Historic Lafayette community transformed through art
Just south of downtown Lafayette, Wabash is a historic neighborhood first settled by Irish immigrants who helped build the Wabash and Erie Canal. Located on the eastern banks of the Wabash River, this up-and-coming neighborhood balances its industrial heritage — it's home to a steel plant and a large soybean processing plant — with recent transformations. Over the past 25 years, Habitat for Humanity has been renovating and building houses. Rather than outside investors, this is a community of longtime owner-occupants who help shape the changes happening here. "That makes it more stable," says Mark Holtsclaw, who has called Wabash home for 25 years. "You know everybody and trust people." Residents submitted ideas for the Wabash Neighborhood Community Enhancement Plan in 2020, envisioning future housing, parks, businesses and infrastructure. From 2018 through 2020, the Wabash Walls project decorated the neighborhood with more than 30 murals, helping to deter vandalism, increase property values and turn the community into an art destination. "There are still people that come down and take tours just to see the murals," Holtsclaw says.
Twentieth-century workers cottages and newer ranches
Wabash Avenue runs through the center of the neighborhood with residential streets branching off of it. A handful of houses are decorated by murals, from butterflies to portraits to abstract shapes. Workers' cottages and bungalows make up the early 20th-century architecture, along with ranch-style houses from the 1990s. Overall, these properties are well-maintained with recent updates like new roofs and HVAC systems. Homes starting around $90,000 may need significant cosmetic updates. At the higher end, fully remodeled properties costing up to $200,000 feature updated kitchens with stainless steel appliances. Sidewalks are located along Wabash and side streets, leading to the neighborhood park and coffee shop.
Workers' cottages, bungalows and ranches are the most popular styles of houses in Wabash.
This ranch home shines in the winter sun on the streets of Wabash.
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Riverfront access at Shamrock Park
Shamrock Park, the neighborhood's circular, 11-acre green space, has amenities uncommon to Lafayette, including an outdoor roller-hockey rink, horseshoes and a dog park. It also has multi-age playgrounds, a basketball court and an open grassy area. The Wabash riverfront is mostly inaccessible from the neighborhood, but Shamrock has a small ramp for canoes and kayaks. In the Community Enhancement Plan, residents recommended more green space, which could include a signature waterfront park with trails, overlooks and play areas.
Your dog won't want to leave the large play areas at Shamrock Dog Park in Wabash.
Wabash is home to Shamrock Park, which has direct access to the Wabash River and its very own dog park.
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Coffee and conversation at Sacred Grounds
Small businesses help strengthen community ties here. At the center of the neighborhood, Sacred Grounds is a church-run coffee shop that replaced a former topless bar. A dove mural on the side of the building symbolizes its transformation. From a 19th-century Italianate building, it serves honeysuckle lattes and other specialty espresso drinks alongside breakfast and lunch. Today, a neighborly atmosphere is as much of a draw as the coffee. "We have a group that comes in on Thursdays to have lunch and knit together," says Trent O'Brien, who helps run the shop with his wife. Downtown restaurants are just a mile north. Nom Nom Tacos and Tequila serves $3 tacos every Tuesday, with pork, steak, shrimp, fish and veggie options. Friendly Market has some grab-and-go items downtown, while Pay Less is a comprehensive grocery store 2 miles south. While many Wabash businesses have closed, the 2020 plan points out development opportunities such as mixed-use retail and residential buildings.
Sacred Grounds Coffee in Wabash dons this beautiful mural of a white dove on its western wall.
Residents in Wabash appreciate the close proximity to stores like Pay Less.
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Dual enrollment at Jefferson High and Purdue
Wabash is within 3 miles of a full K-12 pipeline. Younger kids may attend Miller Elementary, which earns a C-plus from Niche. Sunnyside Intermediate has fifth and sixth grades, while Tecumseh Junior High serves students in seventh and eighth grades. Both schools earn a B-minus. Teens move on to Jefferson High, which gets a B-plus. The high school offers robust athletics, extracurriculars, AP and dual-enrollment programs. Students can choose from more than 60 dual-credit classes on the Jefferson campus or at Purdue University, located just west across the river.
Jefferson High School encourages students from Wabash to participate in sports like track & field.
Purdue University sits within walking or biking distance for students residing in Wabash.
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Craft brews with a view at Beers Across the Wabash
The neighborhood is convenient to downtown festivities. Wabash is less than a mile from the John T. Myers Pedestrian Bridge, which hosts Beers Across the Wabash in late August. A ticket to this event includes a collectible sample cup and a taste of 100 different beers from 25 Indiana breweries, with a view of the river below. Mosey Down Main is an aptly named summertime event. A saunter down the main avenue features music stages, food, drinks and local art.
Just north of Wabash, Tapawingo Park features a pedestrian bridge connecting to West Lafayette.
The Wabash River and railroad form the borders of Wabash.
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Heavy truck traffic from local industry
Wabash is walkable thanks to sidewalks but lacks bike lanes and bus stops. However, residents have a short walk or drive north on Wabash Avene to downtown Lafayette. The neighborhood faces an ongoing problem with heavy truck traffic from Cargill, a soybean processing plant in the neighborhood. Traffic is especially heavy during the fall harvest and when soybean prices spike. "We're still working on trying to get a solution so they don't have to park on the street," Holtsclaw says. "Some days the whole street is blocked."
Higher-than-average property crimes
The neighborhood has a CAP Index crime score of 7, compared with the U.S. average of 4. Property crime rates are generally higher than violent crime rates. Yet security systems are not common here. "The long term residents, including me, feel safe enough without them," Holtsclaw says. "We do watch out for one another."
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.
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Parks in this Area
Tapawingo Park
Shamrock Park & Dog Park
Footbridge Sharing Garden
Crosser Sports Complex
Horticulture Park
John R Dennis Wellness Center
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Wabash
US
Homicide
5
4
Sexual Assault
6
4
Assault with Weapon
6
4
Robbery
6
4
Burglary
7
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
6
4
Larceny
8
4
Crime Score
7
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Wabash, Lafayette sell after 38 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Wabash, Lafayette over the last 12 months is $162,833, up 34% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
The living room offers ample space for relaxation and entertainment. The bathroom is equipped with standard fixtures for convenience. Each bedroom provides sufficient room for furniture and storage. Amenities include air conditioning for climate control and a washer/dryer for laundry needs. The exterior of the property is well-maintained, providing a welcoming entrance. Rental price is available
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Scott Brown,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
324
Median Age
33
Population under 18
22.8%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
9.6%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$51,212
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$52,903
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
88.1%
College Graduates
43.6%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
11.5%
On par with the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
66%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
40''
Average Winter Low Temperature
17°F
Average Summer High Temperature
83°F
Annual Snowfall
7''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
42/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
21/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
35/ 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.
