A diverse, historic neighborhood along Indiana Avenue
Indiana is a neighborhood situated along Indiana Avenue on Elkhart’s south side. The part of the neighborhood east of Benham Avenue is known locally as the Tolson Community, named in honor of former residents Herbert and Ruth Tolson, who ran the neighborhood’s Booker T. Washington Community Center in the 1940s and ‘50s. That building has long since been replaced by a community center named for Tolsons that serves as the heart of the neighborhood. Initially a landing spot for African Americans who moved north during the Great Migration, the neighborhood is now one of Elkhart’s most diverse. “We have a large Latino community, a large Black community and a large white community all mixed,” says Dwight Fish, who represents the neighborhood on Elkhart’s city council. “We’re quite diverse on the south side, especially in what we now call the Tolson Community.”
Kids can visit the new Tolson Center for after school programming.
Indiana is known for its stock of affordable homes.
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Most neighborhood houses are more than a century old
The average house in this historic neighborhood is more than 100 years old. Styles are diverse, including American Foursquare bungalows and Craftsman houses. Fixer-uppers sell for less than $75,000, while move-in-ready homes have recently sold between $150,000 and $180,000. An apartment complex operated by the Elkhart Housing Authority and a senior apartment complex make up most of the neighborhood's housing west of Benham Avenue.
Indiana contains a select number of highly-sought Craftsmen style homes.
Large American Four Square style homes in Indiana offer plenty of room for growing families.
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Tolson Center contributes to community excellence
Tolson Center for Community Excellence has served the neighborhood’s needs since opening near the site of the former Booker T. Washington Community Center in 1990. “We're a central location for community programs,” says Fish, who is on the Tolson Center board of directors. “Whether it be pickleball or a meeting with the mayor, we are a hub of activity.” Three parks have been renovated in and around the neighborhood in the past two years: Third and Park Playground, Roosevelt Park and Ullery Park. Pierre Moran Park has an outdoor swimming pool a few blocks south of the neighborhood. Studebaker Park, a few blocks east of the neighborhood, has fishing and boating access to the Elkhart River.
The Tolson Center for Community Excellence features athletic programs for all ages.
There are activities for kids of all ages at Ullery Park.
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Students can attend Elkhart Community Schools or St. Vincent de Paul Catholic
Roosevelt Elementary earns a C rating from Niche. Most neighborhood students attend Pierre Moran Middle School, though some attend North Side Middle. Both receive C grades. Elkhart High School, formed when Elkhart Central and Elkhart Memorial merged in 2021, earns a B-minus. About 200 students are enrolled at K-8 St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School, which is unrated. In addition, around 250 students attend afterschool programs at Tolson Center each day.
School events and programs are featured regularly on the Riverview Elementary School sign.
St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School features a student to teacher ratio of 23:1 in 2025.
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Churches have a large role in community life
St. Vincent de Paul is one of several churches deeply engrained in the fabric of the neighborhood. St. James AME Church and Prairie Street Mennonite Church are among the area’s other congregations. “Faith is a big part of the Elkhart community,” Fish says. The neighborhood is also within walking distance of downtown’s biggest annual events, including the Elkhart Jazz Festival and Elkhart Grand Prix go-kart race.
Convenient access to downtown Elkhart
Downtown Elkhart, which is across the train tracks from the neighborhood, is easily accessible via Benham Avenue, Main Street or Prairie Street. Elkhart’s Amtrak station, which features service between Chicago and New York City, is also on the opposite side of the tracks. The Interurban Trolley Green and Red Lines both have stops in the neighborhood. Infrastructure improvements are underway. The replacement of an outdated sewage and drainage system will be complete in early 2025, and the change is expected to mitigate flooding that has plagued the neighborhood for decades. The city is also investing in a new retail and residential development at the corner of Main Street and Prairie Avenue.
Multiple shopping options within a mile
Groceries and conveniences are available in the neighborhood at Compra Mas Supermarket, Ag Market and Dollar General. Martin’s Super Market, which is about a mile away in downtown Elkhart, is the closest chain grocery store. Harold’s Chicken 100, a Chicago Southside icon, has a location near the corner of Indiana Avenue and Benham Avenue. Dozens of other shopping and dining options in downtown Elkhart are also easily accessible.
Locally owned shops & restaurants in downtown Elkhart are easily accessible from Indiana.
Compra Mas Supermarket in Elkhart's Indiana neighborhood stocks freshly-made "postres"
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Trains are a large part of neighborhood past and present
Perhaps no factor is more noticeable in the neighborhood than train noise. Norfolk Southern's nearby switching yard is the second-longest such facility in the country, stretching across 4 miles and 675 acres. However, proximity to the busy rail line is why the neighborhood is also home to one of Elkhart's top tourist attractions, the National New York Central Railroad Museum. Fish says the museum, which has historic locomotives and rail cars on display, attracts visitors from around the country as well as Europe and Australia.The CAP Index rates crime 7 out of 10 in the neighborhood, with certain types of violent crime rating an 8. The national average is 4.
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
Scott Hammontree,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Studebaker Park
Tolson Park Center
Island Park
McNaughton Park
Riverview Park
Wellfield Botanic Gardens
Sterling Park
Grills
Picnic Area
Parking Lot
Ullery Park
Baseball/Softball
Playground
Pierre Moran Park
Baseball/Softball
Pool
Skateboard
Transit
Airport
South Bend International
43 min drive
Bus
6th & Wagner
Bus
Benham & Indiana
Bus
Benham & Dr Mlk
Bus
Faith Mission
Bus
Benham & Chapman
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Indiana
US
Homicide
8
4
Sexual Assault
7
4
Assault with Weapon
8
4
Robbery
8
4
Burglary
6
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
6
4
Larceny
5
4
Crime Score
7
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Indiana Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Indiana, Elkhart sell after 27 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Indiana, Elkhart over the last 12 months is $172,000, up 244% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$172,987
Median Sale Price
$172,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$174,000
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$170,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
3%
Last 12 months Home Sales
4
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
244%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$67
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
286
Median Year Built
1910
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,747
Below the national average
1,933
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,075
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
6,534
Distribution of Home Values
Source: Public Records
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Scott Hammontree,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
2,225
Median Age
27
Population under 18
38.7%
Above the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
9.1%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$21,875
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$32,521
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
72.7%
Below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
4%
Significantly below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
1.3%
% Population in Labor Force
73.3%
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
62/ 100
Somewhat Walkable
Walk Score®
61/ 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.
