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Willowdale

Willowdale

Urban Pioneer Neighborhood in Elkhart, Indiana

Elkhart County 46514

$152,304 Average Value
$91 Average Price per Sq Ft
1 Home For Sale

A serene setting near the urban heart of Elkhart

Willowdale is a north side Elkhart neighborhood offering residents convenient access to the factories fueling the Northern Indiana city’s economy, but in a setting that feels far from industry thanks to its natural beauty. Christiana Creek curves its way through the neighborhood namesake Willowdale Park, and Wellfield Botanic Gardens provide a sense of serenity to the urban area. “Willowdale is very nice,” says Elkhart city councilman Dwight Fish. “We have a big park and pavilion there.”

Most homes in Willowdale date back to the early 20th century.
Most homes in Willowdale date back to the early 20th century.
Wildlife roams freely throughout Elkhart's Willowdale neighborhood.
Wildlife roams freely throughout Elkhart's Willowdale neighborhood.
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Wellfield's beauty is known throughout Michiana region

Elkhart Parks and Recreation superintendent Jamison Czarnecki says that the district’s five-year master plan is to have a playground or green space within a 5-minute bike ride of every resident — and Willowdale is already set in that regard. Willowdale Park has a playground and basketball courts, and the indoor pavilion is available to rent. The neighborhood is also home to Wellfield Botanic Gardens, which is billed as “Michiana’s most beautiful location” thanks to its colorful collection of 20 different gardens. The new 12,000-square-foot indoor visitors center enables the garden "To host events throughout the year versus only in our favorable-weather summer,” says executive director Eric Garton.

Play against your friends and neighbors at Willowdale Park's basketball court.
Play against your friends and neighbors at Willowdale Park's basketball court.
Wellfield Botanic Gardens features 20 individual gardens that are spread around its 36 acres.
Wellfield Botanic Gardens features 20 individual gardens that are spread around its 36 acres.
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Homes from the first half of the 20th century

Willowdale was developed between the 1920s and ‘40s. Bungalows, Craftsman and Cape Cods between 850 and 1,500 square feet are the norm. Though most houses in the neighborhood are smaller than the national average, many Willowdale residents have ample yard space. Home prices in the neighborhood range between $100,000 and $225,000, with a handful of ranch-style homes built in the 2020s representing all sales over $200,000.

Cozy cottage style homes in Willowdale are ideal for first time buyers.
Cozy cottage style homes in Willowdale are ideal for first time buyers.
A select number of Craftsmen-style bungalows can be found in Willowdale.
A select number of Craftsmen-style bungalows can be found in Willowdale.
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Bristol Street Cafe a popular way to start the day

While the neighborhood itself is a tree-lined setting, several shopping and dining options are close by. Bristol Street Cafe, a breakfast and lunch diner that opens at 5:30 a.m., is just across the street. At the end of the workday, Cappy’s Northside Bar and Grille is a popular local hangout. Steelyard Coffee and Westwind Brewery are also close to the neighborhood. Multiple grocery stores are a short drive away, including Martin’s Super Market, Meijer and Walmart Supercenter.

Steelyard Coffee Co. is known for its excellent quiche.
Steelyard Coffee Co. is known for its excellent quiche.
Residents of Willowdale shop for fresh prodcue at Martin's Super Market.
Residents of Willowdale shop for fresh prodcue at Martin's Super Market.
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North Side Middle School is close to the neighborhood

North Side Middle School is just a block away from Willowdale Park and earns a C rating from Niche. The middle school receives students from all 14 of Elkhart’s elementary schools. Willowdale’s elementary students attend C-rated Woodland Elementary, on the same campus as B-minus-rated Elkhart High. Elkhart High School was formed in 2021 when Elkhart Central and Elkhart Memorial merged.

North Side Middle School has 630 students with a C rating on Niche.
North Side Middle School has 630 students with a C rating on Niche.
Elkhart High School challenges students by offering an all-encompassing curriculum.
Elkhart High School challenges students by offering an all-encompassing curriculum.
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Nearby Elkhart Municipal Airport is hard to miss

Bristol Street (Indiana State Road 19) forms Willowdale’s northern boundary. The Indiana Toll Road (Interstate 90) is 3 miles north of the neighborhood. The area west of the neighborhood is largely industrial, with several companies tied to the RV and brass manufacturing industries. And though Elkhart Municipal Airport offers no commercial service, residents will likely notice the airport’s average of 90 daily flights taking off and landing less than 2 miles away. A busy freight line along the neighborhood’s southern boundary is another noise factor. The Interurban Trolley Blue Line has stops just outside the neighborhood along Michigan Street.

Winter Wonderland lights are an area favorite

The holiday season brings traffic to Willowdale. Wellfield’s Winter Wonderland holiday light display is Elkhart’s largest, attracting visitors from throughout this region of Northern Indiana and Southern Michigan, known locally as Michiana. Most of Wellfield’s events take advantage of when the gardens bloom, from weekly yoga classes to monthly horticulture classes. Taste of the Gardens, a late August fundraiser featuring local restaurants and food trucks, is another major annual event.

Parks help reduce flood risk

Willowdale Park and Wellfield Botanic Gardens don’t just add to the neighborhood’s beauty — they mitigate the flood risk from Christiana Creek. There is some flood risk for creekside homes on Olive Avenue, but the rest of the neighborhood is outside the flood zone.

Alex Hickey
Written By
Alex Hickey
Owen Kaufman
Photography Contributed By
Owen Kaufman

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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 neighborhood? Reach out to Kim Hahn, an experienced agent in this area.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

South Bend International

42 min drive

Bus

Bristol & Edwardsburg

Bus

Michigan & Bristol

Crime and Safety

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

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$135,000
Median Single Family Price
$141,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$91
Number of Homes for Sale
1
Last 12 months Home Sales
5
Months of Supply
2.40
Median List Price
$153,027
Median Discount From 1st List Price
1%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-18%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
144
Median Year Built
1929
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,505
Significantly below the national average
1,937
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,160
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
6,969

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

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

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
375
Median Age
36
Population under 18
28.5%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
14.1%
Below the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$55,227
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$92,270

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
81.5%
Below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
11.5%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
5.8%
% Population in Labor Force
67.9%

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®

40 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®

47 / 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
Willowdale