Southside is Muncie’s largest neighborhood. The area was once a center of manufacturing activity, including the Ball Brothers Glass Manufacturing Company and the Muncie Chevrolet plant. But nearby factories closed and caused many jobs — and residents — to leave the area. Still, local organizations, Ball State University and an active neighborhood association have had a positive impact on the community. Southside Middle School is the beating heart of the neighborhood and serves as a hub for education and resources.
Ball State University in Southside is one of the most prestigious universities in Indiana.
Southside was once booming with manufacturing, but some factories still employ much of the community.
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Panther Pantry at Southside Middle School helps kids and families
Grissom Elementary School and Southside Middle School are within the neighborhood, and each receives a C-minus grade from Niche. The middle school is home to Panther Pantry, which provides food, clothing and other essential items to students in need. Participating students are sent home with enough food for breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as extra items for their families. “It started in 2015 with a backpack program with four kids in one classroom,” says Deb Huston, pantry coordinator and special education aide. “Now we have three rooms, including The Den, where kids can pick out clothes. We never dreamed how much the pantry was needed and how long it would last.” The backpack program alone supports about 120 kids on a weekly basis — a quarter of the total student population. “With the loss of manufacturing plants and this being a socioeconomically challenged area, the only way to escape that is getting a really good education,” says retired middle school principal Mike Raters. “We can’t let kids not eat or not participate in band because they can’t afford the right clothes. That’s why Panther Pantry is so important — it’s a critical element to the community.”
Muncie Central High School receives a B-minus. Juniors and seniors can earn college credit and industry certificates by taking classes at the Muncie Area Career Center. Ball State University is 4 miles away. Southside is also home to Inspire Academy, a pre-K through eighth-grade public charter school that receives a C-minus from Niche. St. Michael Catholic Schools is a pre-K through eighth-grade private school that is unrated by Niche.
Grissom Memorial Elementary School is a public elementary school in Muncie that has a student teacher ratio of 14 to 1.
Southside Middle School is a public school in Muncie that has a student teacher ratio of 14 to 1.
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Early 20th Century bungalows and ranch-style homes
Muncie’s gas and industrial boom in the late 1800s and early 1900s spurred development, and worker housing became prominent in Southside. The community is dotted with mature trees and has a mix of driveways, detached garages and street parking. The neighborhood has bungalows, ranch-style and Craftsman-inspired homes. Buyers can find fixer-uppers and investor specials between $20,000 and $50,000, while move-in ready homes can range from $50,000 to $200,000, depending on size, age and renovations.
Cute bungalows are a common house style in the suburb of Southside.
The residents of Southside take great pride in the upkeep of their homes and lawns.
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Ample parks, green space and the Cardinal Greenway
Cooley Park was updated in 2021 with a splash pad, walking trail, new trees and updated restrooms. Kids play youth league sports at Ball Corporation Park, named after the makers of the renowned Ball mason jars and founders of Ball State University. To the north, Heekin Park has expansive green space with mature trees, a picnic shelter, two playgrounds, memorials and sports courts. Bikers and joggers can access the Cardinal Greenway, a 62-mile recreational path, at Mansfield Park. For indoor fun, Gibson Arena roller skating rink has been a Southside institution for more than 80 years. Roller skaters and pickup hockey players may be greeted at the ticket office by Puck, the popcorn-hoovering pup.
Come to Cooley Park to let the kids play on the playground on a warm spring day.
The Cardinal Greenway is a trail system in Muncie for biking and jogging.
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Southside has fast-casual restaurants and locally owned eateries
Residents can head to Walmart or Aldi for groceries. About 4 miles north, the Muncie Mall and Muncie Plaza offer retail shopping. The area has an assortment of chain and fast-casual restaurants, many of which are concentrated on Madison Street. However, there are a handful of locally owned spots, like 12th Street Café and La Hacienda Mexican restaurant.
The Muncie Mall in Southside has plenty of big box retailers such as Books-a-Million.
The 12th Street Cafe in Southside is a great spot to stop for a classic breakfast.
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Family-focused events throughout Southside and Muncie
The Southside Neighborhood Association hosts events like Family Fun Day at Cooley Park and community cleanups. From April through November, cars from every era are on display at the monthly Cruising South Madison. Downtown Muncie has ample events, too, such as the Muncie Three Trails Music Series at Canan Commons Park, a free summer concert line-up.
Access to MITS bus routes and the Muncie Bypass
A few Muncie Indiana Transit System (MITS) routes run through the area, including scattered bus stops in Southside. Major thoroughfares include Madison Street, Macedonia Avenue and Memorial Drive, and the Muncie Bypass is just south of the community. Ball State University and IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital are less than 5 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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On average, homes in Southside, Muncie sell after 38 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Southside, Muncie over the last 12 months is $88,000, up 4% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Investment or first time home buyer opportunity! Clean and move in ready 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom home walking distance to Grissom Elementary School, Southside Middle School and Cooley Park. Eat in kitchen with washer and dryer hookup. There is a nice size living room with hardwood flooring throughout the bedrooms. The bathroom is updated with tub/shower surround. Large backyard that is fully fenced
Beautifully updated and move-in ready! This bright 2 bed, 1 bath ranch features a newly built front deck, flooring, and paint. Bathroom was completely renovated. Newly built privacy fence out back affords a quiet outdoor space. All appliances stay with the home including the washer & dryer. Plenty of off-street parking.
Completely transformed and ready to be called home! Sitting on a large lot, freshly painted with a covered porch gives it charming curb appeal. Great floor plan with waterproof LVP throughout. Spacious bedrooms, dining room, and a laundry room. Kitchen has new cabinets, countertops, backsplash, fixtures, and hardware. Beautifully updated bathroom. Home also includes brand new roof, HVAC, water
This two-bedroom, one bath home is well-maintained and recently updated. Two bedrooms and a large living room present generous living area for the price, while a gas furnace and central AC keep the home hospitable in Indiana weather. Spacious backyard offers space for hobbies or entertaining, and the home has plenty of storage with closets in both bedrooms, a linen closet off the living room, and
2015 S. HACKLEY ST, MUNCIE**HUD ACCEPTED**SEC DEP: $975.00**NEW FLOORING & FRESHLY PAINTED**RENT: $975.00 MONTHLYCUTE 2 BEDROOM, 1 BATHROOM HOUSE LOCATED IN MUNCIE. LARGE LIVING ROOM. KITCHEN HAS GAS STOVE, BUILT-IN MICROWAVE AND REFRIGERATOR INCLUDED. BOTH BEDROOMS HAVE CLOSETS. BATHROOM HAS TUB AND SHOWER COMBO. WASHER/DRYER HOOK-UP IN BASEMENT. 1-CAR DETACHED GARAGE & OFF-STREET
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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.
