Licking County, Ohio
Just outside Columbus, Ohio, you’ll find Licking County, home to nearly 180,000 residents, offering small-town charm with big-city amenities just a short drive away. Considering a move to Licking County, Ohio? You’ve come to the right place! Read on to learn move about working and living in Licking County, Ohio.
Where Is Licking County, Ohio?
Licking County is slightly east of Columbus, right in the Middle of Ohio. It’s roughly 40 miles from the heart of downtown Columbus to the center of Newark, OH, the largest city in the county, which serves as its county seat. It takes roughly 45 minutes to drive from Columbus to Newark — and that’s another tip for Midwest newbies: When there are no hours-long traffic jams, you measure travel distances in minutes rather than miles.
Can I Fly to Licking County?
Yes, you can! The most popular hub is at the John Glenn Columbus International Airport, situated on the east side of Columbus, hosting 11 airlines. Smaller airports within (or close to) Licking County include Buckeye Executive Airport, Hillcrest Airport, Kearns Airport, Licking Memorial Hospital Heliport, McKnight Airport, Newark-Heath Airport, Planevue Airport and Stoney Creek Farm.
Major Destinations in Licking County, Ohio
Licking County is named for the Licking River and its surrounding salt licks that drew migrating herds — and later people — to the region. Licking County encompasses 42 towns as well as 25 townships, which allow residents and businesses too far from city limits to establish and maintain their own roads, schools, emergency services, economic development structures and other governmental infrastructure.
The five most populated communities in Licking County are Newark, New Albany, Pataskala, Reynoldsburg and Heath. Ahead, learn more about each of these cities and what they have to offer visitors and residents.
Licking County Has a Growing Economy
Many well-known businesses are headquartered in Licking County, including Abercrombie & Fitch, Bath & Body Works Inc., Park National Bank and Englefield Oil. Other major employers in the area include Amazon, Kroger and Owens Corning.
Licking County is a major hub for warehousing and logistics, with facilities for retailers including Amazon and Kohl’s.
Licking County also is a magnet for the colocation industry, with a rapidly expanding roster of data centers for companies including Facebook, Google and Amazon. Google is expanding its three data centers in the region and Microsoft recently pledged an initial $1 billion investment to build three data centers in Licking County — one each in New Albany, Heath and Hebron. In addition, Amazon recently announced plans to build five new data centers in New Albany near the location Intel is investing $20 billion in a new semiconductor manufacturing facility expected to create more than 3,000 jobs. Facility construction is expected to be completed in 2026 with chip fabrication coming online by 2028.
What Is Licking County, Ohio Known For?
This region is home to some of the largest and best-preserved earthworks in the world. The indigenous Hopewell Culture constructed huge mounds of earth between 100 BCE and 400 CE that were used for ceremony, social gathering, trade, worship and honoring the dead. Licking County is home to three of these structures: The Great Circle, The Wright Square and The Octagon. The Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2023, helping to ensure their preservation and study.
Read on to learn more about the five largest cities in Licking County and what each community has to offer.
Newark, Ohio
Situated along the Licking River, this city of about 50,000 residents once supported the Ohio-Erie Canal, a massive infrastructure project that connected Lake Erie to the Ohio River in the 1820s until railroads dominated transit. Plentiful in resources like silica, iron, oil and glass, Newark attracted early manufacturers like Holophane, Heisey and Owens Corning Fiberglass. These resources continue to drive jobs to Licking County today, including the new Intel semiconductor manufacturing facility coming in 2025.
Recreation is a common answer when looking for things to do in Licking County. Popular outdoor and nature-based attractions in and around Newark include the 4-mile Blackhand Gorge State Nature Preserve, Flint Ridge Ancient Quarries and Nature Preserve and the Dawes Arboretum. The arboretum encompasses about 2,000 acres and features 12 miles of hiking trails, connecting visitors with 16,000 varieties of plants. There’s also the Trout Club Public Resort with an 18-hole golf course.
Museum lovers will want to check out several attractions in Newark. Families won’t want to skip The Works: Ohio Center for History, Art & Technology. This interactive museum offers hands-on discovery featuring science labs, hot glass blowing demonstrations, a planetarium and activities showcasing local art and history. Take a step back in time at the Webb House Museum. This Craftsman-style home constructed in 1907 was once the residence of prominent Newark socialites Frank Camden Webb and Shirley Park Pitser. A list of things to do in Newark, Ohio, isn’t complete without a trip to the National Heisey Glass Museum, dedicated to the products made in Newark at the historical A. H. Heisey & Company, which was in operation from 1896-1957.
Newark offers plenty of dining options, and among its most popular restaurants include Elliot’s Wood-Fired Kitchen & Tap, Cherry Valley Lodge, Baba’s Grill, Bummie’s on Main, and Buckeye Winery. Pizza enthusiasts have many options in Newark, including Don & Sue’s, Pizza Cottage, and Christy’s.
Explore more things to do in Newark, Ohio.
New Albany , Ohio
This growing Columbus suburb is only about 15 miles from the state capitol. Founded in 1837, New Albany splits the Licking-Franklin county line. One of the largest employers in the area is mall-staple clothing brand Abercrombie & Fitch.
Arts and culture play a huge role when looking for things to do in New Albany. The city boasts its own symphony orchestra and ballet company. One of the newer cultural assets is the McCoy Center for the Arts, founded in 2008 through a unique partnership between the City of New Albany, Plain Township, New Albany-Plain Local School District and the New Albany Community Foundation. The Center hosts dozens of visual galleries and performing arts events each year.
Golf is a popular recreational activity in New Albany. The two most popular golf courses in the city are the New Albany Links Golf Course and the 27-hole, Jack Nicklaus-designed New Albany Country Club.
Looking for restaurants in New Albany? Some of the most popular spots include Hudson 29 Kitchen + Drink, Rusty Bucket, Eagles Villa Pizza, Blue Agave, and The Goat. The Barn at Rocky Fork Creek receives honorable mention since the restaurant is situated just outside New Albany.
Check out these other great restaurants in New Albany, Ohio.
Pataskala, Ohio
In southwestern Licking County, this city of about 18,000 residents is roughly 20 miles from downtown Columbus, Ohio. Pataskala’s location along the south fork of the Licking River gives the city ample areas for parks and recreational amenities. The 78-acre Thomas J. Evans Foundation Park is the largest, offering a 1.4 mile trail. Municipal Park is more developed with athletic fields and a city pool situated on its 15 acres.
History buffs will want to check out the 11 properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Pataskala. Among them is Pataskala Town Hall, built in 1916, now the home of the Sterling Theater, located on the top floor. The Mead-Needham Museum invites guests to browse artifacts, photos and other memorabilia documenting Pataskala’s history.
Hunting is a popular sport in Ohio, particularly in rural areas like Pataskala. The Bullet Ranch, a full-service indoor shooting range and class III firearms dealer, is a hot spot for area hunters to brush up on their skills before hitting the tree stand.
Popular restaurants in Pataskala include Ziggy’s Bar & Grill, Old Towne Cafe and Inn, Rusty’s Wharf, and Nutcracker Family Restaurant.
Explore more things to do in Pataskala, Ohio.
Reynoldsburg, Ohio
Shared by Franklin and Licking counties, Reynoldsburg, Ohio, has a unique claim to fame. In 1879, local resident Alexander Livingston developed the “The Paragon Tomato,” which Livingston described as the first “perfectly and uniformly smooth tomato ever introduced.” This new variety helped launch commercial tomato farming, and to commemorate the occasion, the city of Reynoldsburg hosts the Reynoldsburg Tomato Festival in August. The Reynoldsburg Truro Historical Society maintains the Livingston House and Museum.
Fairs and festivals abound for those looking for things to do in Reynoldsburg. In addition to the Tomato Festival, the city also hosts an artist and makers market, a Halloween festival, a summer concert series, and the Blues and Brews Festival, featuring live music.
When looking for places to eat in Reynoldsburg, be sure to include these on the list: Hickory House Restaurant, Prost Beer and Wine Cafe, and Slab Kitchen at Eastside Brewing Co. Reynoldsburg’s large Southeast Asian population means visitors will have many spots to enjoy Indian cuisine, including Jayaho, Darshan Restaurant & Bar, and Sargam Restaurant & Bar.
Explore more things to do in Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
Heath, Ohio
This Licking County city was founded fairly recently, incorporated as a village in 1952. The Newark Air Force Base was established in Heath after World War II, and the base operated as the United States Air Force Aerospace Guidance and Metrology Center for 35 years. Today, the third-largest city in Licking County is home to the 350-acre Central Ohio Aerospace and Technology Center.
There are plenty of things to do in Heath, including the Taft Reserve South, a 425-acre nature reserve featuring 3+ miles of multi-use trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding. Hoback Park offers five ballfields, a basketball court, picnic areas and a playground on its 20-plus acres. Lavender Ridge Farm, a popular wedding venue in Heath, offers cut-your-own lavender and a shop for farm goods. Arts patrons can attend youth programs at the Hullabaloo Performing Arts Theater, located inside the Indian Mound Mall.
National chains and local eateries comprise the restaurants in Heath, Ohio. Popular destinations include Shade on 30th Street, Kanji Japanese Steakhouse, La Paloma Restaurant, Massey’s Pizza Sports Bar & Wings, and Tlaquepaque Mexican Restaurant.
Quick Facts about Licking County, , Ohio
Map of Licking County, Ohio
Licking County, Ohio: Love Where You Live
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A resident relates what it’s like to live and work in Licking County.
Data used on Livability.com is provided from the most recent release (November 2025) by Applied Geographic Solutions (AGS). Our LivScore is calculated in partnership with AGS. Sales tax sources: Sales Tax Clearinghouse, Tax Foundation, and State Revenue Departments. Local rates are population-weighted to account for municipal variations.
