Why Live in River Park
River Park in South Bend is a historic neighborhood bordered by train tracks to the north and the St. Joseph River to the south. Developed primarily between 1920 and 1960, it features a variety of home styles, including small cottages, bungalows, American Foursquares, Colonial Revivals, and ranch-style homes. The area is popular among renters, investors, and first-time homebuyers due to its proximity to Notre Dame, Bethel University, and Indiana University South Bend. The neighborhood is experiencing revitalization with city improvement proposals aimed at enhancing sidewalks and reducing traffic on main roads like Mishawaka Avenue and Logan Street.
Potawatomi Park is a key attraction, offering playgrounds, walking trails, an amphitheater, and the Potawatomi Zoo, Indiana's oldest zoo. Veterans Memorial Park provides additional recreational space with a pavilion, playground, and baseball diamond. The East Bank Trail and Northside Trail, each 3 miles long, converge in River Park, offering scenic routes along the St. Joseph River.
The neighborhood's main shopping strip along East Mishawaka Avenue includes long-standing businesses like salons and bait shops, as well as newer additions like Family Dollar and Thyme of Grace, an eclectic dining spot. The Well Coffee House serves as a community hub with performances and game nights.
Adams High School, rated highly, serves the area alongside Nuner Fine Arts Academy and Jefferson Intermediate Traditional School. River Park is safer than the national average, with South Bend International Airport located 6.5 miles northwest. The neighborhood's mix of single-family and multi-family homes, some in need of repair, offers a range of options for potential buyers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is River Park a good place to live?
River Park is a good place to live. River Park is considered somewhat walkable and very bikeable. River Park is a pedestrian neighborhood with a crime score of 4, on par with the average neighborhood in the U.S. River Park has 4 parks for recreational activities. It has a median age of 36. The average household income is $59,786 which is below the national average. College graduates make up 25.6% of residents. A majority of residents in River Park are home owners, with 43.8% of residents renting and 56.2% of residents owning their home. A
local real estate agent serving River Park can help you decide if this neighborhood is the right one for you. Learn more on our
River Park neighborhood guide.
Is River Park, IN a safe neighborhood?
River Park, IN is a safe neighborhood and is on par with the average neighborhood in the United States. It received a crime score of 4 out of 10.
How much do you need to make to afford a house in River Park?
The median home price in River Park is $330,000. If you put a 20% down payment of $66,000 and had a 30-year fixed mortgage with an interest rate of 6.74%, your estimated principal and interest payment would be $1,710 a month plus property taxes, HOA fees, home insurance, PMI, and utilities. Using the 28% rule, you would need to make at least $73K a year to afford the median home price in River Park. The average household income in River Park is $60K.
What are the best public schools in River Park?
The best public schools that serve River Park are:
What are the best private schools in River Park?
The best private schools that serve River Park are:
What are the most popular zip codes in River Park, South Bend, IN?
What are the most popular neighborhoods near River Park, South Bend, IN?
Are home prices dropping in River Park?
Yes, home prices in River Park are down 40% in the last 12 months.
Home Trends in River Park, IN
On average, homes in River Park, South Bend sell after 91 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in River Park, South Bend over the last 12 months is $277,500, down 36% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Median Sale Price
$277,500
Median Single Family Sale Price
$430,000
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$330,000
Median 1 Bedroom Sale Price
$128,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$196
Number of Homes for Sale
4
Last 12 months Home Sales
33
Median List Price
$330,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
4%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-36%