$283,063Average Value$198Average Price per Sq Ft8Homes For Sale
Historic Bloomington community with artistic scenery
Near West Side owes its beginnings to the employees of the influential Showers Brothers’ Furniture Factory, which moved its campus to this side of Bloomington following a fire in the 1880s. Many workers settled here, and some even built their own houses. Today, Near West Side attracts prospective buyers looking for smaller homes with historic charm. This community also boasts an artistic vibe, which can be seen in some residents' creative patio and yard decor, or in the streetscapes where some roundabouts are painted in nature themes. “It’s a great spot if you have kids because there’s a park right over here. There’s like a whole kickball field, and we’re able to use it whenever we have girls here for camps and things like that,” says Olivia Sullivan, the director of operations for Girls Inc. of Monroe County in Near West Side. “You’re close to downtown, but you’re also close to the west side of town. They both offer different things.”
Diverse neighborhood with South Indiana’s distinct gabled-ell homes
Historically, Near West Side was a prominent Black community, in part due to the Showers Brothers being one of the few integrated employers during a time of segregation. “The other thing that really grabbed us is the neighborhood has more diversity than a lot of places we’ve been in the past,” says Tom Payne, vice president of the Near West Side Neighborhood Association. “We liked the idea of a neighborhood that has been historically diverse, if not historically Black.” Homes here include gabled-ell and gable front cottages and a few Queen Annes. Many homes here also feature vivid color schemes, which Payne says exudes a Bohemian feel. This neighborhood’s designation as a historic district protects this community and requires all housing alterations to undergo a thorough approval process. The majority of homes in Near West Side date back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries and cost from just under $200,000 to $400,000. Some of the more prominent homes can even reach upwards of $600,000. Renters also make up about half of this neighborhood’s residents.
Juannita’s and the Bloomington Farm Stop Collective
Juannita’s is a popular Mexican restaurant run out of a two-story yellow house in Near West Side. Its menu includes items like plates of tamales and churros for dessert. Nearby, Hinkle’s Hamburgers has long been another favorite especially for this community’s old-timers. The Bloomington Farm Stop Collective sells everything from coffee to various types of meat and produce from local farmers, and Near West Side is also just a few blocks from the Bloomington Community Farmers’ Market, which runs every Saturday between April and October. For other needs, this neighborhood is only a few minutes from downtown Bloomington, which has plenty of additional restaurants, bars and boutiques. Kroger is one of the nearest chain grocery stores.
Butler Park, Girls Inc. camps and the Banneker Community Center
Rev. Ernest D. Butler Park has a playground and hills perfect for sledding during the winter. The Banneker Community Center, formerly a school for African American students, now runs various youth programs. Its facilities include a kitchen, a gym and a small library. The neighborhood’s local Girls Inc. affiliate is part of a larger national organization that provides educational and recreational programs for young girls. Its activities include summer camps, sports teams and outings to regional destinations like Monroe Lake. “It’s a fun little neighborhood. The location is awesome because you can walk to anything downtown. The B-Line, the walking path, is the northern border of the neighborhood and goes right around it. The accessibility there is really amazing,” says Angela Van Rooy, the city’s neighborhood services program manager.
Fairview Elementary's Arts Integration and Performing Arts program
The neighborhood is also home to Fairview Elementary, which gets a B from ratings site Niche. Fairview’s activities include the Arts Integration and Performing Arts program, which involves partnerships with local artists. In addition, Indiana University’s renowned Jacobs School of Music provides Fairview’s first and second graders with the opportunity to learn how to play the violin. Neighborhood students may then attend Tri-North Middle School and finish their public education at Bloomington High School North. Both schools earn A grades from Niche.
Summer potlucks, holiday parties and MLK Day pancake breakfast
Although Near West Side is close to the cultural attractions downtown and as well as those at IU, the neighborhood stays active with its own events too. The neighborhood association hosts a holiday party in December and a potluck at Butler Park during the summer. The Banneker Community Center is also a frequent meetup point. Activities include art shows and a free community pancake breakfast to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Within convenient walking distance of downtown Bloomington and IU
Near West Side’s narrow roads help make this community walkable and it’s not uncommon for residents to travel on foot to downtown Bloomington and IU’s campus. However, the Bloomington Transit system does maintain several bus stops along Kirkwood Avenue and North Rogers Street. Kirkwood connects residents directly to downtown, which is only a few blocks east. Near West Side is also about a mile from Interstate 69, which many use to commute to Indianapolis, more than 50 miles north of Bloomington. The Indianapolis International Airport serves as the region’s hub for commercial flights, and for medical care, the IU Health Bloomington Hospital is located about 4 miles away.
Important to know
Near West Side has an overall CAP Index crime score of 9 out of 10, which is almost double the national average. Burglary and larceny incidents, in particular, influence this score.
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
Janet Lane,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Rev Ernest D Butler Park
B-Line Trail
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Near West Side
US
Homicide
6
4
Sexual Assault
9
4
Assault with Weapon
6
4
Robbery
7
4
Burglary
10
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
7
4
Larceny
10
4
Crime Score
9
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Near West Side, Bloomington sell after 44 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Near West Side, Bloomington over the last 12 months is $291,000, down 11% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
This downtown Bloomington classic offers charm, convenience, and more space than many others nearby. Perched at the top of a quiet, leafy block in the Near West Side – a core historic neighborhood – this picturesque, 1700-square-foot home boasts original architectural distinctions including a wraparound steamboat-style porch, 11-foot ceilings, gleaming maple floors, floor-to-ceiling windows –
Thomas GallagherBloomington Residential and Commercial
Very sweet, clean, light and bright 2 bed 2 bath bungalow with 1028 sq ft in great Near Westside location just across from 9th Street Park. Updated with newer roof, HVAC, windows, flooring, and more, this move-in ready home offers a large living area with abundant natural light, eat-in kitchen with tiled floors, newer hickory cabinetry and stainless appliances, and stackable washer and dryer unit
Investment Property in Prime Location! This 3 bedroom, 1 bath home is within city limits and just a short walk to a grocery store, coffee shop, campus and downtown; making it highly desirable for renters. The home features a newer roof, off-street parking and a low-maintenance yard. Estimated rent: $1500 per month. Don't miss out on this opportunity!
Property Id: 768513PLEASE NOTE, THIS HOUSE HAS 5 BEDROOMS BUT ONLY 3 PERSONS (unrelated) ARE ALLOWED TO LIVE IN PERMANENTLY. THAT IS WHAT MY RENTAL PERMIT SAYS. IF YOU ARE A FAMILY AND HAS A SAME LAST NAME THEN YOU CAN HAVE MORE THAN 3 PERSONS. Lease start from AUGUST 2025 TO AUGUST 2026. 5 BRS, 1.5 BATH, washer and dryer, gas heat, dishwasher, wood floor, ceramic tile floor in the
Two bedroom bungalow has been remodeled without sacrificing the character and history of this sweet home. It has ten foot ceilings, French doors to the primary bedroom, a large fenced in back yard with a patio and a shed. Located a short distance to the Farmers Market, downtown and less than a mile to IU. Tenant pays all utilities and snow removal. Landlord pays lawncare.
718 W. Kirkwood AvenueBloomington, IN 47404$11001BR, 1BA, 648sqft Available 07/15/20251 bedroom, 1 bath main level residence in a Queen Anne house. Completely renovated with hardwood and tile flooring. Floor to ceiling windows and 10ft ceilings. All electric. Water/sewer are included. There is a dedicated parking lot behind the building and an onsite laundry facility.
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Janet Lane,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
616
Median Age
38
Population under 18
17%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
15.4%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$41,354
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$66,140
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
98.7%
College Graduates
63.4%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
36.4%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
73.8%
Area Factors
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
84/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
71/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
33/ 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.
