Lake Village offers rural Indiana charm near Chicago
Lake Village is a rural community in north Newton County that draws people looking for a small town feel and homes on multiple acres, and some who are looking to save money. “We’ve been getting a lot of people moving from Chicago because the taxes are so high there. You get the big tax break here and can still be close to your family in Illinois,” says Corine Beard, a Realtor with Trueblood Real Estate who sells throughout Northwest Indiana. With the Windy City only about 60 miles away, Lake Village residents have access to a bit of city life, plus get the best of rural life: proximity to rivers and nature preserves, homes on sprawling lots and plenty of charm.
Homes range from ranch-style to split-level on large lots
Houses in Lake Village are a mix of New Traditional, ranch-style, bungalows and split level. They sit on lawns landscaped with grass and trees. Some properties sit on multiple acres which residents can use for oversized garages and in-ground pools. Prices range from $165,000 to $580,000. Higher prices homes tend to exceed 2,000 square feet, sit on an acre or more, were built in the 2020s or all the above.
Open enrollment options at North Newton School Corporation
North Newton School Corporation serves the community and rates a C on Niche. Families can request open enrollment within the district or apply for out-of-district transfers, which are accepted based on capacity and policy rather than random selection. Kids can start school at Lake Village Elementary and end at North Newton Junior-Senior High. Both schools have C ratings on Niche. Ninth, 10th and 11th graders at North Newton take the PSAT in the fall to help them prepare to take the SAT in 12th grade. Seniors do not take the PSAT but rather participate in community service on test day.
Nature preserves, hiking trails and bison herds nearby
The nearby Conrad Savanna Nature Preserve features a two-mile hike among black and white oak trees and the wildlife living there. More wildlife is located at the Efroymson Prairie at Kankakee Sands, a preserve filled with endangered insects, plants and animals, including about 100 bison. North of Lake Village is the Kankakee River, which is popular for boating and fishing. Within the community, the Lake Village Community Center offers a baseball field, playground and tennis courts, and for golf, they head to Lugene Links, a public course off North 300 W.
Essentials are available at home, but most shopping is nearby
Services like the post office, public library and houses of worship are located on or near Main Street. Family Dollar is near the community’s south side and where residents pick up essentials. Restaurants, more shopping options and hospitals are about 25 miles away in Kankakee and about 35 in Merrillville.
Farmers market and car show bring neighbors together
The Lake Village Community Center hosts regular events like a month’s farmers market in the summer and, in conjunction with the Amateur Radio Association of Newton County Indiana (ARANCI), a car show each September where entrants have the chance to win trophies and cash prizes.
U.S. Highway 41 connects Lake Village to nearby cities
Residents get around by car, due to the community’s lack of a fixed route bus line. U.S. Highway 41 runs through the west side of town and connects to nearby cities. County Road 1000 runs along the north side. Chicago O'Hare International is the closest major airport and is around 80 miles away.
The Lake Aero neighborhood, located just north of Lake Village, has a private airstrip for residents with private planes, but Beard says noise is not an issue. “It’s not busy. You don’t see planes taking off all the time or anything.”
