Delaware County drew a national spotlight after Islands magazine named it Ohio's best county to live in on Aug. 13, citing the area's independent restaurants, parks, family attractions and rapid population growth.
Writer Kareem Gantt's feature highlights the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Alum Creek State Park's nearly 12 miles of trails and what Gantt calls a county that "has retained much of its relaxed Midwestern identity even as new homes, businesses, and residents arrive."
The recognition arrives as Delaware County's population tops 250,000, according to county government data, with an estimated 5,000 new residents arriving each year. Powell alone has grown more than 4 percent since the 2020 census. The City of Delaware has grown more than 14 percent over the same period.
The county also holds the No. 1 spot in Niche.com's Best Counties to Live in Ohio rankings.
Zoo, trails and local restaurants in the spotlight
The Islands piece gives prominent billing to the Columbus Zoo, which draws more than 2.2 million visitors a year and approaches its centennial in 2027. Gantt singles out the Sea Dragon, a wooden roller coaster that has been running for more than 70 years.
Alum Creek State Park earns attention for hosting the largest inland beach in Ohio's state park system, along with a Storybook Trail and lending library along the lake's northern shoreline.
On the dining side, the magazine spotlights Old Dog Alehouse & Brewery in downtown Delaware, Bun's Restaurant and Bar (a Delaware institution since 1864), the Rusted Nail Tavern in Ashley and the Cheshire Market in Galena, a family-owned shop serving pizzas and strombolis for more than four decades.
Growth already underway
The national nod tracks with investment already flowing into the area. The Powell Development Corporation reported 136 active economic development projects at the end of January 2026, a 33.3 percent increase from the prior year, according to its Feb. 24 meeting minutes. Economic development administrator Sean Hughes tracks those projects for the city.
That pace is real.
In June, Delaware County commissioners approved a $17.7 million purchase of nearly 141 acres at U.S. Route 42 and Sawmill Parkway to advance commercial development. Commissioner Jeff Benton said in a June 29 county announcement that the guided growth "is a critical part of our long-term strategy to diversify the County's economic base and attract new businesses and jobs."
What's next
The Columbus Zoo Lantern Festival opens Aug. 20, and runs through Oct. 25, featuring more than 70 handcrafted lantern displays and new dinosaur-themed installations, according to the Scioto Post. The after-hours event adds another draw for visitors discovering the area through the Islands feature.
