N※N

Record-Breaking $2.25M Sale Signals Licking County Real Estate Boom

  //house-home.news-articles.net/content/2026/01/0 .. ale-signals-licking-county-real-estate-boom.html
  Published in House and Home on Wednesday, January 7th 2026 at 9:50 GMT by Columbus Dispatch

Record-Breaking Sale in Pataskala Signals Licking County Real Estate Boom

A recent property sale in Pataskala, Ohio, is poised to shatter Licking County’s record for the highest price paid for a residential property. The home, located at 142 Courter Road, sold for $2.25 million on January 5th, 2024, and is likely to finalize as the new record once the official transfer is recorded with the Licking County Recorder's Office. This sale isn't just a number; it's a symptom of a rapidly changing landscape in Licking County, driven by Intel's mega-factory and a wave of growth.

The property itself is a custom-built, sprawling ranch home boasting over 6,800 square feet of living space on approximately 5 acres. Built in 2017, it features five bedrooms, five full bathrooms, and several high-end amenities including a finished basement, a large outdoor patio, and a three-car garage. While luxurious, the price tag isn't solely driven by the house's features. Its location, and the broader economic impact occurring in the area, are the primary catalysts.

The Intel Effect: Driving Unprecedented Growth

The article heavily emphasizes the influence of Intel’s planned $20 billion semiconductor manufacturing facilities just outside of Johnstown, Ohio. Announced in January 2022, the project has ignited a significant boom in Licking County’s real estate market. Before Intel, Licking County was largely a rural area experiencing steady, but unremarkable, growth. Now, it's experiencing a surge in population and demand for housing, both rental and for sale.

The influx of construction workers, Intel employees, and related businesses has created intense pressure on the housing supply. This, naturally, has driven up prices across the county. The Courter Road sale isn’t an isolated incident; the average home price in Licking County has increased substantially since the Intel announcement. While specific numbers within the Dispatch article are limited, linked reporting from earlier in 2023 (accessible via the article) show the median sale price jumped significantly year-over-year.

Beyond Single-Family Homes: A Multifamily Frenzy

The growth isn’t limited to single-family homes. Developers are scrambling to build apartment complexes and other multifamily housing to accommodate the burgeoning workforce. The article points to a recent Licking County Planning Commission meeting where numerous proposals for large-scale residential developments were presented. These projects aim to address the housing shortage but also raise concerns about infrastructure capacity, school overcrowding, and maintaining the county’s rural character.

According to reporting from Columbus Business First (linked within the Dispatch article), Licking County saw a massive surge in building permit applications following the Intel announcement. This included not just residential developments, but also commercial and industrial projects aiming to serve the growing population. The sheer volume of applications overwhelmed the county’s planning and zoning departments, prompting the need for increased staffing and streamlined processes.

Record-Breaking Sale as a Symbol

The $2.25 million sale of the Courter Road property, therefore, is more than just a high price. It’s a symbolic representation of this rapid transformation. It suggests that even luxury properties are commanding premium prices due to the limited inventory and high demand. Realtor Mike Davis, who represented the seller, believes the price reflects the desirability of the location and the quality of the home, but acknowledges that the Intel project is a significant underlying factor.

Challenges and Concerns

While economic growth is generally positive, the rapid changes in Licking County are presenting challenges. Concerns are being raised about the ability of local infrastructure – roads, schools, utilities – to keep pace with the increasing population. The influx of people is also straining local services and potentially impacting the quality of life for long-time residents. The article hints at debates around balancing economic development with preserving the rural character of the county.

Looking Ahead

The Courter Road sale is expected to be officially recorded and confirmed as a record-breaker soon. Experts anticipate continued strong demand for housing in Licking County, at least in the near term, as Intel's construction progresses and the company ramps up operations. However, there's also speculation about whether the market can sustain these high prices indefinitely and whether the growth will eventually moderate. The coming years will be crucial in determining how Licking County manages this unprecedented growth and maintains a balance between economic prosperity and quality of life for its residents.

Sources Used:

• [ https://www.dispatch.com/story/business/real-estate/2026/01/07/courter-road-pataskala-home-likely-breaks-licking-county-property-sale-record/87993894007/ ]
• Links within the original article to Columbus Business First reporting on building permits and the Intel impact.