A little more than 2 miles from downtown is the quiet Fort Wayne suburb of Pettit-Rudisill, a residential neighborhood that includes 105 blocks with modest single-family homes. This centrally located neighborhood has immediate access to shopping, dining, schools and parks.
While some properties date back to 1900, most houses in Pettit-Rudisill were built between the 1930s and 1950s. Typical are classic mid-century styles, including Cape Cods, ranch-styles and bungalows. Unlike similarly priced neighborhoods, Pettit-Rudisill is not solely comprised of starter homes; plenty of properties feature four to five bedrooms. Prices range between $100,000 and $180,000.
Empty lots are often listed for development, ranging in price from $5,000 to $12,000 and spanning a tenth of an acre to a quarter acre. “Fort Wayne housing has increased in recent years and is likely to continue to increase,” says Tina Stuckey, a Broker with RE/MAX Results. “There’s a lot of construction going on to add affordable houses here.” Renters and homeowners live in this community side by side, so folks looking for a new spot to call home or an investment opportunity can find both here.
Pettit-Rudisill is served by Fort Wayne Community Schools. Students growing up in the north side of the neighborhood may enroll in Merle J. Abbett Elementary School and Lane Middle School, both graded C by Niche; and South Side High School, graded C plus. Students living on the south side may enroll in Levan R. Scott Academy, graded C by Niche, before attending Miami Middle School, also graded C, and Wayne High School graded B minus.
Although Pettit-Rudisill has no parks within its boundaries, just south of the neighborhood is Brewer Park, a 5-acre city park that opened in 1954. Redevelopment of the park aims to upgrade and expand the existing playground, basketball courts and large open fields. By mid-2025, the project will update playgrounds and basketball courts, add a splash pad, walking paths, a covered picnic pavilion, restrooms and landscaping.
Another project in the area will add to the Hanna Street Trail. This paved walking path runs through Pettit-Rudisill parallel to its namesake road and spans a little over 2 miles from East Pettit Avenue to East Wallace Street. Once completed, the path will directly connect Tillman Park to downtown Fort Wayne. Like Brewer Park, the Hanna Street Trail redevelopment is set to be completed in 2025.
Just east of Pettit-Rudisill is McMillen Park, home to an 18-hole golf course, a community pool, playground, sports courts, a gym facility and a community center that runs indoor youth sports programs throughout the year.
Across Route 27, also known as Lafayette Street, is Lafayette Park, a pocket park with a multipurpose field, a playground, tennis and basketball courts. Managed by the Lafayette Community Association, this nook welcomes folks from surrounding neighborhoods as well.
Locals also spend time volunteering and helping the community at the Franciscan Community Center in Pettit-Rudisill. This religious, charity-focused organization runs food drives and thrift stores throughout Fort Wayne, but is best-known for Turkey Tuesdays, an annual event held two days before Thanksgiving that provides more than 1,600 turkeys to local families in need. The center also has a large grassy field on its property, often used for walking and playing catch.
Southgate Plaza is the common spot for day-to-day shopping near Pettit-Rudisill. Right off Route 27, this plaza has the nearest supermarket, Kroger, along with several businesses, including a dentist, liquor store, laundromat and fast casual restaurants. Within the neighborhood are several local restaurants, including Ya Boy Fish & Chicken and Pizza By Vito’s.
It's a quick commute to downtown Fort Wayne from Pettit-Rudisill. The area's main throughway and commercial corridor, Route 27, runs along the west side of the neighborhood. Public transportation is also accessible around the community: Fort Wayne's Citilink buses stop at McKinnie Avenue and Hanna Street on their way to and from downtown.
Wade Griffin
North Eastern Group Realty
(260) 376-7774
125 Total Sales
1 in Pettit-Rudisill
$48,000 Price
Andrew Morken
Morken Real Estate Services, Inc.
(260) 854-1054
73 Total Sales
1 in Pettit-Rudisill
$8,000 Price
Becca Williams-Thomas
F.C. Tucker Fort Wayne
(260) 264-9427
64 Total Sales
1 in Pettit-Rudisill
$121,000 Price
Isaac Stoller
Steffen Group
(260) 376-7950
171 Total Sales
1 in Pettit-Rudisill
$72,500 Price
Mary Sherer
ERA Crossroads
(260) 376-7955
383 Total Sales
1 in Pettit-Rudisill
$62,500 Price
Damion Chapman
Uptown Realty Group
(260) 888-8134
17 Total Sales
1 in Pettit-Rudisill
$13,000 Price
On average, homes in Pettit-Rudisill, Fort Wayne sell after 22 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Pettit-Rudisill, Fort Wayne over the last 12 months is $115,156, up 15% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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A quiet residential community less than 5 miles from downtown Fort Wayne
Desirable southside neighborhood, walkable to parks, restaurants and schools.
Southside neighborhood centered by a linear park
A small Fort Wayne suburb with a handful of parks, close to downtown
A Southeast Fort Wayne neighborhood in the midst of a revitalization
A suburb with historic charm and great downtown proximity off Lafayette Street
