If you have been watching Sunbury, you have probably noticed that it is changing fast. What used to feel like a quieter Delaware County community is now seeing major population growth, new housing, and big infrastructure plans all at once. For buyers, that creates both opportunity and pressure, so it helps to understand what is actually happening before you make a move. Let’s dive in.
Sunbury growth in context
Sunbury’s growth is easy to see in the numbers. According to U.S. Census QuickFacts, the population reached 9,705 in July 2024, up 46.6% from the April 2020 base of 6,618. The city also notes that it passed 5,000 residents in 2020 and officially became a city in 2021.
That pace of change matters if you are buying a home. Fast growth often brings more attention from builders, employers, and public agencies, which can shape pricing, inventory, and daily convenience. In Sunbury, the story is not just about more people arriving. It is also about how the city is trying to support that growth while keeping its historic identity around the town square and the 1868 Town Hall.
Infrastructure is expanding too
One of the clearest signs of long-term growth is the amount of public infrastructure in the pipeline. On the city’s Proposed I-71 Interchange and Sunbury Parkway page, Sunbury says ODOT is advancing a proposed I-71 interchange and Sunbury Parkway to reduce congestion, improve safety, and improve east-west connectivity. The county also held a groundbreaking in July 2025 for the companion interchange, with the first phase expected to connect to Wilson Road south of Tanger Outlets.
The city is also expanding its wastewater plant from 1.125 MGD to 2.0 MGD through December 2027. In addition, the East Granville Street widening project is scheduled to begin in summer 2027 and is expected to include sidewalks or a shared-use path and a new pedestrian bridge to the Ohio & Erie Trail. For buyers, this matters because it suggests the city is planning for additional homes, traffic, and day-to-day use rather than reacting after the fact.
Private investment adds momentum
Sunbury’s growth story is not coming from housing alone. In November 2024, the city approved an incentive for Amazon Data Services to establish a $2 billion data center campus in the city’s new limited industrial business park. Sunbury also says the Sunbury Business and Technology Park spans almost 1,300 acres on the east side of the city for limited industrial use.
For buyers, that kind of private-sector investment can be a signal that growth may continue over time. It does not guarantee what home prices will do next, but it does show that Sunbury is attracting major projects alongside residential development. That usually keeps buyer interest high, especially in communities with access to regional job centers.
What kinds of housing are coming
A big question for buyers is whether Sunbury is adding more of the same or creating more options. Right now, the housing pipeline appears more varied, not just bigger.
Approved and proposed projects include:
- Kintner Crossing: 81 single-family patio homes and 107 townhomes
- Sunbury Commerce Park: 120 multifamily units plus 40,000 square feet of office, retail, service, and restaurant space
- Ravines at Meadow Ridge: 744 residential units and 2 acres of office/commercial use
- Rolling Hills: 150 single-family units
- Magnolia Park: 39 single-family units
- Eagle Creek and Eagle Creek Highlands: 232 single-family homes
That mix matters because it can create more paths into the market. If you want lower-maintenance living, townhomes, patio homes, and multifamily options may offer alternatives to larger detached homes. If you want a traditional single-family home, that inventory is still part of the pipeline too.
More variety does not always mean low prices
Even with more housing types on the way, buyers should not assume Sunbury is becoming a low-cost market. The broader county data point in the opposite direction.
A 2025 draft Delaware County housing plan says 1,376 residential permits were issued countywide in 2025, including 1,009 single-family units and 367 multifamily units. It also says most new multifamily development was concentrated in the City of Sunbury and the City of Delaware. At the same time, the draft notes that housing supply still is not matching the needs of renters, first-time buyers, seniors, and lower-wage workers.
In simple terms, more construction helps, but it may not fully solve affordability challenges. For you as a buyer, that means choice may improve before pricing becomes truly easier.
What Sunbury prices tell buyers
Current market data vary a bit by source, but the overall message is consistent. Sunbury remains a relatively expensive market with limited supply.
According to Redfin’s Sunbury housing market page, the median sale price was $473,000 in February 2026, with 11 homes sold and 130 days on market. The research report also notes Zillow’s average home value at $482,463 as of February 28, 2026, and Columbus REALTORS’ January 2026 local market report showing a median sales price of $486,500, 23 homes for sale, and 2.0 months of inventory.
While those figures are not identical, they place typical pricing in the high $400,000s to low $500,000s. For many buyers, that means Sunbury may fit best as a move-up market or a market for buyers with flexibility on budget. It can still be a strong option, but it may not feel like a bargain compared with what people expect from an outer-ring suburb.
County trends matter too
Sunbury does not exist in a vacuum. A Delaware County housing report published in 2025 found that the county’s average sale price reached $568,133 in the first half of 2025, up 7.7% year over year. The same report says days on market rose from 28 to 33 and total sales dipped slightly, while demand remained strong and affordability stayed under pressure.
That broader backdrop reinforces what many buyers already feel on the ground. Even as the market shifts from the most frenzied conditions of recent years, quality homes in desirable Delaware County locations can still command strong prices. In Sunbury, growth has expanded interest, but affordability remains a real part of the conversation.
Why buyers are still drawn to Sunbury
Price is only one part of the decision. Sunbury appeals to many buyers because it combines growth with an established community feel.
The city describes a traditional New England-style square with businesses, restaurants, and offices around Town Hall, along with events like the farmers market, Movie on the Square, Sunbury Sizzle & Sounds, and Christmas on the Square on its community information pages. The parks system includes Evening Street Park, Freedom Park, J.R. Smith Park, The Park at General Rosecrans, the Reservoirs, Town Square, Old Church Park, and the Ohio to Erie Trail.
For many buyers, that balance is the draw. You get a community that is growing, but you also get places and events that help it feel connected and usable in daily life.
Commute and daily life factors
Location also plays a practical role in Sunbury’s popularity. The city says it is 4 miles from I-71 and about 24 miles from Columbus, which helps explain why it attracts buyers who want access to the region without living in the center of it.
Census QuickFacts reports a mean commute time of 27.4 minutes, a median household income of $108,787, 28.2% of residents under 18, 13.0% age 65 or older, and a 72.6% owner-occupied rate. Those numbers suggest a community with a mix of established households, commuters, and long-term homeowners. If you are looking for a place that offers suburban convenience with room to grow, Sunbury checks many of those boxes.
Education is part of the story
For many buyers, school district context is part of how they evaluate a move. Sunbury’s education page says Big Walnut Local Schools serves the greater Galena and Sunbury communities.
The district’s 2024 annual report says enrollment reached 4,288 students in fiscal year 2024, up from 4,188 in FY2023, and notes ten years of enrollment increases. The district history page also says the new high school opened in 2022 and the intermediate school expanded in 2024. For buyers, those facts reinforce the broader theme of a community planning around continued growth.
What this means if you want to buy
If you are considering Sunbury, the biggest takeaway is that timing and strategy matter. This is a community with visible momentum, expanding housing options, and ongoing public investment, but it is still a supply-constrained market with pricing that may surprise buyers expecting a lower-cost entry point.
A smart approach is to define your budget early, decide which housing type fits your lifestyle, and compare Sunbury with nearby options before you commit. New construction, townhomes, patio homes, and resale single-family homes may each offer a different tradeoff on price, maintenance, and location. The more clearly you understand your priorities, the easier it is to spot the right fit.
Should you compare Sunbury with Delaware?
In many cases, yes. The same Delaware County housing report identifies Delaware city as the county’s most affordable city, with an average sale price of $365,000 in the first half of 2025, compared with Powell at $691,623.
If you like Delaware County but need a lower price ceiling than Sunbury’s current typical values, Delaware may be worth a side-by-side look. That does not make one community better than the other. It simply gives you a realistic comparison as you weigh budget, commute, housing style, and long-term goals.
The bottom line for buyers
Sunbury’s growth story is real. The population is rising, housing options are broadening, infrastructure is expanding, and major investment is arriving. At the same time, current pricing and limited inventory mean you should enter the market with clear expectations and a solid plan.
If you want help comparing Sunbury with other Delaware County and north suburban options, Keys + Company can help you sort through pricing, neighborhoods, new construction opportunities, and resale options so you can make a confident move.
FAQs
Is Sunbury, Ohio still affordable for home buyers?
- Current data suggest Sunbury is still a relatively expensive market, with typical home values and prices in the high $400,000s to low $500,000s and ongoing affordability pressure across Delaware County.
What types of homes are being built in Sunbury?
- Sunbury’s pipeline includes single-family homes, patio homes, townhomes, multifamily units, and mixed-use projects, giving buyers more housing types to consider.
Is Sunbury infrastructure keeping up with growth?
- The city has active projects tied to the proposed I-71 interchange, Sunbury Parkway, wastewater plant expansion, and future East Granville Street improvements, which suggests infrastructure planning is moving alongside growth.
Should buyers compare Sunbury with Delaware, Ohio?
- Buyers who want to stay in Delaware County but need a lower price point may want to compare Sunbury with Delaware, since county data showed Delaware city as the county’s most affordable city in the first half of 2025.
Why are so many buyers interested in Sunbury?
- Buyers are often drawn to Sunbury for its combination of population growth, expanding housing options, access to I-71 and Columbus, community events, parks, and its traditional town square setting.
