$164,812Average Value$179Average Price per Sq Ft1Home For Sale
Homer is a diverse neighborhood with commuter convenience
Just north of the bustling U.S. Route 20 corridor, Homer is centrally located for commuting to Elkhart, Goshen or South Bend. "You can get to downtown Elkhart in about 5 minutes, which is a big draw," says Terrie Forrest with McKinnies Realty, who has over 30 years of experience in the area. "And this area has some of the more affordable homes in the city." When residents head out of the tree-lined neighborhood to shop, they can find German, Asian and Hispanic grocery stores, reflecting the diverse population that calls Homer home.
Lower-priced homes date back to the early 1900s
Although there might be some ambient road noise, the neighborhood is buffered by canopies of mature trees. Yards are larger than neighborhoods closer to the city, and the streets feel rustic without curbs. Some homes even back up into farmland. Built from the 1920s to the 1960s, older ranch styles and bungalows are priced below Elkhart's median price point. Properties needing renovations go for less than $120,000, while move-in-ready homes range between $150,000 and $220,000. "The homes have a bit of personality because they are older," Forrest says. "And buyers are often looking for a turnkey property, not something that needs a lot of investment."
As the city's demand for housing rises, the neighborhood is starting to see some new construction, including an upcoming 16-home development off Homer Avenue. Renters can find several apartment complexes, and there is a mobile home park on Mishawaka Road.
German, Hispanic and Asian grocery stores on Main Street
According to the owners of Himmel Haus German Food, German immigrants largely inhabited the neighborhood when the store first opened in the 1960s. But today, Himmel Haus's selection of German meats, cheeses and spices is complemented by flavors from around the globe. El Rosal Supermarket has fresh produce and house-made tacos. Asia Market also has a small restaurant area, and International Bakery is known for its pan dulce and tres leches cake. Three miles down Main Street, there's a major shopping hub with big brands like Meijer, Target, Aldi and Walmart.
Down the street from Monger Elementary School
Most students in the neighborhood attend Elkhart Community Schools. Monger Elementary is across East Hively Avenue, which is walkable from many homes. The school earns a C-plus rating from Niche. Pierre Moran Middle gets a C, and Elkhart High earns a B-minus. For a nearby daycare option, Foundations for Early Childhood Excellence on DeCamp is less than a mile away.
Students who live south of Bontrager Avenue are zoned to attend Concord Community Schools, which gets an overall B grade from Niche.
Proximity to Oxbow Park and the Elkhart River
The neighborhood is about a mile from Elkhart Environmental Center, a quiet wildlife refuge with hiking trails and a kayak launch along the Elkhart River. "Elkhart is a smaller river, so it's more for kayaks or tubing, not for boating like the St. Joseph River," Forrest says. "There's also Ox Bow Park, which isn't too far away. You can hike, walk and rent pavilions — people even get married out there." Ox Bow also has a sledding hill, archery range and disc golf course.
Food pantry and pickleball games at local churches
Within the neighborhood, Cavalry Assembly of God runs the Shepard's Cove Food Pantry, which gives out food boxes to those in need. Over at Zion Missionary Church, pickleball games are held in the gym every Monday, open to the general public. Both churches have Spanish-language ministries. “We try to connect with the community as much as we can,” says Aaron Grosse, associate pastor at Zion. “We pass out snacks and water bottles to kids after Monger Elementary lets out, and we are hoping to expand our playground area by adding picnic tables."
A nearby bypass road connects out to South Bend
The neighborhood is adjacent to the entrance ramps to U.S. Route 20, which heads east and west across the state. "The 20 bypass is really good to get you to Mishawaka, South Bend, and even as a kind of a back way to Chicago to avoid the toll roads," Forrest says. About 20 miles away, South Bend is home to major employers and South Bend International Airport.It's just over 2 miles to downtown Elkhart and 5 miles to Elkhart General Hospital. The Interurban Trolley Red Line stops within the neighborhood and connects to Goshen and downtown Elkhart.
Crime and tornado risks
The overall CAP Index Crime Score is 5 out of 10, compared to the national average of 4. However, some types of violent crime score as high as 8 out of 10.In 2024, an EF-1 tornado caused damage just north of the neighborhood, including at Monger Elementary. The area was also affected by a major tornado in 1965.
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
Penny Seegers,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Studebaker Park
Riverview Park
Sterling Park
Grills
Picnic Area
Parking Lot
River Greenway Trail
Elkhart Environmental Center
NIBCO Soccer Fields
Transit
Airport
South Bend International
42 min drive
Bus
Main & Dewey
Bus
Carriage House Apartments
Bus
Main & Station
Bus
Autumn Court Apartments
Bus
Mishawaka & Pleasant Plain
Bus
Pleasant Plain & Hively
Bus
Carriage House Apartments Main Entrance
Homer Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Homer, Elkhart sell after 36 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Homer, Elkhart over the last 12 months is $249,990, down 40% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Beautiful move-in ready 2 bedroom 1 bath home ready for you to enjoy! This gem has a total of 5 parcels that are all included in the sale. Each parcel is about 0.14 acres. Enjoy the nice privacy that this home has to offer, with 2 sheds included. The property has decently sized rooms, a spacious kitchen, and conveniently located to be close to downtown Elkhart or the Dunlap area/Goshen.
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Penny Seegers,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
2,805
Median Age
32
Population under 18
31.3%
Above the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
12.8%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$38,907
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$52,401
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
71.2%
Below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
9.8%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
1.9%
% Population in Labor Force
69.8%
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
42/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
24/ 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.
