A pocket of micro-urban development is surrounded by farmland in Eaton, a small city in the heart of Ohio's Preble County. Since its founding in 1806, this community’s grown at a slower pace than other Ohio cities like Dayton. The community's easygoing nature is part of its charm for many residents. “Eaton is about a 45-minute distance from downtown Dayton, so it’s kind of a hike, but it has this wonderful small-town feel. says Kerry Santiago, a local Realtor with Coldwell Banker Heritage Realtors. "One of its big draws is also Lake Lakengren , because you can find a home on the water in a private, gated community. Across the rest of Eaton, there’s a lot of older homes and farmland that stretches into Indiana.”
Local residents enjoy walking downtown in Eaton each morning.
The City of Eaton provides a great place to live with above average schools.
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Small-town midcentury homes
Going hand-in-hand with the area’s long history, homes built as far back as the 1840s sit alongside new construction areas from the last two decades. Cape Cods, Victorian-influenced houses and ranch-style properties are common options, while properties from the 1980s onward employ a new traditional style. The area also includes a few condo units and duplexes in converted 19th-century homes or new traditional-style properties. Eaton’s median home value of about $235,000, which is almost half of the median home value across the U.S.
Downtown Eaton, you can find many different architectural style of homes.
Bungalow homes with detached garages are also common within Eaton.
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Moderate weather with four seasons
Eaton Water Works Park provides a 25-acre green space outfitted with a playground, picnic tables and the Bark Park for four-legged friends. On Camden Road, Fort St. Clair Park is peppered with more than 50 picnic tables, walking trails and cabins. On the wilde side, locals hike through Woodland Trails Wildlife Area. Youth athletes play sports at Seven Mile Park on multiple fields with a concession building. Residents can also ride horses at the Preble County Fairgrounds, meet friends for pickleball at the Preble County YMCA, or buy day passes or memberships to swim at the Y’s Main Street Aquatic Center.
Residents of Eaton can ride their horses at the Preble County Fairgrounds.
Eaton residents can take their dogs to the local dog park.
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Learning experiences at Eaton High
Kids in Eaton generally attend Eaton Community Schools. The district includes four schools and earns a B-minus grade overall. Eaton High School offers 28 athletic programs for students throughout the year and earns a B grade on Niche.
Edison State Community College at Eaton offers classes for adult learners in town. Students can complete an associate degree or certificate here or start their degree programs before transferring to a four-year university. The university’s Eaton campus is unranked on Niche, but the main campus in Piqua holds a C grade.
Tri-County North Elementary School is for students in grades Kindergarten through 4th.
National Trail Middle School serves students in the Preble County community.
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A 28-mile drive to Dayton
U.S. Highway 35 and Barron Street are Eaton’s major connections to the rest of western Ohio. To get to Dayton, locals can expect a 28 mile trip east. Cincinnati is about 60 miles south. Public transit in the area is limited to scheduled inter-city trips via Preble Transit. For medical concerns, the nearest hospital is Kettering Health Preble - Emergency Center, on the north side of the city near Barron Street. Residents traveling by plane can catch flights from Dayton International Airport, 32 miles northeast of Eaton, or Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, 70 miles south.
Agriculture and food service are major sources of economic growth in Eaton and Preble County. Companies such as Henny Penny, Cargill and Brubaker Grain maintain large presences nearby.
Familiar retail and good eatin’ in Eaton
Eaton's Main Street corridor features a few local restaurants and businesses, including clothing boutiques, print shops, a pet salon and a local brewery. Many folks shop for basic items at the Walmart on Route 127 on the outskirts of the city. Other stores around this stretch of highway include a Kroger, an AutoZone and a Tractor Supply Co. But just a little farther past vast corn fields on Route 35, a rainbow-colored set of Adirondack chairs sit under the monument sign for Steiner's Country Market, a popular destination for fresh produce, meat and cheese.
Tractor Supply is also located within the Eaton neighborhood.
Eaton residents can shop at Kroger if they prefer.
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Preble County Fair and library fun
Preble County Comic Con is a celebration of pop culture fandom in town. Each June, the event brings together local artists, vendors, cosplayers and more at the Brooke-Gould Memorial Library. Later in the summer, the Preble County Fair is one of Eaton’s biggest events, with amusement rides, games, a demolition derby and agricultural competitions.
For year-round entertainment, Eaton High School’s former campus is now home to the Eagles Point mixed-use development. The school’s auditorium became the Star Theatre, the only first-run movie theater in town; folks can also visit The Gym for games of indoor pickleball and basketball.
Preble County Fairgrounds, in Eaton, hosts a Pork Festival every September.
Eaton Library provides residents access to all the book and education materials they need.
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Crime stats in Eaton
According to FBI data, property crime in Eaton has trended downward for more than a decade. Violent crime in Eaton briefly spiked to more than a dozen cases in 2020 but the annual rate has remained lower than it was in 2008.
Written By
Tre Lyerly
Photography Contributed By
Kayleigh Ulrich
Video By
Amon Parson
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Alexandra Parker,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Eaton, OH sell after 41 days on the market compared to the national average of 50 days. The median sale price for homes in Eaton, OH over the last 12 months is $225,000, up 1% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Beautiful and spacious 4-bedroom, 2.2-bath brick two-story in Eaton, offering over 2,500 sq ft plus a semi-finished basement and a 3-car garage. Situated on an oversized corner lot, this home features a functional and inviting layout beginning with a tiled open foyer flanked by a formal Living Room with French doors and a formal Dining Room. Hardwood floors run throughout the main and upper
D.R. Horton, America’s Builder, presents the Newcastle plan. This 1,635 sq. ft. home offers 3 bedrooms and 2 baths in a single-level living space. The main living area offers solid surface flooring throughout for easy maintenance, as well as a spacious, open layout that provides the perfect entertainment space. Two large bedrooms are situated in the front of the home, with the main bedroom, which
Stylish new Aldridge plan in beautiful Georgetown Village. This home packs a lot of living in 1,272 sq. ft. into a modern design, open layout that provides the perfect entertainment space. The large main bedroom with a roomy walk-in closet at the front of the home is separate from the other 2 bedrooms for privacy. The gorgeous kitchen, equipped with a 3-piece appliance set, features lots of
Experience the serenity of this beautiful 5-acre wooded country retreat! This spacious 4-bdrm, 2 full and 2 half-bath home offers over 2,600 square feet of living space. Nestled on a scenic hill near Bantas Creek, the property greets you with a welcoming wrap around porch that opens into a foyer featuring wood floors and a winding staircase. The home showcases elegant architectural details like
Newly built in 2023, this beautiful 3-bedroom, 2-bath home offers just under 1,900 sq ft of high-quality living space with access to all the amenities of Lake Lakengren. Step inside to a bright, open split floor plan with cathedral ceilings and stylish finishes throughout. The spacious Living Room features a vaulted ceiling, electric fireplace, and floating shelves, flowing into an impressive
1242 SF 3 bdrm, 1 full bath, 1 hslf bath waterfront home located on the main lake. This total brick ranch has been recently updated and includes a private dock with a covered boathouse and two personal watercraft drive-up docks. Beautifully landscaped and well maintained. Fully furnished and for lease for $2500 per month + $2500. deposit. No smoking. Dog under 25 Lbs OK w/non-refundable pet
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