A modest Midwestern suburb has been crowned the hottest ZIP code in the country.
Gahanna, a leafy suburb of Columbus, Ohio, has been named the hottest real estate hotspot for the second year in a row by Realtor.com.
Gahanna, a small town of just 35,000 residents in central Ohio, is attracting home buyers who are making offers at a dizzying rate.
The area features affordable housing, with a median list price of $345,000, with good access to the amenities of the greater city of Columbus, where several multi-billion dollar companies, such as Intel and Google, are expanding.
The area also offers good local schools for young families, plenty of shopping and dining options in a busy downtown, and a friendly neighborhood community.
Gahanna, a leafy suburb of Columbus, Ohio, has a median list price of $345,000
The area has numerous green spaces and access to nature.
The Vettes, Rods & Classics Car Show in Gahanna is a staple of the community’s social agenda.
‘Located in the ever-popular Columbus metro area, the 43230 ZIP code in Gahanna, Ohio, is this year’s most desirable home, taking the crown for the second year in a row,’ says Realtor.com Senior Economic Analyst Hannah Jones.
Gahanna features a variety of home styles, including ranch, colonial, contemporary and split-level designs, offering something for every homebuyer’s taste.
“Gahanna is so attractive because of its high home values,” said local real estate agent Lory Kim.
“The market here has remained strong over the years, which is a testament to the area’s enduring appeal,” he explained.
‘Gahanna remains quite affordable, making it a smart choice for families and anyone looking to invest in a community with a lot to offer.’
Gahanna also has parallels to Palo Alto, California, with two tech giants setting up shop nearby, leading experts to wonder if it could become a “new Silicon Valley.”
Google’s data center is just 10 miles away in New Albany, Ohio, and Intel is currently spending $28 billion on new microchip factories spanning nearly 1,000 acres about five miles away in New Albany, according to Realtor.com.
2. Ballwin, Missouri
Ballwin, Missouri is just a half hour from the hustle and bustle of St Louis.
The area offers a variety of properties, from large rural estates to more modest homes.
Ballwin, an up-and-coming neighborhood just a half-hour from bustling St. Louis, ranked second among the most popular ZIP codes in the U.S.
It is best known for its quality of life, low crime rates, and being an attractive place to raise a family.
The median listed home price is $409,000, which is above the national average, but Realtor.com reports that buyers can find well-maintained homes for around $250,000.
3. Salem, Massachusetts
Picturesque Salem is best known as the site of the infamous 17th century witch trials.
Salem has a vibrant waterfront and downtown, as well as a strong sense of community.
Salem, known for the infamous 17th-century witch trials, is one of the oldest cities in the U.S. and has now also been ranked as the third hottest ZIP code in the country.
The city has combined its unique heritage with modern coastal living, offering events that celebrate both its storied past and its thriving arts scene today.
Salem, with a median list price of $596,000, has a vibrant waterfront and downtown, as well as a strong sense of community.
Other high-demand ZIP codes include Basking Ridge and Mount Laurel in New Jersey, which offer good access to the Jersey Shore and are within reasonable driving distance of Philadelphia and New York City.
Rochester, New York, the Chicago suburb of Highland and Macungie, Pennsylvania, also made the top 10.
Realtor.com ranked the most popular US ZIP codes for 2024
This year’s most popular ZIP codes include three notable Midwestern metro areas, while the Northeast leads the list with seven, including higher-tier areas.
Massachusetts has the most warm ZIP codes, with three. New Jersey has two ZIP codes, while New York and Pennsylvania each have one.
All three Midwestern ZIP codes are up from last year, Realtor.com said.
“This year’s top 10 ZIP codes emphasize the trends we’ve seen over the past year in the real estate market,” Jones said.
‘Buyers have focused on well-located, affordable Midwest and Northeast metropolitan areas that offer some combination of value and desirability.’
He added that the southern and western regions are not represented on the list because buyer interest has shifted away from unaffordable areas or places where prices have risen during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The South, in particular, has seen a significant uptick in the inventory of properties for sale, which has reduced buyer demand for property, cooling and slowing the market in the region,” he added.