Pickerington, founded in 1815, is a city in Fairfield and Franklin counties in the central region of the U.S. state of Ohio. It is a suburb of Columbus. The population was 9,792 at the 2000 census. As land annexation, development, and in-migration in and around Columbus continues, the city of Pickerington (like many area suburbs) has generally followed suit: its population was estimated at 17,531 as of July, 2008. The Ohio Secretary of State certified Pickerington as a city in 1991. At 11.1 square miles, Pickerington is the second largest city in Fairfield County. The City of Pickerington is located just east of Columbus, Ohio. The city features a historic downtown shopping area, while Violet Township is home to rolling hills, long horses, forests, and fields.