Reynoldsburg, Ohio

Reynoldsburg, Ohio
City
City of Reynoldsburg
Reynoldsburg City Hall
Flag Seal Logo
Nickname:  The Birthplace of the Tomato
Motto:  "The City of Respect"
Location of Reynoldsburg, Ohio
Location in Fairfield, Franklin, and Licking Counties
Coordinates: 39°57′36″N 82°47′05″W / 39.96000°N 82.78472°W / 39.96000; -82.78472
Country	United States
State	Ohio
Counties	Franklin, Licking, Fairfield
Government
• Type	Mayor–council government
• Mayor	Joe Begeny[1] (D)
Area [2]
• Total	11.41 sq mi (29.55 km2)
• Land	11.33 sq mi (29.34 km2)
• Water	0.08 sq mi (0.21 km2)
Elevation [3]	896 ft (273 m)
Population  (2020)[5]
• Total	41,076
• Estimate  (2023)	41,220[4]
• Density	3,626.06/sq mi (1,399.98/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code	43068, 43069
Area code(s)	614 and 380
FIPS code	39-66390[6]
GNIS feature ID	2396357[3]
Website	https://reynoldsburg.gov/

Reynoldsburg is a city in Fairfield, Franklin, and Licking counties in the U.S. state of Ohio. It is a suburban community in the Columbus, Ohio metropolitan area. The population was 41,076 at the 2020 census, making it the 30th-biggest city in Ohio.

Reynoldsburg was originally called Frenchtown, and under the latter name was platted in 1831 by John French, and named for him.^[7] The present name is for John C. Reynolds, a local merchant.^[7] A post office called Reynoldsburgh was established in 1833, and the name was changed to Reynoldsburg in 1893.^[8]

Reynoldsburg is known as "The Birthplace of the Tomato", claiming the first commercial variety of tomato was bred there in the 19th century,^[9] and the Tomato Festival has been held every year since 1965. Every year there is a Tomato Festival Queen. The Tomato Festival takes place in August.^[10]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 11.24 square miles (29.11 km²), of which 11.16 square miles (28.90 km²) is land and 0.08 square miles (0.21 km²) is water.^[11] Blacklick Creek flows through Reynoldsburg.

As of the census^[19] of 2010, there were 35,893 people, 14,387 households, and 9,551 families living in the city. The population density was 3,216.2 inhabitants per square mile (1,241.8/km²). There were 15,611 housing units at an average density of 1,398.8 per square mile (540.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 69.7% White or European American, 23.3% African American, 0.2% Native American, 1.8% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.3% from other races, and 3.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.4% of the population.

There were 14,387 households, of which 35.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.8% were married couples living together, 15.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 33.6% were non-families. 28.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.06.

The median age in the city was 37.3 years. 26.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.8% were from 25 to 44; 27.3% were from 45 to 64; and 11.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.4% male and 52.6% female.

As of the census^[6] of 2000, there were 32,069 people, 12,849 households, and 8,801 families living in the city. The population density was 3,030.0 inhabitants per square mile (1,169.9/km²). There were 13,434 housing units at an average density of 1,269.3 per square mile (490.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 85.01% White, 10.44% African American, 1.07% Native American, 1.69% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.74% from other races, and 1.81% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.80% of the population.

There were 11,109 households, out of which 34.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.8% were married couples living together, 12.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.5% were non-families. 25.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.01.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 26.6% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 31.9% from 25 to 44, 23.4% from 45 to 64, and 10.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $51,108, and the median income for a family was $60,183. Males had a median income of $40,608 versus $30,448 for females. The per capita income for the city was $23,388. About 4.4% of families and 5.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.9% of those under age 18 and 4.4% of those age 65 or over.

The City Parks and Recreation Department is responsible for 275 acres of parkland^[20] including nine major parks.^[21] Established in 1948 the first Franklin County Metro Park opened in Reynoldsburg, Blacklick Woods and Blacklick Woods Golf Course; a 643-acre park with a golf course, several multi purpose trails, one of the oldest Beech-maple forest in central Ohio, a winter sledding hill, a Nature Center and the Walter A. Tucker State Nature Preserve located inside Blacklick Woods.^[22]

The Reynoldsburg Division of Police, with a total of 70 sworn officers, 21 civilians, and 12 reserve police officers, is located next to City Hall. The agency currently has a Motor Unit (with four cycles), a Canine Unit (with two dogs), a Special Investigations Unit, a Criminal Investigations Unit, School Resource Officers (two), Community Resource Officers (two located at sub-stations), bicycle officers, a Dispatch Center, and fields a joint SWAT team with Whitehall Police. RPD has been an innovator in central Ohio. The agency's primary community outreach program is its Illumination Project, borrowed from the City of Charleston Police Department. Each month, the RPD hosts a Q&A sessions with the chief or other officials. RPD was the first agency in central Ohio to begin a security camera registration program, allowing RPD detectives to quickly ascertain potential leads. Other changes implemented in 2019 include a cold case review, body worn cameras, a bias analysis, and a lateral hiring program.^[23]

The Ohio Department of Agriculture, the Ohio Fire Academy, and the Office of the Ohio State Fire Marshal are also located in Reynoldsburg.

• Civic Park
• Blacklick Metro Woods
• Pine Quarry Park
• Rodebaugh Park
• McPherson Park
• Huber Park
• JFK Park

The majority of Reynoldsburg is in the Reynoldsburg City School District.^[24][25][26]

The Reynoldsburg school district currently has seven elementary schools, two junior high schools and one high school with two campuses.^[27] The high school and junior high schools' mascot is Rocky Raider (a pirate) and its colors are purple and gold.

Elementary (K-5)

• Herbert Mills Elementary
• Rosehill Elementary
• Slate Ridge Elementary
• Taylor Road Elementary
• Summit Road Elementary
• French Run Elementary
• Waggoner Road Elementary School

Middle-Junior (6-8)

• Baldwin Road Junior High(6-8)
• Waggoner Road Junior High(6-8)

High School (9-12)

• Reynoldsburg High School - Livingston Campus BELL & HS2 (9-12)
• Reynoldsburg High School - Summit Campus eSTEM & Encore (10-12)

According to the city's 2021 Independent Audit Report, the top employers in the city are:^[28]

• Aman Ali, comedian and storyteller
• Le'Veon Bell, football player for Michigan State and Kansas City Chiefs
• Calvin Booth, former professional basketball player who currently serves as the general manager of the Denver Nuggets
• Ashton Dulin, football player for Malone University and Indianapolis colts
• Eric Fryer, Major League Baseball catcher for St. Louis Cardinals
• Mike Matheny, St. Louis Cardinals manager and three-time MLB Golden Glove winner

• Media related to Reynoldsburg, Ohio at Wikimedia Commons
• City website
• Reynoldsburg Visitors and Community Activities Bureau
• Reynoldsburg Area Chamber of Commerce official site