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Real Estate & Homes in Cincinnati - Ohio - Cincinnati, Ohio homes and communities
Cincinnati
Cincinnati Background
With a cost of living that is below the national average, a diverse economy that includes the headquarters of 10 Fortune 500 companies, and a multitude of leisure and entertainment options, Cincinnati’s top 10 ranking in Fortune magazine’s list of “Great Places To Live and Work” is no surprise.
Blessed by a moderate climate and rolling, riverfront terrain, Cincinnati has developed from a tiny fortress into a metropolis with a population exceeding 1.9 million. These hard-working, fun-loving Cincinnatians support and enjoy the great variety of entertainment options available in this vibrant city.
Diversity is the key to Cincinnati’s livability. From its fine cultural offerings to its rowdy sports venues, from the penthouse boardrooms to the manufacturing production lines, from River Downs to Mount Adams, there is a comfortable place for work and leisure for everyone who resides here.
 
Cincinnati History
Best known for its German heritage, Cincinnati was founded following the Miami Purchase of 1788. John C. Symmes, a New Jersey congressman, purchased 330,000 acres of land for 67 cents per acre from the U.S. government in 1788. A number of settlements were started in the Miami Purchase lands; among them, a small community known as Losantiville — a name that was part Latin, Greek, French and Delaware Indian — meaning “town opposite the mouth of the Licking River.” Gen. Arthur St. Clair, commander of nearby Fort Washington, changed the city’s name to Cincinnati in honor of George Washington’s Society of Cincinnati, an organization of Revolutionary War officers.
The population of Cincinnati grew slowly but steadily until the construction and opening of the Miami Canal between 1825 and 1845. In fact, the population in the state grew 68 percent between 1830 and 1840 as a direct result of the construction of the Miami and Erie canals, which raised the price of labor and products in Ohio and spurred the expansion of the state’s railway system. The population was also bolstered by the immigration of Germans, who were attracted to favorable land acquisition prices, good job opportunities for craftsmen and the good pay scale of the region. These immigrants were the primary influence on Cincinnati’s churches, culture and politics. Although the German influence is less pronounced today than it was a century ago, Greater Cincinnati still ranks as the third most German metropolitan area in America.
 
Cincinnati Fast Facts
Population: 331,285 in city; 1.9 million in metropolitan area consisting of the counties of Hamilton, Clermont and Warren counties in Ohio; Boone, Campbell and Kenton counties in Kentucky; and Dearborn County, Indiana.
Size: 77.2 square miles
Housing: 166,012 total units
Average seasonal temperatures: 31ºF in winter; 76ºF in summer
Annual average temperature: 54 ºF
Annual rainfall: 40 inches
Economy
Cincinnati is the headquarters for 10 Fortune 500 companies, including Procter & Gamble, the Kroger Company, AK Steel, American Financial Corp., Western-Southern Insurance, Ashland Inc., Federated Department Stores, Cinergy Corp., Fifth Third Bancorp, and Omnicare.
Among the factors attracting business to the Cincinnati are its transportation services. The region is location within 500 miles of 60 percent of the United States’ population, giving it ready access to regional and national markets. As a consequence, distribution centers find the Cincinnati area attractive.
The Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky airport was rated the No. 1 U.S. gateway in Passenger Survey and provides support for distribution of goods as well as a link to global markets.
The strong transportation system, including superb water and rail shipping systems, reduces the cost of doing business in Cincinnati. Further, Cincinnati boasts a lower than the national average unemployment rate, coupled with a higher than the national average skilled labor force. These two factors have led to continued business expansions by both large and small companies, with most of the employment growth expected to come in the business services area. In fact, expansion management — a study that evaluates education, quality of life, infrastructure and similar factors affecting business expansion decisions — ranked Cincinnati the 16th best metropolitan area in the country for business expansion.
Finally, retail expansion is strong in the area, exemplified by the recent construction of upscale lifestyle centers like Newport on the Levee, Rookwood Commons, Cincinnati Mills and Deerfield Towne Center.
 
Arts and Culture
Few cities in the country support the arts more than Cincinnati. The Cincinnati Fine Arts Fund ranks as one of the top three arts fund raising organizations in the country. The internationally acclaimed Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, the Cincinnati Ballet and the Cincinnati Opera, the country’s second oldest opera, are three of the major cultural attractions.
Other well-supported activities are the Cincinnati Pops, Aronoff Center for the Arts, Playhouse in the Park, Ensemble Theater, Riverbend Music Center, and the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music.
There are more than 100 museums and galleries in Cincinnati, including the Cincinnati Art Museum, Taft Museum of Art and the lovely Krohn Conservatory. For the youngsters, the Cincinnati Museum Center includes a Natural History & Science Museum, OMNIMAX Theater and the Cinergy Children’s Museum.
 
Attractions
Cincinnati boasts one of the top five zoos in the nation, one of the top 10 amusement parks in the nation, and a myriad of activities to attract both business conventions and family vacationers.
The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, rated as the No. 1 attraction in Cincinnati and in the top 15 attractions nationally, is renowned for its exotic animal and insect collection and more than 500 animal and 3,000 plant exhibits.
Paramount King’s Island is a 1,600-acre theme park, drawing more than 3 million visitors annually. Home to the world’s “Tallest, Fastest and Only Looping Wooden Coaster,” the world’s tallest Gyro Drop, and the world’s longest wooden roller coaster, Paramount King’s Island is the nation’s ninth most popular theme park.
Other family attractions are Coney Island, the Beach Waterpark, Surf Cincinnati, Perfect North Slopes, and four casinos.
Across the river, the Newport Aquarium has the nation’s largest air shark viewing area and the largest king penguin collection.
 
Sports and Recreation
One of the nation’s great sports cities, Cincinnati is the home to six professional sports teams, six colleges with competition in 20 sports, horse racing, auto racing and two major golf tournaments.
The Cincinnati Reds, America’s first professional sports team, has a loyal nationwide following. Other professional teams are the NFL’s Bengals; two hockey teams, the Cyclones and the Mighty Ducks; and the Riverhawks outdoor soccer team.
With Churchill Downs less than two hours away, Cincinnati supports a strong thoroughbred racing following at Turfway Park and River Downs.
Golf and tennis are popular with Cincinnatians, with the Senior Men’s Golf Tour and the Tennis Masters Series both hosting annual events in the Cincinnati area. For the amateur golfer, more than 60 public courses are available for play.
Renowned for its magnificent city and county parks, Cincinnati has more than 20,000 acres included in its parks system. The 22-acre Bicentennial Commons at Sawyer Point, located downtown on the Ohio River, provides an urban playground in a serene riverfront setting. The parks, dotted throughout Hamilton County, are a popular weekend destination for those seeking to escape for a day of picnicking, cycling or canoeing within a few minutes drive of their homes.
 
Restaurants and Nightlife
With more award-winning restaurants per capita than any other U.S. city, Cincinnati’s food choices range from its famous chili, which bears the city’s name, to five-star food and service at the world-renowned The Maisonette.
Cincinnati boasts more than 140 chili restaurants, all trying to claim the “best chili” award. More like a spaghetti sauce than traditional chili, Cincinnati chili is usually eaten with shredded cheddar cheese and onions. More than 2 million pounds of chili are consumed in Cincinnati each year.
Cincinnati also throws its hat in the “best barbeque in the country” ring. Its tomato-based barbeque sauce, made famous by the Montgomery Inn, defines Cincinnati barbecue.
Last, but not least, the world’s best mocha chip ice cream is churned out by the locally based Graeter’s ice cream family. Founded in 1870, Graeter’s Ice Cream is still locally produced and run by the Graeter family.
Mention “Cincinnati” to a food connoisseur, and the first thing that comes to mind is The Maisonette. This French restaurant, located downtown, has been awarded Mobil’s Five Stars for 40 consecutive years. With impeccable service and food, The Maisonette is the star in Cincinnati’s culinary crown.
There are plenty of places for dancing off those calories after dinner in the downtown entertainment districts of Backstage, Main Street or nearby Mount Adams. Other fun choices might be one of the four casinos located on the river or one of the floating nightclubs.
 
Festivals and Events The world’s largest Oktoberfest outside of Munich takes place in Cincinnati, but it’s only one of dozens of festivals and events that occur throughout the year.
Other popular festivals include:
- Taste of Cincinnati
- La Rosa’s Party in the Park
- Riverfest & WEBN Fireworks
- Flying Pig Marathon
- Jazz in the Parks
- Panegyri Greek Festival
- Balloonfest
- Summerfair
- Chilifest
Combined with the cultural offerings of the city, the recreation, sports, events, nightlife and festivals provide something for everyone in this richly textured, business-friendly community.
Where is Cincinnati?
Written by Margaret Bowles exclusively for HomesParadise.com.
Photos courtesy of the Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce.
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