Powell has experienced explosive growth over the past two decades, taking it from a sleepy community of 400 in the early 1980s to a city of close to 10,000 today.  Settled in 1801 as Middlebury, and incorporated as Powell in 1947, the city encompasses 4.8 square miles and lies 14 miles north of downtown Columbus, at the southern edge of Delaware County.

Residents—largely family-oriented professionals—live in planned, interconnected, upscale neighborhoods with access to parks and bike paths. The combination of residential developments, open spaces, and minimal commercial and industrial development make Powell a highly desirable community in which to live.

Downtown Powell is a charming, historical, shopping village filled with antiques and specialty shops and delightful local restaurants. For those who prefer slightly more active entertainment, the city's parks and recreation department offers a variety of programs at its seven parks, including sports camps and summer youth camps. Residents may also join the Olentangy Swim Association/Powell Pool.

• Alum Creek State Park  With its large reservoir, gently rolling fields and woodlands, and the state's largest inland beach, Alum Creek is a delight to fishermen, boaters and sun-bathers alike.

• Highbanks Metro Park Rich in Native American history, this park that runs alongside the Olentangy River contains two Adena Indian burial mounds and a prehistoric earthwork.

• The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Several municipalities claim this renowned zoo that covers 90 acres and is home to more than 700 wildlife species, but its official address is in Powell.

• The Zoombezi Bay Waterpark, a 22.7 acre park with two state-of-the-art waterslide complexes, a wave pool, and an action river.