Section Image

Near West Side

Near West Side

$313,203 Average Value
$270 Average Price per Sq Ft
8 Homes 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.”

Bungalow and Craftsman styled homes make up much of Near West Side.
Bungalow and Craftsman styled homes make up much of Near West Side.
Many amenities are within walking distance of Near West Side.
Many amenities are within walking distance of Near West Side.
1/2

South Indiana’s distinct gabled-ell homes

Homes here include gabled-ell and gable front cottages and a few Queen Annes. Many homes here also feature vivid color schemes, which exudes a Bohemian feel according to Tom Payne, vice president of the Near West Side Neighborhood Association. 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.

Near West Side homes have modestly sized lots.
Near West Side homes have modestly sized lots.
Stone siding is a common element among Near West Side homes.
Stone siding is a common element among Near West Side homes.
1/2

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 Bloomington Community Farmers’ Market is open on Saturdays between April and October. For other needs, downtown Bloomington has plenty of restaurants, bars and boutiques. Kroger is one of the nearest chain grocery stores.

The streets of downtown Bloomington near Near West Side are lined with trees.
The streets of downtown Bloomington near Near West Side are lined with trees.
Grab a bite to eat from Hinkle's Hamburgers in Near West Side.
Grab a bite to eat from Hinkle's Hamburgers in Near West Side.
1/2

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 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.

Enjoy a game of basketball at Rev. Ernest D. Butler Park.
Enjoy a game of basketball at Rev. Ernest D. Butler Park.
Banneker Community Center is a popular social hub in Near West Side.
Banneker Community Center is a popular social hub in Near West Side.
1/2

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.

Fairview Elementary is a great schooling option for younger students in the area.
Fairview Elementary is a great schooling option for younger students in the area.
Tri-North Middle School is ranked #71 in Indiana Middle Schools.
Tri-North Middle School is ranked #71 in Indiana Middle Schools.
Bloomington High School North provides education in the neighborhood of 
Mcdaniel
Bloomington High School North provides education in the neighborhood of Mcdaniel
1/3

Summer potlucks, holiday parties and MLK Day pancake breakfast

Residents enjoy the cultural attractions downtown as well as those at IU, and 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 walk to downtown Bloomington and IU’s campus. However, the Bloomington Transit system maintains several bus stops along Kirkwood Avenue and North Rogers Street. Kirkwood connects residents directly to downtown. 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.

The Bloomington Transit system runs throughout Near West Side.
The Bloomington Transit system runs throughout Near West Side.
Take a walk through Rev. Ernest D. Butler Park in Near West Side.
Take a walk through Rev. Ernest D. Butler Park in Near West Side.
1/2

Important to know

Near West Side has an overall CAP Index crime score of 8 out of 10, compared to the national average of 4. Some types of violent and non-violent crime rate as high as 9.

Yann Ranaivo
Written By
Yann Ranaivo
Zach Manwell
Photography Contributed By
Zach Manwell
Victoria York
Video By
Victoria York

Agents Specializing in Near West Side, IN

See All Agents in Near West Side

Schools

Source:
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

Parks in this Area

Reviews

Are you familiar with the Near West Side neighborhood? to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Near West Side US
Homicide 9 4
Sexual Assault 7 4
Assault with Weapon 7 4
Robbery 6 4
Burglary 9 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 9 4
Larceny 6 4
Crime Score 8 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes
302
Number of Homes for Sale
8
Median Year Built
1920
Months of Supply
4.80
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,385
Significantly below the national average
1,934
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,728
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,375
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
853
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
6,534

Open Houses

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Rental Home Trends

Number of Homes for Rent
15
Median Rent
$1,895
Median Single Family Home Rent
$1,800
Median 4 Bedroom Single Family Home Rent
$4,795
Median Townhouse Rent
$1,563
Median Condo Rent
$1,895
Median 2 Bedroom Condo Rent
$1,895

Demographics

Total Population
1,867
Median Age
31
Population under 18
18.9%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
9.1%
Below the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$29,166
Significantly below the national average
$79,597
Average Household Income
$48,335

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
90.8%
College Graduates
47.5%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
21%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
61.2%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
49''
Average Winter Low Temperature
21°F
Average Summer High Temperature
85°F
Annual Snowfall
8''

Area Factors

Moderately bikeable

Bikeability®

70 / 100

Moderately walkable

Walkability®

60 / 100

Limited public transit

Transit®

30 / 100
Source: Local Logic
Sources: Local Logic

Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.

Nearby Neighborhoods

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.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Near West Side