Historic districts and affordable housing options in eastern Wayne County
Richmond, Indiana, sits on the eastern edge of Wayne County, near the Ohio border, about halfway between Indianapolis and Dayton, Ohio. Richmond is home to over 35,000 residents, four college campuses and six areas on the National Register of Historic Places, including its Historic Downtown. Two local museums even have ancient mummies on display for those who want to explore even more history, plus works from the Richmond Group, a local collection of prominent artists from the turn of the 20th century.
Parks, city events and relatively affordable real estate round out the city’s features. “Residents love the quaintness of the area and the many activities available to them,” says Debbie Rudd, an associate with Better Homes & Gardens First Realty Group. Home buyers looking for a bargain may value relatively affordable prices compared to other parts of the Midwest.
Richmond's Bethel A.M.E. Church was built in 1854, and is one of many historical sites in the city.
Richmond is home to Earlham College, a private liberal arts school and the second U.S. college to become coed.
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Affordable housing options and historic buildings
Richmond's median single-family home price is $150,000, lower than the national median of $420,000 and Indiana’s median of $260,000. “Our housing prices are amazingly affordable compared to most other areas of the state or Midwest,” Rudd says. House styles range from modest ranches and bungalows to Italianate and Tudor Revival homes in the East Main Street-Glen Miller Park Historic District. New housing developments are in the works as well. “A developer has acquired some real estate in our downtown area to start construction on a multi-level apartment building to accommodate the increase in upscale housing needs,” Rudd says.
Richmond has many fine examples of Italianate style homes.
Driving through Richmond one will see many Tudor Revival homes on display.
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Liberal arts education at Earlham College
Historically known for manufacturing lawnmowers and automobiles, Richmond now counts healthcare — particularly Reid Health, which runs the city’s hospital — and education among its significant industries. “Often, it is an employer who brings new people to the area,” Rudd says.
Richmond Community Schools is a major employer that serves about 4,500 students and earns a B-minus grade from Niche. Richmond is also home to Earlham College, a private liberal arts school and the second U.S. college to become coed. Other higher education institutions are Indiana University East, Purdue Polytechnic Institute-Richmond and Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana.
Richmond now counts healthcare — particularly Reid Health, which runs the city’s hospital — and education among its significant industries.
Richmond High School has 1,332 students in grades 9-12.
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Cardinal Greenway runs all the way past Muncie
The East Fork of the Whitewater River slices through Richmond, with the Cardinal Greenway path running alongside it. The Greenway path leads to Whitewater Gorge Trailhead south of the city and runs north all the way through Muncie. It is Indiana’s longest rail trail, spanning about 62 miles. Glen Miller Park has a small lake, trails, a disc golf course, and the Richmond Rose Garden. People can fish and boat at the Middlefork Reservoir to the north, or explore the trails, educational programs and nature play area at the Hayes Arboretum.
Richmond's Cardinal Greenway is Indiana’s longest rail trail, spanning about 62 miles.
Glen Miller Park has a small lake, trails, a disc golf course, and the Richmond Rose Garden.
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Ancient Egyptian mummies at Wayne County Historical Museum and Joseph Moore Museum
One of Richmond's claims to fame is that it is home to two of Indiana’s three Egyptian mummies. The Wayne County Historical Museum and the Joseph Moore Museum at Earlham College each have a mummy on exhibit. Art history buffs might recognize names from the Richmond Group, a collection of artists who worked in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Some of their work is displayed at the Richmond Art Museum. “Richmond also has a civic theater, which showcases local talent, and a symphony,” Rudd says.
The city hosts the Winter Meltdown Ice Festival, where artists sculpt over 20,000 pounds of ice. “Winter Melt Down is a big draw,” Rudd says. “We also have several annual events in our rehabbed Depot District, including our Oktoberfest and a Christmas Extravaganza .”
The Mummy exhibit at Richmond's Wayne County Historical Museum is a big draw for the area.
Richmond's Joseph Moore Museum at Earlham College has giant fossil skeletons on display.
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Dining out in the Depot District
The Depot District has several dining choices, such as Cordial Cork, which serves dinner, weekend brunch and craft cocktails, and Firehouse BBQ and Blues, which offers smoked meats and live music in a converted fire station.
Shopping in the Downtown district features stores like Ply Shop & Studio Yarn, Esmond’s Shoes and Music Pantry, an instrument shop. Richmond Mall, on the east side, houses chain restaurants and shops.
The Cordial Cork is one of many Richmond restaurants in the Depot District.
Richmond Mall, on the east side of town, houses chain restaurants and shops.
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Dayton and Indianapolis are short drives away
U.S. Highways 27 and 40 intersect in the city center and Interstate 70 runs around the outskirts. “We’re basically within an hour of Indianapolis and Dayton, Ohio,” Rudd says. The James M. Cox Dayton International Airport is 42 miles from Richmond. Bike lanes are being added in and around downtown. “The recent construction of bike lanes has caused frustration for some and excitement for others,” Rudd says.
Important to know
Recent crime statistics for Richmond and Wayne County are not available on the agency's websites or in the FBI’s Crime Data Explorer. When it last reported to the FBI in 2021, Wayne County reported a significantly lower property crime rate than the national average.
Richmond has warm summers and cold winters. Residents should also be alert for tornadoes and thunderstorms. Tornadoes touched down in or near Richmond in 2016, 2019 and 2024.
Written By
Ty Phelps
Photography Contributed By
Travis Patton
Video By
Victoria York
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Don Harrington,
an experienced agent in this area.
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