Upper Arlington is a progressive, business friendly community. We are renowned for our impressive resident demographics, an educated workforce, easy access to the Central Ohio region, an active business community, a range of housing options and beautiful neighborhoods, amenity-rich commercial districts, and services that are second to none.
Upper Arlington’s proactive economic development efforts—supported by a robust Economic Development Blueprint, an updated Master Plan, modern zoning and development guidelines and a streamlined development approval process—have helped grow a strong and diverse business base, welcoming new companies and helping those already here to grow and evolve.
The Economic Development Division is the connector between the City and our business community. We are ready to support your business, so you can experience success in our community.
If you are looking for a community to call home for your business, look no further than Upper Arlington.
When you choose to work, live and play in Upper Arlington, you can experience all the conveniences of being centrally located within the Columbus metro area.
- 10-minute drive to downtown Columbus
- Direct neighbor to The Ohio State University
- Easy access to SR 315, I-270 and the rest of the region’s highway system
- 20-minutes to the John Glenn International Airport
Upper Arlington has long been admired as a premier community in the region, successfully blending its residential foundation with creative plans for a strong future. Founded in 1918 and actively embracing our second century, the signs of a community reinvesting in itself are abundantly clear in our business districts, neighborhoods, parks and along our roadways.
Just under 10-square miles in size, Upper Arlington is home to approximately 36,000 residents who value and play an active role in building community through their involvement in numerous civic and service groups. Reflective of the friendly, educated, family-oriented and engaged community that we serve, the City is committed to exceptional, innovative service delivery. Our goals extend beyond the basics, aspiring to make Upper Arlington one of the best communities in the U.S. – a place that is welcoming, inclusive and supportive for all who live here, work in or visit our community.
The City boasts an extensive and well-used network of community parks with a variety of active and passive recreational opportunities. Community gatherings and celebrations are the standard here, including a resident-driven Fourth of July parade and festival, the region’s premier one-day arts festival over Labor Day Weekend, summer concerts and more.
Year after year, residents demonstrate their confidence in the UA housing market, undertaking extensive renovations so that their older, character-filled homes meet today’s living standards. Today, the Upper Arlington community offers more options for young professionals and empty nesters—from quality apartments to condo living—located within vibrant, walkable districts that offer easy access to nearby shops, restaurants and amenities.
The City is committed to an ongoing, proactive 10-year capital plan that is reinvesting in Upper Arlington’s infrastructure—transforming our streets, replacing critical underground water and sewer lines, and breathing new life into our parks, pools and public facilities.
Beyond meeting our reinvestment obligations, we proudly provide innovative services that residents hold in high regard. Our Police and Fire divisions are second to none, with exemplary emergency response times and a dedicated, fully equipped staff ready to handle any situation. Whatever the season, our Public Works crews keep our streets safe and clean. In the development arena we are ready for business, with a customer friendly building and permitting process. When it’s time for leisure, we offer a multitude of park facilities, educational, sporting or play activities and programs for all ages, and a calendar packed with community events.
Don’t just take our word for it – Upper Arlington continues to be recognized by various national rankings agencies as a top place to live, work and play.
- Safest City in Ohio & 14th Safest City in the Nation, MoneyGeek – 2022
- Second Safest City in Ohio & First Safest for Financial Safety, Safety.com – 2021
- 38th Best Place to Live in the U.S., Money – 2021
- 29th Most Affordable City With Outstanding Education, Dwellics – 2021
- 28th Best Suburb to Live in America, Business Insider – 2018
- Fourth Best Place to Live in Ohio, Niches.com – 2018
- America’s Top 25 Neighborhoods for Small Businesses, Welcome Mat Services – November 2016
- Best Place to Live in Ohio and Best Central Ohio Suburb, Niche.com – July 2016
- Top 50 Safest Cities in Ohio, CreditDonkey.com – June 2016
- Central Ohio’s Most Educated Communities, Business First – December 2015
- Best Small Cities in America for Working Parents, Nerdwallet.com – July 2015
Residents near the Kingsdale Shopping Center may notice increased construction activity during the overnight hours of May 13-17, as a contractor works to tie-in a sanitary pipe on Northwest Boulevard. Crews will be working at the site of the new parking…
3 pm, Sunday, May 19 3600 Tremont Road The City of Upper Arlington and the Upper Arlington Historical Society invite the community to join us for the 2024 Wall of Honor Ceremony, beginning at 3 pm on Sunday, May 19…
Join us for Won’t You Be Our Neighbor, the City of Upper Arlington’s podcast—special thanks to Colin Gawel for the theme music. Season 3, Episode 6 - Ryan Miller On this episode of the pod, Steve and Darren talk entrance…
Are you looking for a convenient way to stay updated on all the latest news and events happening in Upper Arlington? Look no further than our official YouTube channel! Packed with valuable content, insightful updates, and engaging videos, our channel…
We are sorry to report a printing error for the May/June UA insight newsletter, which has just been mailed to all UA homes. When you read your copy, please pay attention to the page numbering, as eight of the pages…
On April 15, City Council voted to dissolve the City’s Community Improvement Corporation (CIC). Originally formed in 1993, the CIC was a not-for-profit entity, guided by an advisory board of residents with experience in various aspects of economic development. Under…
10 am-3 pm, Saturday, May 4 St. Mark’s Episcopal Church 2151 Dorset Road St. Mark’s Episcopal Church on Dorset Road is hosting its second annual Culture and Artisans Fair, from 10 am-3pm, on Saturday, May 4, in partnership with Community…
With spring weather upon us, residents are increasingly heading out for walks and activities in our beautiful parks and neighborhoods. While dog owners have every right to enjoy the community with their canine friends, it’s important to be respectful of…
WHAT IS OUR BLUEPRINT?
Upper Arlington understands the value of your investment in our community, so to ensure the best outcome for our business community, our residents, and the city itself — we have a plan or rather a blueprint.
The blueprint outlines best practices for Upper Arlington to maximize our economic development opportunities.
