Kenmore is a vibrant residential neighborhood in Ohio with a bustling boulevard.
A neighborhood with heart
Back when Akron thrived as the “Rubber Capitol of the World,” Kenmore was among the most economically thriving neighborhoods in the city. Theatres, fancy restaurants, trolleys and prime real estate filled every corner of the community. However, when Akron’s countless rubber manufacturers began to vacate, the city and Kenmore experienced a rapid decline. “Kenmore has been economically depressed for decades since then,” says Nicole Farrell, owner of Whiskers Cat Lounge. At this venue, patrons can spend an afternoon with local rescue cats and have the option to adopt. Farrell was born and raised in Akron and is working to improve local animal conditions. Her business and many others have popped up in recent years as part of a local initiative to revitalize the community. “I’m really happy I can be a part of that change.” While the neighborhood’s future looks bright, its community spirit has never been low, between community-wide events and welcoming disposition. “I’ve seen people rush to car accidents to help their neighbors and pull people out of the rubble,” says Ferrell, “It’s tight-knit but also so welcoming to new people.”
Shops along Kenmore Boulevard
Hobby shops, music venues, theaters, a local library and restaurants line Kenmore Boulevard, with mainstays like Lay’s Guitar Shop and the Rialto Theater anchoring the vibrant local music scene. For dining, Old 97 is a bar not many have heard of but is quickly getting the recognition it deserves. “It started as a venue on one of the old trolley network’s biggest stations,” Says Tiffany Casanova, venue manager for the high-end bar and speakeasy. Previously drifting from owner to owner throughout the decades, Realtors Natasia and Mark Metz bought the establishment in 2021 and are working to spread the name of the classic pub. The local Acme Fresh Market on East Avenue is the grocery store of choice for many Kenmore residents. For mall shopping, many travel the 8 miles north to Summit Mall in Fairlawn, one of the only traditional malls around. For local produce, many travel to Graf’s Garden Shop and Farm Market, five miles west in West Akron.
Kenmore locals and visitors alike can enjoy live music at the Rialto Theater in town.
Lay's Guitar in Kenmore makes custom guitars for many of their customers.
Music lovers in Kenmore can listen to live music at the Live Music bar in the area.
When in Kenmore stop in to Ethicrace clothing.
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A white gazebo provides shade in Shadyside Park in the Kenmore neighborhood of Akron.
Ring the cowbell at the 7K
Residents get to participate in multiple neighborhood-wide events, such as Kenmore Boulevard’s First Friday Block Parties or Shadyside Park’s Summer Concert Series. Kenmore’s Cowbell 7K, scheduled for June 2024, is steeped in local lore and community appreciation. “The race is named in honor of Ellen “Grandma Benn” Benn,” says Farrel. “She was one of Kenmore’s oldest locals and she had a tradition of ringing cowbells at local sporting events.” Dubbed by many as Kenmore High School’s Biggest Cheerleader, many adult locals recall Grandma Benn as a staple of their childhood. The race will start at Rialto Theatre, running along the newly built Summit Lake Trail. The winner will receive a medal along with a functioning cowbell.
Four Square style homes with large porches for sitting can be found throughout Kenmore.
Four squares everywhere
Kenmore’s range of housing stock includes everything from fixer-upper project homes from the 1920s to marvels of modern architecture built just before 1960. House hunters will likely come across classic American foursquare houses with colonial accents and big front porches set in lots small enough to mow in five minutes. Other common finds include cape cods, bungalows and ranches. All these occupy the more affordable end of the local price range, with fixer-upper properties costing between $10,000 and $50,000. Houses in better conditions tend to cost between $60,000 and $120,000. At the other end of the local range, one will find modern architecture and even a few Tudor houses from 1890 shuffled in with earlier-mentioned styles costing between $130,000 and $350,000.
Relax on the steps of the amphitheater in Chestnut Park.
Chestnut Ridge Park has an amphitheater
Kenmore locals can pick from seven parks, including the 14-acre Prentiss Park and the 5-acre Chestnut Ridge Park. Prentiss Park is one of the most popular locations thanks to its baseball fields, tennis courts, and football field, which local youth sports leagues frequently use. Chestnut Ridge Park features a pavilion, playground and a historic stone amphitheater built in 1936. apart from these domestic options, the nearby Towpath Trail, Summit Lake Nature Center and Portage Lakes on the neighborhood’s east side offer ample outdoor recreation for those seeking hiking, biking, fishing or boating.
Garfield Community Learning Center is home to the Rams.
Garfield CLC has a women's wrestling team
Many Kenmore children start their education at Akron Public Schools’ Pfeiffer Community Learning Center on Polk Avenue, which Niche grades C. After that, students go to the other side of the neighborhood where Innes Community Learning Center sits along East Avenue. Niche rates the school a C-minus. Lastly, they’ll likely move to Garfield CLC, three miles east in South Akron. With a C Niche grade, two members of the school’s women’s wrestling team placed third in the Northwest High School Wrestling Tournament.
The interchange of 277 and 76 borders the Kenmore neighborhood.
I-76 and I-277 run through this neighborhood
While the neighborhood is somewhat walkable with its pedestrian infrastructure, most locals drive or use the Akron Metro buses running through Kenmore Boulevard, East Avenue, Battles Avenue and 13th Street Southwest. Most drivers use Kenmore Boulevard to get around the neighborhood, as all other major local roads and the two nearby highways connect to it. Bisected by Interstate 277 and Highway 224, commuters use the ramps to reach downtown Akron or neighboring cities such as Cleveland or Canton.
Bisected by Interstate 277 and Highway 224, Kenmore is conveniently accessible via the highway.
Noise from the highway
While Kenmore may be idyllic in all other regards, the neighborhood’s access to two interstates might pose a noise issue. The Ohio Department of Transportation announced a $125 million plan to construct a sound wall in February 2024 to curtail the noise.
Written By
Samuel Grom
Photography Contributed By
Tim Nightengale
Video By
Matt Pangman
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Agents Specializing in this Area
Karen Bollins- Weisner
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Simon & Salhany Realty
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Karen Bollins- Weisner,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Chestnut Ridge Park
Picnic Area
Playground
Prentiss Park
Baseball/Softball
Football
Soccer
Lake Nesmith Park
Lake
Picnic Area
Shadyside Park
Picnic Area
Summit Lake Park
Lake
Picnic Area
Trails
Lane Field Park
Baseball/Softball
Picnic Area
Multi-Purpose Field
Aquae Park
Playground
Multi-Purpose Field
Transit
Airport
Akron-Canton Regional
20 min drive
Bus
Kenmore Blvd & 29th St SW
Bus
Carnegie Ave & Wingate Ave
Bus
Waterloo Rd & Nesbitt Ave
Bus
W. Waterloo Rd & Wingate Ave
Bus
Battles Ave & I-76 Overpass
Bus
13th St SW & Witner Ave
Bus
East Ave & Marie Ave
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Kenmore
US
Homicide
6
4
Sexual Assault
4
4
Assault with Weapon
5
4
Robbery
4
4
Burglary
4
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
4
4
Larceny
3
4
Crime Score
4
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Kenmore, Akron sell after 28 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Kenmore, Akron over the last 12 months is $110,003, up 10% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Fresh new look with recent exterior paint and newer roof! This colonial home is available for owner occupancy or investment opportunities! Currently occupied with month-to month resident. Amenities include covered front porch, back, fake fireplace accented with glass block windows, detached block garage. Current gross income in 9000. Location is close to expressway on and off ramp, view of the
Karen Bollins- Weisner
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Simon & Salhany Realty
Welcome home to 2203 6th St! Come check out this updated Kenmore colonial with three beds and 1.5 baths. From the front porch, enter into the spacious living room with newer LVP flooring that can be found throughout the main floor. Off the living room is the kitchen with laminate counters and newer cabinetry. Completing the main floor is the first floor laundry and the 1/2 bath with a single
Nice cozy 3-bedroom ranch, home has been freshly painted with new carpet throughout. This home has a newer furnace and also has a newer roof. Basement is finished with a full bath. The back yard has a nice composite deck and is partially fenced in. This home is great for a landlord, first time home buyer or an older family looking to downsize.
Very spacious apartment offering a two-story apartment (using the second and third floor of the building ). The apartment's main floor has a spacious eat-in kitchen with a provided stove and refrigerator, a large pantry, a coat closet, a living room, and a full bath. The upstairs offers privacy for the master bedroom and the second bedroom. The master bedroom has built-in shelves, a double closet
Karen Bollins- Weisner
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Simon & Salhany Realty
Our community offers waking up to lakeside views, hidden pleasing woods or enjoying the very popular , Ohio & Erie Canal. If you enjoy an outer venture, fishing, long walks, canoeing or and night cap, we are a lively community with much to offer, this is your future home! We are a quaint hidden community about 10 mins away from Downtown Akron and neighboring Coventry. We will be
Welcome to this charming home featuring a spacious kitchen perfect for cooking and entertaining. Enjoy relaxing mornings on the great front porch or utilize the mostly enclosed backyard for outdoor fun and privacy. The large basement offers plenty of storage area. With one full bathroom and ample room throughout, this home is ideal for anyone seeking comfort and versatility. Don't miss out on
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Karen Bollins- Weisner,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
15,965
Median Age
39
Population Density
6 ppl/acre
Population under 18
24.2%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
17.8%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$41,999
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$52,265
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
87.5%
College Graduates
10.3%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
3.1%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
67.5%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
37''
Average Winter Low Temperature
20°F
Average Summer High Temperature
82°F
Annual Snowfall
12''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
55/ 100
Somewhat Walkable
Walk Score®
60/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
31/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
