Indiana native, Ball State graduate and Garfield creator Jim Davis's impact on Muncie cannot be understated. His personal headquarters was located in Delaware County for much of his career, and the city memorializes his cultural impact with Garfield statues hidden throughout the greater community. "On any given day at Cornerstone, we will have people stopping by to look at our historic space, on a quest to find our two hidden Garfield statues," says Kourtney McCauliff, board chair of the Cornerstone Center for the Arts, located just south of McKinley. When walking the "Garfield trail" between Cornerstone and the Minnetrista Museum & Gardens, explorers pass through McKinley, a quiet residential neighborhood home to Muncie Central High School. The neighborhood's historic single-family homes offer walkability to downtown, the local high school and the 40-acre Minnestrista Museum's campus, which features lush gardens to explore. For many Muncie buyers, McKinley provides easy access to everything they need.
Home to Muncie Central High School
Muncie Central High School, a public high school with a B-minus rating on Niche, is located in McKinley, and residents of this community can easily walk to and from the campus. One of the high school's landmarks includes the 1928 Muncie Fieldhouse, the country's fourth-largest high school gym. Muncie Central High School is also known for its marching band, which was crowned the state Champions at the Indiana State Fair Band Day four times, most recently in 2024. Prior to merging with Muncie High School in 2014 to form Muncie Central High School, Muncie Southside High School won Band Day six times in 10 years. Before high school, students in the neighborhood attend East Washington Academy, which receives a B on Niche and Northside Middle School, which scores a C-plus.
Trails, Tuhey Park and Minnetrista Museum & Gardens
Muncie Central High School has a trail around its campus that contours the White River and locals use it for jogging and biking. Along Elm Street on the neighborhood's east end, residents can also access the Cardinal Greenway, a 62-mile rail trail that connects five counties across east central Indiana. The Cardinal Greenway also connects to the White River Greenway, another 5.6-mile trail along the White River. Just west is Tuhey Park, a city park that features a large playground and pool, while to the north sits the Minnetrista Museum & Gardens, a 40-acre campus whose outdoor areas are free and open to the public. "We have beautiful garden spaces and a whole large nature area with a cabin where kids can come and play for free," says Brea Cunningham, the museum's associate director of communications, who adds that people come to the campus for daily activities like bike riding, going for walks and taking their lunch break. "We want this to be a place where everyone in the community is comfortable."
Cyclists enjoy the smooth, level trails of the Cardinal Greenway.
The nearby Minnetrista Museum and Gardens is a year-round gem close to McKinley.
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Walk downtown from McKinley
McKinley residents can walk to Muncie Central High School and downtown Muncie. There are no bus stops in the neighborhood, but the downtown MITS station four blocks south provides access to bus routes that reach across the city. The closest medical center to McKinley is the IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital, 2 miles west. When traveling out of town, residents fly out of Fort Wayne International Airport, 67 miles away, or Indianapolis International Airport, 75 miles away.
In McKinley, the MITS transit system offers a convenient and regular bus service.
The MITS bus station near McKinley is the easiest way to get around the city.
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First Thursdays in downtown Muncie
On fall Friday nights, the neighborhood gathers at Muncie Central High School’s football field to support the Bearcats at home games. "On the first Thursday of every month, Muncie's vibrant downtown galleries and venues join together to hold arts-related events for the community," McCauliff says. "Cornerstone is proud to be an anchor and host to exciting exhibits and activities showcasing Muncie's local artists." This art education center hosts monthly pop-ups on first Thursdays, offers art classes for kids and adults and has ongoing exhibits in its Judith Barnes Gallery. Cornerstone is about a 20-minute walk from McKinley. "We are lucky to be within walking distance to all of Muncie's downtown and historic neighborhoods, as well as be on a stop along the MITS bus system," McCauliff says. With downtown's first Thursdays, plays at Muncie Civic Theatre and summer concerts at Canan Commons to the south and Minnetrista's annual events and weekly summer farmers market to the north, there's always plenty to do in and around McKinley.
Late 19th and early 20th-century single-family homes
Most of McKinley's housing was built in the first half of the 20th century, but some homes date back as early as the 1840s. The homes were built in traditional styles, mostly cozy bungalows with some farmhouses and American Foursquares also in the mix. The average single-family home's floorplan is about 1,500 square feet, and, on average, home values here run lower than the average for Muncie. Most homes cost between $50,000 and $100,000, and many need significant renovations. This neighborhood has more renters than it does owners, likely due to its location just a mile from Ball State University.
Newly renovated homes can be found throughout McKinley.
The tree-lined streets of McKinley boast a diverse array of architectural styles.
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A brewpub in a historic building and American fare on a patio
McKinley is home to Elm Street Brewing Company, a brewpub and restaurant which operates out of the former Muncie Ice House, built in 1892. Here patrons can pair craft beers with weekly specials like dollar wings on Wednesdays and $8 tenderloins on Tuesdays; the patio fills up on weekend nights for live music. Just west of the White River, Amazing Joe's Grill is another popular restaurant, serving American fare like steaks and chicken sandwiches alongside TVs for watching games and a patio for sipping drinks. Fresh produce and other groceries are available four blocks south at The Downtown Farm Stand, an organic food store with a café, and the nearest supermarket is an ALDI a mile and a half north. A few blocks east of ALDI sits the Muncie Mall, the city's one-stop shop for running errands, filled with major retailers and surrounded by a Target and AMC.
Elm Street Brewing in McKinley is a local favorite for grabbing a bite with friends.
Amazing Joe's Grill is a well-loved dining spot in McKinley.
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Crime
McKinley has a 5 out of 10 CAP Index crime score, which is slightly higher than the national average of 4.
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.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
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an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Gilbert Park
Cardinal Greenway
Westside Park
McCulloch Park
Greenway Pocket Park
Tuhey Park
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
McKinley
US
Homicide
6
4
Sexual Assault
6
4
Assault with Weapon
5
4
Robbery
5
4
Burglary
5
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
4
4
Larceny
5
4
Crime Score
5
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in McKinley, Muncie sell after 62 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in McKinley, Muncie over the last 12 months is $106,666, up 27% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Home Trends
Median Price (12 Mo)
$55,000
Median Single Family Price
$55,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$67
Last 12 months Home Sales
3
Median List Price
$69,900
Median Discount From 1st List Price
21%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-35%
Home Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
178
Median Year Built
1906
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,567
Below the national average
1,935
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,939
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
4,791
Distribution of Home Values
Source: Public Records
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Charlotte Cotton,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
561
Median Age
43
Population Density
4 ppl/acre
Population under 18
21.7%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
15.2%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$60,927
Below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$55,102
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
75.1%
Below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
19.5%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
2.2%
% Population in Labor Force
51.7%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
42''
Average Winter Low Temperature
16°F
Average Summer High Temperature
84°F
Annual Snowfall
9''
Area Factors
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
81/ 100
Somewhat Walkable
Walk Score®
64/ 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.
