The leafy Midwest suburb named the hottest ZIP code in the US – and the other surprising markets homebuyers love
A modest Midwestern suburb has been named the nation’s most popular zip code.
Gahanna, a leafy suburb of Columbus, Ohio, has been named the most desirable real estate hotspot for the second year in a row by Realtor.com.
Gahanna, a town of just 35,000 in central Ohio, is attracting home buyers who are making offers at a rapid pace.
The area features affordable homes, with an average asking price of $345,000, and is also within easy reach of the amenities of the large city of Columbus, where several billion-dollar companies, such as Intel and Google, are expanding their operations.
The area also features good schools for young families, plenty of shopping and dining options in a busy city centre, and a friendly neighbourhood community.
Gahanna, a leafy suburb of Columbus, Ohio, has a median asking price of $345,000
The area offers lots of greenery and access to nature
The Vettes, Rods & Classics Car Show in Gahanna is a regular part of the community’s social diary
“ZIP 43230 in Gahanna, Ohio, located in the popular Columbus metropolitan area, is the most popular neighborhood this year. It’s the most popular neighborhood for the second year in a row,” said Hannah Jones, senior economic analyst at Realtor.com.
Gahanna offers a variety of home styles including ranch, colonial, modern and split-level designs, so there is something for every taste.
“Gahanna is so attractive because of the high home prices,” said local realtor Lory Kim.
“The market here has been strong for years, which proves that the area is still attractive,” she explains.
“Gahanna is still very affordable, making it a smart choice for families and anyone looking to invest in a community that has so much to offer.”
Gahanna also draws parallels to Palo Alto, California, with two tech giants settling nearby, prompting 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 range of properties from vast estates to more modest homes
Ballwin, an up-and-coming neighborhood just half an hour from bustling St. Louis, is the second most popular zip code area in the US.
The city is known for its good quality of life, low crime rates and for being an attractive place to raise a family.
The average asking price for a home is $409,000, which is above the national average. However, according to Realtor.com, buyers can find well-maintained homes for around $250,000.
3. Salem, Massachusetts
Picturesque Salem is known as the site of the infamous 17th century witch trials
Salem has a vibrant waterfront and downtown area, as well as a strong sense of community
Salem, known for the infamous witch trials of the 17th century, is one of the oldest cities in the US. It is also now the third most populous zip code area in the US.
The city combines its unique heritage with modern coastal living, hosting events that celebrate both its rich past and its current thriving arts scene.
Salem, with an average asking price of $596,000, has a vibrant waterfront and downtown area, and a strong sense of community.
Other high demand zip codes include Basking Ridge and Mount Laurel in New Jersey. These areas offer easy access to the Jersey shore and are within easy reach of Philadelphia and New York City.
Rochester, New York, the Highland suburb of Chicago, and Macungie, Pennsylvania, also made the top 10.
Realtor.com has ranked the most popular zip codes in the US for 2024
This year’s most popular zip codes include three notable Midwest metro areas, while the Northeast tops the list with seven, including more expensive areas.
Massachusetts has the lion’s share of the most popular ZIP codes, with three. New Jersey claimed two, while New York and Pennsylvania each have one.
According to Realtor.com, the three zip codes in the Midwest have come back into focus.
“This year’s top 10 postcode areas highlight the trends we’ve seen in the housing market over the past year,” Jones said.
“Buyers are focusing on affordable cities in the Midwest and conveniently located cities in the Northeast that offer a combination of value and desirability.”
She added that the southern and western regions were not included in the list as buyer interest has shifted from unaffordable areas or places where prices have risen during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“There has been a significant increase in the supply of homes for sale, particularly in the south, which has reduced buyer demand per home, cooling and slowing the market in the region,” she added.