Short North – Long on Interest and Excitement

Short North, a historic area with eclectic crowds, art galleries, shopping venues and chic urban landscapes, is one of the true gems of Columbus. Centrally located along High Street between Downtown Columbus and the Ohio State University’s district, the Short North District is a great place to become familiar with the indie-arts scene in Columbus.

Short North History

The Short North area actually encompasses several historic neighborhoods including Harrison West, Italian Village and Victorian Village. Bohemian and diverse, the Short North Area is experiencing a boom after years of decay largely contributed to the suburban flight of the 1960's and ’70s. Most of the buildings in the area are brick with large storefront windows and, according to the city, date back to the early 20th century.

Things to Do in Short North

Gallery Hop

Every first Saturday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Short North becomes one of the most popular places in Columbus. Over 40 galleries, restaurants, stores and salons throw open their doors and display the best of Ohio’s artists. The artists highlighted range from acclaimed veterans to new to exciting fresh faces.

During the hop, the streets of Short North spill over with patrons, street vendors, performers and artists. Every hop throughout the year pales in comparison to the December's Holiday Hop. The Holiday Hop, with Short North's brightly lit signature archways, light posts dripping with holly and intoxicating buzz of holiday spirit is a winter wonderland delight. Most patrons, giddy like school children barely notice the bitter Ohio cold.

Doo Dah Parade

Inspired by the Pasadena parade with the same name, Columbus’s parade has prizes for the best and worse entries and is, in general, a whole lot of fun. Its website implores Columbus residents to “celebrate liberty and lunacy.” Even the parade route directions have a sense of humor:
“Parade Route: Straggle out Park Street, slope across Buttles, scale Neil Avenue, swing East onto 2nd Avenue, and then slide down High Street and scatter near Russell.” *Note that its rain date is the day BEFORE the event is set to happen.

Bars, Restaurants and Entertainment

The Short North is teeming with exciting nightlife opportunities. There are dining and entertainment options to fit every taste: rustic hole-in-the-walls to chic tapas bars. Check out our Short North Restaurant Reviews.

Short North Demographics

Size
Area: 0.252 square miles
Zip codes: 43201, 43215

Median Age for Males:

This neighborhood: 29.3 years
Whole city: 30.6 years

Median Age for Females:

This neighborhood: 27.7 years
Whole city: 31.6 years

Average household size:

Short North: 1.3 people
Columbus: 2.3 people

Average family size:

Short North: 2.4 members
Columbus: 3.0 members

Percentage of married-couple families (among all households):

Short North: 7.1%
City: 36.1%

Percentage of married-couple families with children (among all households):

Short North: 1.2%
Columbus: 16.5%

Housing prices:

Average estimated value of detached houses in 2007 (13.7% of all units):
Short North: $296,549
Columbus: $164,291
Average estimated value of townhouses or other attached units in 2007 (7.2% of all units):
This neighborhood: $93,601
City: $99,042

Parking:

Parking is the one thing in short supply in the Short North. There are areas that have resident only permits and the tow trucks are on constant rotation.

City Lots:

630 N. High Street
N. High Street at E. Lincoln Street
N. High Street at E. 2nd Avenue
1155 N. High Street

Meters:

The length of N. High Street (from Nationwide Boulevard to Fifth Avenue)
On Park Street (from Buttles Avenue to Vine Street)
On Goodale Street (West of Park Street) bordering Goodale Park, and around the North Market.

More Parking & Garages:

Convention Center on Goodale Street (East of High Street)
Arena District off Nationwide Boulevard
OSU South Campus Gateway at 11th and High Street
775 N. High Street behind Axis Nightclub

Parking info provided by ShortNorth.Org