Highly rated schools and a relaxed lifestyle in Middlebury
Only about 10 miles south of the Michigan border and Interstate 90 lies the town of Middlebury, a laid-back, small-scale city in Northern Indiana Amish country. "It has an excellent school system, it's very safe, and Middlebury traditionally has one of the best value increases for properties in the area," says Nicolas Wyse, a resident and real estate agent at Re/Max Results with 15 years of experience. "I graduated from high school here, and when it came time to raise a family, I came back to Northern Indiana and then came to Middlebury. It's been a great place to have a family and run our business."
Though the residential population of Middlebury is about 3,500, the daytime population from commuters and tourism grows to up to 15,000. In addition to agriculture, manufacturing is a driving force of employment and industry for the area, specifically RV and manufactured homes. Wyse says the Amish community is interwoven into Middlebury’s social and economic fabric. “The Amish/Mennonite community has really brought up Middlebury," he says. "Their lifestyle is very tranquil, and we've certainly had people move here because they're so enraptured by them." A prime example is Das Dutchman Essenhaus, an Amish-themed restaurant and venue that draws more than 750,000 visitors each year.
Highly rated Middlebury Community Schools
Wyse says Middlebury Community Schools district is a highlight for the community and one of the main draws to the area. The district is graded B-plus by Niche, and Niche also rates it as one of the best school districts in the South Bend area. Middlebury Community Schools has four elementary schools, an intermediate school, a middle school and a high school, all of which are graded B or higher. Juniors and seniors at Northridge High School can participate in Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses through the Eklhart Area Career Cente. The career center offers 30 programs, such as precision agriculture, commercial photography and pre-law. Students who wish to stay close to home after graduation might attend Goshen College about 10 miles away.
Small businesses and Das Dutchman Essenhaus, the largest restaurant in Indiana
With the capacity to seat and serve more than 1,000 diners, Das Dutchman Essenhaus is the largest restaurant in Indiana. It's grown over the years to include a bakery, inn, conference center, village shops and quilt shop. People visit Essenhaus for more than eating and shopping: there are horse-drawn carriage rides, mini golf and bike rentals.
There are plenty of small businesses in Middlebury, including country-style stores family-owned restaurants and fast food options. Residents head to The Mill, a community space, for boutiques and events. The Middlebury Farmers Market and Artisan Market are held during the summer. There have been several new restaurants that have brought fine dining to Middlebury, such as The Reserve on State and Main and West on Warren. "My personal favorite is Wedgewood Brewing Company, which just had the No. 1 hazy IPA in Indiana according to Untappd," Wyse says. "They have great beer, great people, and a lot of good music."
Middlebury’s town center is a focal point of the community. It serves as a downtown, providing development and retail along Main Street with Warren Street as the main intersection. Offices, banks, stores and eateries are here, as well as the fire and parks departments, the Middlebury Community Historical Museum and the Middlebury Community Public Library. Under the Middlebury 2030 Comprehensive Plan, the town center will transform into a more walkable live-work environment with a mix of homes and businesses.
Single-family homes above the Goshen median price
Virtually all Middlebury houses are single-family, many of which were built in the 2000s. The median home price in Middlebury is about $300,000, lower than the national median of about $420,000 but higher than the Goshen median of roughly $250,000. Styles are based on the era of construction, with farmhouses being some of the earliest examples. Ranch-style homes became popular in the 1950s and continued to be common in the following decades. Builds from the 21st century are typically larger, two-story contemporary homes with attached garages. "Middlebury properties tend to stay stable over the years," Wyse says.
Pumpkinvine Nature Trail and Krider World's Fair Garden
"I’d be remiss not to mention that we’ve expanded the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail," Wyse says. "You can get on that trail and go east all the way to Shipshewana or go west to Goshen. It’s really beautiful and they have done a wonderful job with it." One portion of Pumpkinvine is called the “Learning Corridor." This section stretches from the Little Elkhart River to the former Middlebury Railroad Station site. Educational signs detail the area's history as the trail passes points of interest, such as the Middlebury Community Historical Museum and Krider World’s Fair Garden. "Krider World’s Fair Garden had fallen on hard times and wasn’t being maintained, but the Friends of Middlbury Parks revitalized it, and they’ve done an amazing job," Wyse says.
The town has a youth soccer league and dedicated fields. Pickle Haus Pickleball has the area's premier indoor courts. Parks like Riverbend and Olde Mill have paths through woodland settings and boardwalks along wetlands. Golfers of any skill level can enjoy Meadow Valley Golf Club, a public course offering optional membership packages. The Wayne Street and Ridge Run trails link the schools, town center, Das Dutchman Essenhaus, neighborhoods and churches.
Seasonal celebrations, local traditions and annual festivals in Middlebury
Seasonal celebrations include Middlebury Hometown Holidays downtown. The Fall Festival in September features produce and local restaurant vendors, crafts, fireworks, a cornhole tournament and more. The Summer Festival includes games, tasty treats and one of the largest parades in the state. The whole family can enjoy the Essenhaus Classic Car Cruise-In on Thursday nights from May to September for activities, live entertainment and giveaways. In June, the Pumpkinvine Bike Ride passes through town. Riverfest at Riverbend Park features outdoor experiences based around the Little Elkhart River in August with educational demonstrations, information booths and kayaking. Other events include community garage sale days, Flashback Friday movies in the park, the Middlebury Chamber Golf Classic and Small Business Saturday.
Drivers share the road with horses and buggies
Middlebury residents are mostly car-dependent, and drivers always keep an eye out for horse-drawn buggies in the area. U.S. Route 20 and state Route 13 intersect in south Middlebury. According to the 2030 Comprehensive Plan, one concern is congestion on Route 13, primarily due to semitrailer traffic. Crossing Main Street can also be difficult. Improvements include adding highly visible markings at busy intersections and midblock crossings. The town also intends to add Amish buggy and bicycle lanes in the town center. South Bend International Airport is about 40 miles away, with 13 nonstop destinations to major cities.
MPD reserve deputies help out
According to FBI data, the property and violent crime rates have increased in Elkhart County in recent years but remain below the national figures. In addition to full-time sworn officers, the Middlebury Police Department has reserve deputies who cover shifts and assist with events and festivals.
Written By
Leslie Klosterman
