The Short North is a densely-populated commercial and residential district, with especially high pedestrian use during its monthly "Gallery Hop" and other local and downtown events.

[3] A reputation for diversity and an artistic,[4] Bohemian atmosphere has marked the Short North, with land prices and local rents rising steadily from the humble beginnings as a squatter’s neighborhood in the 1980s.

Prior to this gentrification of the neighborhood which originated from artists,[4] it had suffered prolonged decay and from latent, street-level crime and gang violence as Columbus affluent residents followed the economic bubble outward—into the suburbs—during the 1960s and 1970s.

The parade starts in neighboring Victorian Village, at Goodale Park, and winds north to finish coming south down High Street.

A construction at the 800 block of High Street completed in 2019 now houses the US headquarters for Swedish fintech Klarna, as well as two restaurants and a hotel operated by Marriott's Moxy brand.

[8][9][10] Some developers, such as the Wood Companies, have been active in the region for many years, and continuing to propose new buildings, such as a fifteen-story residential complex between Hubbard Ave and Wall Street.