Crime Scene & Biohazard Cleanup Near West Riverlea Riverlea, OH

Riverlea is a tiny residential village in Franklin County, Ohio, surrounded by the city of Worthington on its north, south, and east sides and bordered on the west by the Olentangy River, across which lies Columbus.

Riverlea was incorporated in 1939, a small community that formed on former farmland in what is now Columbus's northern suburbs.

Together, Riverlea and Worthington form an enclave completely surrounded by the city of Columbus.

The 2020 census counted 599 residents in Riverlea, up from 545 in 2010, continuing a slow rebound from its late-20th-century lows.

In the 2010 census, Riverlea had 545 people in 221 households, with only 236 housing units in the whole village.

Riverlea grew explosively after incorporation, jumping from just 92 residents in 1940 to 324 in 1950 and 625 in 1960 as suburban Columbus spread north.

In 2011, Riverlea and Worthington explored annexing Riverlea into Worthington, but Riverlea voters defeated the annexation and kept their separate village government.

Riverlea covers only about 0.15 square miles, yet the village website notes it sits just a 15-minute drive from the Ohio State University campus and 20 minutes from downtown Columbus.

Riverlea children attend Evening Street Elementary School, Kilbourne Middle School, and Thomas Worthington High School in the Worthington City School District.

The village is a short walk from the shops, restaurants, and village green of downtown Worthington and a short ride from the Olentangy bike trail.