Settled along Jackson Street, a major artery leading into downtown Muncie, the neighborhood of Western appeals to buyers with its moderately priced suburban housing options and prime location. “Muncie’s main appeal is its affordability,” says Jennifer Whittenburg, a Realtor with Re/Max at The Crossing. “It attracts people from all walks of life, offering strong community support and a wealth of activities, ensuring there’s always something to enjoy.” Its location — situated within a 3-mile drive of downtown — means direct access to major city amenities like Ball State University and IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital, two of the area's major employers. Despite proximity to the city, residents here can still take life at their own pace, walking the family dog at nearby Guthrie Park, or sipping on a cup of coffee over breakfast at the long-standing Cafe at The Crossing.
Ranch-styles and two-story Traditionals
Prospective buyers look to the Western neighborhood for its 1950s-style homes. “The housing market remains generally stable and affordable,” says Whittenburg, who has over 15 years of experience selling in the area. “While rising interest rates have recently led to an increase in the number of days on market, we’re still seeing values rise; largely due to a steady influx of relocation buyers from across the region increasing property demand.” With a median sales price of $160,000, homes here cost about $50,000 more than the average property in the Muncie metro area. For example, houses in Western can range from as low as $120,000 for a two-bedroom ranch-style to upwards of $300,000 for a larger two-story new Traditional design. Homes here often feature attached garages, mid-sized lawns and paved driveways, and the area's residential streets take on a grid formation. Rows of established single-family homes line the streets between Riverside Drive and Westview Boulevard; with some homes backing up to the railway tracks along Westview. For these homes, it is possible that residents will hear the passing trains, however, it's important to note that the neighborhood is rated quieter than downtown Muncie, according to Soundscore.
Neighborhood gathering at Guthrie Park
Guthrie Park is the primary gathering space in the neighborhood and its within walking distance of many homes. The park features wooden benches and an expansive green space perfect for picnicking. Westside Park is another option, complete with a picnic pavilion, basketball courts and views of the White River. The White River Greenway is also located here and features 5 miles of paved paths for walking or cycling. The Catalina Club offers memberships and is a popular spot during the summer. It’s open seasonally and features an outdoor swimming pool and waterslide to cool off. The public Players Club at Woodland Trails is 3 miles west, with an 18-hole championship golf course known for its affordable membership options. Fans of the Ball State Cardinals can attend football games at Scheumann Stadium, which offers 22,000 seats, also just 3 miles away.
Local grocers and bites along Tillotson Avenue
When shopping in the area, local grocers and retailers like Pay Less Super Market, Walgreens and CVS Pharmacy are available along Tillotson Avenue. Dining options include the family-owned Cafe at The Crossing, which serves coffee and hearty breakfast entrees made with recipes passed down from generation to generation. For authentic Mexican cuisine, Puerto Vallarta-Tillotson offers a relaxed dining experience with traditional tacos, fajitas and margaritas; while the locally owned BerryWinkle is known for its soft-serve frozen yogurt and its more than 20 unique flavors.
Muncie Community Schools and Ball State University
Families in the Western neighborhood may attend Muncie Community Schools, which earns an overall rating of C-plus from the review site, Niche. Students can attend West View Elementary, Northside Middle and Muncie Central High School, which have earned ratings of C-plus, C and B-minus. respectively, from Niche. West View Elementary School serves over 500 students and offers a student-to-teacher ratio of 13:1. Northside Middle School offers a dual language program that incorporates Spanish into the curriculum for comprehension and immersion benefits. Muncie Central High School offers a choice of 13 AP courses within its curriculum and dual enrollment options in partnership with Ball State University, or BSU. Private school options like Heritage Hall Christian School and St. Michael Catholic School are also available here. For those interested in pursuing higher education opportunities, BSU, is 2 miles away and is ranked as the second-best university for undergraduate teaching in the state of Indiana by U.S. News and World Report.
Nearby healthcare and trips downtown on Jackson Street
Westview Boulevard runs along the neighborhood's southern border, connecting residents to Jackson Street and downtown Muncie. The MITS, or Muncie Indiana Transit System, provides public bus routes throughout the area. For those traveling out of state, the Indianapolis International Airport is around 75 miles or an hour and a half drive from Western. For healthcare, the IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital is 1 mile east of the community.
Crime
Western’s CAP Index crime score is 3 out of 10, slightly lower than the national average of 4.
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
Steve Slavin,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
West Side Park
Guthrie Park
Minnetrista Museum & Gardens
Westend Overlook
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Western
US
Homicide
3
4
Sexual Assault
3
4
Assault with Weapon
3
4
Robbery
2
4
Burglary
3
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
2
4
Larceny
4
4
Crime Score
3
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Western, Muncie sell after 13 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Western, Muncie over the last 12 months is $188,248, down 2% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Steve Slavin,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
729
Median Age
42
Population Density
6 ppl/acre
Population under 18
22.1%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
25.1%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$79,098
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$92,259
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
97.1%
College Graduates
48.3%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
23.9%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
58.5%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
42''
Average Winter Low Temperature
16°F
Average Summer High Temperature
84°F
Annual Snowfall
9''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
51/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
38/ 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.
