Kentland is a small Indiana town with a big focus on community
Nestled among the rich farmland of north Indiana near the Illinois border is Kentland, a small town that thinks big. Though agriculture is still significant, Kentland now prioritizes modern development to offer better amenities for residents. “It is a small town that is very community based,” says LaDonna Davidson of The Real Estate Shoppe LLC, who lives in Kentland. “We have a lot of local businesses and community funded programs.” Working with regional partners, the town has built a children’s park and raised more than $200,000 to renovate an existing park. Kentland’s opportunity zone task force organizes the town’s economic development efforts. The task force is the local arm of the federally funded Rural Opportunity Zone Initiative, under which the town has embarked on an ambitious, multi-phase project to build Thrive Intergenerational Wellness Campus.
Wonder Park is a small residential park with a new playground.
Kentland blends small-town charm with modern amenities, surrounded by Indiana’s rich farmland.
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Diverse housing mix includes Colonials, ranches and contemporary homes
Kentland offers a diverse mix of housing options. “We have all kinds of styles, from traditional farmhouses to Colonials to new, modern construction,” says Davidson, who adds that Kentland tends to attract more people than surrounding towns because it is bigger and has more amenities. Craftsman bungalows and Tudors can also be found among the community’s mostly older housing stock, and midcentury ranch-style homes add to the architectural diversity. Sidewalks add appealing walkability to quiet streets lined with mature trees. The town’s newest homes are a collection of ranch-style and contemporary designs with driveways and attached garages in the small subdivision of Eastmeare Estates. Prices typically range from around $60,000 for the smallest older homes to about $280,000 for larger homes on spacious lots. Kentland has a CAP Index Crime Score of 1 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4.
Attached garages and spacious lots are common in Kentland’s subdivisions.
Some single family homes in Kentland feature two car garages with large yards.
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Senior living center, park renovation part of community development
Thrive Intergenerational Wellness Campus is the first project of Kentland’s business development “prospectus.” The initial phase of the $4.5 million project included the construction of a privately funded senior living center. Autumn Trace offers independent living, assisted living and respite care. Renovating the adjacent Batton Park was the next step. “It has all-new playground equipment, a new bathroom and covered park benches,” Davidson says. Initial plans also called for a childcare center and medical facilities, but Davidson says those have yet to come to fruition. Across the street from Batton Park are athletic courts, the Kentland Community Center and the town swimming pool, better known as Blue Devil Lagoon. Cast Park is a large green space with a pond on the north side of town. Wonder Park on the south side of town is the community’s newest. “It is intended for younger children, so it’s an enclosed area with a lot of smaller equipment,” Davidson says.
Batton Park features a playgroud, basebaell fields, a covered pavilion, and more.
Cast Park has a colorful playground, a large open field, a sledding hill, and a pond.
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Three schools located on a single campus nearby
The community is served by the South Newton School Corporation, a district that earns a B from Niche and is one of the top local employers. Its three schools are conveniently located on a single, sprawling campus in outlying Kentland, about 4 miles from the heart of town. South Newton Elementary is rated C-plus, South Newton Middle School is rated B-minus and South Newton High School is rated B. The high school’s extracurricular offerings include chapters for Future Farmers of America and Future Business Leaders of America. Students can attend schools in another district, but parents must provide transportation for any approved transfers.
South Newton Elementary School has 439 students with a student-teacher ratio of 14 to 1.
South Newton Senior High School has 241 students with a student-teacher ratio of 11 to 1.
South Newton Middle School has 189 students and serves grades 6-8.
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Shopping and dining options downtown and across the border in Illinois
The downtown district is anchored by the courthouse square. The post office, the hardware store and Murphy’s Food King are across the street. The bank and Downtown Lounge and Trattoria, a featured community dining destination, are nearby. More shopping and dining options are concentrated along 7th Street, also known as U.S. Route 41, and Seymour Street, also known as U.S. Route 24. "The town has a little bit of everything you'd need," Davidson says. "It’s also super convenient that we are so close to the state line, with the added convenience of a bigger town in Illinois like Watseka, which has a Super Walmart and a larger grocery store." Watseka is quickly accessible via U.S. 24.
Kentland locals gather at Downtown Lounge for Italian cuisine and community events.
Residents rely on the Kentland post office for mail and essential services.
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Highways offer access to work, cities such as Chicago and Indianapolis
U.S. 24 provides convenient travel to surrounding towns in both Indiana and Illinois. The highway provides access to Iroquois Memorial Hospital in Watseka, about 16 miles away. Kentland does have an Iroquois Memorial outpatient clinic. U.S. 41 provides access to regional destinations for those who work outside of the community. “If you are not one of our small-business owners, you’re probably driving to Lafayette, Lake County or even Kankakee, Illinois,” Davidson says. Chicago is about 85 miles away via U.S. 41. Interstate 65 is within 20 miles, offering access to Indianapolis, which is about a 100-mile drive. Residents can expect rain in the summer and snow in the winter, both of which impact travel times.
Iroquois Memorial Hospital provides essential care for Kentland residents.
IMH Medical Group provides services and offers outpatient care for Kentland residents.
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Written By
Matt Pallister
Photography Contributed By
EB Fox
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
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an experienced agent in this area.
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On average, homes in Kentland, IN sell after 52 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Kentland, IN over the last 12 months is $151,000, consistent with the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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Welcome home to this spacious Craftsman-style beauty built in 1913, offering 5 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms with historic charm throughout. Enjoy an inviting open-concept layout with beautiful hardwood floors, original built-ins, and architectural details that give this home its warm character. The oversized main floor laundry room presents the potential to convert back into a 6th bedroom if
Charming 1936 Two-Story with Endless Potential! Welcome to 106 W Washington St, Kentland -- a classic home built in 1936, full of character and opportunity. This spacious 1,794 sq. ft. two-story offers 2 bedrooms, 1.5 bath, a full basement, and an attached garage. Solid construction and timeless details make this one a great canvas for renovation or restoration. While it needs plenty of updates
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