In the mid-19th century, white settlers had no idea that a small trading village on the Miami reservation would someday become the “City of Firsts.” But within a few decades, Kokomo found its place at the forefront of the Indiana Gas Boom, a feat that would bring the burgeoning automobile industry to the Midwest. Today, Kokomo is the seat of Howard County and the epicenter of central Indiana’s industry. From the first commercially built automobile to the first rubber tire and push-button car radio, it’s no surprise how the City of Firsts earned its nickname.
“Between GM and Chrysler, we’re very much an automotive community,” says Holly Stone, a local real estate agent with The Hardie Group. She cites the development of twin battery plants, due for completion in 2027, as part of the region’s recent progress. “It’s a growing city but also a tight-knit community. There’s a lot of generational family history here. That’s how we still have that small-town feel even an hour north of Indianapolis.”
Downtown Kokomo has a small residential footprint mixed among the business district.
Cedar Crest is located 2 miles to the south east of downtown Kokomo, IN.
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Kokomo runs on the automotive industry
Kokomo's industry has endured for over a century, with automotive, manufacturing and tech companies among the largest in the region. Top employers include Haynes International, BorgWarner and Stellantis, the company behind the upcoming battery plants. Additionally, Community Howard Regional Health and Ascension St. Vincent are both leaders in the healthcare sector.
Residents are primarily car-dependent, but Kokomo's City Line Trolley bus system is free for passengers. While the city's largest employers sit within Kokomo proper—particularly along South Reed Road—Indianapolis commuters can expect a 60-mile drive south on Route 31. The state capital is home to Indianapolis Regional Airport and Indianapolis International Airport. Located on County Road E, Kokomo Municipal Airport is a public-use facility with an aircraft dealer on site.
Bon Air home sales are being fueled by it's close proximity to the new battery plants.
Downtown Kokomo is the home of America's first car, the 1894 Pioneer.
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From Howard County Courthouse to Kokomo Speedway
The Kokomo Courthouse Square District sits at the heart of Downtown Kokomo. From the Western Railroad Depot on Buckeye Street to the ornate homes of the Old Silk Stocking, residents are surrounded by tidbits of Kokomo history—especially when it comes to annual events. “There’s the Haynes Apperson Festival around Fourth of July weekend, and then fireworks at Kokomo Speedway,” Stone says. A tribute to the 19th-century industrialists who founded Kokomo’s Haynes-Apperson Company, the festival features a car show and cruise-in, as well as live music and vendors. Meanwhile, the dirt speedway on Davis Road has hosted competitive races since the 1940s.
The Howard County Courthouse was built in the 1930's after fire destroyed the original.
This is one of the many Victorian style homes in Old Silk Stocking.
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Historic homes line the Old Silk Stocking
The Old Silk Stocking Historic District consists mainly of renovated homes with traditional architecture dating back to the 19th century. Queen Annes and Tudor Revivals denote the neighborhood's history, aptly named for its original wealthy residents who wore luxury silk stockings. "The Old Silk Stocking has maintained its value and desire over the years," Stone says. "But there's also a lot of new construction going on within the city, too. Not to mention the modern subdivisions in our rural outskirts." Ranch-style homes, bungalows and Colonial Revivals comprise the housing market within Kokomo proper, while subdivisions like those around the Wildcat Creek Golf Course, flaunt contemporary architecture farther out. Altogether, the median home price in Kokomo is around $175,000, well below average compared to nearby Lafayette and Indianapolis.
The Wildcat Creek Golf Course has weekday leagues for residents to join in.
Seiberling Mansion was constructed in October of 1889 for the cost of 50 thousand dollars.
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Artwork, records & eateries in Downtown Kokomo
Downtown Kokomo is a hub for small businesses, notably record stores, art galleries, gift shops and eateries. Many occupy historic storefronts in the Kokomo Courthouse Square District. "Half Moon Brewery is very popular, and it's always busy with lots of families," Stone says. "Then there's Marble Steakhouse for date night and Cook McDoogal's for Irish pub food and cocktails."
Kokomo Town Center is an outdoor mall with restaurants, a movie theater and retailers like TJ Maxx, Kohl's and Old Navy. About a mile up the road, Markland Mall sits across the street from Sam's Club, Meijer and Walmart Supercenter. Though specific highways, including South Reed Road, offer larger retail pockets, residents will find shops, grocers and eateries spread throughout the city. "We don't always have the greatest shopping, but a lot of people travel to Indianapolis for more options," Stone explains.
TJ Maxx is another box retail option for Cedar Crest residents.
Downtown Kokomo has a small residential footprint mixed among the business district.
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Willie the Whale welcomes guests to Foster Park
Foster Park, bordered by Downtown Kokomo and Wildcat Creek, is a hub for outdoor recreation and annual events. Home of the Haynes Apperson Festival, the park is widely known for its public art, including Willie the Whale. The 16-foot statue was initially crafted for the Indianapolis Zoo but found its way to Kokomo in 2019, where it has since watched over the city’s little ones. The Kokomo Walk of Excellence winds through Foster Park, connecting to nearby paths like Cloverleaf Trail and the Industrial Heritage Trail. In the summertime, guests take a pedestrian bridge to the water park at Kokomo Beach Family Aquatic Center.
In southwest Kokomo, the Wildcat Creek Soccer Complex hosts youth leagues across the street from Top Banana Farm Market. Residents can shop for fresh produce, bakery items and plants at the market greenhouse. Both Wildcat Creek Golf Course and the Kokomo Country Club have expanded their greenways to sprawling subdivisions in the Wildcat and Country Club Hills communities.
Enjoy a bike ride across the Wildcat Creek in Downtown Kokomo.
Welcome to the Wildcat Creek Golf Course.
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Indiana University Kokomo is a growing campus
Students citywide attend the Kokomo-Center Township Consolidated School Corporation. With a B-minus on Niche, it’s considered the largest district in Howard County. Kokomo High School and Memorial Gymnasium, dating back to the early 20th century, are on the National Register of Historic Places. Today, Kokomo High is the only secondary school in the district.
The city is also home to Indiana University Kokomo, which enrolls about 3,000 undergraduates annually. “I think IU Kokomo is growing,” Stone says. “They recently set up new housing buildings within walking distance of campus, and they have a baseball and basketball team that both seem to be taking off.” Many also attend Purdue Polytechnic Institute Kokomo, a satellite campus of Purdue University in Lafayette, specializing in engineering and information technology.
Indiana University, Kokomo
Kokomo High School, Kokomo
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A glance at Kokomo’s environmental impact & crime statistics
Between 2007 and 2010, officials discovered elevated contamination levels in Kokomo's groundwater supply. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the Kokomo Groundwater Plume has been an ongoing issue ever since. Though a water treatment system has been implemented, the site remains on the National Priorities List for a more permanent solution.
According to FBI data, violent crime and property crime have collectively decreased by about 40 percent since 2015. The city cites reforms and increased police department staffing as influential factors. Overall, crime rates in Kokomo fall below the national average.
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