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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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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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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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.
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.
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
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Susan Falck-Neal,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Heekin Park
Mansfield Park Lodge
Rotary Park
Cooley Park
Minnetrista Museum & Gardens
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Southside
US
Homicide
6
4
Sexual Assault
5
4
Assault with Weapon
6
4
Robbery
4
4
Burglary
5
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
4
4
Larceny
3
4
Crime Score
4
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Southside Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Southside, Muncie sell after 43 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Southside, Muncie over the last 12 months is $89,950, up 6% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Fully remodeled and move-in ready! This fantastic 4-bedroom, 2-bath home offers approximately 1,210 square feet of updated living space. Recent upgrades include a new roof, furnace, A/C, water heater, luxury vinyl flooring throughout, and newer windows. The beautifully renovated kitchen features brand-new cabinets, granite countertops, and new stainless steel stove and microwave. The main level
Fully remodeled and ready for a new owner, this fantastic Southside cottage/bungelow is 728 SF, has 2 bedrooms, 1 full bath, and a 1.5 car detached garage. The entire house is updated and includes new vinyl flooring, new windows, roof, new HVAC, all new plumbing Electrical, kitchen with countertops, and includes very nice stainless steel appliances (refrigerator, gas oven/range top, and
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Susan Falck-Neal,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
8,179
Median Age
41
Population Density
5 ppl/acre
Population under 18
22.6%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
19.2%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$33,939
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$44,604
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
85.5%
College Graduates
10.1%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
3.2%
% Population in Labor Force
54.5%
Below the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
42''
Average Winter Low Temperature
16°F
Average Summer High Temperature
84°F
Annual Snowfall
9''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
33/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
27/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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.
