Located in the southeastern corner of the county, West Chester is one of the thirteen townships of Butler County, Ohio. Just 18 miles away from one of Ohio’s major commercial hubs – Cincinnati – West Chester is part of the Cincinnati Metropolitan Area and neighbors Sharonville and Liberty Township. The township’s motto, “Where Families Grow and Businesses Prosper,” perfectly encapsulates the essence of Wester Chester. 

What is the community of West Chester like?  

Ranked by Money magazine as “One of America’s Best Places to Live” with populations between 50,000 and 300,000, Wester Chester is an ideal melting pot of professional, business, and residential development. Spanning over 35 square miles, Wester Chester is home to around 64,000 residents, making it the most populous township in Ohio.  
Although the nearby big cities of Mason and Cincinnati play home to some of Ohio’s most exciting outdoor recreational landscapes, Wester Chester has its unique array of recreational opportunities to offer to its residents and visitors alike. To begin with, the picturesque Voice of America Park in West Chester features a 55-acre lake circled by a 1.4-mile paved multi-purpose path, athletic fields, Wiggly Field dog park, hiking trails, row and pedal boat rental, personal kayak launching, and the Ronald Reagan Lodge and Boathouse. The Park is a great place for dogs and kids alike and offers thrilling opportunities for kayaking, boating, fishing, and swimming.  
Beckett Park in the Union Center area of West Chester covers 150 acres and is home to the historic 1881 Muhlhauser Barn, a popular West Chester rental facility. Similarly, Keehner Park is nestled along Mill Creek, offering creek-side, wooded trails, two playgrounds, pickleball, basketball and tennis courts, picnic shelters, and an 1800s log cabin open for special events. Keehner Park is also home to the Keehner Park Amphitheatre, which hosts the Keehner Park Concert Series in summer. 
Every year, West Chester plays home to several immersive community events that bring families and friends together to enjoy and celebrate. To kickstart your weekend a bit early, head to The Square Union Center on Thursday nights to enjoy the Takeover on The Square, which offers great bands, drinks, and foods every week. Some of the other prominent festivals in West Chester include West Chester Market, Shamrock Shuffle, Buckeye BBQ Fest, and Memorial Day Parade.  

What is Real Estate like in West Chester?     

Real estate in West Chester has shown an average growth of 2.87% per year since the year 2000. since 2000, the prices of homes in West Chester have appreciated by a strong 81.29%. West Chester real estate expert Scott Baker categorizes West Chester’s housing market as ‘somewhat competitive’. In addition, the sale prices of homes in West Chester have experienced strong growth of more than 20.8% over the last year.   
The median home price in West Chester is $300,000. Currently, there are 172 active homes for sale in West Chester, and normally it takes just 39 days for a listed home to sell. The average cost to rent a house in West Chester is $733 per month. At present, there are 1,845 homes and apartments in the city, 81.9% of which are owned, and the remaining 18.1% are rented.     

How is the economic landscape of West Chester?    

Over the last year, West Chester’s job market has grown by 0.8%, while its unemployment rate stands at a decent 4.4%. Also, the city’s job market is expected to grow by 31% in the next ten years. Some of the largest employers in West Chester include BAE Systems, GE Aviation, Cornerstone Brands, and CEVA Logistics. 
On average, a West Chester resident earns around $37,200 per annum, decently higher than the US average of $28500. The city’s median household income of almost $80,700 per resident is, however, much greater than the US average of approximately $53000. Most of the residents of West Chester work in manufacturing, retail, finance, education, professional and technical services, accommodation, and healthcare.    

How are the schools in West Chester?     

West Chester is covered by 3 school districts, with Lakota Local Schools being the city’s major school district encompassing 20 schools and around 17,000 enrolled students. West Chester also lies in proximity to many colleges including, among others, Ohio Midwestern College, Lincoln College of Technology, and Fortis College Cincinnati.  
When it comes to higher education, West Chester lies just 15 miles from the prestigious University of Cincinnati. Founded in 1819 as Cincinnati College, it is the oldest institution of higher education in Cincinnati and plays home to 14 colleges and schools with an annual enrollment of over 44,000 students, making it the second-largest university in Ohio. In the 2021 U.S. News & World Report rankings, UC was listed as the 196th best global university, tied for 143rd ranked U.S. national university, and tied for 65th best public university (U.S.).      

West Chester in a nutshell        

To sum up, West Chester is a charming township with a close-knit community that enjoys easy access to exceptional outdoor recreational facilities and economic opportunities just a hop away. The township plays home to a plethora of parks, community festivals, live music, and safe surroundings. If you are mulling over moving to Ohio, West Chester would make an ideal choice.