Drive the northern suburbs of Columbus and you’ll pass through Sharon Township without ever seeing a sign. That’s because this Franklin County township has been slowly carved into a patchwork of “islands” — unincorporated pockets surrounded by Columbus, Worthington, Westerville, and Dublin. Yet within those islands sit some of the region’s best parks, quietest neighborhoods, and most interesting local history.
Sharon Township at a Glance (2026)
- Where: Northern Franklin County, Ohio — bordered by Perry Township, Liberty Township (Delaware County), and the City of Columbus
- Population: 17,168 in the 2020 Census (U.S. Census Bureau)
- Zip codes: 43235, 43085, 43229 (shared with neighboring cities)
- Government: A 3-member Board of Trustees plus a Township Fiscal Officer, operating out of Sharon Township offices in Worthington
- Coordinates: 40°5′52″N 83°1′15″W
Fun fact: Ohio has four Sharon Townships — this one in Franklin County, plus others in Medina, Noble, and Richland counties. If you’re searching records or maps, make sure you’ve got the right one. (Heads-up: the Franklin County township’s official site is sharontwp.us — don’t confuse it with the Medina County township’s sharontwp.org.)
The “Island” Geography Explained
Sharon Township’s strangest feature is its map. Decades of annexation by Columbus, Worthington, and Westerville have fragmented the township into disconnected islands of unincorporated land. You can live in Sharon Township with a Worthington mailing address, send your kids to a Columbus-area school district, and vote for township trustees — all at once.
This quirk gives the township its character: lower-density residential streets, pockets of green space, and a patchwork of jurisdictions that locals navigate with ease and newcomers find baffling.
Nested inside the township is the village of Riverlea, a tiny, tight-knit community known for its historic homes.
History & Governance
Sharon Township dates to the early 19th century, when Franklin County was still frontier farmland. The 20th century brought suburbanization and the steady nibbling of annexation that created today’s island map.
Government basics:
- A 3-member Board of Trustees sets policy and oversees services
- A Fiscal Officer handles the books
- Township offices are at the Township Administrative Building, 95 E Wilson Bridge Road, Worthington, OH 43085 (open Monday–Friday, 8 AM–4 PM)
- Regular trustee meetings are held on the first and third Wednesdays of each month at 6:30 PM
- Services include zoning enforcement, road maintenance, leaf pick-up, snow removal, and a township police department — the Roads Department can be reached at (614) 885-5933
Pro tip: Need a zoning map or have a code question? Start at sharontwp.us before calling.
Sharon Woods Metro Park: The Crown Jewel
The township’s best-known landmark is Sharon Woods Metro Park — 761 acres of forest, meadows, and water at 6911 Cleveland Ave, and one of the many hidden gems in Ohio hiding in plain sight.
What to do there:
- Miles of hiking trails through mature oak, hickory, and beech forest — including the 3.8-mile paved multipurpose loop
- Schrock Lake, an 11-acre lake popular for fishing
- Picnic areas and reservable shelters (like Spring Hollow Lodge)
- The Edward S Thomas State Nature Preserve, a 320-acre preserve tucked inside the park, with seasonal pools that are critical spring breeding habitat for amphibians
- Seasonal programs and events from Metro Parks naturalists
Beyond Sharon Woods, the township area offers Antrim Park (5800 Olentangy River Rd), Godown Park, and family draws like ZipZone Outdoor Adventures (aerial ropes course and zip lines at 7939 N High St) and the Ohio Railway Museum (990 Proprietors Rd, Worthington — one of the oldest railway museums in the country, founded in 1948).
Trick-or-Treat & Community Events
Here’s the 2026 wrinkle: Halloween falls on Saturday, October 31, and central Ohio’s trick-or-treat scheduling splits by community. Most MORPC-coordinated communities (including Columbus) will trick-or-treat on Thursday, October 29, 6–8 PM — but Worthington sticks with October 31, 6–8 PM no matter the day of the week. Sharon Township hasn’t published a 2026 date yet, so confirm the official time at sharontwp.us before making plans.
Also on the township calendar in past years: leaf pick-up beginning mid-October and the DEA Drug Take-Back Day. Check the township’s community calendar for 2026 dates. For bigger celebrations, see our list of the best festivals in Ohio.
Getting Around
From downtown Columbus:
- Take I-71 North
- Exit at OH-161 East
- Turn onto Sharon Woods Blvd
COTA bus service reaches parts of the area (routes change — check cota.com for current lines). For more route ideas, see our guide to scenic drives in Ohio.
Why Sharon Township Stands Out
- Low-density living minutes from Columbus — a rarity this close to a major city
- Sharon Woods Metro Park, one of the finest large parks in the Columbus system
- Genuinely interesting geography — the island map is a conversation piece
- Stable, family-friendly neighborhoods with deep roots
FAQ: Sharon Township, Ohio
1. Where is Sharon Township, Ohio? In northern Franklin County, fragmented into unincorporated “islands” surrounded by Columbus, Worthington, Westerville, and Dublin.
2. What is the population of Sharon Township? 17,168 in the 2020 Census (U.S. Census Bureau).
3. What zip codes cover Sharon Township? 43235, 43085, and 43229 — shared with neighboring cities.
4. When is trick-or-treat in Sharon Township in 2026? Not yet announced. Most central Ohio communities follow the MORPC recommendation (Thursday, October 29), while Worthington uses October 31. Confirm the township’s date at sharontwp.us.
5. What is there to do in Sharon Township? Sharon Woods Metro Park (hiking, fishing, picnics, the Edward S Thomas Nature Preserve), Antrim Park, ZipZone Outdoor Adventures, and the Ohio Railway Museum are all nearby.
6. How is Sharon Township governed? By a 3-member elected Board of Trustees and a Fiscal Officer, with offices at 95 E Wilson Bridge Road in Worthington.
