Is North College Hill Safe, Pros and cons of living in North College Hill

Is it Safe to Live in North College Hill?

North College Hill presents a mixed safety profile, with crime rates that are notably higher than national averages in several categories. The overall crime rate is 93% higher than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). Violent crimes are 155% higher than the national average, and residents have a 1 in 25 chance of becoming a victim of crime (as reported by AreaVibes). Specifically, the violent crime rate is 915 per 100,000 people, placing it in the lowest 10% of U.S. cities for safety (as reported by AreaVibes).

The analysis of FBI reported crime data indicates that North College Hill experiences one of the higher murder rates nationwide when compared to cities of all sizes (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). Property crime is also a significant concern, with a rate of 31 per 1,000 population, and North College Hill has one of the highest rates of motor vehicle theft in the nation (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). While some sources indicate a safety grade of B+ with crime being 5% below the national average for a specific neighborhood within Cincinnati, broader city-wide statistics paint a different picture of higher-than-average crime rates (as reported by DoorProfit). Residents often consider the southwest part of the city to be the safest, with chances of being a victim ranging from 1 in 13 in central neighborhoods to 1 in 22 in the southwest (as reported by NeighborhoodScout).

Housing Costs and Market Trends

The housing market in North College Hill shows a median property value of $154,000 as of 2024 (as reported by Data USA). This represents a 23% increase from the previous year, when the median property value was $125,200 (as reported by Data USA). The median listing price for homes in North College Hill is around $189,900, with a price per square foot of $143 (as reported by realtor.com®). Homes are selling for a median of $198,000, an 18.6% increase compared to the previous year, and they are spending an average of 73 days on the market (as reported by Redfin).

The homeownership rate in North College Hill is 56.4% (as reported by Data USA), which is lower than the national average of 65.2% (as reported by Data USA). For renters, the median gross rent is $1,064 per month (as reported by Data USA). Other sources indicate an average rent of $628 per month, which is 62% lower than the national average (as reported by Zumper). A one-bedroom apartment averages $628 per month, and a two-bedroom apartment is around $659 per month (as reported by Zumper).

Cost of Living and Economic Outlook

The overall cost of living in North College Hill is reported to be 8% lower than the national average (as reported by ERI Economic Research Institute). This affordability is a significant factor for residents, as the median household income in North College Hill was $64,655 in 2024 (as reported by Data USA). This figure marks a 2.6% increase from the previous year (as reported by Data USA). Other sources cite an average annual household income of $70,299 in 2024 (as reported by Point2Homes).

The unemployment rate in North College Hill stands at 4.6% (as reported by Point2Homes), which is considered typical. The local economy employs approximately 4,539 residents across various industries (as reported by Data USA). The largest sectors are Health Care & Social Assistance, Manufacturing, and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (as reported by Data USA). The highest-paying industries include Information, Manufacturing, and Wholesale Trade (as reported by Data USA).

Demographics and Population

North College Hill is home to approximately 9,555 residents as of 2024 (as reported by Data USA). The population has seen a slight decline, with a decrease of 1.52% since the 2020 census (as reported by World Population Review). The racial makeup of the city is diverse, with Black or African American residents comprising about 49.4% of the population, and White residents making up approximately 40.59% (as reported by World Population Review). Other racial groups, including those of two or more races, constitute the remaining percentage (as reported by World Population Review).

The median age in North College Hill is 30.8 years (as reported by World Population Review). The population is distributed across age groups, with about 22.1% being children under 15, and 13.7% being 65 or older (as reported by Point2Homes). Gender-wise, 47.8% of locals are male, and 52.2% are female (as reported by Point2Homes). Approximately 98.9% of residents are U.S. citizens (as reported by Data USA).

Education System

North College Hill has a public school system that serves its residents. North College Hill Elementary School has a student-teacher ratio of 17 to 1, with 27% of students proficient in math and 38% in reading, according to state test scores (as reported by Niche). North College Hill High School is rated a C+ by Niche and has a 4/10 GreatSchools Rating (as reported by Homes.com). The high school serves 395 students in grades 9-12, with a student-teacher ratio of 14:1 (as reported by Niche).

Academically, North College Hill High School ranks in the bottom 50% of all public schools in Ohio (as reported by National Center for Education Statistics). Math proficiency is at 6-9%, and reading proficiency is at 35-39% (as reported by National Center for Education Statistics). The graduation rate is between 85-89% (as reported by National Center for Education Statistics). The North College Hill City School District itself has faced challenges, ranking 754 out of 828 districts in Ohio (as reported by SchoolDigger).

Climate and Environment

North College Hill experiences a climate typical of the Midwestern United States. The average annual temperature hovers around 64°F for highs and 43°F for lows (as reported by Livability.com). The area receives approximately 45 inches of rainfall annually (as reported by Livability.com). Snowfall averages around 19 inches per year (as reported by Livability.com). The overall climate risk for North College Hill is rated as “Very Low” (as reported by Kurby AI).

Major Employers and Job Market

The job market in North College Hill is supported by a workforce of approximately 4,539 individuals (as reported by Data USA). Key industries providing employment include Health Care & Social Assistance, Manufacturing, and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (as reported by Data USA). The highest-paying sectors are Information, Manufacturing, and Wholesale Trade (as reported by Data USA). While specific major employers are not detailed in the provided data, the diversity of industries suggests a range of employment opportunities within the city and its surrounding areas.

Quality of Life and Community

North College Hill offers a community with a friendly atmosphere and a slower pace of life, appealing to those seeking a respite from urban intensity (as reported by Kurby AI). Tree-lined streets contribute to a pleasant environment (as reported by Kurby AI). The community’s affordability, with a cost of living 8% below the national average, allows residents to enjoy a comfortable existence (as reported by ERI Economic Research Institute and Kurby AI). The median household income of $64,655 (as reported by Data USA) combined with lower living expenses provides good value.

The average commute time for residents is around 26 minutes, with most people driving alone to work (as reported by Data USA). Car ownership is similar to the national average, with about two cars per household (as reported by Data USA). The city’s walkability is low, indicating a reliance on personal vehicles for transportation (as reported by Kurby AI).

Pros and Cons of Living in North College Hill

Living in North College Hill presents several advantages, including a cost of living that is 8% below the national average, making it an affordable place to reside (as reported by ERI Economic Research Institute). The median home value is also considerably lower than the national average, with a median of $154,000 as of 2024 (as reported by Data USA), and rental prices are significantly more affordable than the national average (as reported by Zumper). The community offers a friendly atmosphere and a generally slower pace of life, which can be appealing for those seeking a more relaxed environment (as reported by Kurby AI).

However, there are significant drawbacks to consider, primarily concerning safety. North College Hill experiences crime rates that are substantially higher than the national average, particularly in violent crime categories (as reported by AreaVibes and NeighborhoodScout). The quality of education in the local school district is also a concern, with the high school ranking in the bottom 50% of Ohio schools (as reported by National Center for Education Statistics). While the community is diverse, the poverty rate is higher than the national average, with 20.6% of the population living below the poverty line (as reported by Data USA).