| If you are looking for a great place to live in Central | | | | in girls and boys cross country, boys soccer and |
| Ohio, then a Hilliard home might be the right choice for | | | | softball in the last decade. |
| you. Located just 20 minutes northwest of downtown | | | | Outside of the schools, the city of Hilliard has much to |
| Columbus, Hilliard is a town of about 25,000 residents | | | | offer residents and visitors. With Columbus and its |
| just west of I-270. The town grew up around Hilliard | | | | suburbs to the east and farming communities to the |
| train station in the early 1800s, which served as an | | | | west, Hilliard can enjoy the best of both these worlds. |
| important depot for agricultural products and supplies. | | | | Additionally, the city of Hilliard organizes a number of |
| Although the station ceased to be used as an active | | | | public events and services, including a Fourth of July |
| rail depot by 1962, the facilities have been restored to | | | | fireworks display and parade. For the past 25 years, |
| their original condition and are now a feature in | | | | Hilliard has also played host to the Old Hilliard Street |
| Weaver Park, a historic district in downtown Hilliard. | | | | and Art Festival, featuring a number of family-friendly |
| Though the train station no longer functioned, Hilliard's | | | | events, displays and offerings, including a five-mile race |
| close proximity to Columbus brought two waves of | | | | and a separate "kids dash" for young children. |
| growth, first in the 1950s and 60s and then again in the | | | | Architecturally, Hilliard offers a unique blend of |
| 1980s and 90s, as I-270 and other highways began | | | | residential and commercial buildings in its downtown |
| expanding Columbus' suburbs into the surrounding | | | | district, and the city itself is a vibrant economic zone. |
| lands. | | | | Poverty, unemployment and crime rates in Hilliard are |
| Hilliard continues to be one of the fastest growing | | | | well below state and national averages. |
| areas in Ohio, and the housing market has enjoyed | | | | Hilliard's Parks and Recreation department is |
| many years of above-average sales and values. In | | | | particularly active, working to provide a wide array of |
| particular, single-family and multi-unit condominiums and | | | | activities and facilities for residents. In addition to a |
| apartments enjoy high values, and the town is a | | | | number of more traditional youth leagues and teams, |
| popular destination for families, with nearly half of | | | | Hilliard kids can participate in affordable recreation |
| Hilliard's homes occupied by children under 18. | | | | camps, where they can learn less traditional sports like |
| Hilliard offers seven elementary schools, three middle | | | | broomball or cricket, explore the world in geocaching |
| schools and two high schools to serve these families, | | | | activities, or go frogging and fishing at Hilliard's World of |
| and the Hilliard City Schools have received a state | | | | Water camp. Classes in art, cooking, dance and other |
| rating of "Excellent with Distinction" for the 2009-2010 | | | | activities are also offered at the youth and adult levels. |
| school year, the highest available rating in Ohio. The | | | | These activities are offered at one of Hilliard's more |
| schools also offer many other services, including | | | | than 20 parks, complexes and fields. If you or your |
| preschool, summer tutors, children's health initiatives and | | | | family are looking for a town with a good mix |
| "eSchools", where students can obtain resources to | | | | between active social activities and rural beauty and a |
| help them with their studies. Hilliard schools are also | | | | strong real estate market, a Hilliard home is a strong |
| home to some of the best high school athletics in Ohio, | | | | choice. |
| winning two state championships in football, one each | | | | |