$154,916Average Value$78Average Price per Sq Ft5Homes For Sale
An active neighborhood beside Ball State University
Bordering Ball State University (BSU) to the east and to the south, the community of Riverside-Normal City is a primarily tenant-occupied neighborhood home to many university students and staff. People move here because it’s a 15-to-20-minute walk from two major area employers: BSU, East Central Indiana’s top employer, and IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital. The White River also borders the neighborhood to the south and east, providing residents with direct access to its trails; and downtown Muncie is also only a 10-minute walk away. Riverside-Normal City has an active neighborhood association committed to fostering community and finding ways to improve their neighborhood. “Our staff goes door to door leaving little bags to welcome people to the neighborhood and to let them know about our events,” says Dr. Jennifer Erickson, a BSU professor and secretary of the Riverside-Normal City Neighborhood Association. “We want to call attention to our efforts, whether it’s collecting trash or planting trees. We try to welcome new and returning students from Ball State. We have a lot of meetings to get people’s opinions and to come up with the best solutions" for a way forward.
Walkability, bike lanes and the MITS bus
“You can get around pretty well by foot or by bike, but you need some sort of transportation—car or bus—to get to a grocery store,” Erickson says. Most residents can walk to BSU’s campus in 15 to 20 minutes and to downtown Muncie in 10. The neighborhood also has a MITS bus stop at University and Reserve that connects locals to destinations throughout the city. Right now, the neighborhood does not have bike lanes, but the city plans to add them, and the neighborhood association has actively gathered community feedback. “They wanted to put bike lanes on one of the main thoroughfares, but we didn’t feel comfortable putting our kids on that busy road,” she says. “Now, they plan to put them on Riverside, which is a much better choice.” IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital is a mile-and-a-half or a 5-minute drive away; and when traveling out of town, residents fly out of the Fort Wayne International Airport, 67 miles away, or the Indianapolis International Airport, 75 miles away.
Getting around Riverside-Normal City is a breeze on the MITS bus system.
Riverside-Normal City is easy to get around and is popular with bikers.
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Late 19th and early 20th century homes
Riverside-Normal City has an architecturally rich array of homes built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Styles include Tudors, Craftsman homes, farmhouses, American Foursquares, Cape Cods and bungalows. Most of these homes remain as detached single-family designs, while others have been converted into multiunit properties to better accommodate the neighborhood’s increased population of renters. “We’re about 80% renters and 20% homeowners,” Erickson says. Homes here have small front and back yards and an average square footage of 1,600 square feet, slightly larger than in other parts of central Muncie. “I was a downtown dweller of many years,” says resident Cheryl Crowder. “I needed a yard to garden, and that is the only reason I moved out of downtown.” The neighborhood association maintains the area’s greenery, planting new trees yearly. “We receive grants to buy bigger trees,” Erickson says. “Adding more trees benefits everyone–it increases property values and is good for the environment and aesthetics.” Home values here are just above the average for the Muncie metro area, and sales prices range from $65,000 to $250,000, mainly concentrating between $100,000 and $200,000.
Large screened in porches are popular for home shoppers in Riverside-Normal City.
Bungalows are a popular option for home buyers in Riverside-Normal City.
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The Village Revitalization Plan
Riverside-Normal City is less than a mile’s walk from The Village, a commercial district just south of the university. Some of the most popular spots along this strip include the Midwestern chain Brothers Bar and Grill; the Muncie-born burger spot Roots; and Greek’s Pizzeria, a cozy local restaurant known for its breadsticks. Despite housing a few beloved local restaurants, The Village isn't quite what it used to be. “During the industrial heyday of the ‘50s and ‘60s, it was a thriving commercial district with a little mall that rivaled downtown,” Erickson says. “As industrialism began to decline, BSU became the bigger employer as opposed to the factories, and in the ‘70s and ‘80s, The Village started to decline.” To bring more business back into this district, BSU President Geoffrey S. Mearns is currently spearheading the Village Revitalization Plan, which will be anchored by a new theater for the university’s Theatre and Dance program and a Hilton hotel with a rooftop bar. Residents, however, want to ensure that the revitalization plan includes businesses that would best serve the community’s needs. “We don't want just commercial development but also community development,” Erickson says. “One of the things we’re pushing for is to get a grocery store. Students right now have to get on a bus to go to Walmart if they want access to a grocery store. We want a community co-op grocery store where people can go get a sandwich, buy groceries or just hang out.” She explains that all of Muncie’s supermarkets are on the city's outskirts, making buying groceries challenging for students and residents alike. “We need to put people over profit,” she says.
Swing by Greek's Pizza in Riverside-Normal City after class for some dinner.
Roots Burger Bar is a popular location for lunch in Riverside-Normal City.
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Emerson Dog Park, Tuhey Park and the White River Greenway
The neighborhood association hosts its annual ice cream social at the Emerson Dog Park, the site of a former elementary school. The neighborhood is also home to Tuhey Park, a large city space that is also home to Muncie’s biggest public pool. From here, residents can access the White River, which borders the neighborhood to the south and east and is lined by the White River Greenway, a nearly 6-mile multiuse trail. “I use that trail every day to bike or walk my dog,” Erickson says. The greenway also connects to the Minnetrista Museum & Gardens to the east, an expansive museum campus whose bike- and dog-friendly grounds are free for the public to enjoy.
Tuhey Park is a sprawling space with lots of paths throughout.
There are plenty of spots along the White River Greenway to go fishing in Riverside-Normal City.
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Muncie Community Schools
Riverside-Normal City borders Ball State University, so many who live here attend classes at or work for the university. Children here attend West View Elementary School, Northside Middle School and Muncie Central High School. West View Elementary and Northside Middle School have C-plus grades on Niche, and Muncie Central High School has a B-minus. West View Elementary is home to a Spanish dual language immersion program, so students spend as much as 80% of their school day being instructed in Spanish.
Crime
Riverside-Normal City has a CAP Index crime score of 4 out of 10, on par with the national average.
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.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
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Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Riverside-Normal City
US
Homicide
6
4
Sexual Assault
4
4
Assault with Weapon
5
4
Robbery
4
4
Burglary
5
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
4
4
Larceny
4
4
Crime Score
5
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Riverside-Normal City Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Riverside-Normal City, Muncie sell after 38 days on the market compared to the national average of 56 days. The median sale price for homes in Riverside-Normal City, Muncie over the last 12 months is $130,990, down 14% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Beautifully remodeled home located on campus! This 3-bedroom, 2 full bath property features a spacious kitchen with brand-new cabinets, countertops, and appliances. Enjoy all new LVP flooring and updated light fixtures throughout. The basement offers a freshly painted floor and ceiling, adding clean, usable space. Outside, you'll find a new side deck and a detached two-car garage with additional
This charming 2-bedroom, 1-bath home is the perfect starter property, tucked into a quiet neighborhood just blocks from Ball State University. Move-in ready with fresh paint throughout, new carpet in both bedrooms, and new flooring in the kitchen and bathroom. The water heater was replaced just 8 months ago, offering peace of mind from day one. A detached garage provides convenient parking and
This duplex is being offered for $169,900 and already generates **$1,500 per month in rental income with both units leased through **June 2026** and **July 2026**. This turnkey investment offers strong cash flow and long-term security. Recent renovations (within 6 months): -new appliances -updated flooring and carpet -fresh paint and updated bathrooms. This property is part of a potential 5
Check out this cute 2 bed 1 bath just minutes from BSU! Great for a small family or a student rental, hardwood floors throughout, new windows, full dry basement with attached 1 car garage access. All appliances stay!
Less than a mile from Campus, this charming 3 bed 2 bath home is perfect for college students or a family ready to move. The parking area for this property can fit multiple cars comfortably and the front porch is perfect for enjoying a quiet evening outside! The main level rooms are spacious with plenty of room for recreation or lounging. There is a second small kitchen with a stove and sink
Close to BSU and IU. Fully updated with tenant secured through July 2026 at $1,100/month. It offers investors a turnkey, maintenance opportunity with immediate returns and long-term growth potential. Property highlights: new flooring, new light fixtures, fresh paint, new fascia, gutters on west side, new kitchen cabinets, updated electrical, new appliances, and updated bathroom. This property is
3 bedroom investment property located near BSU. Currently rented at $795 month with a long term tenant but this is below market rate. Leased until 6/2026. Instant cash flow! This property is part of a potential 5 property package with 1600 W Adams St., 216 S Dill St., 1623 N Janney Ave., 512 S Talley Ave.
This four bedroom home has a new kitchen as well as a newer upscale bathroom. It has a full basement and a screened in porch! There is a large covered porch and a separate upstairs storage area with "man-cave potential!"*Just a short walk to BSU!?*Photos are staged, and will not come furnished
Home for Rent Available August 5th 2026 but could possibly be available June 2026708 N. Alameda Ave, Muncie, IN 47304$1,600/month4 Bedrooms2 Full BathroomsLarge living common areaLarge kitchenWasher & Dryer in basementPrivate parking in rearClose to campusTenants pay all utilities
BEST LOCATION... ONLY STEPS FROM BSU VILLAGE!!! This home has 5 large bedrooms with 3 full bathrooms and a newly remodeled kitchen with new stainless appliances. It offers central air, efficient heating, washer and dryer, dishwasher, and off street parking. Each bedroom is individually keyed. ?*Photos are staged, and will not come furnished
$1,600 per month
“A Charming Place to Call Home – Spacious 4 Bedroom - 2 Bath”
Warm and welcoming 4-bedroom, 2-bath home with beautiful hardwood floors and plenty of space to make memories. Enjoy comfortable bedrooms with generous closets, roomy bathrooms, a kitchen with stove and refrigerator, and washer/dryer hookups for everyday ease. Just a short walk from Ball State’s campus, this home offers comfort, charm, and convenience.Required Monthly Services for this
This 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom home is just a short walk away from all of the local restaurants and entertainment in The Village! It comes with spacious rooms and fresh paint. There is also a basement for extra storage and space. Appliances include a stove, refrigerator, and washer/dryer. Call us today to schedule a tour!
This 3-bedroom, 1-bath home featuring plank flooring, abundant natural lighting, a bright sunroom, and spacious rooms. Includes washer and dryer plus an upstairs loft for extra living or workspace.Required Monthly Services for this unit:-Tenants are responsible for all utilities.-Enjoy added convenience with identity protection, pest control, air filter delivery (if applicable),
$1,151 per month
PRELEASING for AUGUST! Close to Campus: In-Unit Washer/Dryer + LOFT
This 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom home is just a short walk away from Ball State's campus! It features gorgeous hardwood flooring, plenty of natural light, and a basement for extra storage. Appliances include a stove, refrigerator, and in-unit washer/dryer.Call us today to schedule a tour!
Don’t miss this ideally located 4-bedroom, 1.5-bath home just minutes from Ball State University. Enjoy a bright, oversized living room filled with natural light from large windows—perfect for relaxing or gathering with friends.The kitchen comes fully equipped with a stove, refrigerator, and dishwasher, while the added convenience of an in-unit washer and dryer makes everyday living
Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
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