Neighborhood Spotlight: Why Sunbury and the Big Walnut School District Are Central Ohio's Fastest-Appreciating Market

Every month, Columbus REALTORS® highlights the school districts posting standout numbers, and in July, one result stood well above the rest. The Big Walnut Local School District — covering Sunbury and the surrounding northern Delaware County area — recorded 52 closed sales, an 85.7% increase year over year. That's not a typo, and it wasn't a one-month blip riding on a small sample; it's a sustained signal of just how much attention this corridor is getting.

The Numbers Behind Sunbury's Momentum

Pricing kept pace with demand. The average sales price in the Big Walnut district reached $722,126 in July, up 19.9% year over year, while the median sales price climbed to $643,091, up 9.1%. For context, that median sits well above the regional Central Ohio median of $350,000 — Big Walnut is a premium submarket, and July's numbers suggest buyers are willing to pay for it.

• 52 closed sales in Big Walnut Local School District, up 85.7% year over year
• Average sales price of $722,126, up 19.9% year over year
• Median sales price of $643,091, up 9.1% year over year
• Regional Central Ohio median sales price of $350,000 for comparison

What's Drawing Buyers to This Corner of Central Ohio

Sunbury and the broader Big Walnut area sit along Central Ohio's northern growth corridor, offering newer construction, larger lots, and a small-town feel within a manageable commute to Columbus, New Albany, and the Polaris employment corridors. That combination — space, newer inventory, and a well-regarded school district — has made it a consistent draw for move-up buyers and families relocating from denser, more expensive submarkets closer to the urban core.

For sellers in the district, July's numbers are a strong argument for listing sooner rather than later: nearly 86% more homes changed hands than a year ago, and they sold at meaningfully higher prices. For buyers, it's a reminder that a market can be appreciating quickly and still be worth pursuing — a quality district with real momentum tends to hold its value well over time, even as prices climb.



Bottom Line

Big Walnut Local School District posted the strongest combination of sales growth and price appreciation in Central Ohio this July. Whether you're weighing a move to Sunbury or already own there and are considering a sale, this is a market with real, sustained momentum behind it.

Margaret Lipp | REMAX Premier Choice

Serving Upper Arlington, Dublin, Worthington, Clintonville, Hilliard, Powell, Grandview, and all Central Ohio communities

Source: Columbus REALTORS® Central Ohio Housing Report, July 2026, based on data from the Columbus & Central Ohio Regional MLS. Mortgage rate data from Freddie Mac's Primary Mortgage Market Survey. Market data is a snapshot in time and subject to change.