Ohio (OH)

Known as the "Buckeye State," Ohio is a blend of Midwestern charm, rich history, and vibrant cities. From the birthplace of aviation to its passion for sports and rock and roll, the state offers diverse attractions, scenic parks, and a strong industrial heritage.

• Population: ~11.8 million
• Weather: Warm summers (70-85°F); cold winters (20-40°F).
• Famous Sites: Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Cedar Point, Hocking Hills, Pro Football Hall of Fame, Amish Country.
• Top Activities: Roller coasters, hiking, football games, museum visits, lakefront recreation, historical tours.

Ohio has a strong job market, with opportunities in healthcare, technology, manufacturing, and education. These industries offer stable careers with competitive salaries. Here are the top five in-demand jobs in Ohio based on earnings and job openings. Click on the job titles to view more details from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Ohio is known for its lively cities and active college communities. Several major universities attract thousands of students, contributing significantly to each city's atmosphere. The following table lists the 10 largest cities in Ohio, along with their population numbers and approximate college student enrollments.

Ohio is home to some of the best public and private universities, offering diverse programs in engineering, healthcare, business, and more.

Top Public Colleges & Universities in Ohio

• Ohio State University (OSU) – A top-ranked research university known for its strong business, engineering, and healthcare programs.
• Miami University – A highly respected public university with excellent business, education, and liberal arts programs.
• University of Cincinnati – Well-known for its co-op programs in engineering, business, and design.
• Kent State University – A major public research university with strong journalism, nursing, and design programs.
• Bowling Green State University – Known for its education, business, and performing arts programs.

Top Private Colleges & Universities in Ohio

• Case Western Reserve University – A prestigious research university with excellent engineering, law, and medical programs.
• University of Dayton – A Catholic university known for its strong engineering, business, and law programs.
• Xavier University – A Jesuit institution offering well-regarded business, healthcare, and liberal arts programs.
• Oberlin College – A renowned liberal arts college with a prestigious music conservatory.
• Denison University – A top-tier liberal arts college known for its personalized education and strong alumni network.

Ohio is home to some of the best public and private high schools in the nation. These schools stand out for their academic excellence, college readiness programs, and extracurricular offerings. Students benefit from strong curricula, dedicated faculty, and various enrichment opportunities to ensure future success.

Top Public High Schools in Ohio

• Walnut Hills High School, Cincinnati – Ranked among the top public schools in Ohio, Walnut Hills offers rigorous academics and college preparatory programs.
• Dublin Jerome High School, Dublin – Known for its high graduation rate, advanced placement courses, and strong STEM programs.
• Solon High School, Solon – Consistently recognized for academic excellence and its strong emphasis on science and mathematics.
• Ottawa Hills High School, Toledo – Provides a strong college prep curriculum with a focus on leadership and community service.
• Bexley High School, Bexley – A top-rated school with advanced placement courses and a strong liberal arts program.

Top Private High Schools in Ohio

• University School, Hunting Valley – A prestigious all-boys school offering an advanced curriculum and leadership development programs.
• Columbus Academy, Gahanna – Known for academic rigor and a strong focus on arts, athletics, and innovation.
• The Seven Hills School, Cincinnati – A highly rated private school with a focus on experiential learning and small class sizes.
• Hathaway Brown School, Shaker Heights – A leading all-girls school with top-tier academics and strong STEM programs.
• St. Xavier High School, Cincinnati – A Jesuit college preparatory school recognized for excellence in academics, athletics, and leadership.

Ohio is home to several major professional sports teams across the big four leagues (NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL), making it one of the most sports-rich states in the country. Fans across the state passionately support their teams, creating a strong sports culture.

Here are Ohio’s major league professional teams:

• Cincinnati Bengals (NFL) – A competitive football team that has made multiple Super Bowl appearances.
• Cleveland Browns (NFL) – One of the most historically rich franchises in professional football, known for their loyal fan base.
• Cleveland Cavaliers (NBA) – Won their first NBA Championship in 2016, led by LeBron James.
• Cincinnati Reds (MLB) – One of the oldest baseball teams, with multiple World Series titles.
• Cleveland Guardians (MLB) – A strong franchise with a history of competitive play and passionate fans.
• Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL) – Ohio’s only NHL team, known for its dedicated hockey fans.
• Columbus Crew (MLS) – A top soccer team, winning multiple MLS Cups.

In addition to major league teams, Ohio has a thriving minor league and semi-pro sports scene:

Minor League & Semi-Pro Teams in Ohio

Baseball 🏟️

• Columbus Clippers (Triple-A – Cleveland Guardians affiliate) – One of the top minor league baseball franchises.
• Toledo Mud Hens (Triple-A – Detroit Tigers affiliate) – A historic team with deep roots in Ohio’s baseball tradition.
• Akron RubberDucks (Double-A – Cleveland Guardians affiliate) – Known for their quirky name and solid player development.
• Dayton Dragons (High-A – Cincinnati Reds affiliate) – Holds the record for most consecutive sellouts in American sports.
• Lake County Captains (High-A – Cleveland Guardians affiliate) – A strong minor league club based near Cleveland.

Soccer ⚽

• FC Cincinnati (MLS) – A quickly growing soccer club with passionate support from the city.

Hockey 🏒

• Cleveland Monsters (AHL – Columbus Blue Jackets affiliate) – A competitive minor league hockey team.
• Toledo Walleye (ECHL – Detroit Red Wings affiliate) – A strong minor league hockey club with a loyal following.

Basketball 🏀

• Cleveland Charge (NBA G League – Cleveland Cavaliers affiliate) – A key developmental team for future NBA talent.

1. Birthplace of Aviation ✈️ – Ohio is known as the "Birthplace of Aviation" because the Wright brothers, who invented the first successful airplane, were from Dayton.
2. Home to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 🎸 – Cleveland is home to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, celebrating music legends from around the world.
3. The First Professional Baseball Team ⚾ – The Cincinnati Reds were the first professional baseball team, established in 1869.
4. Eight U.S. Presidents Were Born Here 🇺🇸 – Ohio has produced more U.S. presidents than any other state except Virginia, including Ulysses S. Grant and William Howard Taft.
5. Cedar Point is a Roller Coaster Capital 🎢 – Located in Sandusky, Cedar Point is one of the most famous amusement parks in the world, known for its thrilling roller coasters.
6. Invented the Traffic Signal 🚦 – Garrett Morgan, an Ohio native, invented the modern traffic signal, helping to make roads safer.
7. The Buckeye State 🌰 – Ohio is known as the Buckeye State because of the abundance of buckeye trees, and residents are often called "Buckeyes."
8. Invented the Phonograph and Light Bulb 💡 – Thomas Edison, born in Milan, Ohio, invented the phonograph and improved the design of the light bulb.
9. Home of America’s First Ambulance Service 🚑 – Cincinnati was the first city in the U.S. to have a professional ambulance service, starting in 1865.
10. Strange Laws on Whales 🐋 – In Ohio, it is technically illegal to fish for whales on Sundays—despite the state having no ocean!