District Eight
District Eight covers the South and Far South sides of Columbus, from the Scioto River on the west to Big Walnut Park on the east, and south toward the Obetz and Groveport borders. The district has the largest Black population among the nine districts and borders the communities of Lockbourne and Groveport.
Columbus City Council District 8 is represented by Council Member Lourdes Barroso de Padilla, first elected in 2023. Under the current system, every Columbus voter helps elect all nine district seats.
Where District Eight sits in Columbus ▲ N
Your representation
Committee assignments
The neighborhoods
Points of interest
- Scioto Southland Community Center — Modern community center with weight room, boxing room, gymnasiums, kitchen, and classrooms.
- Marion-Franklin Recreation Center — Community center serving Far South Columbus with programs, fitness facilities, and meeting spaces.
- Rickenbacker Airport and Logistics Hub — Cargo-focused airport and surrounding logistics complex, a major employment center for the district.
- Glenwood Community Center — Recreation facility with swimming, fitness programs, food pantry services, and youth activities.
- Three Creeks Metro Park — 1,067-acre park at the confluence of Alum, Big Walnut, and Blacklick Creeks with trails and wetlands.
- Obetz Zettler Park — Park and event venue hosting the annual Obetz Zucchinifest and community recreation.
Area commissions
The most local level of civic input — they review zoning cases and advise Council. Meetings are open to the public.
Who lives here
Compared to Columbus
Where District Eight ranks among all nine districts. The dot is District Eight; the line marks the citywide average.
Race & ethnicity
Households
Household counts are ACS 5-year estimates aggregated from the district's block groups. The tick marks the citywide family-household share.
About these figures. District totals are aggregated from census block groups. Median income, rent, and home value are pooled medians interpolated from block-group distribution tables — survey estimates, so the citywide comparison shows relative standing rather than exact dollars. ACS is a 5-year backward average; Esri current-year estimates are forward projections. See full methodology →
This page describes the whole district. Want the same picture for your own block? You can look up your parcel on CivicWorth — it resolves representation, zoning, transit, and recent 311 activity down to the individual address.
Public safety
How reported crime in District Eight compares to the Columbus average, by category. Bars to the left are below the citywide average; bars to the right are above.
Source: Applied Geographic Solutions CrimeRisk. Figures are percentage differences from the citywide average.
Get involved in District Eight
Attend an area commission
Area commissions meet monthly and take public comment on zoning and development in your neighborhood.
Find meeting times →Contact Council Member Padilla
Reach the District 8 office directly with questions, concerns, or support for constituents.
Send a message →Vote on the 2026 measures
This November, Columbus voters decide two charter amendments on how council is elected. Understand what's on your ballot.
Read the ballot explainer →More Columbus City Council districts
Suggest an edit
See something out of date or incorrect on this page? Let us know — every district page links to primary sources, and we correct errors quickly.
Last reviewed: September 2, 2026