Denison University’s closest urban neighbor, Columbus, has been named as the No. 1 “Opportunity City” in the country by Forbes magazine. The state capital of Ohio is just 30 minutes from campus, affording Denison students quick access to this fast growing metropolis, the 15th largest city in America.
The business and finance magazine noted that the “the Short North neighborhood, with its High Street shopping corridor, cobblestone streets and historic homes,” was a big draw, while a “major factor is its [Columbus’] very low cost of home ownership (the median sales price in the first quarter was $99,900). Amenities like Ohio State, a major university in the heart of downtown, a thriving arts and cultural scene, and a top-tier hospital make it a city where people can build a career as well as a rewarding life. Columbus lands the No. 1 spot on our inaugural list of Opportunity Cities.”
“Having a vibrant and growing city like Columbus less than 30 minutes from our campus has been a real asset to our students,” said Brian Collingwood, interim director of Denison University’s Center for Career and Exploration. “Our alumni are very interested and helpful in helping to launch our students into careers. More than 1,500 alumni are part of our Columbus/Denison Linked In group and we offer several dozen internships and externships through our alumni there.”
In compiling their list of Opportunity Cities, Forbes scanned for places with inexpensive home prices in cities with populations over 150,000. Unemployment rates year-over-year from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, also were a significant factor. Finally, Forbes “factored in population growth overall, as well as among the 25-39-year-old cohort, a group we consider likely to move (or for that matter, stay put) for opportunities.”