RATING the BURBS 2013
INSIDE:
45 Home prices rise in many neighborhoods 45 How the project was produced 46 Top 50 communities 48 Top public schools 50 Safest neighborhoods 52 Residents rave about Terrace Park 52 Highest-priced homes
1
Terrace Park
3
Indian Hill
Just before leaving Hamilton County driving east on Wooster Pike (U.S. 50), you’ll almost miss the village of Terrace Park, this year’s top suburb. Nestled in a crook of the Little Miami River, almost all of the 1.22-square-mile community is zoned residential, with fewer than 20 businesses listed on its website. Owners occupy almost 95 percent of the houses, and the median household income is $124,500, according to the census. Stellar school systems give Terrace Park a No. 2 education ranking, and zero major crimes give the village a No. 1 safety rating. Its Swim & Tennis Club, established in 1956, and the Terrace Park Country Club, incorporated across the Little Miami in 1910, afford residents with plenty of recreation.
With 5,769 residents, it is technically a city, but it still goes by the name “The Village of Indian Hill,” even in census statistics. The quiet, almost 20-square-mile community ranks high in education, and with a $930,000 median home-sale price in 2012, it’s the only suburb that approaches $1 million. More than 97 percent of homes are owneroccupied. Families enjoy the rural atmosphere; the area was settled as a farming community in 1795 but wasn’t incorporated until 1941. Its police department, the Indian Hill Rangers, dates to 1903, and helps maintain a low crime rate. The school system ranks No. 4; eight Indian Hill High School seniors were National Merit Finalists this year.
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4
Clearcreek Township
Clearcreek Township has become a consistent Top 10 community based on its low crime rate, good schools and strong home sales. With an owner-occupancy rate above 90 percent, it ranks fifth in the region in highest median home-sale prices at $275,450. With 44.7 square miles, Clearcreek accounts for a little less than 11 percent of the total area of Warren County. The Clearcreek Baptist Church, founded in 1797, is the oldest church in Warren County. The township is one of the fastest-growing areas in the past 12 years, with its population of almost 30,000, up 42 percent.
2
Madeira
5
Wyoming
No. 1 for the past three years, Madeira slips only slightly this year. A strong city school district, a small-town atmosphere and a low crime rate make it an attractive place to live. The city is conveniently accessible to Interstate 71, and although its land area is 90 percent residential, it still has a thriving business district of more than 150 enterprises. The city, which celebrated its centennial in 2010, prides itself on a large number of volunteers who oversee many civic activities. The Madeira Art Fair recently celebrated its 52nd year, and the Madeira Centennial Criterium Bike Race was so successful that it is preparing for its fourth annual race in June.
With a strong school system and stable home sales, Wyoming remains a top suburb. Not only are its city schools ranked No. 1, the system ranks in the 99th percentile across the state of Ohio. And education doesn’t stop at the secondary level: More than 67 percent of residents 25 and older have at least a bachelor’s degree. Recreation also is a high priority, and the city operates a dozen parks and fields. Wyoming officially became a village in 1874 with 600 residents, then a city in 1949 and today has a population of 8,349 in its 2.87 square miles.
6
Springboro
This city of more than 17,000 was founded in 1815 by Jonathan Wright, a Quaker. With many underground springs in the area, the city originally was named the village of Springborough. The Springboro Community City School District is ranked Excellent with Distinction, and the city’s low crime rate and strong housing make it attractive. Springboro was a well-known stop on the Underground Railroad, and its historical society says it had more safe houses than any other place in Ohio. The three-day Christmas Festival is one of the largest holiday festivals in the state.
7
Edgewood, Ky.
ADA KUANG
Stable home prices and low crime make Edgewood an attractive destination. Formed in 1948, the city is the result of many annexations and mergers. The biggest – when Edgewood, Summit Hills Heights and St. Pius Heights voted to join together – led to the new Edgewood on Jan. 1, 1969. The close-knit community offers activities such as a summer concert series, a large community yard sale and Memorial Day events. The Golden Age Social Club caters to those 60 and older.
8
Montgomery
With the highly rated Sycamore Community School District and high median home-sale prices, Montgomery is considered one of Cincinnati’s more affluent bedroom communities. The 5.3-square-mile city of more than 10,000 was settled in 1796, became a village in 1910 and incorporated as a city in 1971. Residents enjoy more than 96 acres of protected green space, including six parks. An Independence Day parade, festival and orchestral concert attract residents from throughout the region.
9
Mason
The 10-year-old Mason Community Center anchors the many activities available to residents, with exercise equipment, fitness studios, competition and leisure pools, a walking track and a 35-foot rock-climbing wall, among other features. The highly ranked Mason City Schools and strong home values also provide residents with a good quality of life. Mason is home to Kings Island amusement park, Great Wolf Lodge and the annual Western & Southern Open tennis tournament.
10
Villa Hills, Ky.
This city of 7,500-plus started as a farming community and now contains mostly residential housing, serving as a bedroom community with quick access to downtown Cincinnati and Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. The city, incorporated in 1962, still has a rural feel, with a low crime rate and River Ridge Elementary School, Villa Madonna Academy and Sisters of St. Walburg Monastery. Residents play sports at the city’s six parks and fields. w w w.
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RATING the BURBS 2013
11
Ross Township
For the fourth consecutive year, Ross Township is our third safest community. The township also benefits from the Ross Local School District, which was ranked Excellent with Distinction in 2011-12. The still mainly rural township, which encompasses 30.1 square miles, was formed in 1803 and was one of the original subdivisions of Butler County. The fire department recently started a Fire Explorer program, giving area youth hands-on training as well as an inside look at the lives of its firefighters and EMS personnel.
13
Liberty Township
Located in the Interstate 75 Corridor, Liberty Township has experienced growth in residents and businesses through the years as the midpoint between Cincinnati (20 miles south) and Dayton (25 miles north). The 29.2-square-mile township has a population of almost 36,000, up 57 percent from 2000. Only about half of the township is developed, with 80 percent of that development being residential. Almost all of the township is served by Lakota Local Schools, an Excellent-with-Distinction district. Liberty has 11 parks that include a number of bike paths, hiking trails and shelters. A huge project—Liberty Town Square, a 64-acre, 1.3 million-square-foot mega-center being dubbed the next Easton, modeled after the outdoor shopping center in Columbus—is on the horizon.
12
Reily Township
Reily Township, with a population of 2,634, is one of the smallest townships in the region. It has five communities, none of which is incorporated. Residents experience rural life, with low crime, high owner-occupancy of its homes (more than 93 percent) and the Excellent-rated Talawanda School District. Home prices have been strong as well, with a median price of $157,500, up 5 percent from five years earlier.
14
Fort Thomas
COURTNEY KRIEG
As its name implies, Fort Thomas has a military history. Named in honor of Civil War Gen. George Henry Thomas, considered among the top Union generals, the city is just minutes from downtown Cincinnati, yet has a forest-like charm with its many trees and old housing stock. The city, incorporated in 1867, maintains 11 parks and fields, giving residents ample recreational opportunities. The Armory gymnasium, the Mess Hall community center and banquet facility, and a Military Museum speak to its military roots. Fort Thomas Independent Schools are among the best in the state of Kentucky.
15
Glendale
Glendale began as one of the earliest planned communities in Ohio. Procter & Gamble executives, along with the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railroad, helped originate the community in 1851, and it became incorporated four years later. The village, with its 2,155 residents, is registered as a National Historic Landmark. Residents enjoy five developed parks located in its 1.69 square miles. Home prices appreciated more than 10 percent
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Many Home Prices Rise in Cincinnati By Bill Ferguson Jr. Cincy Magazine’s “Rating the Burbs” re- Mount Auburn at search project began in 2007, and through least doubled in Home sales in Cincinnati are following the national trend as the median price for houses in many city neighborhoods rose in 2012. the years, has expanded greatly. price during the It originally included 47 neighborhoods five-year period. and 26 school districts; now it emcom- Mount Adams fared the worst, with its Year-over-year prices were down in passes almost 140 Greater Cincinnati median price falling 47% to $345,500 from Mount Adams ($345,500 vs. $363,750), communities and 70 school districts in $646,000 in 2007. Mount Lookout ($317,500 vs. $328,200), the eight-county area. From 2011 to 201 2, med ia n pr ices Oakley ($181,500 vs. $194,500), Paddock The focus is on the suburbs (all areas out- climbed in nine of the $100,000-plus Hills ($139,750 vs. $161,000) and Pleasant side the city of Cincinnati) because, after neighborhoods: California (median price Ridge ($122,000 vs. $130,000). all, that’s where the burbs are located. Most of $197,750 in 2012, up from $83,700 in 2011), There is not limit on the number of sales statistics collected are not broken down to Clifton ($166,000 vs. $125,000), Columbia- in those areas. Five neighborhoods had the neighborhood level in the city. Those Tusculum ($253,500 vs. $230,000), East 15 sales or fewer, which can lead to bigger 52 city neighborhoods are covered by one End ($138,000 vs. $14,300), Hyde Park swings in prices. (East End, for instance, had police department, one city government ($300,000 vs. $286,850), Linwood ($145,000 11 sales in 2012 with a huge price increase.) and, for the most part, Cincinnati Public vs. $67,475), Mount Auburn ($149,000 vs. However, these neighborhoods recorded Schools. $90,000), Mount Washington ($123,000 the highest median prices in in 2012 and Although not all data are available for vs. $121,750) and Walnut Hills ($150,750 can be considered the most-expensive city neighborhoods, median home-sale vs. $144,450). neighborhoods, at least for the year. ■ prices have been collected, t ha n k s to t he Cincinnati Area Board of Realtors. “Rating the Burbs” is one of Cincy and that provides our basis for all Property-tax data was collected For last year’s “RatMagazine’s most popular features communities in Greater Cincinnati. from county auditors, treasurers and ing the Burbs,” the meeach year, providing readers with the Areas with a population of 1,000 or property valuation administrators dian home-sale prices Top 50 Communities, 35 First-Rate more are included, so about 30 villages to compare taxes in each area for a of $100,000 or more was Public School Systems and 50 Safest and towns are eliminated. $100,000 house. Neighborhoods in the eight-county Home-sales data came from the The information from 69 school reported in 11 Cincinnati Greater Cincinnati region. Cincinnati Area Board of Realtors, the districts came from state report cards, neighborhoods in 2011, Th o u s a n d s of d at a p o i nt s a re Northern Kentucky Association of state education department websites down from a dozen the gathered, and then several formulas Realtors and the Southeastern Indiana and school websites, and the districts year before. In 2012, as are used to score them. The starting Board of Realtors. themselves. We weighted variou s housing began to regain point is the U. S. Censu s Bureau’s For crime, the reporting began with categories to score each district, and its footing after the 2008 2007-11 American Community Survey, 2011 statistics from the FBI’s Uniform that provided us with the Top 35 economic crash, 14 neighwhich updated the 2010 decennial Crime Reporting Program, which lists districts. borhoods experienced census for population figures with four categories of property crime N o r at i n g s s y s t e m i s p e r fe c t , median home-sale prices 2011 estimates. The Census provides and four categories of violent crime. but we strive to provide the most of $100,000 or more. data on 270 villages, cities, townships, The 2012 numbers were not available. comprehensive analysis of communities Eight of the 14 neighCensus County Divisions and Census Crime statistics were gathered from and school districts in our area. Designated Places in Boone, Butler, a l l b u t s e ve n co m m u n i t i e s; i f i t – BILL FERGUSON JR. borhoods saw pr ices C a m p b e l l , C l e r m o n t , D e a r b o r n , wasn’t reported, the community was Re se arch by Bill Fergu son Jr. , Cher yl rise from 2007 to 2012. Hamilton, Kenton and Warren counties, eliminated. Ferguson, Alyssa Reck and Lydia Rogers The neighborhoods of California, East End and
How We Rank Best of the Burbs
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RATING the BURBS 2013
THE TOP
50 COMMUNITIES Primary School District(s)
Education Ranking
Homes Sold 2012
Median Home Sale Price 2012
Median Home Sale Price 2007
5-year Change in Median Home Sale Price
% Homes Owner-Occupied
2012 Property Tax on $100,000 Home
Average Commute to Work (in minutes)
TAXES
Safety Ranking
HOUSING
1
TERRACE PARK
2,316
1
Mariemont (also Indian Hill)
2
55
$465,000
$360,000
29.17%
94.74%
$1,659$2,487
22.6
2
MADEIRA
8,685
7
Madeira (also Cincinnati, Indian Hill)
5
146
$221,750
$202,750
9.37%
88.31%
$1,560$2,396
21.5
3
INDIAN HILL
5,769
15
Indian Hill (also Cincinnati, Madeira, Mariemont, Sycamore)
4
86
$930,000
$967,640
-3.89%
97.18%
$1,3632,198
22.3
4
CLEARCREEK TWP. (WARREN)
29,801
10
Springboro (also Lebanon, Wayne)
10
114
$275,450
$264,018
4.33%
90.35%
$1,889$1,921
23.4
5
WYOMING
8,349
45
Wyoming (also Cincinnati, Finneytown, Winton Woods)
1
112
$252,500
$248,400
1.65%
82.94%
$2,230$3,248
20.4
6
SPRINGBORO
17,390
16
Springboro (also Franklin)
10
185
$192,100
$215,000
-10.65%
86.29%
$1,663$1,811
22.5
7
EDGEWOOD, KY.
8,661
29
Kenton County (also ErlangerElsmere Independent)
32
32
$179,000
$180,488
-0.82%
88.47%
$1,239$1,456
20
8
MONTGOMERY
10,170
36
Sycamore
3
130
$264,250
$304,450
-13.20%
86.09%
$1,780
22.6
9
MASON
30,341
32
Mason (also Kings, Lebanon)
6
349
$273,000
$288,450
-5.36%
84.36%
$1,767$2,324
23.7
10 11 12 13 14 15
VILLA HILLS, KY.
7,548
5
Kenton County
32
79
$150,000
$165,000
-9.09%
86.29%
$1,213
22.2
ROSS TWP. (BUTLER)
8,199
3
Ross
16
60
$192,250
$195,258
-1.54%
79.78%
$1,359
26.3
REILY TWP. (BUTLER)
2,634
11
Talawanda
33
20
$157,500
$149,948
5.04%
93.15%
$1,476
29.9
LIBERTY TWP. (BUTLER)
35,911
6
Lakota
13
448
$208,250
$248,000
-16.03%
91.42%
$1,887
25.6
FORT THOMAS, KY.
16,258
41
Fort Thomas Independent
9
191
$155,500
$164,900
-5.70%
69.80%
$1,704
19.2
GLENDALE
2,155
24
Princeton
51
30
$209,500
$190,000
10.26%
84.48%
$2,309
20.2
16
HARRISON TWP. (HAMILTON)
13,661
9
Southwest
36
16
$218,500
$200,000
9.25%
82.04%
$1,412
25.9
17
CRESTVIEW HILLS, KY.
3,125
62
Kenton County
32
32
$175,250
$131,900
32.87%
76.08%
$1,153
18.3
18
FORT MITCHELL, KY.
8,202
54
Beechwood Independent (also Kenton County)
7
58
$219,000
$185,000
18.38%
55.51%
$1,144$1,373
18.1
19
ANDERSON TWP. (HAMILTON)
43,182
55
Forest Hills (also Cincinnati)
8
533
$192,000
$222,375
-13.66%
88.70%
$2,054$2,312
24
20
MARIEMONT
3,375
39
Mariemont (also Cincinnati)
2
56
$291,250
$307,500
-5.28%
62.72%
$2,138$2,354
21.1
21
MORGAN TWP. (BUTLER)
5,519
4
Ross (also Southwest)
16
39
$188,500
$228,000
-17.32%
93.25%
$1,311$1,374
32
22
HARLAN TWP. (WARREN)
4,672
38
Little Miami (also Blanchester, Clinton-Massie, Goshen)
30
45
$153,000
$154,900
-1.23%
92.37%
$1,289$2,044
31
23
COLD SPRING, KY.
5,659
66
Campbell County
22
114
$131,000
$152,500
-14.10%
90.11%
$1,281
20.8
24
BLUE ASH
12,070
67
Sycamore (also Princeton)
3
108
$177,500
$180,500
-1.66%
68.15%
$1,623$1,751
20.4
COMMUNITIES
46
EDUCATION
2011 Population
SAFETY
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THE TOP 50 COMMUNITIES Education Ranking
Homes Sold 2012
Median Home Sale Price 2012
Median Home Sale Price 2007
5-year Change in Median Home Sale Price
% Homes Owner-Occupied
2012 Property Tax on $100,000 Home
Average Commute to Work (in minutes)
TAXES
Primary School District(s)
HOUSING
Safety Ranking
EDUCATION
2011 Population
SAFETY
25
LOVELAND
12,097
31
Loveland (also Little Miami, Sycamore)
15
148
$170,750
$202,000
-15.47%
80.62%
$1,832$2,478
23.1
26
OXFORD TWP. (BUTLER)
23,885
2
Talawanda (also College Corner)
33
21
$175,000
$168,500
3.86%
40.44%
$1,275$1,445
14.7
27
NEWTOWN
2,641
18
Forest Hills
8
31
$107,000
$129,225
-17.20%
74.34%
$2,090$2,323
22.8
28
MADISON TWP. (BUTLER)
8,503
26
Madison (also Edgewood)
50
83
$107,000
$115,900
-7.68%
90.77%
$1,605$1,694
22.7
29
HAMILTON TWP. (WARREN)
22,460
12
Little Miami (also Goshen, Kings, Loveland)
30
374
$160,950
$188,190
-14.47%
89.83%
$1,556$2,159
27.7
30
DEERFIELD TWP. (WARREN)
35,635
52
Kings, Mason (also Princeton)
9
411
$219,500
$236,000
-6.99%
73.50%
$1,888$2,184
22.9
31
WEST CHESTER TWP. (BUTLER)
60,624
65
Lakota (also Mason, Princeton)
13
553
$199,200
$224,250
-11.17%
78.85%
$1,956$2,252
22.2
32
WAYNE TWP. (WARREN)
8,215
14
Wayne (also Bellbrook-Sugarcreek, Clinton-Massie, Lebanon, Xenia)
14
43
$152,900
$188,500
-18.89%
84.22%
$1,304$1,835
26.4
33
ALEXANDRIA, KY.
8,420
58
Campbell County
22
152
$135,000
$152,500
-11.48%
88.28%
$1,291
24.6
34
HANOVER TWP. (BUTLER)
8,314
20
Talawanda (also Edgewood, Hamilton, Ross)
33
77
$125,500
$150,000
-16.33%
94.96%
$1,299$1,630
26.4
35
LAKESIDE PARK, KY.
2,683
49
Kenton County (also Beechwood Independent)
32
34
$162,500
$135,000
20.37%
64.49%
$1,313$1,542
20.2
36
UNION, KY.
5,217
94
Boone County
21
348
$230,000
$238,590
-3.60%
92.09%
$1,071$1,287
24.9
37
CARLISLE
4,915
48
Carlisle (also Franklin)
29
35
$110,000
$116,000
-5.17%
84.86%
38
MIAMI TWP. (CLERMONT)
40,652
47
Milford (also Clermont Northeastern, Goshen, Loveland)
18
529
$193,000
$225,000
-14.22%
85.56%
$1,610$2,195
25.5
39
EVENDALE
2,783
116
Princeton (also Lockland, Reading, Sycamore)
51
27
$275,000
$248,500
10.66%
95.96%
$1,530$1,706
19.5
40
DEER PARK
5,736
23
Deer Park
43
99
$107,000
$122,000
-12.30%
72.61%
$2,211
18.9
41
SYMMES TWP. (HAMILTON)
14,569
73
Indian Hill, Loveland, Sycamore
7
143
$284,000
$301,500
-5.80%
69.19%
$1,639$2,214
22.4
42
FAIRFAX
1,729
128
Mariemont (also Cincinnati)
2
21
$106,000
$105,100
0.86%
73.46%
$2,338$2,554
21.4
43
INDEPENDENCE, KY.
23,764
40
Kenton County
32
454
$140,600
$155,750
-9.73%
82.48%
$1,431
25.6
44
HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE, IND.
4,917
30
Sunman-Dearborn (also Lawrenceburg)
25
76
$150,450
$195,900
-23.20%
99.32%
$1,166$1,955
31.9
45
STONELICK TWP. (CLERMONT)
5,922
63
Clermont Northeastern
40
48
$123,750
$116,500
6.22%
85.15%
$1,434
26.7
46
SALEM TWP. (WARREN)
4,453
46
Little Miami (also Lebanon)
30
32
$150,950
$144,000
4.83%
78.03%
$1,883$2,171
32.7
47
MILFORD TWP. (BUTLER)
3,533
8
Talawanda (also Edgewood)
33
21
$122,900
$168,500
-27.06%
93.81%
$1,451$1,685
29.5
48
AMBERLEY VILLAGE
3,549
25
Cincinnati
65
40
$227,000
$285,000
-20.35%
97.23%
$2,441
19.4
49
TAYLOR MILL, KY.
6,648
44
Kenton County
32
175
$114,000
$132,700
-14.09%
76.44%
$1,359$1,544
21.6
50
PIERCE TWP. (CLERMONT)
14,236
34
New Richmond (also West Clermont)
24
117
$185,000
$210,450
-12.09%
78.55%
$1,561$1,969
28.3
COMMUNITIES
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$1,294$1,586
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RATING the BURBS 2013
EDUCATION
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13.23
% Gifted
Excellent With Distinction
% Disadvantaged
$12,189
% of Teachers with Master's
5
Teacher/Pupil Ratio
1,919
State Rating
WYOMING MARIEMONT SYCAMORE INDIAN HILL MADEIRA MASON BEECHWOOD INDEPENDENT, KY. FOREST HILLS FORT THOMAS INDEPENDENT, KY. SPRINGBORO COMMUNITY CITY BELLBROOK-SUGARCREEK KINGS LAKOTA WAYNE LOVELAND ROSS WALTON-VERONA, KY. MILFORD GOSHEN BETHEL-TATE BOONE COUNTY, KY. CAMPBELL COUNTY, KY. LEBANON NEW RICHMOND EXEMPTED VILLAGE SUNMAN-DEARBORN, IND. READING MONROE OAK HILLS CARLISLE LITTLE MIAMI BLANCHESTER KENTON COUNTY, KY. TALAWANDA CLINTON-MASSIE THREE RIVERS
Per-Pupil Spending
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35
Schools
DISTRICTS
Enrollment
PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEMS 73.7
6
46.9
1,605
4
$12,362
Excellent
14.72
86.6
3.7
32.8
5,206
7
$14,398
Excellent With Distinction
14.87
85.5
16.7
41.3
2,014
4
$15,740
Excellent
13.61
65.7
5.3
54
1,382
3
$11,683
Excellent
13.96
67
7.5
29.9
10,495
5
$10,412
Excellent
17.64
77.9
7
38.5
1,180
2
$8,807
Distinguished/District of Distinction
15.53
54.5
13.1
17
7,264
9
$10,209
Excellent with Distinction
17.38
78.2
12.2
28.7
2,723
5
$9,956
Distinguished/District of Distinction
16.50
62.8
16.4
20
5,530
6
$7,812
Excellent With Distinction
18.94
74.1
4
44.1
2,587
4
$10,140
Excellent
19.60
75
17
22.9
3,974
6
$10,233
Excellent
17.28
69
18.9
14.1
16,744
15
$8,618
Excellent With Distinction
17.98
77
17.3
32.9
1,475
3
$8,225
Excellent With Distinction
17.77
65.8
20.9
23.5
4,517
6
$9,843
Excellent
18.90
82.9
16
22.7
2,773
4
$8,451
Excellent With Distinction
19.39
68.5
28.2
11.6
1,522
3
$9,672
Distinguished/District of Distinction
15.85
44.7
32.7
6
6,215
8
$9,332
Excellent
18.33
81.3
24.3
29.1
2,615
4
$9,695
Excellent
17.09
70.9
54.2
18
1,831
4
$7,301
Excellent With Distinction
16.20
74.1
45.9
18.1
19,144
22
$7,955
Proficient
15.64
59.4
31.1
6
4,808
7
$10,335
Proficient
14.79
53.4
41.3
13
5,442
6
$7,983
Excellent With Distinction
20.38
68
25.9
14
2,354
5
$10,437
Excellent
15.80
83.9
46.4
18.5
4,125
6
$11,400
Exemplary (A)
20.32
68
23.5
17
1,611
4
$9,115
Excellent With Distinction
16.11
81.9
46.4
12.1
2,339
4
$8,558
Excellent
18.27
63
26.9
11.2
7,712
9
$9,166
Excellent
16.48
68.8
8.7
20.6
1,653
4
$9,865
Excellent
14.37
71.8
35.1
19
3,606
4
$8,356
Effective
17.94
68.7
20.4
25.4
1,770
4
$7,863
Excellent With Distinction
19.03
60.3
46.8
10.7
14,122
18
$9,572
Proficient
16.27
53.1
34.7
17
3,058
5
$10,792
Excellent
15.52
63.1
32.6
23.1
1,823
3
$8,768
Excellent
17.53
60.6
29.1
16.4
1,849
4
$10,901
Excellent With Distinction
16.96
58.4
36.7
20.5
* About academic ratings: Ohio and Kentucky use an index to rank their schools, but the indexes are weighted differently, so the states’ scores do not compare directly. Kentucky uses 100 as a top score; Ohio uses 120. Indiana no longer issues an academic rating. ** About SAT averages: The first number is two sections (Math, Reading), and the second number adds the Writing score. The state of Ohio reports Math and Reading, when available; Indiana reports all three; most Kentucky students take the ACT but not the SAT, and the state does not report SAT scores. We used available state scores, except when districts in all three states reported two and/or three sections to us. maga zine.com
2012 BLUE RIBBON SCHOOLS
A+
Founded in 1982, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors public and private elementary, middle and high schools throughout the nation that are either academically superior or that demonstrate dramatic gains in student achievement. In 2012, 264 public and 50 private schools nationwide were honored. In addition, these schools serve as models for other schools throughout the US. Locally, two schools – both private – were selected:
Information for the education chart was collected from a variety of sources, including Ohio 2011-12 Local Report Cards, Kentucky 2011-12 School Report Cards, Indiana’s Compass school-reporting system, school district websites and calls to the school districts themselves. We also searched for data on the websites of all three state departments of education. N/A means the data were not available or not applicable. For academic ratings, Ohio uses 120 as a top score, and Kentucky uses 100; Indiana no longer issues an academic rating.
• Notre Dame Academy, 1699 Hilton Drive, Park Hills, Ky. • St. Henry District High School, 3755 Scheben Drive, Erlanger, Ky.
State Measures Met
Academic Rating*
Attendance Rate (%)
Graduation Rate (%)
Average SAT Score
Average ACT Score
# of AP Classes**
# of Graduates Participating in an AP Test**
% AP Test Takers Scoring 3 or above**
# of Extracurriculars***
# of Sports***
Source: U.S. Department of Education
26 out of 26
112.4
96.6
96.7
1150/NA
26.1
34
296
85.1
40
15
26 out of 26
109.1
95.9
96.9
1154/1719
25
14
140
92.9
30
15
26 out of 26
109.6
96.5
94.6
1146/1688
25
36
427
90.2
34
20
26 out of 26
111.1
95.9
97.6
1171/1741
26
28
310
87.4
31
15
26 out of 26
111.6
96.6
96.5
1084/1930
24
12
178
78.7
16
13
26 out of 26
110.3
97.1
95.4
1136/1672
25
30
619
90.1
67
18
N/A
76.2
96.7
100
1311/1963
25.6
14
54
53.0
39
12
26 out of 26
108
96.9
93.6
1104/1634
24
36
430
86.7
88
18
N/A
75.5
97
89.7
1179/1740
23.8
25
112
69.6
50+
19
26 out of 26
107.2
97
96.2
1162/1726
24
16
121
76.9
70
15
26 out of 26
107.2
96.1
98.5
1148/NA
25
15
124
91.1
41
14
26 out of 26
106.8
96
96.6
1177/1729
24
10
232
74.1
41
18
26 out of 26
106.1
97.6
92.4
1092/NA
24
43
616
86
55
20
26 out of 26
106
96.2
98.3
NA/NA
22
11
55
83.6
11
13
26 out of 26
104.9
95.8
93.1
1157/1700
24
14
235
84.7
79
16
26 out of 26
106.3
96.3
97.2
1113/NA
22
8
87
86.2
21
15
N/A
66.7
96.3
92.9
NA/NA
21.4
3
25
76
21
13
26 out of 26
105.1
95.4
91.6
NA/NA
23
22
277
78.7
41
18
26 out of 26
103.9
95.1
91.1
NA/NA
21
7
62
27.4
17
13
25 out of 26
102.1
95
95.5
NA/NA
23
4
59
32.2
12
14
N/A
63
96
80.3
NA/NA
20.9
65
N/A
N/A
57
17
N/A
61.4
95.7
82.3
NA/NA
20.6
16
157
43.0
52
14
26 out of 26
103.2
95.9
96.5
1158/1715
23
7
208
67.3
31
15
25 out of 26
101.5
95.3
87.3
NA/NA
22
7
50
66
17
13
N/A
N/A
95.7
88.7
984/1440
22
14
123
41.8
32
12
25 out of 26
101.9
94.5
80.2
1010/1663
22
8
28
64.3
15
16
26 out of 26
102.7
96
95
1014/1487
21
4
78
37.2
12
13
26 out of 26
101.6
95.2
93.4
1039/1524
22.1
39
747
56.6
85
18
25 out of 26
101.1
95.3
93
NA/NA
20
6
21
57.1
19
13
25 out of 26
101.6
95.9
96.3
1110/NA
23
13
128
62.5
4
14
26 out of 26
103.2
95.2
90.7
NA/NA
20
2
19
15.8
10
12
N/A
59.7
95.7
80
NA/NA
19.9
34
N/A
N/A
86
16
25 out of 26
100.7
95.6
96.9
1168/1684
23
6
60
60
30
15
26 out of 26
101.9
95.8
92.1
1108/1633
21.4
N/A
55
32.7
26
14
25 out of 26
101.4
95.1
92.7
1102/NA
23
10
57
82.5
12
14
*** About Advanced Placement: Some schools have quit offering AP classes, replacing them with Post Secondary Enrollment Option classes within their schools. ****About extracurriculars and sports: Each sport is counted once for each district. For instance, boys and girls basketball counts as one sport. Boys baseball and girls softball count as two sports. Some schools list activities such as Academic Team and Chess as sports; others list them as an extracurricular activities. This chart follows the preference of the school district in classifying those activities. If districts failed to respond, we checked their websites to update the numbers, and if numbers were unavailable there, we used the previous year’s numbers for extracurriculars and sports. w w w. m a g a z i n e . c o m : : J U N E /J U LY 2 0 1 3
49
RATING the BURBS 2013
CRIME
SAFEST NEIGHBORHOODS Burglary
Larceny/Theft
Motor Vehicle Theft
Arson
Property Crime/1,000 population
Murder and Nonnegligent Manslaughter
Forcible Rape
Robbery
Aggravated Assault
Violent Crime/1,000 population
1
TERRACE PARK
2,316
0
0
0
0
0.00
0
0
0
0
0.00
2
OXFORD TWP. (BUTLER)
23,885
1
10
0
0
0.46
0
0
0
1
0.04
3
ROSS TWP. (BUTLER)
8,199
4
22
0
0
3.17
0
0
0
2
0.24
4
MORGAN TWP. (BUTLER)
5,519
5
11
0
0
2.90
0
0
0
2
0.36
5
VILLA HILLS, KY.
7,548
6
17
5
0
3.71
0
0
0
0
0.00
6
LIBERTY TWP. (BUTLER)
35,911
11
80
2
3
2.67
0
1
3
34
1.06
7
MADEIRA
8,685
4
47
0
0
5.87
0
1
0
0
0.12
8
MILFORD TWP. (BUTLER)
3,533
4
13
1
0
5.09
0
0
0
0
0.00
9
HARRISON TWP. (HAMILTON)
13,661
17
30
4
1
3.81
0
2
0
1
0.22
10
CLEARCREEK TWP. (WARREN)
29,801
40
111
5
1
5.27
0
0
0
2
0.07
11
REILY TWP. (BUTLER)
2,634
3
7
2
1
4.94
0
0
0
2
0.76
12
HAMILTON TWP. (WARREN)
22,460
26
173
2
0
8.95
0
1
0
2
0.13
13
WAYNE TWP. (BUTLER)
4,444
11
16
1
0
6.30
0
0
0
1
0.23
14
WAYNE TWP. (WARREN)
8,215
21
41
0
0
7.55
0
0
0
2
0.24
15
INDIAN HILL
5,769
10
45
1
0
9.71
0
0
0
0
0.00
16
SPRINGBORO
17,390
32
126
3
1
9.32
0
0
1
9
0.58
17
FRANKLIN TWP. (WARREN)
30,605
66
173
0
0
7.81
0
4
1
24
0.95
18
NEWTOWN
2,641
6
24
0
0
11.36
0
0
0
0
0.00
19
AMELIA
5,020
4
62
1
1
13.55
0
0
0
0
0.00
20
HANOVER TWP. (BUTLER)
8,314
23
33
2
6.98
0
0
1
10
1.32
21
GREENHILLS
3,645
7
29
1
0
10.15
0
0
1
2
0.82
22
BLANCHESTER
4,172
9
45
1
0
13.18
0
0
0
0
0.00
23
DEER PARK
5,736
14
43
1
0
10.11
0
0
2
3
0.87
24
GLENDALE
2,155
8
17
0
0
11.60
0
0
0
0
0.00
COMMUNITIES (2011 Statistics)
50
VIOLENT CRIME
2011 Population
PROPERTY CRIME
J U N E /J U LY 2 0 1 3 : : w w w.
maga zine.com
SAFEST NEIGHBORHOODS
Burglary
Larceny/Theft
Motor Vehicle Theft
Arson
Property Crime/1,000 population
Murder and Nonnegligent Manslaughter
Forcible Rape
Robbery
Aggravated Assault
Violent Crime/1,000 population
VIOLENT CRIME
2011 Population
PROPERTY CRIME
25
AMBERLEY VILLAGE
3,549
7
38
2
0
13.24
0
0
0
1
0.28
26
MADISON TWP. (BUTLER)
8,503
21
41
0
0
7.29
0
2
0
15
2.00
27
TURTLECREEK TWP. (WARREN)
15,069
51
92
0
0
9.49
0
0
0
15
1.00
28
ST. CLAIR TWP. (BUTLER)
6,981
11
41
0
1
7.59
1
0
0
17
2.58
29
EDGEWOOD, KY.
8,661
17
103
3
1
14.32
0
0
0
1
0.12
30
HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE, IND.
4,917
7
49
0
1
11.59
0
0
0
8
1.63
31
LOVELAND
12,097
24
124
7
0
12.81
0
1
2
2
0.41
32
MASON
30,341
54
377
10
1
14.57
0
2
1
7
0.33
33
UNION TWP. (WARREN)
4,764
20
25
0
1
9.66
0
0
0
3
0.63
34
PIERCE TWP. (CLERMONT)
14,236
46
130
5
0
12.71
0
1
3
1
0.35
35
WASHINGTON TWP. (WARREN)
2,510
9
14
0
0
9.16
0
0
0
5
1.99
36
MONTGOMERY
10,170
18
154
4
2
17.50
0
0
1
0
0.10
37
MIAMI TWP. (HAMILTON)
15,413
54
142
9
0
13.30
0
3
0
0
0.19
38
HARLAN TWP. (WARREN)
4,672
23
32
0
0
11.77
0
0
0
4
0.86
39
MARIEMONT
3,375
0
74
0
0
21.93
1
0
0
0
0.30
40
INDEPENDENCE, KY.
23,764
95
189
15
0
12.58
0
4
5
9
0.76
41
FORT THOMAS, KY.
16,258
50
169
23
0
14.88
0
1
4
2
0.43
42
LEMON TWP. (BUTLER)
13,360
33
160
8
0
15.04
0
2
1
16
1.42
43
DELHI TWP. (HAMILTON)
29,369
103
365
11
0
16.31
0
3
5
6
0.48
44
TAYLOR MILL, KY.
6,648
27
73
4
1
15.79
0
1
2
1
0.60
45
WYOMING
8,349
32
122
0
0
18.45
0
0
5
0
0.60
46
SALEM TWP. (WARREN)
4,453
20
47
0
1
15.27
0
0
0
7
1.57
47
MIAMI TWP. (CLERMONT)
40,652
101
771
12
6
21.89
0
0
9
13
0.54
48
CARLISLE
4,915
18
79
2
0
20.14
0
0
1
2
0.61
49
LAKESIDE PARK, KY. / CRESTVIEW HILLS
2,683
9
37
3
0
18.26
0
1
0
1
0.75
50
LEBANON
20,054
51
277
5
3
16.75
1
12
8
15
1.80
COMMUNITIES (2011 Statistics)
Sources: FBI Uniform Crime Report, Ohio Department of Public Safety, county sheriffs, local police departments w w w.
m a g a z i n e . c o m : : J U N E /J U LY 2 0 1 3
51
RATING the BURBS 2013
Terrace Park Takes Top Spot W
hen Mark Porst and his wife were looking for a place to l ive when t he y moved to Cincinnati 20 years ago, they came upon Terrace Park. The Procter & Gamble executive “did some investigating and some riding around when my wife and I had little tiny babies, and we said, ‘This seems like a great place to raise kids,’ ” says Porst, who has served on village council for 12 years. “You see people riding bikes and walking all the time, and it’s a very, very friendly community.” Ogle Annett couldn’t agree more. She and her husband, Edward, moved to Terrace Park in 1978. “Terrace Park has the feel of a New England community,” says Annett, a Coldwell Banker West Shell real estate agent for 27 years. “You can find a two-bedroom house next to a five-bedroom house, and that makes it quaint and charming. My husband grew up there, and he wanted to move back so that our two boys could grow up there. We have a lot of grandparents who end up moving here (from other states) to be closer to their grandchildren.” The village of 2,316 residents is this year’s
top-ranked Greater Cincinnati suburb in the seventh annual Rat ing t he Burbs project, ending a three-year run by Madeira at No. 1, which fell to No. 2. The ratings are based on statistics in areas such as crime, education, commuteto-work times and housing. A small rise or drop in crime or an increase or decline in the performance of a school system can mean the difference in making the of Top 50 communities, Top 35 Public School Systems or 50 Safest Communities—or falling short. This year, there are 10 communities that weren’t on the 2012 list. After a year off the list, two Butler County townships returned (No. 11 Ross and No. 12 Reily) as well as two Warren County townships (No. 22 Harlan and No. 46 Salem). No. 24 Blue Ash and No. 49 Taylor Mill, Ky., also return after a year’s absence. Also new to the Top 50: Harrison Township in Hamilton County at No. 16, Carlisle at 37, Fairfax at 42 and Clermont County’s Pierce Township at 50. Springboro, Edgewood, Ky., and Montgomery all moved into the Top 10 from lower rankings in 2012, displacing Homes Sold Median Home Amberley Village, 2011 Sale Price 2011 Evendale and Fort 86 $930,000 Thomas, Ky., all of 55 $465,000 which remain in the Top 50. 56 $291,250 Terrace Park’s 143 $284,000 showing was the result of strength 114 $275,450 across the board. 27 $275,000 For e x a mple, it 349 $273,000 ranked first in s a f e t y, w it h no 130 $264,250 incidents of what 112 $252,500 the FBI calls Part I 348 $230,000 Offenses (murder and non-negligent Source: Cincinnati Board of Realtors m a n s l a u g h t e r,
HIGHEST PRICED HOMES IN THE BURBS Rank
52
Highest-Priced Home Prices in the Burbs
1
INDIAN HILL
2
TERRACE PARK
3
MARIEMONT
4
SYMMES TWP. (HAMILTON)
5
CLEARCREEK TWP. (WARREN)
6
EVENDALE
7
MASON
8
MONTGOMERY
9
WYOMING
10
UNION, KY.
J U N E /J U LY 2 0 1 3 : : w w w.
maga zine.com
ELLIE POHLMAN
By Bill Ferguson Jr.
forcible rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft and arson). The average tenure of a fulltime Terrace Park police officer is more than 15 years, Mayor Jay Gohman says, and “they take the idea of community policing very seriously. They are an integral part of school events, community celebrations and day-to-day life.” Terrace Park’s school system (almost all of the village is part of Mariemont City Schools) ranked No. 2. The median homesale price of $465,000 last year was up 29% compared with 2007, at a time when only 19 communities saw prices rise in the fiveyear period. “We’re resource-rich, with a state-of-theart elementary school,” Porst says, noting that Terrace Park Elementary underwent a major renovation that was finished before the current school year. “Most kids walk or bike to school. Our commitment to education and the schools is a distinguishing characteristic of Terrace Park.” Gohman also points to volunteerism as a key attribute, including a garden club that beautifies public property and a historical society that catalogs the village’s history, “all at no cost to taxpayers.” The fire department and EMS squad are made up of volunteers, one of the last of its kind among villages and cities in Hamilton County. Annett says people take turns serving on the fire department and life squad because “a lot of people feel that giving back is part of being in the community.” She served for five years on the life squad, and her husband was a volunteer firefighter. ■