<ref name="nepali">{{cite news |first=Danae |last=King |title=City Council gives $45,000 to Bhutanese-Nepali community center |url=https://www.dispatch.com/news/20180926/city-council-gives-45000-to-bhutanese-nepali-community-center |work=[[Columbus Dispatch]] |date=September 26, 2018 |access-date=February 20, 2020 |archive-date=February 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200220050424/https://www.dispatch.com/news/20180926/city-council-gives-45000-to-bhutanese-nepali-community-center }}</ref><ref name="latimes">{{cite news |title=Dalayad Haji Hashi Jama, 72; Somalia's Former First Lady |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2004-jul-31-me-passings31.4-story.html |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=July 31, 2004 |access-date=June 10, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160807221904/http://articles.latimes.com/2004/jul/31/local/me-passings31.4 |archive-date=August 7, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>

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 [[chain store|retail and restaurant chains]] to use it as a [[test market]] for new products.<ref>{{cite news| last =Wolf  | first =Barnet D.  | title =Fresch Approach Long John Silver's test site tries grilling on for size   | newspaper =The Columbus Dispatch  | date =December 5, 2006}}</ref> For similar reasons, the city was chosen as the launch city for the [[QUBE]] cable television service.

Columbus has maintained a steady population growth since its establishment. Its slowest growth, from 1850 to 1860, is primarily attributed to the city's cholera epidemic in the 1850s.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wDoVAAAAYAAJ|title=Columbus, Ohio: Its History, Resources, and Progress|first=Jacob Henry|last=Studer|date=May 22, 1873|publisher=J.H. Studer|via=Google Books|access-date=May 11, 2020|archive-date=September 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920170250/https://books.google.com/books?id=wDoVAAAAYAAJ|url-status=live}}</ref>

According to the 2017 Japanese Direct Investment Survey by the [[Consulate-General of Japan, Detroit]], 838 [[Japanese community of Columbus, Ohio|Japanese nationals lived in Columbus]], making it the municipality with the state's second-largest Japanese national population, after [[Dublin, Ohio|Dublin]].<ref>"[https://www.detroit.us.emb-japan.go.jp/pdf/en/pe/2017%20JDI%20Survey%20Summary_OH.pdf 2017 Japanese Direct Investment Survey: Summary of Ohio Results] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728171140/https://www.detroit.us.emb-japan.go.jp/pdf/en/pe/2017%20JDI%20Survey%20Summary_OH.pdf |date=July 28, 2020 }}. [[Consulate-General of Japan in Detroit]]. October 1, 2017. Retrieved on March 11, 2020.</ref>

==== LGBT community ====
Columbus is home to a proportional [[LGBT]] community, with an estimated 34,952 gay, lesbian or bisexual residents.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/Gates-Same-Sex-Couples-GLB-Pop-ACS-Oct-2006.pdf |title= Same-sex Couples and the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual Population: New Estimates from the American Community Survey |access-date= July 3, 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130609015224/http://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/Gates-Same-Sex-Couples-GLB-Pop-ACS-Oct-2006.pdf |archive-date= June 9, 2013 }} Retrieved July 3, 2012.</ref> The 2018 [[American Community Survey]] (ACS) reported an estimated 366,034 households, 32,276 of which were held by unmarried partners. 1,395 of these were female householder and female-partner households, and 1,456 were male householder and male-partner households.<ref name="Households">{{cite web|title=Unmarried-Partner Households by Sex of Partner: Columbus city, Ohio|work=American FactFinder, 2018 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates|publisher=United States Census Bureau|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?t=Same%20Sex%20Couples&g=1600000US3918000&tid=ACSDT1Y2018.B11009|access-date=May 21, 2021|archive-date=May 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210521144334/https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?t=Same%20Sex%20Couples&g=1600000US3918000&tid=ACSDT1Y2018.B11009|url-status=live}}</ref> Columbus has been rated as one of the best cities in the country for gays and lesbians to live, and also as the most underrated gay city in the country.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://gaytravel.about.com/od/placestogo/tp/underrated_gay.htm |title=The Most Underrated Gay-Friendly Cities in America |access-date=January 6, 2010 |publisher=[[About.com]] |archive-date=November 23, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091123172148/http://gaytravel.about.com/od/placestogo/tp/underrated_gay.htm }}</ref> [[Stonewall Columbus]] formed in 1981 after a group of protestors organized a march against a proposed office of [[Moral Majority]], a political organization lead by pastor [[Jerry Falwell|Jerry Falwell, Sr]]. The next year, Stonewall hosted its first Pride Parade.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Columbus Monthly |date=June 2015 |title=Rainbow City: How Columbus earned its reputation as one of the most gay-friendly places in the nation |url=https://cdm16802.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/cbusmonthly/id/73619/rec/4 |access-date=2025-08-16 |website=Columbus Metropolitan Library's My History database, www.columbuslibrary.org/myhistory |language=en}}</ref> In July 2012, three years prior to legal [[same-sex marriage in the United States]], the Columbus City Council unanimously passed a domestic partnership registry.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.plunderbund.com/2012/07/31/columbus-city-council-creates-domestic-partner-registry/ |title=Columbus City Council Creates Domestic Partner Registry |publisher=Plunderbund.com |date=July 31, 2012 |access-date=September 1, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140824085127/http://www.plunderbund.com/2012/07/31/columbus-city-council-creates-domestic-partner-registry/ |archive-date=August 24, 2014 }}</ref>

====Italian-American community and symbols====
[[File:Santa Maria - 2772222245.jpg|thumb|The [[Santa Maria Ship & Museum]], a {{ship||Santa María|ship|2}} replica, was docked downtown from 1991 to 2014.]]
Columbus has numerous [[Italian Americans]], with groups including the Columbus Italian Club, Columbus Piave Club and the Abruzzi Club.<ref name="abc6_City">{{cite web |title=City of Columbus to remove Christopher Columbus statue outside City Hall |author=WSYX/WTTE |work=WSYX |date=June 18, 2020 |access-date=June 18, 2020 |url=https://abc6onyourside.com/news/local/city-of-columbus-to-remove-christopher-columbus-statue-outside-city-hall |archive-date=June 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200619112917/https://abc6onyourside.com/news/local/city-of-columbus-to-remove-christopher-columbus-statue-outside-city-hall |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Italian Village]], a neighborhood near Downtown Columbus, has had a prominent Italian American community since the 1890s.<ref name="guidelines">{{cite web |title=Italian Village Guidelines|publisher=Italian Village Commission|url=http://hstrial-ivillage.homestead.com/italguid.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210521172431/http://hstrial-ivillage.homestead.com/italguid.pdf |archive-date=May 21, 2021 |url-status=live|date=August 7, 1990|access-date=May 21, 2021}}</ref>

The community has helped promote the influence [[Christopher Columbus]] had in drawing European attention to the Americas. The Italian explorer, erroneously credited with the lands' discovery, has been posthumously criticized by historians for initiating colonization and for abuse, enslavement and subjugation of natives.<ref name="Bigelow, B. 1992"/><ref name="Howard Zinn"/> In addition to the city being named for the explorer, its seal and [[Flag of Columbus, Ohio|flag]] depict a ship he used for his first voyage to the Americas, the {{ship||Santa María|ship|2}}. A similar-size replica of the ship, the [[Santa Maria Ship & Museum]], was displayed downtown from 1991 to 2014.<ref>{{cite web |first=Kathy Lynn |last=Gray |url=https://www.columbusmonthly.com/lifestyle/20180206/who-wants-santa-maria |title=Who wants the Santa Maria? – Lifestyle – Columbus Monthly – Columbus, OH |work=Columbus Monthly |date= |access-date=February 25, 2021 |archive-date=July 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210727190407/https://www.columbusmonthly.com/lifestyle/20180206/who-wants-santa-maria |url-status=live }}</ref> The city's [[Discovery District (Columbus, Ohio)|Discovery District]] and [[Discovery Bridge (Columbus, Ohio)|Discovery Bridge]] are named in reference to Columbus's "discovery" of the Americas; the bridge includes artistic bronze medallions featuring symbols of the explorer.<ref>{{cite web |author=Gerald Tebben |url=https://www.dispatch.com/article/20120821/NEWS/308219772 |title=Columbus Mileposts &#124; Aug. 21, 1947: Lightning led bridge to explode, killing one |work=The Columbus Dispatch |date= |access-date=February 25, 2021 |archive-date=May 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511095418/https://www.dispatch.com/article/20120821/NEWS/308219772 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/conf/1995/cp7/cp7v1-009.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200620025037/http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/conf/1995/cp7/cp7v1-009.pdf |archive-date=June 20, 2020 |url-status=live |title=Discovery Bridge |last=Mattox |first=Ronald K. |publisher=Fourth International Bridge Engineering Conference |access-date=February 19, 2022}}</ref> [[Genoa Park]], downtown, is named after [[Genoa]], the birthplace of Christopher Columbus and one of Columbus's [[Sister city|sister cities]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Genoa Park |url=https://www.columbus.gov/recreationandparks/parks/Genoa-Park/ |website=columbus.gov |publisher=City of Columbus, Ohio |access-date=October 21, 2018 |archive-date=October 22, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181022073416/https://www.columbus.gov/recreationandparks/parks/Genoa-Park/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The Christopher Columbus Quincentennial Jubilee, celebrating the 500th anniversary of Columbus's first voyage, was held in the city in 1992. Its organizers spent $95 million on it, creating the horticultural exhibition [[AmeriFlora '92]]. The organizers also planned to create a replica Native American village, among other attractions. Local and national native leaders protested the event with a day of mourning, followed by protests and fasts at City Hall. The protests prevented the native village from being exhibited, and annual fasts continued until 1997. A protest also took place during the dedication of the ''Santa Maria'' replica, an event held in late 1991 on the day before [[Columbus Day]] and in time for the jubilee.<ref name="ICT"/><ref name="WaPo">{{cite news |last1=Flynn |first1=Meagan |title=Columbus, Ohio, once spent $95 million to help celebrate Columbus Day. Now, it's canceled. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2018/10/08/columbus-ohio-once-spent-95-million-to-celebrate-columbus-day-now-its-canceled/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=July 29, 2020 |date=October 8, 2018 |archive-date=July 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200711110607/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2018/10/08/columbus-ohio-once-spent-95-million-to-celebrate-columbus-day-now-its-canceled/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The city has three outdoor statues of the explorer; the [[Statue of Christopher Columbus (Columbus City Hall)|statue at City Hall]] was acquired, delivered and dedicated with the assistance of the Italian American community. Protests in 2017 aimed for this statue to be removed,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://abc6onyourside.com/news/local/protest-at-city-hall-calls-for-removal-of-columbus-statue|title=Protest at City Hall calls for removal of Columbus statue|first=Ben|last=Garbarek|date=August 20, 2017|website=WSYX|access-date=June 13, 2020|archive-date=July 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728171517/https://abc6onyourside.com/news/local/protest-at-city-hall-calls-for-removal-of-columbus-statue|url-status=live}}</ref> followed by the city in 2018 ceasing to recognize [[Columbus Day]] as a city holiday.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wilhelm |first1=Jim |last2=Rouan |first2=Rick |title=Columbus Day no longer a holiday for namesake Ohio city |url=https://www.dispatch.com/news/20181004/columbus-day-no-longer-holiday-for-namesake-ohio-city |access-date=May 9, 2020 |work=[[The Columbus Dispatch]] |date=October 4, 2018 |archive-date=May 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200524233449/https://www.dispatch.com/news/20181004/columbus-day-no-longer-holiday-for-namesake-ohio-city }}</ref> During the 2020 [[George Floyd protests in Columbus, Ohio|George Floyd protests]], petitions were created to remove all three statues and rename the city of Columbus.<ref name="Columbus Underground"/>

The city was one of eight cities to be offered the {{cvt|360|ft|adj=on}} ''[[Birth of the New World]]'' statue, in 1993. The statue, also of Christopher Columbus, was completed in Puerto Rico in 2016 and is the [[List of the tallest statues in the United States|tallest in the United States]] – {{cvt|45|ft}} taller than the [[Statue of Liberty]], including its pedestal. At least six U.S. cities, including Columbus, rejected it based on its height and design.<ref>{{cite news|title=Christopher Columbus statue welcomed in Puerto Rico after US cities rejected it|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jun/19/christopher-columbus-statue-puerto-rico-zurab-tsereteli|date=June 19, 2016|access-date=June 13, 2020|archive-date=July 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160721203124/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jun/19/christopher-columbus-statue-puerto-rico-zurab-tsereteli|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Religion===
[[File:St. Joseph Cathedral (Columbus, Ohio).jpg|thumb|[[St. Joseph Cathedral (Columbus, Ohio)|St. Joseph Cathedral]], seat of the [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Columbus]]]]
According to the 2019 [[Public Religion Research Institute|American Values Atlas]], 26% of Columbus metropolitan area residents are unaffiliated with a religious tradition. 17% of area residents identify as White evangelical Protestants, 14% as White mainline Protestants, 11% as Black Protestants, 11% as White Catholics, 5% as Hispanic Catholics, 3% as other nonwhite Catholics, 2% as other nonwhite Protestants and 2% as Mormons. Hindus, Buddhists, Jews and Latino Protestants each made up 1% of the population, while Jehovah's Witnesses, Orthodox Christians, Muslims, Unitarians, and members of New Age or other religions each made up under 0.5% of the population.<ref>{{cite web|title=Columbus: Religious Tradition|work=The American Values Atlas|publisher=[[Public Religion Research Institute]]|url=http://ava.prri.org/#religious/2019/MetroAreas/religion/m/7|date=2019|access-date=May 21, 2021|archive-date=February 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190221221714/http://ava.prri.org/#religious/2019/MetroAreas/religion/m/7|url-status=live}}</ref>

Places of worship include Baptist, Evangelical, Greek Orthodox, Latter-day Saints, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Quaker, Roman Catholic, and Unitarian Universalist churches. Columbus also hosts several Islamic mosques, Jewish synagogues, Buddhist centers, Hindu temples and a branch of the [[International Society for Krishna Consciousness]]. Religious teaching institutions include the [[Pontifical College Josephinum]] and several private schools led by Christian organizations.

==Economy==
{{Main|Economy of Columbus, Ohio}}
[[File:AEP Building from Rhodes State.jpg|thumb|upright|The [[AEP Building]], headquarters to [[American Electric Power]]]]
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.<ref name=CBJ>{{Cite news|title=Ranking: Columbus among top 10 big cities|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2010/04/19/daily28.html|date=April 21, 2010|access-date=December 26, 2022|newspaper=Columbus Business First|archive-date=May 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220528145048/https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2010/04/19/daily28.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

According to the [[Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis]], the GDP of Columbus in 2019 was $134 billion (~${{Format price|{{Inflation|index=US-GDP|value=134000000000|start_year=2019}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US-GDP}}).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/NGMP18140 |title=Total Gross Domestic Product for Columbus, OH (MSA) (NGMP18140) &#124; FRED &#124; St. Louis Fed |publisher=Fred.stlouisfed.org |date=January 2001 |access-date=November 20, 2021 |archive-date=January 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220105064440/https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/NGMP18140 |url-status=live }}</ref>

During the [[Great Recession]] between 2007 and 2009, 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.<ref>[http://thisweeknews.com/live/content/politics/LIVE_results/2009races/11/columbus_council.html?sid=104 "Recount Still Possible"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717051114/http://thisweeknews.com/live/content/politics/LIVE_results/2009races/11/columbus_council.html?sid=104 |date=July 17, 2011 }}, This Week Community Papers, Retrieved November 13, 2009.</ref><ref>[https://archive.today/20120905171030/http://www.nbc4i.com/cmh/news/local/local_govtpolitics/article/the_final_push_for_issue_one/19305/ NBC 4, Columbus Budget Shortfall, Tax Increase] Retrieved July 26, 2009.</ref> 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 2019, the city had six corporations named to the U.S. Fortune 500 list: [[Alliance Data]], [[Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company]], [[American Electric Power]], [[L Brands]], [[Huntington Bancshares]] and [[Cardinal Health]] in suburban [[Dublin, Ohio|Dublin]].<ref name="GDP">[http://usmayors.org/metroeconomies/0110/charts.pdf "Top 100 U.S. metro economies"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100625175418/http://usmayors.org/metroeconomies/0110/charts.pdf |date=June 25, 2010 }}, U.S. Conference of Mayors. Retrieved April 22, 2010.</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.bizjournals.com/dallas/news/2019/06/10/alliance-data-systems-ohio.html| title = Plano set to lose Fortune 500 HQ as Alliance Data Systems shifts to Ohio – Dallas Business Journal| access-date = June 11, 2019| archive-date = November 25, 2020| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201125023459/https://www.bizjournals.com/dallas/news/2019/06/10/alliance-data-systems-ohio.html| url-status = live}}</ref> Other major employers include schools (e.g., Ohio State University) and hospitals (among others, [[Wexner Medical Center]] and [[Nationwide Children's Hospital]], which are among the teaching hospitals of the [[Ohio State University College of Medicine]]), high-tech research and development such as the [[Battelle Memorial Institute]], information/library companies such as [[OCLC]] and [[Chemical Abstracts Service]], steel processing and pressure cylinder manufacturer [[Worthington Industries]], financial institutions such as [[JPMorgan Chase]] and [[Huntington Bancshares]], as well as [[Owens Corning]]. Fast-food chains [[Wendy's]] and [[White Castle (restaurant)|White Castle]] are also headquartered in the Columbus area. Major foreign corporations operating or with divisions in the city include Germany-based [[Siemens]] and [[Boehringer Ingelheim|Roxane Laboratories]], Finland-based [[Vaisala]], Tomasco Mulciber Inc., A Y Manufacturing, as well as [[Switzerland]]-based [[ABB]] and [[Mettler Toledo]]. The city also has a significant fashion and retail presence, home to companies such as [[Big Lots]], [[L Brands]], [[Abercrombie & Fitch]], [[Designer Brands|DSW]] and [[Express, Inc.|Express]].

===Food and beverage industry===
[[File:North Market.jpg|thumb|[[North Market]]]]
[[North Market]], a public market and [[food hall]], is located downtown near the Short North. It is the only remaining public market of Columbus's original four marketplaces.

Numerous restaurant chains are based in the Columbus area, including [[Charleys Philly Steaks]], [[Bibibop Asian Grill]], [[Steak Escape]], [[White Castle (restaurant)|White Castle]], [[Cameron Mitchell Restaurants]], [[Bob Evans Restaurants]], [[Max & Erma's]], Damon's Grill, [[Donatos Pizza]] and [[Wendy's]]. Wendy's, the world's third-largest hamburger fast-food chain, operated its first store downtown as both a museum and a restaurant until March 2007, when the establishment was closed due to low revenue. The company is presently headquartered outside the city in nearby [[Dublin, Ohio|Dublin]]. [[Budweiser]] has a major brewery located on the north side, just south of I-270 and Worthington. Columbus is also home to many local [[micro breweries]] and pubs. Asian [[frozen food]] manufacturer Kahiki Foods was located on the east side of Columbus, created during the operation of the [[Kahiki Supper Club]] restaurant in Columbus. The food company now operates in the suburb of Gahanna and has been owned by the South Korean-based company [[CJ CheilJedang]] since 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Eaton|first=Dan|date=August 27, 2018|title=Frozen food maker Kahiki getting a new owner|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2018/08/27/frozen-food-makerkahiki-getting-a-new-owner.html|access-date=February 22, 2021|website=bizjournals|archive-date=September 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920170315/https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2018/08/27/frozen-food-makerkahiki-getting-a-new-owner.html|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Wasserstrom Company]], a major supplier of equipment and supplies for restaurants, is located on the north side.

==Arts and culture==
{{main|Culture of Columbus, Ohio}}

===Landmarks===
{{See also|Architecture of Columbus, Ohio|List of tallest buildings in Columbus, Ohio}}
{{see also|List of demolished buildings and structures in Columbus, Ohio}}
[[File:LeVeque Tower, Columbus, OH, US crop.jpg|thumb|upright|The Art Deco [[LeVeque Tower]] is the city's second-tallest skyscraper.]]
Columbus has over 170 notable buildings listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Columbus, Ohio|National Register of Historic Places]]; it also maintains its own register, the [[Columbus Register of Historic Properties]], with 82 entries.<ref>{{cite web|title=Columbus Register of Historic Places: Individual Listings & Historic Districts|url=https://www.columbus.gov/uploadedFiles/Columbus/Departments/Development/Planning_Division/Document_Library/Library_Documents/PDFs/Columbus_Register_of_Historic_Properties.pdf|access-date=May 8, 2020|archive-date=January 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200127034128/https://www.columbus.gov/uploadedFiles/Columbus/Departments/Development/Planning_Division/Document_Library/Library_Documents/PDFs/Columbus_Register_of_Historic_Properties.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> The city also maintains four historic districts not listed on its register: [[German Village]], [[Italian Village]], [[Victorian Village]], and the [[Brewery District]].<ref>{{cite web|title=City of Columbus Historic Districts|publisher=City of Columbus Department of Development|url=https://www.columbus.gov/uploadedFiles/Columbus/Departments/Development/Planning_Division/Document_Library/Library_Documents/PDFs/Historic_Districts.pdf|date=November 2013|access-date=January 11, 2023|archive-date=January 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111162048/https://www.columbus.gov/uploadedFiles/Columbus/Departments/Development/Planning_Division/Document_Library/Library_Documents/PDFs/Historic_Districts.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

Construction of the Ohio Statehouse began in 1839 on a {{convert|10|acre|ha|0|adj=on}} plot of land donated by four prominent Columbus landowners. This plot formed [[Capitol Square]], which was not part of the city's original layout. Built of Columbus [[limestone]] from the [[Marble Cliff Quarry Co.]], the Statehouse stands on foundations {{convert|18|ft|m}} deep that were laid by [[prison labor]] gangs rumored to have been composed largely of [[masonry|masons]] jailed for minor infractions.<ref name="attb"/> It features a central recessed [[porch]] with a [[colonnade]] of a forthright and primitive [[Doric order|Greek Doric mode]]. A broad and low central pediment supports the windowed [[astylar]] drum under an invisibly low [[dome|saucer dome]] that lights the interior [[rotunda (architecture)|rotunda]]. There are several artworks within and outside the building, including the ''[[William McKinley Monument]]'' dedicated in 1907. Unlike many U.S. state capitol buildings, the Ohio State Capitol owes little to the architecture of the [[United States Capitol|national Capitol]]. During the Statehouse's 22-year construction, seven architects were employed. The Statehouse was opened to the legislature and the public in 1857 and completed in 1861, and is located at the intersection of Broad and High streets in downtown Columbus.

Within the [[Driving Park]] heritage district lies the [[Captain Edward V. Rickenbacker House|original home]] of [[Eddie Rickenbacker]], a World War I [[fighter aircraft|fighter pilot]] ace. Built in 1895, the house was designated a [[National Historic Landmark]] in 1976.<ref name=nhlsum>{{cite web|url=http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=1657&ResourceType=Building |title=Captain Edward V. Rickenbacker House |access-date=November 6, 2010 |work=National Historic Landmark summary listing |publisher=National Park Service |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606210437/http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=1657&ResourceType=Building |archive-date=June 6, 2011 }}</ref>

Preservationists and the public have sometimes run into conflict with developers hoping to revitalize an area and demolish certain buildings, and historically with the city and state government, which led programs of [[urban renewal]] in the 20th century.<ref>{{cite news|last=Warren|first=Brent|title=10 Things I've Learned Writing About Development in Columbus for 10 Years|newspaper=Columbus Underground|url=https://columbusunderground.com/10-things-ive-learned-writing-about-development-in-columbus-for-10-years-bw1/|date=February 17, 2023|access-date=February 17, 2023|archive-date=February 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230217202705/https://columbusunderground.com/10-things-ive-learned-writing-about-development-in-columbus-for-10-years-bw1/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Museums and public art===
{{main|List of museums in Columbus, Ohio|List of public art in Columbus, Ohio}}
[[File:Columbus Museum of Art 06.jpg|thumb|The [[Columbus Museum of Art]] collects and exhibits American and European [[modern art|modern]] and [[contemporary art]], [[folk art]], [[glass art]], and photography.]]

Columbus has a wide variety of museums and galleries. Its primary art museum is the [[Columbus Museum of Art]], which operates its main location as well as the [[Pizzuti Collection]], featuring [[contemporary art]]. The museum, founded in 1878, focuses on European and [[Visual art of the United States|American art]] up to early [[modernism]] that includes extraordinary examples of [[Impressionism]], German [[Expressionism]] and [[Cubism]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://columbusarts.com/orgs/29-columbus-museum-of-art/ |title=Columbus Museum of Art &#124; Columbus OH Arts & Events |publisher=Columbusarts.com |access-date=March 15, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130120134935/http://columbusarts.com/orgs/29-columbus-museum-of-art/ |archive-date=January 20, 2013 }}</ref> Another prominent art museum in the city is the [[Wexner Center for the Arts]], a [[contemporary art]] gallery and research facility operated by the [[Ohio State University]].

The [[Ohio History Connection]] is headquartered in Columbus, with its flagship museum, the {{convert|250000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} [[Ohio History Center]], {{convert|4|mi|abbr=on}} north of downtown. Adjacent to the museum is [[Ohio Village]], a replica of a village around the time of the American Civil War. The [[Columbus Historical Society]] also features historical exhibits, which focus more closely on life in Columbus.

[[File:Central High School 1.jpg|thumb|[[COSI]] (east entrance pictured) features themed, interactive science exhibits.]]
[[COSI]] is a large science and children's museum in downtown Columbus. The present building, the former [[Central High School (Columbus, Ohio)|Central High School]], was completed in November 1999, opposite downtown on the west bank of the Scioto River. In 2009, ''[[Parents (magazine)|Parents]]'' magazine named COSI one of the 10 best science centers for families in the country.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.parents.com/fun/vacation/us-destinations/best-science-centers/|title=The 10 Best Science Centers|first=Karen|last=Cicero|access-date=October 27, 2011|magazine=[[Parents (magazine)|Parents]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111123092826/http://www.parents.com/fun/vacation/us-destinations/best-science-centers/|archive-date=November 23, 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> Other science museums include the [[Orton Geological Museum]] and the Museum of Biological Diversity, which are both part of Ohio State University.

The [[Franklin Park Conservatory]] is the city's [[botanical garden]], which 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. The conservatory is located just east of Downtown in [[Franklin Park (Columbus park)|Franklin Park]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fpconservatory.org/|title=Franklin Park Conservatory – Welcome to Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens |language=en|access-date=June 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170614232954/http://www.fpconservatory.org/|archive-date=June 14, 2017}}</ref>

Biographical museums include the [[Thurber House]] (documenting the life of cartoonist [[James Thurber]]), the [[Jack Nicklaus Museum]] (documenting the golfer's career, located on the OSU campus) and the [[Kelton House Museum and Garden]], the latter of which being a [[historic house museum]] memorializing three generations of the Kelton family, the house's use as a documented station on the [[Underground Railroad]], and overall Victorian life.

The [[National Veterans Memorial and Museum]], which opened in 2018, focuses on the personal stories of military veterans throughout U.S. history. The museum replaced the Franklin County Veterans Memorial, which opened in 1955.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nationalvmm.org/about/|title=About |publisher=National Veterans Memorial and Museum|access-date=April 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412065923/https://www.nationalvmm.org/about/|archive-date=April 12, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

Other notable museums in the city include the [[Central Ohio Fire Museum]], [[Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum]] and the Ohio Craft Museum.

===Performing arts===
[[File:Ohio Theatre 2020.jpg|thumb|The [[Ohio Theatre (Columbus, Ohio)|Ohio Theatre]], a [[National Historic Landmark]]]]
Columbus is the home of many performing arts institutions including the [[Columbus Symphony Orchestra]], [[Opera Columbus]], [[BalletMet|BalletMet Columbus]], the ProMusica Chamber Orchestra, [[The Contemporary Theatre of Ohio]], Columbus Children's Theatre, Shadowbox Live, and the Columbus [[Big band|Jazz Orchestra]]. Throughout the summer, the [[Actors' Theatre of Columbus]] offers free performances of [[William Shakespeare|Shakespearean]] plays in an open-air amphitheater in [[Schiller Park (Columbus, Ohio)|Schiller Park]] in historic [[German Village]].

The Columbus Youth Ballet Academy was founded in the 1980s by ballerina and artistic director Shir Lee Wu, a discovery of [[Martha Graham]]. Wu was the long-time artistic director of the Columbus City Ballet School and taught classes there until her death in 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|date=November 4, 2006|title=History |website=Columbus City Ballet School|url=http://www.columbuscityballetschool.com/history.html|access-date=December 26, 2022|archive-date=November 4, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061104101437/http://www.columbuscityballetschool.com/history.html}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.shaw-davis.com/obituaries/siu-wukuo|title=Siu Wu Kuo Obituary March 17, 2021|website=Shaw-Davis Funeral Homes & Cremation Services}}</ref>

Columbus has several large concert venues, including the [[Nationwide Arena]], [[Value City Arena]], [[Express Live!]], Mershon Auditorium and the [[Newport Music Hall]].

In May 2009, the [[Lincoln Theatre (Columbus, Ohio)|Lincoln Theatre]], formerly a center for Black culture in Columbus, reopened after an extensive restoration.<ref>{{cite news| last =Siegel  | first =Jim  | title =Theater's future about more than politics, mayor says | pages =News 05D | newspaper =The Columbus Dispatch  | date =August 19, 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| last =Siegel  | first =Jim  | title =State readies projects budget | pages =News 01D  | newspaper =The Columbus Dispatch  | date =December 5, 2006}}</ref> Not far from the Lincoln Theatre is the King Arts Complex, which hosts a variety of cultural events. The city also has several theaters downtown, including the historic [[Palace Theatre (Columbus, Ohio)|Palace Theatre]], the [[Ohio Theatre (Columbus, Ohio)|Ohio Theatre]] and the [[Great Southern Hotel & Theatre|Southern Theatre]]. [[Broadway Across America]] often presents touring Broadway musicals in these larger venues.<ref>[https://archive.today/20120912074147/http://www.theatermania.com/ohio/theaters/ohio-theatre-columbus_1095/ Ohio Theatre, History of Shows] Retrieved July 26, 2009.</ref> The Vern Riffe Center for Government and the Arts houses the Capitol Theatre and three smaller studio theaters, providing a home for resident performing arts companies.

====Film====
Movies filmed in the Columbus metropolitan area include ''[[Teachers (film)|Teachers]]'' in 1984, ''[[Tango & Cash]]'' in 1989, ''[[Little Man Tate]]'' in 1991, ''[[Air Force One (film)|Air Force One]]'' in 1997, ''[[Traffic (2000 film)|Traffic]]'' in 2000, ''[[Speak (2004 film)|Speak]]'' in 2004, ''[[Bubble (2005 film)|Bubble]]'' in 2005, ''[[Liberal Arts (film)|Liberal Arts]]'' in 2012, ''[[Parker (2013 film)|Parker]]'' in 2013, and ''[[I Am Wrath]]'' in 2016, ''[[Aftermath (2017 film)|Aftermath]]'' in 2017, ''They/Them/Us'' in 2021, and ''[[Bones and All]]'' in 2022.<ref>[http://www.filmcolumbus.com/html/ohio-and-film.html Film Columbus, Movies filmed in Columbus metropolitan area] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221095825/http://www.filmcolumbus.com/html/ohio-and-film.html |date=February 21, 2009 }} Retrieved July 26, 2009.</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.columbusnavigator.com/movies-filmed-in-ohio/|title=Does This Scene Look Familiar? A Look At Films Made In Ohio|first=Chelsea|last=Wiley|date=January 4, 2023|access-date=February 19, 2023|archive-date=February 19, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219200820/https://www.columbusnavigator.com/movies-filmed-in-ohio/|url-status=live}}</ref> The 2018 film ''[[Ready Player One (film)|Ready Player One]]'' is set in Columbus, though not filmed in the city.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dispatch.com/story/entertainment/2022/03/26/before-oscars-here-some-movies-made-columbus-watch/8914504002/|title=Oscars: 5 movies filmed in Columbus to watch before the Academy Awards on Sunday|first=Monroe|last=Trombly|website=The Columbus Dispatch|access-date=February 19, 2023|archive-date=March 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307003827/https://www.dispatch.com/story/entertainment/2022/03/26/before-oscars-here-some-movies-made-columbus-watch/8914504002/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Sports==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
|+Columbus professional and major NCAA D1 teams
|-
! Club
! League
! Sport
! Venue (capacity)
! When <br/>founded
! Titles
! Average <br /> attendance
|-
| [[Ohio State Buckeyes football|Ohio State Buckeyes]]
| align=center | [[NCAA Division I|NCAA]]
| Football
| [[Ohio Stadium]] (104,851)
| align=center | 1890
| align=center |  9
| align=center |  105,261
|-
| [[Columbus Crew SC|Columbus Crew]]
| align=center | [[Major League Soccer|MLS]]
| [[Soccer]]
| [[ScottsMiracle-Gro Field]] (20,371)
| align=center | 1996
| align=center | 3
| align=center | 20,646
|-
| [[Ohio State Buckeyes men's basketball|Ohio State Buckeyes]]
| align=center | [[NCAA Division I|NCAA]]
| Basketball
| [[Value City Arena]] (19,000)
| align=center | 1892
| align=center |  1
| align=center |  16,511
|-
| [[Columbus Blue Jackets]]
| align=center | [[National Hockey League|NHL]]
| [[Ice hockey]]
| [[Nationwide Arena]] (18,500)
| align=center | 2000
| align=center | 0
| align=center | 16,659
|-
| [[Columbus Clippers]]
| align=center | [[International League|IL]]
| [[Baseball]]
| [[Huntington Park (Columbus, Ohio)|Huntington Park]] (10,100)
| align=center | 1977
| align=center | 11
| align=center | 9,212
|-
| [[Columbus Crew 2]]
| align=center | [[MLS Next Pro]]
| [[Soccer]]
| [[Historic Crew Stadium]] (19,968)
| align=center | 2022
| align=center | 1
| align=center | N/A
|-
|}
[[File:Ohio Stadium, Columbus.jpg|thumb|[[Ohio Stadium]], on the campus of [[Ohio State University]], is the 5th-largest non-racing stadium in the world.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Top Ten Biggest Sports Stadiums In The World &#124; Top 10 Land|url=https://www.top10land.com/top-ten-biggest-sports-stadiums-in-the-world.html|access-date=December 26, 2022|website=www.top10land.com|archive-date=December 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221226181135/https://www.top10land.com/top-ten-biggest-sports-stadiums-in-the-world.html|url-status=live}}</ref>]]
[[File:Nationwide Arena exterior.jpg|thumb|[[Nationwide Arena]], home of the NHL's [[Columbus Blue Jackets]]]]
[[File:Pre-match before USMNT v Costa Rica during 2022 World Cup qualifying.jpeg|thumb|[[ScottsMiracle-Gro Field]], the current home of the [[Columbus Crew]]]]

===Professional teams===
Columbus hosts two major league professional sports teams: the [[Columbus Blue Jackets]] of the [[National Hockey League]] (NHL), which play at [[Nationwide Arena]], and the [[Columbus Crew]] of [[Major League Soccer]] (MLS), which play at [[ScottsMiracle-Gro Field]]. The Crew previously played at [[Historic Crew 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 [[MLS Cup 2008|2008]], a second title in [[MLS Cup 2020|2020]], and a third title in [[MLS Cup 2023|2023]]. The Columbus Crew moved into then named [[Lower.com Field]] in the summer of 2021, which will also feature a mixed-use development site named Confluence Village.<ref>{{cite news|title=Columbus Crew SC Resumes Season July 8|work=Columbus Underground|url=https://www.columbusunderground.com/columbus-crew-sc-resume-season-july-8-sp1|date=June 10, 2020|access-date=June 15, 2020|archive-date=June 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200613211313/https://www.columbusunderground.com/columbus-crew-sc-resume-season-july-8-sp1|url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[Columbus Clippers]], the [[International League]] affiliate of the [[Cleveland Guardians]], play in [[Huntington Park (Columbus, Ohio)|Huntington Park]], which opened in 2009.

The city was home to the [[Columbus Panhandles|Panhandles/Tigers]] football team from 1901 to 1926; they are credited with playing in the first NFL game against another NFL opponent.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Wong|first=Glenn|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ku_fPqc4aM8C|title=The Comprehensive Guide to Careers in Sports|date=June 7, 2011|publisher=Jones & Bartlett Learning|isbn=978-0-7637-2884-7|language=en}}</ref> In the late 1990s, the [[Columbus Quest]] won the only two championships during [[American Basketball League (1996–1998)|American Basketball League]]'s two-and-a-half season existence.

The [[Ohio Aviators (rugby union)|Ohio Aviators]] were based in [[Obetz, Ohio]], and began play in the only [[2016 PRO Rugby season|PRO Rugby season]] before the league folded.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/sports/2016/02/10/pro-rugby-obetz.html|title=Professional rugby team to begin play in Obetz in April|work=The Columbus Dispatch|access-date=March 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160316075903/http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/sports/2016/02/10/pro-rugby-obetz.html|archive-date=March 16, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> 

From 1883 to 1884, Columbus was the home of the [[Columbus Buckeyes (American Association)|Columbus Buckeyes]] of [[Major League Baseball]], who played two seasons in the [[American Association (1882-1891)|American Association]] before folding operations after the 1884 season. 

Since 2023, Columbus has been home to the [[Columbus Fury]] women's professional [[volleyball]] team, one of seven teams to launch with the [[Pro Volleyball Federation]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pro Volleyball Federation to bring professional women's volleyball to Columbus in 2024 |url=https://www.dispatch.com/story/sports/pro/2023/02/17/columbus-to-get-professional-womens-volleyball-team-pro-volleyball-federation-league-2024/69914366007/ |access-date=2024-02-24 |website=The Columbus Dispatch |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=McLaughlin |first=Jack |date=April 13, 2023 |title=The name and logo of Columbus' newest professional sports team has finally been revealed |url=https://614now.com/2023/explore-columbus/the-name-of-columbus-newest-professional-sports-team-has-finally-been-revealed |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424044623/https://614now.com/2023/explore-columbus/the-name-of-columbus-newest-professional-sports-team-has-finally-been-revealed |archive-date=April 24, 2023 |access-date=April 24, 2023 |website=614NOW |language=en-US}}</ref> The team plays home games at [[Nationwide Arena]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Columbus' pro volleyball team the Fury earn first win in home debut |url=https://www.dispatch.com/story/sports/pro/2024/02/21/columbus-fury-earns-first-win-in-home-debut-vs-omaha-supernovas/72682929007/ |access-date=2024-02-24 |website=The Columbus Dispatch |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Ohio State Buckeyes===
Columbus is home to one of the nation's most competitive intercollegiate programs, the [[Ohio State Buckeyes]] of [[Ohio State University]]. The program has placed in the top 10 final standings of the [[NACDA Directors' Cup|Director's Cup]] five times since 2000–2001, including No. 3 for the 2002–2003 season and No. 4 for the 2003–2004 season.<ref>{{Cite web|date=June 23, 2010|title=Stanford has built the nation's most successful athletics program |first=John |last=Reid |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2010/06/22/stanford-has-built-the-nations-most-successful-athletics-program/|access-date=December 26, 2022|website=The Mercury News|language=en-US|archive-date=December 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221226181135/https://www.mercurynews.com/2010/06/22/stanford-has-built-the-nations-most-successful-athletics-program/|url-status=live}}</ref> The university funds 36 varsity teams, consisting of 17 male, 16 female and three co-educational teams.{{Update inline|inaccurate=yes|date=April 2025}}  In 2007–2008 and 2008–2009, the program generated the second-most revenue for college programs behind the [[Texas Longhorns]] of [[University of Texas at Austin|The University of Texas at Austin]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Report: OSU No. 2 for sports revenue|newspaper=Columbus Business First|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2009/06/15/daily6.html|date=June 15, 2009|access-date=December 26, 2022|archive-date=May 31, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230531110810/http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2009/06/15/daily6.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>[http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/sports/stories/2010/06/04/e-mails-hint-eyes-are-upon-texas.html "Big Ten expansion: E-mails hint eyes are upon Texas"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100819151429/http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/sports/stories/2010/06/04/e-mails-hint-eyes-are-upon-texas.html |date=August 19, 2010 }}, Bill Rabinowitz. [[Columbus Dispatch]]. June 4, 2010. Retrieved September 6, 2010.</ref>

The Ohio State Buckeyes are a member of the [[NCAA]]'s [[Big Ten Conference]], and their [[Ohio State Buckeyes football|football team]] plays home games at [[Ohio Stadium]]. The Ohio State–[[University of Michigan|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.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/endofcentury/s/other/bestrivalries.html |title=ESPN.go.com |publisher=ESPN.go.com |access-date=March 15, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081025044126/http://espn.go.com/endofcentury/s/other/bestrivalries.html |archive-date=October 25, 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref> 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 received a master's degree from Ohio State and coached in Columbus, was an Ohio State football fan and major donor to the university who contributed to the construction of the band facility at the renovated Ohio Stadium, which bears his family's name.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Clippers alert: Steinbrenner is on his way|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2002/02/04/tidbits.html|access-date=December 26, 2022|website=www.bizjournals.com|archive-date=June 9, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230609175203/https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2002/02/04/tidbits.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
During the winter months, the Buckeyes [[Ohio State Buckeyes men's basketball|basketball]] and [[Ohio State Buckeyes men's ice hockey|hockey]] teams are also major sporting attractions.

===Other sports===
Columbus has a long history in motorsports, hosting the world's first 24-hour car race at the Columbus Driving Park in 1905, which was organized by the Columbus Auto Club.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=179231&FS=ROADRACING |title=Motor Sports, 24 Hour Race, Columbus Driving Park |publisher=Motorsport.com |date=March 15, 2005 |access-date=March 15, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081116180612/http://motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=179231&FS=ROADRACING |archive-date=November 16, 2008  }}</ref> The [[Columbus Motor Speedway]] was built in 1945 and held its first motorcycle race in 1946. In 2010, the [[Ohio State University]] student-built [[Buckeye Bullet 2]], a fuel-cell vehicle, set an FIA world speed record for electric vehicles in reaching 303.025&nbsp;mph, eclipsing the previous record of 302.877&nbsp;mph.<ref>[http://www.greenmuze.com/climate/cars/2979-the-buckeye-bullet-2.html "The Buckeye Bullet 2"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100904041829/http://www.greenmuze.com/climate/cars/2979-the-buckeye-bullet-2.html |date=September 4, 2010 }}, Green Muze. August 31, 2010. Retrieved September 5, 2010.</ref>

The annual [[All American Quarter Horse Congress]], the world's largest single-breed horse show,<ref>[http://www.experiencecolumbus.com/event-detail.cfm?id=21705 "All American Quarter Horse Congress"]{{dead link|date=September 2016|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}, Experience Columbus. 2009. Retrieved September 6, 2010.</ref> attracts approximately 500,000 visitors to the Ohio Expo Center each October.

Columbus hosts the annual [[Arnold Sports Festival]]. Hosted by [[Arnold Schwarzenegger]], the event has grown to eight [[Olympic sports]] and 22,000 athletes competing in 80 events.<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Krasniewicz|first1=Louise|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nhqIhq5SS8YC&pg=PA105|title=Arnold Schwarzenegger: A Biography|last2=Blitz|first2=Michael|date=2006|publisher=Greenwood Press|isbn=978-0-313-08128-6|language=en|access-date=September 6, 2015|archive-date=September 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920170503/https://books.google.com/books?id=nhqIhq5SS8YC&pg=PA105|url-status=live}}</ref>

Westside Barbell, a world-renowned powerlifting gym, is located in Columbus. Its founder, [[Louie Simmons]], is known for his popularization of the "Conjugate Method", while he is also credited with inventing training machines for reverse hyper-extensions and belt squats. Westside Barbell is known for producing multiple world record holders in powerlifting.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Westside Barbell® |url=https://www.westside-barbell.com/ |access-date=October 25, 2022 |website=www.westside-barbell.com |language=en-US |archive-date=November 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221103235741/https://www.westside-barbell.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

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 and returned for single season in 2019 until the league folded a second time.

[[Ohio Roller Derby]] (formerly Ohio Roller Girls) was founded in Columbus in 2005 and still competes internationally in Women's Flat Track Derby Association play. The team is regularly ranked in the top 60 internationally.

==Parks and attractions==
{{see also|List of parks in Columbus, Ohio|l1=City parks in Columbus|Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks}}
[[File:McFerson Commons 01.jpg|thumb|Located in the [[Arena District]], [[McFerson Commons]] is home to the [[Union Station arch]].]]
[[File:Scioto Mile 02.jpg|thumb|The [[Scioto Mile]] includes nine parks along both banks of the [[Scioto River]] between [[Downtown Columbus, Ohio|downtown Columbus]] and [[Franklinton, Columbus, Ohio|Franklinton]].]]
[[File:Scioto Audubon 03.jpg|thumb|[[National Audubon Society|Audubon]] nature center at [[Scioto Audubon Metro Park]], the first built close to a major city's downtown]]

Columbus's [[Columbus Recreation and Parks Department|Recreation and Parks Department]] oversees about 370 city parks.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://issuu.com/columbusrecparks/docs/crpd_2019_fall_guide_web|title=Columbus Recreation and Parks Guide &#124; Fall 2019|website=Issuu|date=September 9, 2019|access-date=April 7, 2020|archive-date=July 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728180157/https://issuu.com/columbusrecparks/docs/crpd_2019_fall_guide_web|url-status=live}}</ref> Also in the area are 19 [[regional park]]s and the [[Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks|Metro Parks]], which are part of the Columbus and Franklin County Metropolitan Park District.

These parks include Clintonville's Whetstone Park and the [[Columbus Park of Roses]], a {{convert|13|acre|ha|adj=on}} rose garden. The [[Chadwick Arboretum]] on Ohio State's campus features a large and varied collection of plants, while its [[Olentangy River Wetland Research Park]] is an experimental wetland open to the public. Downtown, the painting ''[[A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte]]'' is represented in [[topiary]] at Columbus's [[Topiary Park]]. Also near downtown, the [[Scioto Audubon Metro Park]] on the Whittier Peninsula opened in 2009 and includes a large Audubon nature center focused on the [[birdwatching]] the area is known for.<ref>{{cite news| last =Gebolys| first =Debbie| title =Grange donating $4 million| pages =Business 01G| newspaper =The Columbus Dispatch| date =November 16, 2006}}</ref>

The [[Columbus Zoo and Aquarium]]'s collections include lowland gorillas, polar bears, manatees, Siberian tigers, cheetahs and kangaroos.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://newyork.cbslocal.com/top-lists/5-largest-zoos-america/|title=5 Largest Zoos In The United States|date=May 6, 2016|access-date=November 10, 2017|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171110225638/http://newyork.cbslocal.com/top-lists/5-largest-zoos-america/|archive-date=November 10, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Also in the zoo complex is the [[Zoombezi Bay]] water park and amusement park.

===Fairs and festivals===
[[File:Ohio State Fair Picture 1.JPG|thumb|The [[Ohio State Fair]] 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 & Rib Fest, both of which occur on the downtown riverfront.

In mid-May from 2007 to 2018, Columbus was home to Rock on the Range, which was held at [[Historic Crew Stadium]] and marketed as America's biggest rock festival. The festival, which took place on a Friday, Saturday and Sunday, has hosted Metallica, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Slipknot and other notable bands. In May 2019, it was officially replaced by the [[Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=info |url=https://www.thelantern.com/2018/11/first-ever-sonic-temple-art-music-festival-to-replace-rock-on-the-range/#:~:text=Sonic%20Temple%20Art%20%2B%20Music%20Festival%2C%20Columbus'%20newest%20concert%20and,at%20MAPFRE%20Stadium%20in%20May. |access-date=July 26, 2020 |website=thelantern.com |date=November 27, 2018 |archive-date=July 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200704013659/https://www.thelantern.com/2018/11/first-ever-sonic-temple-art-music-festival-to-replace-rock-on-the-range/#:~:text=Sonic%20Temple%20Art%20%2B%20Music%20Festival%2C%20Columbus'%20newest%20concert%20and,at%20MAPFRE%20Stadium%20in%20May. |url-status=live }}</ref>

During the first weekend in June, the bars of Columbus's 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 [[Pride parade|gay pride parades]], [[Columbus Pride]], 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 city's largest dining event, Restaurant Week Columbus, is held twice a year in mid-January and mid-July. In 2010, more than 40,000 diners went to 40 participating restaurants, and $5,000 (~${{Format price|{{Inflation|index=US|value=5000|start_year=2010}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}) was donated the Mid-Ohio Foodbank on behalf of sponsors and participating restaurants.<ref>{{Cite web|date=June 9, 2022|title=Restaurant Week January 2023|url=https://614now.com/restaurant-week-jan-2023|access-date=December 26, 2022|website=614NOW|language=en-US|archive-date=December 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221226181135/https://614now.com/restaurant-week-jan-2023}}</ref>

Around the [[Independence Day (United States)|Fourth of July]], Columbus hosts Red, White & Boom! on the Scioto riverfront downtown, attracting crowds of over 500,000 people and featuring the largest fireworks display in Ohio.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Budzak |first=Gary |title=Revelry is plentiful not too far away |newspaper=Columbus Dispatch |date=May 29, 2005 |url=http://www.columbusdispatch.com/live/contentbe/dispatch/2005/05/29/20050529-H5-00.html |access-date=May 2, 2009}}{{dead link|date=June 2016}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

[[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 performance|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 celebrations|Oktoberfest]] celebration that features German food, beer, music and crafts.

Columbus also hosts many conventions in the [[Greater Columbus Convention Center]], a large convention center on the north edge of downtown. Completed in 1993, the {{convert|1.8|e6sqft|m2|adj=on}} convention center was designed by architect [[Peter Eisenman]], who also designed the Wexner Center.<ref>{{cite web|last=Robison |first=Elwin |title=Eisenman's chip-board fantasy: The Greater Columbus Convention Center, Columbus, Ohio |year=1994 |url=http://architronic.saed.kent.edu/v3n1/v3n1.05.html |access-date=September 25, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926210823/http://architronic.saed.kent.edu/v3n1/v3n1.05.html |archive-date=September 26, 2007  }}</ref>

===Shopping===
Both of the metropolitan area's major shopping centers are located in Columbus: [[Easton Town Center]] and [[Polaris Fashion Place]].

Developer [[Richard E. Jacobs]] built the area's first three major shopping malls in the 1960s: [[Westland Mall (Columbus, Ohio)|Westland]], [[Northland Mall|Northland]] and [[Eastland Mall (Columbus, Ohio)|Eastland]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2003/03/03/story2.html?page=all|title=New owners poised to revive Westland|last=Showalter|first=Kathy|date=March 3, 2003|work=Columbus Business First|access-date=April 1, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131214222948/http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2003/03/03/story2.html?page=all|archive-date=December 14, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> Near Northland Mall was The Continent, an open-air mall in the [[Northland (Columbus, Ohio)|Northland]] area, mostly vacant and pending redevelopment. [[Columbus City Center]] was built downtown in 1988, alongside the first location of [[Lazarus (department store)|Lazarus]]; this mall closed in 2009 and was demolished in 2011. [[Easton Town Center]] was built in 1999 and [[Polaris Fashion Place]] in 2001.

==Government==
{{main|Government of Columbus, Ohio}}

==Politics==
Columbus City Presidential Election Results
{| class="wikitable"  style="float:right; margin:1em; font-size:95%;"
|+ Columbus city vote<br /> by party in Presidential elections<ref>{{Cite web |title=2024 Election Results for Franklin County, OH -- RightDataUSA.com |url=https://www.rightdatausa.com/election_results?y=2024&t=P&r=N&s=OH&c=049&d=all&pr=N&WhichMap=vs |access-date=2025-12-02 |website=www.rightdatausa.com}}</ref>
|- style="background:lightgrey;"
! Year
! [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
! [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
! [[Third party (United States)|Third Parties]]
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[2024 United States presidential election in Ohio|2024]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''69.00%''' ''244,211''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|29.97% ''106,094''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|1.03% ''3,648''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[2020 United States presidential election in Ohio|2020]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''70.99%''' ''271,782''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|27.38% ''104,835''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|1.63% ''6,240''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[2016 United States presidential election in Ohio|2016]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''67.44%''' ''241,243''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|27.83% ''99,575''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|4.73% ''16,908''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[2012 United States presidential election in Ohio|2012]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''68.55%''' ''240,983''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|29.88% ''105,050''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|1.57% ''5,525''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[2008 United States presidential election in Ohio|2008]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''67.33%''' ''232,494''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|31.15% ''107,574''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|1.52% ''5,238''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[2004 United States presidential election in Ohio|2004]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''62.35%''' ''177,858''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|37.09% ''105,808''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|0.56% ''1,604''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[2000 United States presidential election in Ohio|2000]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''56.42%''' ''125,568''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|39.92% ''88,841''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|3.66% ''8,135''
|}

===Mayor and city council===
[[File:Columbus City Hall 13.jpg|thumb|[[Columbus City Hall (Ohio)|Columbus City Hall]]]]
The city is administered by a [[Mayor of Columbus, Ohio|mayor]] and a nine-member unicameral [[Columbus City Council]] elected in two classes every two years to four-year terms at large. Columbus is the largest city in the United States that elects its city council at large as opposed to districts. The mayor appoints the director of safety and the director of public service. The people elect the [[auditor]], [[court clerk|municipal court clerk]], [[judge|municipal court judges]] and [[city attorney]]. A charter commission, elected in 1913, submitted a new charter in May 1914, offering a modified federal form, with a number of progressive features, such as nonpartisan ballot, [[Ranked voting|preferential voting]], recall of [[official|elected officials]], the referendum and a small council elected at large. The charter was adopted, effective January 1, 1916. [[Andrew Ginther]] has been the mayor of Columbus since 2016.<ref>{{cite book|title=New International Encyclopedia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8hwoAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA637|edition=Second|volume=5|year=1914|publisher=Dodd and Mead|page=637|access-date=September 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170106131620/https://books.google.com/books?id=8hwoAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA637|archive-date=January 6, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Government offices===
{{multiple image
| align             = right
| direction         = vertical
| image1            = Ohio Statehouse exterior.jpg
| caption1          = [[Ohio Statehouse]]
| image2            = Ohio State Office Building 2.jpg
| caption2          = [[Ohio Judicial Center]]
}}

As Ohio's capital and the county seat, Columbus hosts numerous federal, state, county and city government offices and courts.

Federal offices include the [[Joseph P. Kinneary U.S. Courthouse]],<ref name="Fed">{{cite web|title=Ohio Federal Buildings|work=U.S. General Services Administration|url=https://www.gsa.gov/about-us/gsa-regions/region-5-great-lakes/buildings-and-facilities/ohio-federal-buildings|access-date=March 22, 2020|archive-date=November 17, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191117222900/https://www.gsa.gov/about-us/regions/welcome-to-the-great-lakes-region-5/buildings-and-facilities/ohio-federal-buildings|url-status=live}}</ref> one of several courts for the [[District Court for the Southern District of Ohio]], after moving from [[United States Post Office and Courthouse (Columbus, Ohio)|121 E. State St.]] in 1934. Another federal office, the [[John W. Bricker Federal Building]], has offices for U.S. Senator [[Sherrod Brown]], as well as for the [[Internal Revenue Service]], the [[Social Security Administration]] and the Departments of [[United States Department of Housing and Urban Development|Housing & Urban Development]] and [[United States Department of Agriculture|Agriculture]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gsa.gov/about-us/gsa-regions/region-5-great-lakes/buildings-and-facilities/ohio-federal-buildings/columbus-bricker-fb|title=John W. Bricker Federal Building|website=www.gsa.gov|access-date=March 22, 2020|archive-date=March 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200322220100/https://www.gsa.gov/about-us/regions/welcome-to-the-great-lakes-region-5/buildings-and-facilities/ohio/john-w-bricker-federal-building|url-status=live}}</ref>

The State of Ohio's capitol building, the [[Ohio Statehouse]], is located in the center of downtown on [[Capitol Square]]. It houses the [[Ohio House of Representatives]] and [[Ohio Senate]].<ref name="Statehouse {{!}} Ohio Statehouse">{{cite web|url=http://www.ohiostatehouse.org/about/capitol-square/statehouse|title=Statehouse {{!}} Ohio Statehouse|website=www.ohiostatehouse.org|access-date=October 11, 2018|archive-date=October 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181011162910/http://ohiostatehouse.org/about/capitol-square/statehouse|url-status=live}}</ref> It also contains the ceremonial offices of the [[List of Governors of Ohio|governor]],<ref name="Statehouse {{!}} Ohio Statehouse"/> [[Lieutenant Governor of Ohio|lieutenant governor]], state [[Ohio State Treasurer|treasurer]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tos.ohio.gov/history|title=Office of the Ohio Treasurer|website=www.tos.ohio.gov|access-date=October 11, 2018|archive-date=October 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181011214508/http://www.tos.ohio.gov/history|url-status=live}}</ref> and state [[Ohio State Auditor|auditor]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ncsl.org/research/about-state-legislatures/location-of-offices-for-governor-and-otherofficers.aspx|title=Location of Offices for Governor and Other Constitutional Officers|last=Legislatures|first=National Conference of State|website=www.ncsl.org|language=en-US|access-date=October 11, 2018|archive-date=November 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181123233925/http://www.ncsl.org/research/about-state-legislatures/location-of-offices-for-governor-and-otherofficers.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Supreme Court of Ohio|Supreme Court]], [[Ohio Court of Claims|Court of Claims]] and Judicial Conference are located in the [[Thomas J. Moyer Ohio Judicial Center]] downtown by the Scioto River. The building, built in 1933 to house 10 state agencies along with the [[State Library of Ohio]], became the Supreme Court after extensive renovations from 2001 to 2004.<ref name="OJC">{{cite web|title=The Ohio Judicial Center|website=The Supreme Court of Ohio|publisher=The Supreme Court of Ohio Office of Public Information|url=http://www.sconet.state.oh.us/publications/OJC.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081231172224/http://www.sconet.state.oh.us/publications/OJC.pdf |archive-date=December 31, 2008 |url-status=live|date=November 2008|access-date=April 26, 2020}}</ref>

Franklin County operates the [[Franklin County Government Center]], a complex at the southern end of downtown Columbus. The center includes the county's municipal court, common pleas court, correctional center, juvenile detention center and sheriff's office.

Near City Hall, the [[Michael B. Coleman Government Center]] holds offices for the departments of building and zoning services, public service, development and public utilities. Also nearby is [[77 North Front Street]], which holds Columbus's city attorney office, income-tax division, public safety, human resources, civil service and purchasing departments. The structure, built in 1929, was the police headquarters until 1991, and was then dormant until it was given a $34 million renovation from 2011 to 2013.<ref name="77N">{{cite web|last=Clark|first=Ryan|title=City workers moving into renovated police headquarters|work=The Columbus Dispatch|url=https://www.dispatch.com/article/20130417/news/304179740|date=April 17, 2013|access-date=March 22, 2020|archive-date=March 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200322214318/https://www.dispatch.com/article/20130417/news/304179740|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Emergency services and homeland security===
[[File:Columbus municipal buildings 01.jpg|thumb|Municipal offices, including the [[Columbus Division of Police Headquarters]], in the city's [[Columbus Civic Center (Ohio)|Civic Center]]]]
[[Municipal police]] duties are performed by the [[Columbus Division of Police]],<ref>[http://www2.nbc4i.com/news/2009/jul/17/columbus_police_defend_six-helicopter_unit-ar-15156/ NBC 4, Columbus Police Helicopters] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130120134953/http://www2.nbc4i.com/news/2009/jul/17/columbus_police_defend_six-helicopter_unit-ar-15156/ |date=January 20, 2013 }} Retrieved July 3, 2012.</ref> while [[emergency medical services]] (EMS) and fire protection are through the [[Columbus Division of Fire]].

Ohio Homeland Security operates the Strategic Analysis and Information Center (SAIC) fusion center in Columbus's Hilltop neighborhood. The facility is the state's primary public intelligence hub and one of the few in the country that uses state, local, federal and private resources.<ref>[http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2010/09/28/ohio-center-fuses-intelligence-data.html "Ohio center fuses intelligence data"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170224052410/http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2010/09/28/ohio-center-fuses-intelligence-data.html |date=February 24, 2017 }}, Jim Siegel. Columbus Dispatch. September 28, 2010. Retrieved February 24, 2017</ref><ref>[https://homelandsecurity.ohio.gov/saic.stm "Strategic Analysis and Information Center"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170209065456/http://www.homelandsecurity.ohio.gov/saic.stm |date=February 9, 2017 }}, Ohio Homeland Security. Retrieved February 24, 2017</ref>

===Social services and homelessness===
{{main|Social services and homelessness in Columbus, Ohio}}{{See also|Homelessness in Ohio}}Columbus has a history of governmental and nonprofit support for low-income residents and the homeless. Nevertheless, the homelessness rate has steadily risen since at least 2007.<ref>{{cite web |author=Bill Bush |url=https://www.dispatch.com/news/20181217/central-ohios-homeless-rate-rising-despite-low-unemployment-rate |title=Central Ohio's homeless rate rising despite low unemployment rate – News – The Columbus Dispatch – Columbus, OH |work=The Columbus Dispatch |publisher=Dispatch.com |date= |access-date=February 25, 2021 |archive-date=November 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201102232231/https://www.dispatch.com/news/20181217/central-ohios-homeless-rate-rising-despite-low-unemployment-rate }}</ref> Poverty and differences in quality of life have grown, as well; Columbus was noted as the second-most economically segregated large metropolitan area in 2015, in a study by the University of Toronto.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rosenberg |first1=Gabe |title=Same City, Different Worlds |website=WOSU |publisher=PBS |url=https://www.pbs.org/wnet/chasing-the-dream/2017/11/city-different-worlds/ |access-date=February 25, 2021 |date=November 6, 2017 |archive-date=January 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125214259/https://www.pbs.org/wnet/chasing-the-dream/stories/city-different-worlds/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Chris Gaitten |url=https://www.columbusmonthly.com/lifestyle/20191231/defining-decade-segregated-city |title=The Defining Decade: The Segregated City – Lifestyle – Columbus Monthly – Columbus, OH |publisher=Columbus Monthly |date= |access-date=February 25, 2021 |archive-date=November 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101141231/https://www.columbusmonthly.com/lifestyle/20191231/defining-decade-segregated-city }}</ref> It also ranked 45th of the 50 largest metropolitan areas in terms of [[social mobility]], according to a 2015 Harvard University study.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tcf.org/content/report/hearing-from-low-wage-working-mothers-how-a-housing-program-in-ohio-connects-children-to-better-schools/?agreed=1|title=Hearing from Low-Wage Working Mothers: How a Housing Program in Ohio Connects Children to Better Schools|date=August 4, 2020|access-date=October 30, 2020|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103192428/https://tcf.org/content/report/hearing-from-low-wage-working-mothers-how-a-housing-program-in-ohio-connects-children-to-better-schools/?agreed=1|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Education==

===Colleges and universities===
[[File:Columbus, Ohio JJ 79.jpg|thumb|Aerial view of the [[Ohio State University]] campus]]
Columbus is the home of two public [[College (US)|college]]s: the [[Ohio State University]], one of the [[List of United States public university campuses by enrollment|largest college campuses]] in the United States, and [[Columbus State Community College]]. In 2009, Ohio State University was ranked No. 19 in the country by ''U.S. News & World Report'' on its list of best public universities, and No. 56 overall, scoring in the first tier of schools nationally.<ref name=USNW>[http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/national-top-public U.S. News and Reports, Best Colleges] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090826121616/http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/national-top-public |date=August 26, 2009 }} Retrieved July 26, 2009.</ref> Some of Ohio State's graduate school programs placed in the top 5, including No. 5 for both best veterinary programs and best pharmacy programs. The specialty graduate programs of social psychology was ranked No. 2, dispute resolution was No. 5, vocational education was No. 2, and elementary education, secondary teacher education, administration/supervision was No. 5.<ref name="Ohio State University, News Release">[http://www.osu.edu/news/newsitem2393 Ohio State University, News Release] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090729031149/http://www.osu.edu/news/newsitem2393|date=July 29, 2009 }} Retrieved July 26, 2009.</ref>

Private institutions 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 (Columbus)|Bradford School]] and [[Franklin University]], as well as the religious schools [[Bexley Hall|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===
[[File:IndianolaSchool.JPG|thumb|[[Graham Elementary and Middle School|Indianola Junior High School]] was the first middle school in the U.S.]]
[[Columbus City Schools]] (CCS) is the largest district in Ohio, with 55,000 pupils.<ref>{{cite web|title = Columbus City Schools – Employment Website|publisher = Columbus City Schools|url = http://www.columbus.k12.oh.us/applications/employment.nsf/pages/Main?opendocument|access-date = September 25, 2007|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071010025241/http://www.columbus.k12.oh.us/applications/employment.nsf/pages/Main?opendocument|archive-date = October 10, 2007|df = mdy-all}}</ref> CCS operates 142 elementary, [[middle school|middle]] and high schools, including a number of [[magnet school]]s (which are referred to as [[alternative school]]s within the school system).

The suburbs operate their own districts, typically serving students in one or more townships, with districts sometimes crossing municipal boundaries. The [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Columbus]] also operates several [[parochial school|parochial elementary and high schools]]. The area's second-largest school district is [[South-Western City School District (Franklin County, Ohio)|South-Western City Schools]], which encompasses southwestern Franklin County, including a slice of Columbus itself. Other portions of Columbus are zoned to the [[Dublin City School District (Ohio)|Dublin]], [[Hilliard City School District|Hilliard]], [[New Albany-Plain Local School District|New Albany-Plain]], [[Westerville City School District|Westerville]] and [[Worthington City School District|Worthington]] school districts.

There are also several private schools in the area, such as St. Paul's Lutheran School, a K-8 Christian school of the [[Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod]] in Columbus.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stpaulcares.org/page/140002424/140048061/Get-to-Know-St-Pauls|title=Get to Know St. Paul's|access-date=October 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171002165519/http://www.stpaulcares.org/page/140002424/140048061/Get-to-Know-St-Pauls|archive-date=October 2, 2017}}</ref>

Some sources determine that the first kindergarten in the United States was established here by Louisa Frankenberg, a former student of [[Friedrich Fröbel]].<ref name="zuahxa"/> Frankenberg immigrated to the city in 1838 and opened her kindergarten in the German Village neighborhood in that year. The school did not work out, so she returned to Germany in 1840. In 1858, Frankenberg returned to Columbus and established another early kindergarten in the city. Frankenberg is often overlooked, with [[Margarethe Schurz]] instead given credit for her "[[First Kindergarten]]" she operated for two years.<ref name="kindergarten">{{cite book|last1=Lascarides|first1=V. Celia|last2=Hinitz|first2=Blythe F.|title=History of Early Childhood Education|publisher=Routledge|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BfA4Hd18cgEC|date=2011|isbn=978-1-136-70553-3|access-date=May 3, 2020|archive-date=September 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920170449/https://books.google.com/books?id=BfA4Hd18cgEC|url-status=live}}</ref>

In addition, Indianola Junior High School (now the [[Graham Elementary and Middle School]]) became the nation's first [[junior high school]] 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 [[ninth grade]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/entry.php?rec=2691 |title=Ohio History Central |publisher=Ohio History Central |access-date=March 15, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130120134930/http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/entry.php?rec=2691 |archive-date=January 20, 2013 }}</ref>

===Libraries===
[[File:CML Main Library 01.jpg|thumb|[[Main Library (Columbus, Ohio)|Main Library]] of the [[Columbus Metropolitan Library]] system]]
The [[Columbus Metropolitan Library]] (CML) has served central Ohio residents since 1873. The system has 23 locations throughout Central Ohio, with a total collection of 3 million items. This library is one of the country's most-used library systems 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 the ''[[American Libraries]]'' magazine, often challenging upstate neighbor [[Cuyahoga County Public Library]] for the top spot.<ref>{{cite news|last=Phillips|first=Jeb|title=Check it out: Columbus Library notches no. 1 rating|page=01B|newspaper=The Columbus Dispatch|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&docref=news/10D100A4419A37A0|date=October 5, 2005|access-date=August 16, 2020|archive-date=September 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920170442/https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/user/login?destination=document-view%3Fp%3DWORLDNEWS%26docref%3Dnews/10D100A4419A37A0|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=HAPLR 100 for 1999 to 2006|publisher=Hennen's American Public Library Ratings|date=1999–2006|url=http://www.haplr-index.com/HAPLR100.htm|access-date=May 3, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090323192759/http://www.haplr-index.com/HAPLR100.htm|archive-date=March 23, 2009}}</ref>

===Weekend education===
The classes of the [[Columbus Japanese Language School]], a [[hoshuko|weekend Japanese school]], are held in a facility from the school district in [[Marysville, Ohio|Marysville]], while the school office is in [[Worthington, Ohio|Worthington]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://columbushoshuko.com/wordpress1/about-us/|title=About Us|language=ja|publisher=Columbus Japanese Language School|access-date=February 11, 2022|quote=(3) 借用校 * Marysville市教育委員会(貸主)|archive-date=February 11, 2022|archive-url=https://archive.today/20220211162946/http://columbushoshuko.com/wordpress1/about-us/|url-status=live}}</ref> Previously it held classes at facilities in the city of Columbus.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://columbushoshuko.com/wordpress1/about-us/%E8%A3%9C%E7%BF%92%E6%A0%A1%E3%81%AE%E6%AD%A9%E3%81%BF/|title=補習校の歩み|publisher=Columbus Japanese Language School|access-date=February 11, 2022|quote=2003年4月から2019年3月まで、[...]の移転が必要となった.|archive-date=February 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220211203841/http://columbushoshuko.com/wordpress1/about-us/%e8%a3%9c%e7%bf%92%e6%a0%a1%e3%81%ae%e6%ad%a9%e3%81%bf/}} – Granby Elementary (グランビー小) and McCord Middle (マッコード中) [http://columbushoshuko.com/wordpress1/wp-content/uploads/worlthingtondist.pdf are in the city of Columbus and in the Worthington school district] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220211195106/http://columbushoshuko.com/wordpress1/wp-content/uploads/worlthingtondist.pdf |date=February 11, 2022 }}.</ref>

==Media==
{{main|Mass media in Columbus, Ohio}}
[[File:Dispatch Building, Columbus.jpg|thumb|upright=0.9|The [[Columbus Dispatch Building]], 90-year home to [[The Columbus Dispatch|the newspaper]]]]
Several weekly and daily newspapers serve Columbus and Central Ohio. The major daily newspaper in Columbus is ''[[The Columbus Dispatch]]''. There are also neighborhood- or suburb-specific papers, such as the Dispatch Printing Company's ''ThisWeek Community News'', the ''[[Columbus Messenger]]'', the ''Clintonville Spotlight'' and the ''Short North Gazette''. ''[[The Lantern]]'' and ''[[1870 (magazine)|1870]]'' serve the [[Ohio State University]] community. Alternative arts, culture or politics-oriented papers include ''[[Columbus Alive|ALIVE]]'' (formerly the independent ''Columbus Alive'' and now owned by the ''Columbus Dispatch''), ''[[Columbus Free Press]]'' and ''Columbus Underground'' (digital-only). The ''Columbus Magazine'', ''CityScene'', ''614 Magazine'' and ''[[Columbus Monthly]]'' are the city's magazines.

Columbus is the base for 12 television stations and is the 32nd-largest television market as of September 24, 2016.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nielsen.com/content/dam/corporate/us/en/docs/solutions/measurement/television/2016-2017-nielsen-local-dma-ranks.pdf |title=Audience is Everything® |access-date=September 8, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160909193029/http://www.nielsen.com/content/dam/corporate/us/en/docs/solutions/measurement/television/2016-2017-nielsen-local-dma-ranks.pdf |archive-date=September 9, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> Columbus is also home to the 36th-largest radio market.<ref>[http://www.arbitron.com/home/mm001050.asp Arbitron Radio Market Rankings: Spring 2010] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101016182624/http://arbitron.com/home/mm001050.asp |date=October 16, 2010 }}, Arbitron, Spring 2010, Retrieved May 2, 2010</ref>

==Infrastructure==
===Healthcare===
Numerous medical systems operate in Columbus and Central Ohio. These include [[OhioHealth]], which has three hospitals in the city proper: Grant Medical Center, Riverside Methodist Hospital, and Doctors Hospital; [[Mount Carmel Health System]], which has one hospital among other facilities; the [[Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center]], which has a primary hospital complex and [[Ohio State East Hospital|an east campus]] in Columbus;<ref>{{cite web|title=Columbus Hospitals – General, Medical & Surgical|website=Columbus Chamber of Commerce|date=August 12, 2020 |url=https://web.columbus.org/hospitals-general,-medical-surgical?xsort=true|access-date=July 9, 2021|archive-date=September 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927103610/https://web.columbus.org/hospitals-general,-medical-surgical?xsort=true|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[Nationwide Children's Hospital]], which is an independently operated hospital for pediatric health care. Hospitals in Central Ohio are ranked favorably by the ''[[U.S. News & World Report]]'', where numerous hospitals are ranked as among the best in particular fields in the United States. Nationwide Children's is regarded as among the top 10 children's hospitals in the country, according to the report.<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://614now.com/2020/news/from-infants-to-elders-columbus-hospitals-receive-highest-marks|title = From infants to elders, Columbus hospitals receive highest marks|date = August 12, 2020|access-date = July 9, 2021|archive-date = July 9, 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210709185438/https://614now.com/2020/news/from-infants-to-elders-columbus-hospitals-receive-highest-marks|url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = https://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/area/columbus-oh| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110402053132/http://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/area/columbus-oh| archive-date = April 2, 2011| title = Best Hospitals in Columbus, OH – US News Best Hospitals}}</ref>

===Utilities===
Electricity is distributed by Columbus Southern Power, an [[American Electric Power]] subsidiary. Natural gas is provided by [[NiSource|Columbia Gas of Ohio]], while water is sourced from the City of Columbus Division of Water.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.relocatecolumbus.com/local-utility-companies/ |title=Local Utility Companies |publisher=Relocatecolumbus.com |date= |access-date=November 20, 2021 |archive-date=July 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712040147/https://www.relocatecolumbus.com/local-utility-companies/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Transportation===

====Roads and bridges====
{{multiple image
 | direction = vertical
 | image1 = Spring and Long St bridges.jpg
 | caption1 = [[I-71]], part of the [[innerbelt]] around downtown, bridged by numerous overpasses
 | image2 = Discovery Bridge, Columbus, Ohio 05.jpg
 | caption2 = The [[Discovery Bridge (Columbus, Ohio)|Discovery Bridge]]
}}

Columbus's street system centers on its two main historic corridors, [[Broad Street (Columbus, Ohio)|Broad]] and [[High Street (Columbus, Ohio)|High Street]]s, which extend beyond the city limits; High Street is the longest in Columbus, running {{cvt|13.5|mi}} (23.4 across the county), while Broad Street is longer across the county, at {{cvt|25.1|mi}}.<ref>{{cite news|last=Elliott|first=Susannah|title=What is the longest, continuously running street in Columbus?|newspaper=The Columbus Dispatch|url=https://www.dispatch.com/article/20150728/NEWS/307289805|date=July 28, 2015|access-date=May 21, 2020|archive-date=July 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200709012406/https://www.dispatch.com/article/20150728/NEWS/307289805|url-status=live}}</ref> The street grid originates downtown, with High Street running north–south and Broad Street east–west; north–south streets are aligned 12 degrees west of due north, while avenues run similarly offset from due east–west.<ref>Moore, p. 127</ref><ref name="Broad and High">{{cite news|title=The Start of Broad and High|newspaper=The Columbus Dispatch|page=163|url=https://infoweb-newsbank-com.webproxy3.columbuslibrary.org/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&t=pubname%3A1467499E363272B3%21Columbus%2BDispatch/year%3A1962%211962/mody%3A1014%211014&sort=_rank_%3AD&fld-base-0=alltext&maxresults=20&val-base-0=Columbus%20Looks%20Ahead&docref=image%2Fv2%3A1467499E363272B3%40EANX-NB-1612133B2EDECE68%402437952-161211C66DC0CF57%40162|date=October 14, 1962|access-date=October 23, 2021|archive-date=September 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920170805/https://login.webproxy3.columbuslibrary.org/login?qurl=https://infoweb.newsbank.com%2fapps%2fnews%2fdocument-view%3fp%3dWORLDNEWS%26t%3dpubname%253A1467499E363272B3%21Columbus%252BDispatch%2fyear%253A1962%211962%2fmody%253A1014%211014%26sort%3d_rank_%253AD%26fld-base-0%3dalltext%26maxresults%3d20%26val-base-0%3dColumbus%2520Looks%2520Ahead%26docref%3dimage%252Fv2%253A1467499E363272B3%2540EANX-NB-1612133B2EDECE68%25402437952-161211C66DC0CF57%2540162|url-status=live}}</ref> The city's address system begins at the intersection of Broad and High, with numbers increasing outward and even numbers on the north and east sides of streets.<ref name="OHGuide">{{cite book|author=[[Federal Writers' Project]] employees|title=The Ohio Guide|edition=3rd|page=246|publisher=Oxford University Press|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8MEi95NfEecC|date=1946 |access-date=April 27, 2020}}</ref> Numbered avenues start {{convert|1+1/4|mi|abbr=on}} north of Broad, while numbered streets begin around High Street and progress eastward. A difference of 700 house numbers equates to about {{convert|1|mi|abbr=on}}.<ref name="fracomap" /> Other significant roads include Main Street, Morse Road, [[Ohio State Route 161|SR-161]] (Dublin-Granville Road), [[Ohio State Highway 3|SR-3]] (Cleveland Avenue/Westerville Road), and Olentangy River Road.

Columbus is bisected by two major [[Interstate Highway System|Interstate Highways]]: [[Interstate 70 in Ohio|Interstate 70]] running east–west and [[Interstate 71]] running north to roughly southwest. They combine downtown for about {{convert|1.5|mi|abbr=on}} in an area locally known as "The Split", which is a major [[traffic congestion]] point, especially during [[rush hour]]. [[U.S. Route 40 (Ohio)|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 in Ohio|U.S. Route 23]] runs roughly north–south, while [[U.S. Route 33 in Ohio|U.S. Route 33]] runs northwest-to-southeast. The [[Interstate 270 (Ohio)|Interstate 270]] [[Ring road|Outerbelt]] encircles most of the city, while the newly redesigned Innerbelt consists of the [[Interstate 670 (Ohio)|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), [[Ohio State Route 315|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 two- or three-hour drive of Columbus.

The Columbus riverfront hosts several bridges. The [[Discovery Bridge (Columbus, Ohio)|Discovery Bridge]] connects downtown to Franklinton across Broad Street. The bridge opened in 1992, replacing a 1921 concrete arch bridge; the first bridge at the site was built in 1816.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.ohionationalroad.org/broad-street-bridge/|title=Broad Street Bridge|date=August 26, 2015|work=Ohio National Road Association|access-date=October 26, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191026225405/http://www.ohionationalroad.org/broad-street-bridge/|archive-date=October 26, 2019}}</ref> The {{convert|700|ft|m|abbr=on}} [[Main Street Bridge (Columbus, Ohio)|Main Street Bridge]] opened on July 30, 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.downtowncolumbus.com/progress/main-street-bridge |title=Main Street Bridge: Steel Structure Makes Dramatic Visual Impact on Downtown Columbus Skyline |access-date=August 6, 2010 |work=Downtown Columbus | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090106135608/http://www.downtowncolumbus.com/progress/main-street-bridge | archive-date = January 6, 2009}}</ref> The bridge has three lanes for vehicular traffic (one westbound and two eastbound) and another separated lane for pedestrians and bikes. The [[Rich Street Bridge]] opened in July 2012 adjacent to the Main Street Bridge, connecting Rich Street on the east side of the river with Town Street on the west.<ref>{{cite web |author=The Columbus Dispatch |url=http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/07/02/fireworks-spectators-get-to-use-bridge-first.html |title=Fireworks spectators first to use Rich Street bridge &#124; The Columbus Dispatch |publisher=Dispatch.com |date=July 2, 2012 |access-date=March 15, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130120173145/http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/07/02/fireworks-spectators-get-to-use-bridge-first.html |archive-date=January 20, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://pubserv.ci.columbus.oh.us/transportation/Document_Library/PROJECTS/Rich_Street_Bridge.pdf |title=Rich Street Bridge Replacement |access-date=August 6, 2010 |work=City of Columbus |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20091222051818/http://pubserv.ci.columbus.oh.us/transportation/Document_Library/PROJECTS/Rich_Street_Bridge.pdf | archive-date = December 22, 2009}}</ref> The [[Lane Avenue Bridge]] is a [[cable-stayed bridge]] that opened on November 14, 2003, in the University District. The bridge spans the Olentangy River with three lanes of traffic each way.

====Airports and aviation====
{{multiple image
 | direction = vertical
 | image1 = John Glenn International Airport Departure level.jpg
 | caption1 = [[John Glenn Columbus International Airport]] departure level
 | image2 = Spirit of Columbus in Udvar-Hazy Center, February 2015.JPG
 | caption2 = [[Jerrie Mock]]'s ''[[Spirit of Columbus]]'', which she piloted in 1964 as the first woman to fly solo around the world
}}

The city's primary airport, [[John Glenn Columbus International Airport]], is on the city's east side. Formerly known as Port Columbus, John Glenn provides service to [[Toronto]], Ontario, Canada, and [[Cancun, Mexico]] (on a seasonal basis), as well as to most domestic destinations, including all the major hubs along with [[San Francisco International Airport|San Francisco]], [[Salt Lake City International Airport|Salt Lake City]] and [[Seattle-Tacoma International Airport|Seattle]]. The airport was a hub for [[Low-cost carrier|discount carrier]] [[Skybus Airlines]] and continues to be 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 {{convert|60|mi|km|adj=on}} radius primary service region.<ref>{{cite book |url=http://columbusairports.com/files/about-us/craa-eia-full-brochure1.pdf|title=Regional Airports economic impact study |date=January 2005 |chapter=Market Area Overview and Study Approach |pages=1-2–1-4|access-date=July 5, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130120134939/http://columbusairports.com/files/about-us/craa-eia-full-brochure1.pdf|archive-date=January 20, 2013}}</ref> It is the 52nd-busiest airport in the United States by total passenger boardings.<ref>[[Columbus Dispatch]], February 26, 2012: "Can't get there from here (At least, not without a layover"), pp. D1-2 (By Steve Wartenberg)</ref>

[[Rickenbacker International Airport]], in southern Franklin County, is a major cargo facility that is used by the Ohio [[Air National Guard]]. [[Allegiant Air]] offers nonstop service from Rickenbacker to [[Florida]] destinations. [[Ohio State University Airport|Ohio State University Don Scott Airport]] and [[Bolton Field]] are other large general-aviation facilities in the Columbus area.

In 1907, 14-year-old [[Cromwell Dixon]] built the ''SkyCycle,'' a pedal-powered blimp, which he flew at [[Driving Park]].<ref name=PCI>{{Cite web|date=February 5, 2005|title=75 Years of Flight in Columbus|url=http://www.port-columbus.com/about/75anniv.asp|access-date=December 26, 2022|website=Port Columbus International Airport|archive-date=February 5, 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050205141621/http://www.port-columbus.com/about/75anniv.asp}}</ref> 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 {{convert|70|mi}} from Dayton to Columbus in a [[Wright Model B]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Allaz|first=Camille|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fPLm9omt_YIC|title=History of Air Cargo and Airmail from the 18th Century|date=March 2005|publisher=Google Consultant|isbn=978-0-9548896-0-9|language=en|access-date=September 6, 2015|archive-date=September 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920170756/https://books.google.com/books?id=fPLm9omt_YIC|url-status=live}}</ref> During World War I, six Columbus pilots, led by ace [[Eddie Rickenbacker]], accounted for 10% of U.S. aerial victories, more than the aviators of any other American city.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lyon |first=C.C. |date=March 30, 1919 |title=Six Columbus, O., Airmen Shot Down 42 Hun Planes |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2984015// |newspaper=[[The Washington Herald]] |location=Washington, DC |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=August 10, 2015 |archive-date=September 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920170742/https://www.newspapers.com/article/2984015/ |url-status=live }}</ref> After the war, Columbus became a key hub in a transcontinental air-rail system, with Port Columbus Airport opening in 1929 following advocacy by [[Charles Lindbergh]]. The inaugural TAT flight included [[Amelia Earhart]], with [[Henry Ford]] and [[Harvey Firestone]] attending.<ref name=PCI /> In 1964, Columbus native [[Jerrie Mock]] became the first woman to fly solo around the world, setting a speed record in her plane, the ''[[Spirit of Columbus]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Spirit of Columbus – Ohio History Central|url=https://ohiohistorycentral.org/w/Spirit_of_Columbus?rec=2731|access-date=December 26, 2022|website=ohiohistorycentral.org|archive-date=December 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221226181135/https://ohiohistorycentral.org/w/Spirit_of_Columbus?rec=2731}}</ref>

====Public transit====
{{main|Public transit in Columbus, Ohio}}
[[File:Columbus, OH - COTA Spring St.jpg|thumb|[[Central Ohio Transit Authority|COTA]]'s Spring Street Terminal, one of its five transit centers]]
Columbus maintains a widespread municipal bus service called the [[Central Ohio Transit Authority]] (COTA). The service operates [[List of COTA bus routes|41 routes]] with a fleet of 440 buses, serving approximately 19 million passengers per year. COTA operates 23 regular fixed-service routes, 14 express services, a [[bus rapid transit]] route, a free downtown circulator, night service, an airport connector and other services.<ref name="2019ar">{{cite web|title=2019 Annual Report|work=Central Ohio Transit Authority|url=https://www.cota.com/who-we-are/2019-annual-report/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200323174235/https://www.cota.com/who-we-are/2019-annual-report/|archive-date=March 23, 2020|date=2019|access-date=March 23, 2020}}</ref> [[LinkUS]], an initiative between COTA, the city, and the [[Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission]], is planning to add more rapid transit to Columbus, with three proposed corridors operating by 2030, and potentially a total of five by 2050.

Intercity bus service is provided at the [[Columbus Bus Station]] by [[Greyhound Lines|Greyhound]], [[Barons Bus Lines]], Miller Transportation, [[GoBus (Ohio)|GoBus]] and other carriers.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kfhgroup.com/aibra/Tables/tables.htm |title=Archived copy |access-date=September 9, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150426091154/http://www.kfhgroup.com/aibra/Tables/tables.htm |archive-date=April 26, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Columbus does not have passenger rail service. The city's major train station, [[Union Station (Columbus)|Union Station]], was a stop along [[Amtrak]]'s [[National Limited]] train service until 1977 and was razed in 1979,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://home.columbus.rr.com/unionstation|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061028014238/http://home.columbus.rr.com/unionstation|archive-date=October 28, 2006|title=Columbus Union Station|date=October 13, 2006}}</ref> and the [[Greater Columbus Convention Center]] now stands in its place. Until Amtrak's founding in 1971, the [[Penn Central]] ran the ''[[Cincinnati Limited]]'' to Cincinnati to the southwest (in prior years the train continued to New York City to the east); 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); and the ''[[Spirit of St. Louis (train)|Spirit of St. Louis]],'' which ran between St. Louis and New York City until 1971. The station was also a stop along the [[Pennsylvania Railroad]], the [[New York Central Railroad]], the [[Chesapeake and Ohio Railway]], the [[Baltimore and Ohio Railroad]], the [[Norfolk and Western Railway]], the [[Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati Railroad]], and the [[Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Chicago and St. Louis Railroad]]. As the city lacks local, commuter or intercity trains, Columbus is now the largest city and metropolitan area in the U.S. without any passenger rail service.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.trainweb.org/moksrail/documents/pop/msa.htm|title=Metropolitan Areas Served by Amtrak|date=November 23, 2006|access-date=May 2, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090624205811/http://www.trainweb.org/moksrail/documents/pop/msa.htm|archive-date=June 24, 2009|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20081227/ts_nm/us_transportation_phoenix |title=Phoenix debuts light-rail system |date=December 27, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081231085009/http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20081227/ts_nm/us_transportation_phoenix |archive-date=December 31, 2008 }}</ref> Numerous proposals to return rail service have been introduced; currently Amtrak plans to restore service to Columbus by 2035.

====Cycling network====
[[File:CoGo Columbus.jpg|thumb|[[CoGo]] bikeshare station in the [[Arena District]]]]
[[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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.altaprojects.net/columbus/ |title=Columbus (OH) Bikeways Plan |publisher=Altaprojects.net |access-date=May 5, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090202153730/http://www.altaprojects.net/columbus/ |archive-date=February 2, 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://publicservice.columbus.gov/content.aspx?id=30674|title=Public Service Home|website=publicservice.columbus.gov|access-date=July 6, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130120134951/http://publicservice.columbus.gov/content.aspx?id=30674|archive-date=January 20, 2013}}</ref> Grassroots efforts such as Bike to Work Week, Consider Biking, Yay Bikes,<ref>{{cite web|first=Michael |last=Reed |url=http://yaybikes.com/about-us/ |title=About Us &#124; Yay Bikes! &#124; Columbus, Oh |publisher=Yay Bikes! |access-date=July 5, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120805124340/http://yaybikes.com/about-us/ |archive-date=August 5, 2012  }}</ref> Third Hand Bicycle Co-op,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thirdhand.org/|title=Third Hand Bike Co-Op|access-date=June 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170625192652/http://thirdhand.org/|archive-date=June 25, 2017}}</ref> Franklinton Cycleworks and ''Cranksters'', a local radio program focused on urban cycling,<ref>{{cite web |author=WCRS LP Columbus Community Radio |url=http://wcrsfm.org/cranksters |title=Cranksters &#124; WCRS LP Columbus Community Radio |publisher=Wcrsfm.org |date=November 15, 2008 |access-date=May 5, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090427164052/http://www.wcrsfm.org/cranksters |archive-date=April 27, 2009 }}</ref> have contributed to cycling as transportation.

Columbus also hosts [[Utility cycling|urban cycling]] "off-shots" with messenger-style "alleycat" races, as well as unorganized group rides, [[Cycle polo|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 [[Main Street Bridge (Columbus, Ohio)|Main Street Bridge]], opened in 2010, features a dedicated bike and pedestrian lane separated from traffic.

The city has its own [[Bicycle-sharing system|public bicycle system]]. [[CoGo Bike Share]] has a network of about 600 bicycles and 80 docking stations. [[PBSC Urban Solutions]], a company based in [[Canada]], supplies technology and equipment.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cogobikeshare.com/about|title=Meet CoGo Bike Share|website=www.cogobikeshare.com|access-date=September 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160915203807/http://www.cogobikeshare.com/about|archive-date=September 15, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/11/business/pedaling-uphill-to-save-a-bike-share-pioneer.html|title=The Uphill Push to Save a Bike-Share Pioneer|last=Austen|first=Ian|date=January 9, 2015|newspaper=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=September 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170305013525/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/11/business/pedaling-uphill-to-save-a-bike-share-pioneer.html|archive-date=March 5, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Bird (transportation company)|Bird electric scooters]] have also been introduced.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2018/07/bird_electric_scooters_now_in.html|title=Bird electric scooters now in Columbus: What are they, are they legal and could they come to Cleveland?|work=cleveland.com|access-date=October 17, 2018|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181017203210/https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2018/07/bird_electric_scooters_now_in.html|archive-date=October 17, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Modal share====
The city of Columbus has a higher-than-average percentage of households without a car. In 2015, 9.8% of Columbus households lacked a car, a number that fell slightly to 9.4% in 2016. The national average was 8.7% in 2016. Columbus averaged 1.55 cars per household in 2016, compared to a national average of 1.8.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Car Ownership in U.S. Cities Data and Map|journal=Governing|date=December 9, 2014 |url=http://www.governing.com/gov-data/car-ownership-numbers-of-vehicles-by-city-map.html|access-date=May 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180511162014/http://www.governing.com/gov-data/car-ownership-numbers-of-vehicles-by-city-map.html|archive-date=May 11, 2018}}</ref>

==Notable people==
{{Main|List of people from Columbus, Ohio}}

==Sister cities==
Columbus has 10 [[sister cities]] as designated by [[Sister Cities International]].<ref name="sisters">{{cite web|title=Our Sister Cities|work=[[Sister Cities International]]|url=https://columbussistercities.com/sister-cities/|access-date=October 22, 2021|archive-date=October 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022152728/https://columbussistercities.com/sister-cities/|url-status=live}}</ref> 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 sculpture|bronze statue]] of [[Christopher Columbus]]. [[Statue of Christopher Columbus (Columbus City Hall)|The statue]] overlooked Broad Street in front of Columbus City Hall from 1955 to 2020;<ref>{{cite book|last=Franken|first=Harry|title=Columbus: The Discovery City|publisher=Windsor Publications|page=22|isbn=0-89781-397-9|url=https://archive.org/details/columbusdiscover0000fran/page/22|date=1991}}</ref> it was removed during the [[George Floyd protests]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Columbus, Ohio, Takes Down Statue Of Christopher Columbus|work=[[WMOT]]|date=July 2020|url=https://www.wmot.org/post/columbus-ohio-takes-down-statue-christopher-columbus#stream/0|access-date=July 24, 2020|archive-date=July 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724164035/https://www.wmot.org/post/columbus-ohio-takes-down-statue-christopher-columbus#stream/0|url-status=live}}</ref>

List of sister cities:<ref name="sisters"/>
{{columns-list|colwidth=20em|
* {{flagdeco|ITA}} [[Genoa]], Italy (1955)
* {{flagdeco|ROC}} [[Tainan]], Taiwan (1980)
* {{flagdeco|PRC}} [[Hefei]], China (1988)
* {{flagdeco|DNK}} [[Odense]], Denmark (1988)
* {{flagdeco|ESP}} [[Seville]], Spain (1988)
* {{flagdeco|DEU}} [[Dresden]], Germany (1992)
* {{flagdeco|ISR}} [[Herzliya]], Israel (1996)
* {{flagdeco|IND}} [[Ahmedabad]], India (2008)
* {{flagdeco|BRA}} [[Curitiba]], Brazil (2014)
* {{flagdeco|GHA}} [[Accra]], Ghana (2015)
}}

==See also==
* [[USS Columbus|USS ''Columbus'']], two ships named for the city

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==Bibliography==
* {{Cite Lentz}}
* {{cite book|last=Moore|first=Opha|title=History of Franklin County, Ohio|year=1930|publisher=Historical Publishing Company|ref=none}}

==Further reading==
{{See also|Bibliography of Columbus, Ohio}}
* {{cite book|last=Cole|first=Charles Chester|title=A Fragile Capital: Identity and the Early Years of Columbus, Ohio|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fwfDYWIRiPMC|year=2001|publisher=Ohio State University Press|location=Columbus, Ohio|isbn=978-0-8142-0853-3|ref=none}}
* {{cite book|last1=Hunker|first1=Henry L.|title=Columbus, Ohio: A Personal Geography|date=2000|publisher=Ohio State University Press|isbn=978-0-8142-0857-1|url=https://archive.org/details/columbusohiopers0000hunk|url-access=registration|quote=columbus, ohio: a personal geography.|ref=none}}

==External links==
{{Sister project links|voy=Columbus|commons=Category:Columbus, Ohio|Columbus, Ohio|collapsible=yes}}
* {{Official website}}
* {{cite web|title=Columbus, Ohio|url=https://www.c-span.org/series/?citiesTour&city=6333|publisher=[[C-SPAN]] Cities Tour}} A program that features the history of and literary life in Columbus.

{{Columbus, Ohio}}
{{Geographic location
 | Centre = Columbus
 | North = [[Marion, Ohio|Marion]]
 | Northeast = [[Mansfield, Ohio|Mansfield]]
 | East = [[Zanesville, Ohio|Zanesville]]
 | Southeast = [[Lancaster, Ohio|Lancaster]]
 | South = [[Chillicothe, Ohio|Chillicothe]]
 | Southwest = [[Cincinnati]]
 | West = [[Springfield, Ohio|Springfield]]
 | Northwest = [[Bellefontaine, Ohio|Bellefontaine]]
}}

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[[Category:Columbus, Ohio| ]]
[[Category:1812 establishments in Ohio]]
[[Category:Cities in Delaware County, Ohio]]
[[Category:Cities in Fairfield County, Ohio]]
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