Cost-effective living between Terre Haute and Indianapolis
Brazil, Indiana trades beaches and rainforests for small-town Midwest living, but the city does hold one connection to its South American counterpart. A replica of the Chafariz dos Contos in Ouro Preto stands at the entrance to Forest Park, gifted to the city in 1956 as a "Token of Friendship" from the Republic of Brazil. The city's population has remained steady since the fountain's dedication at about 8,000 residents – as has its low cost of living. "It's fairly cheap to live here in Brazil," says Brandon Sneath, longtime resident and broker/owner at A & B Homes. "We have cheap taxes, and home values are still fairly low compared to other towns." Those nearby hubs are Terre Haute to the west and Indianapolis to the northeast, which provide job opportunities a straight shot away on main roads. Great Dane Trailers has been a major employer within Brazil's bounds since 1974, with other manufacturing centers like PPG and Morris Manufacturing joining in the following decades.
The city of Brazil is bisected by Route 40 from east to west.
Great Dane trailers has a manufacturing center in Brazil employing hundreds of residents.
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Gridded streets of early-1900s homes in Brazil
Brazil’s median home price is around $160,000, on par with Terre Haute and well below the national median and Indianapolis. The city contains a core of older homes on gridded, sidewalk-lined streets, some within view of the businesses and churches on National Avenue. Most include detached garages and sheds, and it’s common to see trucks and trailers parked on sparse lawn space. The grid breaks into winding lanes farther out, where ranch-style homes and cottages back up to tree shade. Subdivisions of larger homes built in the early 2000s are on the city limits opposite surrounding farmland. Clay County property tax rates remain far below those of nearby counties like Vigo and Putnam.
The older streets of Brazil are lined with early 20th century cottages and bungalows.
New construction Ranchers on the outskirts of Brazil offer residents updated homes.
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Small-town shopping, chain stores Terre Haute and more
Most of Brazil's commerce and cuisine options are in historic storefronts and newer developments on National Avenue. "We have downtown shopping with mostly boutiques and things, though there aren't a lot of chain stores," Sneath says. "Those you'd have to drive to." Kroger and Walmart are the two big-box grocery stores in the city, with more options in Terre Haute or Greencastle. The community works towards revitalizing its downtown core by supporting local businesses and hosting vibrant events through the nonprofit Main Street Brazil.
Piloni's Italian Steakhouse has been a staple of downtown Brazil for years.
Residents of Brazil can get everything they need from Walmart along National Avenue.
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Major routes in each direction throughout Indiana
U.S. Highway 40 leads east-west through the heart of Brazil, while Interstate 70 skirts its south end and State Road 59 cuts north-south. It's a 16-mile drive west to Terre Haute and a 64-mile drive east to Indianapolis. Though the closest hub for commercial airlines is Indianapolis International Airport, Ascension St. Vincent Clay provides full-service hospital care next to an adjoining primary care office.
From Forest Park to Craig Park
Hendrix Park breaks up the northwest city blocks with basketball courts and swing sets. It’s the smallest of three city parks in Brazil. An 18-hole golf course, bandshell with bench seating, sprawling wooden playground and public pool are hallmarks of the largest community hub, Forest Park. A creek traces through Craig Park and pools into Waterworks Lake, a local fishing spot with a pavilion. The local YMCA hosts programs for all ages and provides indoor facilities for below-freezing winter temperatures.
Residents of Brazil can enjoy the massive wooden playground in Forest Park year round.
Shoot hoops at the YMCA open gym in central Brazil.
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Annual events at Forest Park and the Clay County Fairgrounds
The Wabash Valley Rodders Car Club cruises into the heart of Brazil during the Route 40 Fest, a one-day festival drawing regional crowds. Forest Park transforms into a twinkling Santa meet-and-greet spot during month-long Christmas in the Park Festivities. The same committee hosts a Strawberry Festival at the park in June, while the Brazil Rotary Club lights up the 4th of July with rides and fireworks. The Wabash Valley Community Foundation accepts donations through 2025 to give the Clay County Fairgrounds’ popular 4-H display area a facelift.
Clay Community Schools for Brazil students
The Clay Community Schools district boundary covers Brazil and extends into rural areas to the north and south, scoring a B from Niche. School buses operate 47 daily routes throughout the district. Parents may request to enroll their students in district options outside their home school, though most students living in Brazil attend North Clay Middle School for sixth through eighth grade before capping off at Northview High School.
Northview High School is home to almost 1,000 students in Brazil.
North Clay Middle School serves over 700 students in grades 6-8.
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Police activity and tornado data for Brazil
Crime statistics in Brazil are not readily available, though the Brazil Indiana Police Department stays in touch with the community with case updates and event announcements through its Facebook page. The National Weather Service reports that 8 tornado events have occurred in Clay County since 1950, two within Brazil city limits and only one causing property damage.
I was born and raised in the Wabash Valley and have been married for 23 years! My family currently resides in Parke County. Indiana. We have also lived in Clay, Vigo County, Texas, and Arizona. For the last 23 years, I served alongside my husband as a Military/ First Responder spouse. Before my career in Real Estate, I was a hairstylist for 20 years, and I owned my boutique for three years. After purchasing our own home in 2005, I dreamed of becoming a REALTOR®! I have now been licensed for four years and have represented buyers and sellers in Vigo, Clay, Parke, Vermillion, Sullivan, and Hendricks Counties. During my time as a licensed REALTOR®, I've sold over twelve million dollars in Real Estate! In 2023, I was recognized by the Terre Haute Area Association of REALTORS® as the association's Rising Star. “I truly love helping people achieve their real estate goals. I take pride and treat every transaction as my own!” If you’re interested in buying, selling, or scheduling an in-person consultation. Let's Connect!
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.
