Kettering, a lushly green suburban city in the Dayton metropolitan area, was built on progress. Named in honor of inventor and industrialist Charles F. Kettering, the city is expanding despite being landlocked between neighboring cities. Redevelopment efforts have opened opportunities for new housing, and the city's strategic plan seeks to establish an official central business district. For now, over 1,000 businesses anchor the community, and residents are around the corner from their primary employer—The Kettering Health Network. The city is home to Kettering Health's main campus, the flagship medical center for 13 other hospitals and over 120 outpatient facilities.
Kettering is a lushly green suburban city in the Dayton metropolitan area.
The Charles F. Kettering house stands tall in honor of the inventor and industrialist.
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New construction expected despite limited room for expansion
A recently completed project along County Line Road will bring roughly 260 new homes to the area. Construction has already begun and is projected to finish by 2026. The rest of the city has long-established cul-de-sac roads and single-family houses. Styles typically range from ranch-style and split-level homes to New Traditional houses and Cape Cods, but the city does have diversity. "West Kettering has a lot of expensive mansion-y homes. A lot of doctors live up in the hills over by Kettering Hospital," says Lisa Goris-May, Realtor with Glasshouse Realty Group. Multifamily properties and apartments are also common. The city's median home price is around $230,000, lower than the national median of about $400,000.
Residents of Kettering take pride in their homes and keep up with taking care of their homes.
Residents of Kettering can choose to purchase a split level home.
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Kettering's high-ranking schools
The city’s schools are a significant reason many people move there. The Kettering City School District has an A-minus grade on Niche, offering 12 public schools and six private options. The A-rated Archbishop Alter High School is the most well-known, with Niche ranking it the third-best out of 17 private high schools in the Dayton area. Dayton Regional STEM School accepts public school students through an admissions process, earning an A-plus rating. Kettering is about 3 miles from the University of Dayton, an A-rated Catholic college.
University of Dayton is a top-rated catholic university nearby Kettering.
Archbishop Alter High School in Kettering received an A on their Overall Niche Grade.
Parents can start their child's education at St. Charles Elementary in Kettering.
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Bringing the downtown dream alive
Small, locally owned businesses are prominent in Kettering, and business parks are dispersed throughout the city. Kettering Town Center and Town and Country are the two largest commercial centers, but the city has no official downtown or central business district. "People really want a downtown area, so we are actively working on establishing one through our recently completed five-year strategic plan," says Amanda Harold, the city's communications and engagement manager.
Dorothy Lane Market offers Kettering residents a small market.
Kettering is full of shops and stores for residents to check out.
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Sold-out shows at Fraze Pavilion
Trees and parks are abundant in the city, and Hills & Dales MetroPark has a dense wetland ecosystem filled with hiking trails, ponds and historical monuments. The area's open meadows even support cross-country skiing in winter. Delco Park has diverse sports facilities and a BMX racing track that is open year-round. The park also hosts the city's annual Fourth of July celebration. Golfing is another popular pastime, with Moraine Country Club having significant historical ties with Charles Kettering.
As for attractions, Fraze Pavilion takes the top spot. This 4,300-seat amphitheater is the heartbeat of the city's entertainment, welcoming headliners like Sheryl Crow and Lynyrd Skynyrd. It also hosts musical productions, art festivals and holiday celebrations.
Fraze Pavilion is a 4,300-seat amphitheater that is the heart of entertainment in Kettering.
Hills & Dales Metropark provides residents of Kettering a nature getaway.
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Sustainability comes first at EcoFEST
While the city has over 56,000 residents, people still find ways to connect. "You at least know somebody who knows somebody you know," Harold says. City events offer many opportunities to get to know other locals. Fraze Pavilion's community block party kicks off a packed schedule of summer concerts, while Labor Day weekend brings the anticipated Holiday at Home gala and parade. Nearly 40 years strong, The Art on the Commons Fine Arts and Crafts Festival welcomes over 100 artists to Lincoln Park Civic Commons. Also at the Commons is the annual EcoFEST, an award-winning festival promoting sustainable living. "As a city, we're really big on environmental sustainability and provide a lot of education around it," Harold says. Attendees learn how to reduce waste, properly recycle and protect pollinators. The festival even has an electric car show that allows people to test drive eco-friendly models.
Bike paths connect Kettering and Dayton
East Dorothy Lane and Far Hills Avenue are the city's most traveled roads. "Those are going to take you in all directions since we don't have any highways," Harold says. Daily traffic is light, even during rush hours. About 1 mile outside the city are Interstates 75 and 675, which lead to larger destinations like Dayton and Wright Patterson Airforce Base. Biking is growing in popularity as the city continuously adds new bike paths. The newest one connects Kettering to the University of Dayton. Several bus routes also pass through the community, and Dayton International Airport is about 17 miles away.
Crime rates low in 2023
The FBI reports that in 2023, Kettering's property and violent crime rates were substantially lower than the national rates.
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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.
