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Downtown Carmel

Downtown Carmel

$424,057 Average Value
$245 Average Price per Sq Ft
61 Homes For Sale

Where Carmel's growth from suburb to city is evident

Carmel has evolved from a bedroom community 16 miles north of downtown Indianapolis to a booming edge city over the past 30 years, and that growth is evident at every turn in Downtown Carmel. From top-notch shopping and dining to a concert hall that attracts national touring acts, Carmel’s downtown has enough amenities to make trips to Indianapolis optional for special occasions. Yet, it is close enough to Indy for daily commutes. Further, Niche designated the city the No. 2 Best Place to Live in America in 2024, and USA Today recognized its holiday market as the Best in the USA in 2022 and 2023. “It’s the most affluent city in the state, and Hamilton County, which it is part of, is the most affluent county in the state. Everything we have here is just really, really nice – like you’d find in a big city like Chicago or Los Angeles,"
says Shelly Walters, a Realtor with F.C. Tucker Company.

Overview of Main Street in Downtown Carmel.
Overview of Main Street in Downtown Carmel.
This overview of Midtown Plaza in Downtown Carmel shows how big of an area it is.
This overview of Midtown Plaza in Downtown Carmel shows how big of an area it is.
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Downtown events, The Palladium offer a big-city feel

No matter the season, something is happening in Downtown Carmel. Summer highlights include an outdoor concert series on the grounds of City Hall. CarmelFest features live music and food vendors and culminates with Carmel’s Fourth of July parade and fireworks display. “Our parade is one of the most popular in the state,” says Carmel city councilman Adam Aasen. “People make fun of us because people put out chairs along the route like two weeks in advance.” In winter, Carmel’s Christkindlmarkt offers the quaint feel of an open-air European market. The Palladium, a 1,500-seat concert hall, touts its acoustics, with Tony Bennett, John Legend and Sting among the high-profile names to play there.

Downtown Carmel's Palladium is a magnificent venue to catch a show.
Downtown Carmel's Palladium is a magnificent venue to catch a show.
Live music is on tap at Downtown Carmel's Midtown Plaza.
Live music is on tap at Downtown Carmel's Midtown Plaza.
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Arts & Design District, Midtown Plaza offer multiple shopping and dining options

Ironically, the contemporary transformation of the city’s downtown is most noticeable in Old Town Carmel. The Arts & Design District is a creative hub that features a collection of galleries, design businesses, antique stores and boutique shops. Popular sidewalk dining stops include 3UP, a modern gastropub with a rooftop bar. Once an old yellow house now turned restaurant, Bub’s Burger’s and Ice Cream is known for its one-pound “Big Ugly” burger. Midtown is just south of the Arts & Design District. The Midtown Plaza has transformed the city’s old industrial area, providing a unique urban atmosphere surrounded by residential development, businesses and an array of dining options. Prominent among those options, in size and popularity, is Sun King Carmel, a brewery and restaurant complex that overlooks the plaza’s outdoor gathering space. Kroger, Meijer and The Fresh Market are nearby grocery options.

Midtown Plaza in Downtown Carmel is always full of action.
Midtown Plaza in Downtown Carmel is always full of action.
Downtown Carmel is a popular spot to take your furry friend for a walk.
Downtown Carmel is a popular spot to take your furry friend for a walk.
Downtown Carmel has many art installations for visitors to enjoy.
Downtown Carmel has many art installations for visitors to enjoy.
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A wide range of housing styles and prices

Single-family housing is spread throughout the downtown area. Ranch-style homes built before Carmel’s population boom — the city has tripled to more than 100,000 residents in 25 years — range between $220,000 and $530,000. Townhouses are becoming a prominent feature in Downtown Carmel, with prices ranging from $300,000 to $700,000. Depending on size and location, contemporary two-story houses range from $340,000 to as much as $1.75 million.

Many residents in the Downtown Carmel area live in townhouses.
Many residents in the Downtown Carmel area live in townhouses.
Downtown Carmel homeowners take great pride in their homes appearance.
Downtown Carmel homeowners take great pride in their homes appearance.
Carmel City Center hosts living spaces and retail shops in Downtown Carmel.
Carmel City Center hosts living spaces and retail shops in Downtown Carmel.
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Carmel-Clay Schools among Indiana's very best

Carmel-Clay Schools have contributed to the city’s growth. Niche gives the district an overall A-plus rating and ranks it second in the state while also naming it the best in Indiana for student-athletes — in particular, Carmel High’s swimming program has produced multiple Olympians. Tennis pro Rajeev Ram, one of the world’s top doubles players, is a prominent former Carmel student-athlete. Students living in Downtown Carmel attend A-rated Carmel Elementary, A-plus-rated Carmel Middle and A-plus-rated Carmel High. Niche also designates Carmel High the top-rated public school in the Indianapolis area and fourth in the state.

Carmel High School in Downtown Carmel provides students with a unique and learning environment.
Carmel High School in Downtown Carmel provides students with a unique and learning environment.
Carmel School in Downtown Carmel instills respect, responsibility, and resilience in kids.
Carmel School in Downtown Carmel instills respect, responsibility, and resilience in kids.
Carmel Middle School in Downtown Carmel emphasizes scholastic achievement.
Carmel Middle School in Downtown Carmel emphasizes scholastic achievement.
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Miniature horses, big catfish and many recreational options

The Arts & Design District is home to the Museum of Miniature Houses, which features a vast collection of miniature art. On the neighborhood’s north side, Meadowlark Park has a state-of-the-art playground and a wheelchair-accessible fishing pier where anglers can catch catfish, rainbow trout and other local fish. The private Woodland Country Club, which opened in 1956, is a draw for many neighborhood residents. Several neighborhood homes border the club’s fairways and greens. The Waterpark at Central Park is a summertime attraction with a climbing wall, pool and waterslides. Indoor recreational options in Downtown Carmel include the Carmel Racquet Club and the Carmel Ice Skadium.

The Museum of Miniature Houses in Downtown Carmel is a unique spot with many amazing pieces.
The Museum of Miniature Houses in Downtown Carmel is a unique spot with many amazing pieces.
Children play in a futuristic looking playground at Downtown Carmel's Meadowlark Park.
Children play in a futuristic looking playground at Downtown Carmel's Meadowlark Park.
Downtown Carmel's Meadowlark Park is the hot spot for a game of pickleball.
Downtown Carmel's Meadowlark Park is the hot spot for a game of pickleball.
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Monon Trail and roundabouts are city signatures

Downtown Carmel is known for a pair of signature transportation features. The 27-mile long Monon Trail, which stretches north from the heart of Indianapolis, cuts through Downtown Carmel. “The Monon Trail is a huge driver of what happens here,” Walters says. “You have a ton of new development going on right around it.” And though unusual in many American cities, roundabouts are ubiquitous in Carmel. “There are so many benefits to roundabouts. They’re more efficient and they’re safer,” Aasen says. “There could be a day where we only have one traffic light, and that’s because it is kind of historic as one of the first traffic signals in the country.”

The Monon Trail has bike lanes for community members in Downtown Carmel.
The Monon Trail has bike lanes for community members in Downtown Carmel.
The Monon Trail in Downtown Carmel  stretches for many miles into downtown Indianapolis.
The Monon Trail in Downtown Carmel stretches for many miles into downtown Indianapolis.
The Monon Trail, a popular rails-to-trails project, passes through downtown Carmel.
The Monon Trail, a popular rails-to-trails project, passes through downtown Carmel.
Roundabout's make traveling in Downtown Carmel a breeze.
Roundabout's make traveling in Downtown Carmel a breeze.
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Crime

Downtown Carmel is rated 4 out of 10 on the CAP Index, which measures crime. Citywide, Forbes ranks Carmel as the 10th-safest city in the United States with at least 100,000 residents.

Alex Hickey
Written By
Alex Hickey
Travis Patton
Photography Contributed By
Travis Patton
Antoine Allen
Video By
Antoine Allen

Agents Specializing in this Area

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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

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Suzanne Drollinger, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Indianapolis International

51 min drive

Downtown Carmel Demographics and Home Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$419,000
Median Sale Price
$400,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$411,500
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$575,000
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$282,450
Median Change From 1st List Price
2%
Last 12 months Home Sales
395
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
4%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$245

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
6,047
Number of Homes for Sale
61
Median Year Built
1985
Months of Supply
1.90
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,987
On par with the national average
1,924
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,859
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,645
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,113
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
13,068

Open Houses

  • Saturday, Aug 30
    12 - 2pm

    13559 Kensington Place, Carmel, IN 46032

    $699,900

    • 4 Beds
    • 3.5 Baths
    • 2,952 Sq Ft
    • 13559 Kensington Place
    • New 1 day ago

    Gorgeous fully remodeled attached single family home in Kensington Place. This is a "10", nothing was left untouched! The peaceful elegance of this renovation shines from the moment you enter, new paint, carpet, engineered hardwoods, crown moldings and all the details. The kitchen has beautiful white cabinetry, quartz counters, painted island with butcher block and serving counter. Open floor

    Ann Williams Compass Indiana, LLC

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  • Sunday, Aug 31
    1 - 3pm

    11779 Yale Dr, Carmel, IN 46032

    $410,000

    • 3 Beds
    • 4 Baths
    • 2,220 Sq Ft
    • 11779 Yale Dr
    • New 10 days ago

    Tucked away at the end of the pond is an immaculate townhome at Townes at Guilford, which offers a harmonious blend of sophistication and convenience. Spanning over 2,000 sq ft, the home features 3 bedrooms and 4 baths-meticulously designed for modern living. Step inside this light-filled home which showcases thoughtful millwork, a refined study enclosed by French doors and a beautiful entry to

    Austin Coon @properties

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  • Sunday, Sep 7
    1 - 3pm

    588 Steinbeck Place, Carmel, IN 46032

    $474,900

    • 3 Beds
    • 2.5 Baths
    • 1,892 Sq Ft
    • 588 Steinbeck Place
    • New 26 days ago

    LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION! Built in 2022, this David Weekley Kinzer 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath home offers modern living within walking distance to the Monon Trail, Downtown Carmel, the Palladium, Farmers Market, restaurants, Carmel City Center, and the Arts & Design District. The open-concept main level features white cabinetry, quartz countertops, a stylish backsplash, stainless steel appliances

    Ginny Purdy-Paskoff F.C. Tucker Company

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Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Suzanne Drollinger, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
30,318
Median Age
38
Population Density
5 ppl/acre
Population under 18
19.7%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
18%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$73,629
On par with the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$99,335

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
97.6%
College Graduates
61.7%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
22.6%
% Population in Labor Force
75.3%
Above the national average
65.1%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
43''
Average Winter Low Temperature
20°F
Average Summer High Temperature
85°F
Annual Snowfall
18''

Area Factors

Very Bikeable

Bike Score®

77 / 100

Somewhat Walkable

Walk Score®

65 / 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.

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Reviews

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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
Downtown Carmel
Suzanne Drollinger
Hoosier, REALTORS®
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