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Homer

Homer

Neighborhood in Elkhart, Indiana

Elkhart County 46517

$163,222 Average Value
$110 Average Price per Sq Ft
2 Homes 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.
Alex Hickey
Written By
Alex Hickey

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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 Penny Seegers, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

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

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Homer US
Homicide 6 4
Sexual Assault 7 4
Assault with Weapon 8 4
Robbery 6 4
Burglary 6 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 5 4
Larceny 5 4
Crime Score 6 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Homer Demographics and Home Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$170,000
Median Sale Price
$159,900
Median Single Family Sale Price
$162,012
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
17
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-3%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$110

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
320
Number of Homes for Sale
2
Median Year Built
1940
Months of Supply
1.40
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,403
Significantly below the national average
1,933
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,593
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
43,560

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

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.

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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
Homer