Reynoldsburg was first settled in 1802 by James and Margaret Crawford.[2][3] It was originally calledFrenchtown when it wasplatted in 1831, named after its surveyor, John French.[10] The present name is for John C. Reynolds, a local merchant.[10] A post office called Reynoldsburgh was established in 1833, and the name was changed to Reynoldsburg in 1893.[11]
Reynoldsburg is known as "The Birthplace of the Tomato", claiming the first commercial variety of tomato was bred there in the 19th century,[12] 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.[13]
According to theUnited 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.[14]Blacklick Creek flows through Reynoldsburg.
As of the2020 census, Reynoldsburg had a population of 41,076. The median age was 36.7 years. 25.4% of residents were under the age of 18 and 14.7% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 91.8 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 86.4 males age 18 and over.[22]
99.9% of residents lived in urban areas, while 0.1% lived in rural areas.[23]
There were 15,439 households in Reynoldsburg, of which 35.1% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 44.8% were married-couple households, 16.9% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 31.0% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 26.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[22]
There were 16,014 housing units, of which 3.6% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0.8% and the rental vacancy rate was 4.7%.[22]
As of thecensus[25] of 2010, there were 35,893 people, 14,387 households, and 9,551 families living in the city. Thepopulation 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 orEuropean American, 23.3%African American, 0.2%Native American, 1.8%Asian, 0.1%Pacific Islander, 1.3% fromother races, and 3.5% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino 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% weremarried 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 thecensus[9] 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% fromother races, and 1.81% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino 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% weremarried 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. Theper capita income for the city was $23,388. About 4.4% of families and 5.5% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 7.9% of those under age 18 and 4.4% of those age 65 or over.
Reynoldsburg Police HeadquartersAlexander W. Livingston House, now a museum
The City Parks and Recreation Department is responsible for 275 acres of parkland[26] including nine major parks.[27] Established in 1948 the firstFranklin CountyMetro 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 oldestBeech-maple forest in central Ohio, a winter sledding hill, a Nature Center and the Walter A. Tucker State Nature Preserve located inside Blacklick Woods.[28]
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 theCity 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.[29]
TheOhio Department of Agriculture, the Ohio Fire Academy, and the Office of the Ohio State Fire Marshal are also located in Reynoldsburg.
The Reynoldsburg school district currently has seven elementary schools, two junior high schools and one high school with two campuses.[33] 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)