$90,855Average Value$73Average Price per Sq Ft1Home For Sale
Frances Slocum is a residential pocket near Marion schools
Marion's Frances Slocum neighborhood offers a space to own or rent near area schools. This south-side community has a laid-back residential vibe, but the heart of the area is its namesake elementary school. Families and students also settle down here to be close to Indiana Wesleyan University, the town's private, Christian university. Marion at large draws newcomers with lower housing prices and has increasingly more to offer thanks to a downtown resurgence, according to Cathy Hunnicutt, a Grant County native and broker with Re/Max Realty One. "There's just a lot of good stuff going on in Marion right now," she says.
Minimal Traditional and ranch-style properties to rent or own
While Frances Slocum is bordered by busier retail and industiral streets, its center is a more relaxed, residential space. Minimal Traditional, bungalow and ranch-style properties fill the area, many with modestly sized but well-kept front yards. Many serve as rentals, as a majority of residents lease rather than own. Prices range from about $80,000 to $160,000 — reflecting Marion's generally lower housing prices. "Grant County is very affordable to live in and the housing in Marion is very inexpensive," Hunnicutt says. "I have clients who will buy in Marion and they'll drive to work 45 minutes to an hour because the cost of living here is so much cheaper than Indianapolis or Fort Wayne."
Marion schools offer flexible arts options and walkable access
Marion Community Schools are within walking distance for some students. At the heart of the neighborhood, Frances Slocum Elementary earns a C from Niche and high local regard. "Frances Slocum Elementary School is a fantastic elementary school," Hunnicutt says. "I personally know some of the teachers there and the ones I know are very dedicated teachers and became teachers because they love children and wanted to teach them well." Kids can also attend Justice Intermediate, which gets a C-plus, McCulloch Junior High, which gets a C and Marion High, which earns a B-minus. Seventh through 12th graders are allowed flexible schedules for intensive arts training at the downtown Community School of the Arts.
Less than 2 miles away, Indiana Wesleyan University has comprehensive programming with an emphasis on liberal arts and professional education. Its College of Arts and Sciences includes over 80 undergraduate programs, while other programs are available online and at regional education centers.
Outdoor amenities at Cardinal Greenway and Hogin Park
City green spaces are about a mile outside the neighborhood. Hogin Park features a walking path, skate park and picnic table seating across its nine acres. The Marion Skate Park Project has proposed plans for a major renovations. From there, locals can hop on the Cardinal Greenway — Indiana's longest rail-trail. A popular hiking and biking hub, it stretches 62 miles from Marion to Richmond. Just east is Splash House, Marion's water park with a lazy river, racer sliders and splash pad. It's typically open Memorial Day weekend through mid-August.
Shopping and dining on State Road 9 and downtown Marion
Several chain and local restaurants line State Road 9, from fast-food drive-throughs to sit-down experiences. A local staple since 2001, Casa Brava advertises authentic Mexican cuisine, including lunch and dinner combos. The menu also features specialty margaritas and beer towers. Lowe's, Walmart Supercenter, Meijer and Aldi cover groceries and other necessities. Downtown Marion is increasingly the spot to be, according to Hunnicutt. "They're doing so much to rejuvenate downtown that all the shops and stuff are coming alive . . . It's like refacing buildings, businesses are coming downtown. People are now going downtown to do shopping and eating again. Marion is really experiencing a facelift and it's really looking great."
The Walkway of Lights brightens the holidays and draws big crowds
The holidays are a big deal in Marion, dubbed "Christmas City, U.S.A." Its signature attraction, the Walkway of Lights, features over two-and-a-half million lights along an over 2-mile trail. The holiday celebrations begin with the Miracle on Third and Fourth Street parade and event at the end of November. Other Marion traditions include festivals for fall, Earth Day and the Fourth of July.
Highways and bus routes offer connections around town
Frances Slocum sits about 2 miles south of downtown, and is bordered by two major north-south routes: State Road 9 and South Nebraska Street. Sidewalks are not always present but add walkability on some neighborhood streets. The Marion Transit System offers fixed bus routes around town. Marion Health provides comprehensive medical care, including emergency care, about 2 miles north via South Nebraska Street. Travelers can find commercial flights at Fort Wayne International Airport, about 50 miles away.
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.
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Frances Slocum Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Frances Slocum, Marion sell after 57 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Frances Slocum, Marion over the last 12 months is $93,500, up 120% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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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.
