Housing isn't just about roofs and walls—it's the foundation of our workforce, our businesses and our community's vitality. Yet, for many of our neighbors, it's becoming increasingly out of reach.
According to the City of Worthington’s Housing Assessment, nearly 97% of the local workforce lives outside the City of Worthington. This statistic underscores a critical issue:
The people who power our local economy—teachers, healthcare workers, retail staff and small business employees—often can’t afford to live where they work—and I hear too often, “I can’t afford to move here.”
This disconnect has real implications. As housing prices rise and inventory remains limited, attracting and retaining talent becomes more challenging. Businesses are finding it harder to hire locally, and employees face longer commutes, leading to increased stress and reduced quality of life.
Moreover, the assessment highlights that 47% of residents cited high housing prices as a primary concern, with 46% pointing to taxes and 34% to limited inventory. These concerns are not just abstract; they directly impact our community's economic health and social fabric.
To put this in regional context, the kickoff session of our Worthington Together Speaker Series—“Central Ohio Today: Understanding a Period of Incredible Growth & Change”—featured insights from Michael Wilkos. Let me tell you, the numbers speak for themselves:
- Central Ohio needs 200,000 new housing units by 2035
- We’re currently building just 1 house for every 2.5 jobs created
- Franklin County averaged 16,039 new residents per year from 2010–2020—that’s basically adding a new Worthington every year
It's essential to recognize that decisions made within Worthington's city limits affect the broader community. Policies on zoning, development and housing density have ripple effects that influence the entire region. Therefore, it's crucial that all stakeholders—residents, business owners and policymakers—engage in conversations about sustainable growth and housing solutions.
No one asked me, but here’s my fear:
If we don’t act now—working alongside City staff and community partners to address housing in a way that still feels like Worthington—we risk falling further behind. As neighboring communities build and thrive, Worthington becomes the next target as space runs out. That means deep-pocketed investors shaping our future, not residents and local businesses who call this place home.
But here’s the opportunity: If we’re willing to have open, honest conversations about housing now—even when it's uncomfortable—we protect our voice and restore our storied history later. Ignore it, or fear change, and change still comes… just without us at the table.
At the Worthington Area Chamber, we're committed to fostering a community where businesses can thrive, employees can live nearby and families can build lasting roots. Addressing our housing challenges isn't just a matter of policy—it's an investment in our collective future.
