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.”
Kenmore is a vibrant residential neighborhood in Ohio with a bustling boulevard.
The Kenmore neighborhood is conveniently located between the existing Akron and Barberton hubs.
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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.
Music lovers in Kenmore can listen to live music at the Live Music bar in the area.
Lay's Guitar in Kenmore makes custom guitars for many of their customers.
When in Kenmore stop in to Ethicrace clothing.
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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.
Kenmore locals and visitors alike can enjoy live music at the Rialto Theater in town.
A white gazebo provides shade in Shadyside Park in the Kenmore neighborhood of Akron.
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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.
Four Square style homes with large porches for sitting can be found throughout Kenmore.
A brick ranch home in the Kenmore neighborhood.
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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.
The Kenmore neighborhood kids love the colorful playground at the Chestnut Ridge Park.
Relax on the steps of the amphitheater in Chestnut Park.
A view of Summit Lake from Kenmore.
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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.
Garfield Community Learning Center is home to the Rams.
Pfeiffer Elementary School teaches students in grades K-5 in Kenmore.
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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.
The interchange of 277 and 76 borders the Kenmore neighborhood.
Kenmore residents can always grab the bus, with many convenient stops throughout the region.
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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.
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
Are you familiar with the Kenmore neighborhood?
to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Kenmore
US
Homicide
4
4
Sexual Assault
4
4
Assault with Weapon
4
4
Robbery
4
4
Burglary
4
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
4
4
Larceny
4
4
Crime Score
5
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Kenmore Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Kenmore, Akron sell after 38 days on the market compared to the national average of 55 days. The median sale price for homes in Kenmore, Akron over the last 12 months is $113,750, up 11% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Fully remodeled and vacant 3-bedroom, 1-bath home with a fresh facelift. Was previously tenant-occupied with rent at $1,050 per month on a month-to-month lease, offering flexibility for investors or future owner occupants. This property comes equipped with heat and AC temperature controls! This move-in-ready property is a great opportunity for those looking for a turn-key rental or an updated
Come and fall in love with this quaint ranch style cottage in a pocket neighborhood located off of Waterloo Rd. in Akron. An asphalt drive, with plenty of room for parking, leads you to a 1.5 car garage and a partially fenced-in yard. This home is ready for its next chapter and to be filled with love and laughter again. Schedule your tour today. New paint throughout, new countertop and newer
Wow, this end unit has been completely revamped! It features a brand-new furnace, new windows, a redesigned kitchen, recessed lights, and new flooring, along with laundry on the first level for convenient first-floor living. This home has two large bedrooms: one on the first level and one on the walkout basement level. There are two additional small rooms on the upper level, which can be utilized
Welcome to 2125 7th Street SW in Akron, Ohio—an excellent opportunity for investors seeking a well-maintained, income-producing property in one of the Midwest’s most affordable and steadily growing rental markets. This charming 2-bedroom, 1-bath home features brand-new flooring throughout, giving the interior a fresh, modern feel while maintaining the comfort of a cozy and functional layout. The
True Twinplex townhouse style. Each side is layed out like a traditional colonial home with living, dining and kitchen on first floor and two bedrooms and bath on the second floor. Each unit has their own private basement with laundry hookups. 2054 is rented for $750($700+$50) per month on a month to month basis. That unit was renovated with new carpet just a few years ago. The vacant unit, 2052
Want to see the cutest house ever?! Look no further! This fully updated 2-bed, 1-bath gem in Akron is a turnkey dream. Prepare to fall in love! This fully updated 2-bedroom gem is the quintessential Akron turnkey dream. The moment you step inside, you’re greeted by a sun-drenched living room featuring elegant arched transitions and multi-window views that flood the space with natural light. The
Online Only auction begins ending Thursday, April 9th at 5:00 PM. 3-bedroom, 1-bath home updated in 2020. Improvements include a new roof and a new retaining wall. Paint throughout the home. A detached garage adds strong value to this one! This property is currently rented at $1,295 per month, offering reliable income for the next owner.
Come check out this beautifully updated 4-bedroom, 2-full-bath home in Akron. This move-in-ready home has undergone extensive recent renovations throughout, offering modern style and comfort at every turn. The heart of the home is the brand-new kitchen, complete with fresh cabinetry, elegant granite countertops, and a stylish subway tile backsplash. Both full bathrooms have been tastefully
Welcome to this beautifully maintained 3-bedroom, 1-bath home that perfectly blends comfort and functionality. Step inside to find a warm, inviting living space filled with natural light and thoughtful details throughout. The kitchen offers ample cabinet space and includes appliances. Downstairs, you’ll find a large finished basement area—perfect for a family room, home office, gym, or recreation
Move-in ready and full of flexible living space, this 3-bedroom, 1.5-bath home also features a finished attic that can easily function as a 4th bedroom, home office, or bonus living area. Fresh carpet and paint throughout give the home a clean, updated feel, making it easy for the next owner to move right in. The layout offers comfortable living space with room to grow, whether you're a homeowner
Welcome to this Cape Cod located on 9th Street in Akron’s Kenmore neighborhood. The home has received updates in recent years while still offering opportunities for finishing and personalization. Improvements completed between 2021–2023 include select new windows, updated flooring on the main and upper levels, interior paint, an updated main-level bedroom, a renovated first-floor full bathroom,
Brandon BadaluccoREMAX Diversity Real Estate Group LLC
Gorgeous updated home in a quiet, quaint neighborhood! This 4 bed 2.5 bath home provides extra space and is pristine. Home features a large driveway, detached garage, a bonus additional carport, and sits nicely on a corner lot. The backyard is fenced in and well maintained. Inside the house will charm you with its character! The kitchen is perfect for cooking, updated with newer appliances, fresh
"This 3 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom single-family home in Akron offers a solid opportunity for an investor or owner-occupant. The property was previously used as a rental and is currently vacant, allowing for immediate occupancy or the placement of a new tenant. The home is in overall rentable condition, with light cosmetic updates such as paint, flooring, and minor kitchen or bathroom improvements
Daniel ReidBerkshire Hathaway HomeServices Stouffer 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
Sunny and cute 2 bedroom second floor apartment available for rent! Updated kitchen and bathroom! Off street parking. Close highway access. Rental Qualification Checklist:-Credit score: 600+-No more than 3 collections/charge offs (excluding medical or student loan collections)-No recent bankruptcy.-No eviction history & no criminal history (involving sex, drugs or
Ready to move in, very spacious apartment. 2 bedrooms one bath and attic space. The carpet is not new but clean and in good condition. A lot of parking space on the side of the building. Refrigerator available. Asking for $1100 per month and $1,100 deposit to get in. And You will be pay utilities separate.
HOUSE AVAILABLE FOR RENT NOW IN AKRON$1250 /month$1250 Security deposit3 bedrooms1 bathroomUnpaved driveway for off street parkingTenant pays all utilitiesOwner adding concrete driveway in the spring.Call or text to see today!$50 application fee per adult. Must show 3x rent as income documented, ID. Criminal and eviction background checks state and national,
Updates with old World Charm! Welcome to this three/four bedroom single family home in the Kenmore neighborhood of Akron. The cover front porch enters into a large living room complete large wood banister. The dining room has built-in cabinets with a swinging kitchen door. The kitchen features lots of cabinets, and new lvp through out. Upstairs you'll finds three large bedrooms, and a full
This beautifully well-maintained home is a renter's dream and ready for its new occupants! Walk through the enclosed front porch to find the front door that enters into the bright and cozy living room. Neutral colors and bright natural lighting throughout make the house feel inviting and ready to call home! The living space opens up into the dining area that flows naturally into the kitchen.
Karen Bollins- WeisnerBerkshire Hathaway HomeServices Simon & Salhany Realty
SIMPLE APARTMENT! SIMPLE APARTMENT FOR THE SIMPLE PERSON/PEOPLE! GARAGE INCLUDED! WASHER AND DRYER IN THE UNIT! The one-bedroom second-story apartment is for the individual or individuals who live simply! There is one bedroom, one living room (both have closets), a full-size bathroom with a claw tub, a vanity with plenty of storage, and a kitchen. The kitchen has a provided stove, refrigerator,
Karen Bollins- WeisnerBerkshire Hathaway HomeServices Simon & Salhany Realty
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