A primarily commercial neighborhood with an increasing residential footprint
Downtown Kokomo is a primarily commercial neighborhood that is also home to many city and Howard County agencies. However, there is also a pocket of historic houses and several newly developed townhomes catering to those looking for something closer to an urban vibe in this north central Indiana city of nearly 60,000 residents. That figure is significant. Kokomo's population increased by 31% between 2010-2022, marking the city’s largest growth spurt since the 1950s. DJ Butcher, an associate broker with Fortune Inc., is among that number. The Kokomo native left town in 2010 before returning eight years later. “When I left, there was nothing here downtown for anyone to do. When I came back in 2018, it felt like it was a whole different city,” Butcher says. “I never went downtown when I came back to visit. There was no reason to. Now I work downtown, and I love it.”
Downtown Kokomo has a small residential footprint mixed among the business district.
This is one of the historic homes located in the Downtown Kokomo neighborhood.
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A vibrant shopping and dining scene in a historic setting
A vibrant shopping and dining district has keyed Downtown Kokomo’s revival. “The community is keeping these mom-and-pops thriving,” Butcher says. The neighborhood has late-19th century charm, but buildings are either renovated or new constructions that fit in with the established architecture. There are shopping choices as varied as boutiques (Annmarie’s, Esther’s Place and Olive Tree), comic shops (Comics Cubed), toy stores (Kokomo Toys and Collectibles) and record stores (American Dream Hi Fi). The Sun King brew pub, a smaller sibling of the Indianapolis microbrewing titan located inside the former Kokomo rail depot, features seven in-house brews and 21 brewed in Indy. Nearby 3 Amigos, Marble The Steakhouse, Missy’s Family Restaurant and Oscar’s Pizza are among Kokomo’s most popular restaurants.
Sun King Brewery was started in 2009 in Indianapolis and has many locations.
Kokomo Toys and Collectables is a family owned toy store in Downtown Kokomo.
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Take the Walk of Excellence
It’s possible to travel in any direction from Downtown Kokomo on the Kokomo City Trolley Line, which has five different routes. The trolleys – really buses designed to resemble streetcars – run from 6:30 a.m.-7 p.m. on weekdays. Like many downtowns, Kokomo’s is a highly walkable and bike-friendly area. The Wildcat Creek Walk of Excellence, a 4-mile trail along its namesake creek, cuts along downtown’s southern boundary and connects with neighborhoods to the east and west. “People use it all the time,” Butcher says of the Walk of Excellence.
The Wildcat Walk of Excellence is a serene place in Downtown Kokomo.
Enjoy a bike ride across the Wildcat Creek in Downtown Kokomo.
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Parks within walking distance
Foster Park is directly across Washington Street from Downtown, and hosts many of Kokomo’s events, festivals and concerts in addition to featuring a playground, pickleball and tennis courts, basketball courts, softball diamond and skatepark. Downtown Dog Park, just across Wildcat Creek from Downtown, has a fenced-in and dog-friendly play area. Recreational opportunities abound at the Delmar E. Demaree Family YMCA, which opened its new building in 2016. The Y offers basketball, swimming, volleyball, pickleball and fitness classes.
The Wildcat Walk of Excellence runs on both sides of the Wildcat Creek in Downtown Kokomo.
This alley way in Downtown Kokomo utilizes space that would otherwise be neglected.
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Haynes Apperson Festival, other events nearby
The Haynes Apperson 5K race, one of many events in the annual Haynes Apperson Festival, runs through Downtown Kokomo the final weekend of June. The festival, held at Foster Park, commemorates the Haynes Apperson automobile – the first successful gasoline-powered car in the US, which was made in Kokomo. Foster Park also hosts the weekly Kokomo Summer Concert series. Across Wildcat Creek, fans can catch the Kokomo Jackrabbits at Kokomo Municipal Stadium. The Jackrabbits play in the Northwoods League, which is a summer wooden bat league for college players. First Friday events are held monthly in Kokomo’s downtown square, which is also the site of the annual strawberry festival in early June.
Downtown Kokomo is the home of America's first car, the 1894 Pioneer.
Downtown Kokomo is home to the Kokomo Jackrabbits baseball team.
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Historic houses and new townhomes
Downtown Kokomo’s houses are almost entirely located on the neighborhood’s east side in the blocks between Market Street and Apperson Way. Though there are relatively few homes, there’s a wide array of styles from the late 19th and early 20th centuries – a mix of Arts and Crafts, American Foursquares and bungalows. Several larger houses are divided into duplexes. Houses near downtown typically range between $150,000-250,000, but they don’t often hit the market. On Market Street, a row of townhouses constructed in 2017 is priced between $250,000-350,000.
This architectural gem was moved from another part of the city into Downtown Kokomo.
This is a row of townhomes that were constructed in 2017 in Downtown Kokomo.
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Kokomo High provides a true 'Hoosiers' basketball experience
Kokomo-Center Township Consolidated School Corporation receives an overall C-plus rating from Niche. Students living downtown would attend Bon Air Elementary from kindergarten through second grade before moving to Pettit Park Elementary for third to fifth grade. Both schools have a C-rating. Students are zoned to attend C-rated Bon Air Middle School. However, all Kokomo students are eligible to apply for Central Middle International School, which is located downtown. Central, which has a B-minus rating, has been an authorized International Baccalaureate school since 2013. All Kokomo students are zoned to attend Kokomo High, which is in the southwest part of the city. However, Kokomo High’s Memorial Gymnasium, which was completed in 1949 and seats more than 5,000 fans, is downtown on the Central Middle School campus. Wildkats basketball games are a big draw here -- and in 2024, Flory Bidunga became the third Kokomo High player to ever win Indiana’s prestigious Mr. Basketball award, which was established in 1939.
Kokomo Memorial Gymnasium is a historic gym built in 1949 and is still in use today.
Kokomo High School, Kokomo
Central Middle School scored an overall B+ on niche.com.
Bon Air Middle School scored an A in diversity on niche.com.
Pettit Park School has 241 students in attendance.
GreatSchools:
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Great investment property. Newly renovated duplex. This property has 8 bedrooms and 8 bathrooms in total. Each floor consists of 4 bedrooms with each bedroom having their own bathroom. All of the mechanicals, plumbing, electrical are all brand new as well as the flooring, bathrooms, appliances are all brand new. Both floors have been freshly painted and come with a washer and dryer. The
Welcome to the brand new Macy Apartments located in downtown Kokomo. You are across the street from the local YMCA, across the street from the trolley station, walking distance to locally owned restaurants, shops, and a brewery. If you like the outdoors, the walking and biking trails are just around the corner. We currently have a couple Studios and 2 bedrooms available with multiple floor plans.
Looking for a condo to rent in the heart of Downtown Kokomo? This stunning 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom condo was completely remodeled in 2023 and offers 2,700 square feet of modern, open-concept living space. Features include a spacious kitchen and living room, a custom-built bar perfect for entertaining, and all major appliances included. Tenants can also enjoy a 700 square foot shared deck, ideal for
Welcome to the Lofts @ Union Street, Kokomo’s first upscale, urban apartment community.Located within walking distance to shopping, dining, sports, and entertainment, the Lofts @ Union street are pioneering a new way of living in Kokomo’s revitalized downtown district. The urban loft-style apartments feature modern floor plans with higher end amenities, roof-top views, secured building
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Andy Hardie,
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Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
612
Median Age
42
Population Density
7 ppl/acre
Population under 18
20.6%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
25.3%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$22,258
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$24,784
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
63%
Significantly below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
17.3%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
0.2%
% Population in Labor Force
58.4%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
44''
Average Winter Low Temperature
17°F
Average Summer High Temperature
84°F
Annual Snowfall
4''
Area Factors
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
70/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
80/ 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.
