Just outside of Akron, Norton is a quiet rural environment where folks spend summer evenings at the drive-in theater and come together every fall for an apple cider festival. "You can live close to downtown and feel like you're near the city or live a little further out and feel like you live on a farm," says Laura Ross, a Keller Williams Elevate Realtor and longtime resident. While new housing developments have suburbanized the environment, the city of roughly 11,000 maintains a sense of small-town familiarity. "We're not a small place, but everybody still knows each other," Ross says. "It's always nice to go into the grocery store, find someone you know, and take the time to chat."
Norton is full of green spaces and natural beauty.
Experience the movie magic under the stars at Blue Sky Drive-In Theater in Norton.
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Midcentury homes and newly built Contemporary styles
The median single-family home price is roughly $245,000, below the national median but above Akron's median. Prices range from $140,000 for early 20th-century fixer-uppers to $340,000 for newly built homes. Common home types include ranch styles, Contemporary styles, bungalows and split-levels. Since the city is full of lakes and creeks, many of the houses are threatened by flooding during rainstorms.
Owners take great pride in maintaining their homes in Norton.
Newer large custom built homes can also be found throughout the neighborhood of Norton.
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Norton High School was rebuilt in 2017
The Norton City School District has a B Niche rating and an 87% graduation rate. Its math and reading proficiencies are above state and national averages. The high school's new $34 million building opened in 2017 and includes a multi-purpose stadium.
Kids excel at Norton High School, Go Panthers.
Spend a Friday night watching Norton High Varsity Football after enjoying dinner downtown.
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Fishing on Barberton Reservoir
Ten public parks have amenities like soccer fields, playgrounds, tennis courts and walking paths. There is also a public golf course and a lakefront campground. Many residents fish at Barberton Reservoir, on the city's north end.
Kids play a game of basketball at Columbia Woods Park in Norton.
Norton Cider Festival celebrates rural culture
Most folks seek out entertainment in Akron, but Norton has several options of its own. Columbia Woods Park hosts the annual Norton Cider Festival, which includes three days of festivities, including live bands, concessions, a parade and a fireworks show. "Between the games and shows, it feels like a big carnival," Ross says. "People come from all over Summit County to see it." On the city's west end, Blue Sky Drive-In Theater has opened every summer since 1947. Folks can also catch drag races at Norton Raceway Park.
Discover the beauty of Columbia Woods Park, a nature lover's paradise.
Experience the thrill of speed at Norton Racetrack.
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Shopping and dining on Cleveland Massillon Road
South Cleveland Massillon Road has fast-food franchises, a grocery store and local options like an ice cream parlor, a coffee shop and a sports bar. There is also a nearby tavern and winery. On Norton's southwest corner, Seiberling Farm operates a daily market. The neighboring City of Wadsworth has additional dining and retail options.
Sip on rich flavors and enjoy the picturesque vineyard backdrop of Wolf Creek Winery in Norton.
Norton residents love going to Wolf Creek Tavern for the great food, service and entertainment.
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Commuting to Akron
Summa Health System has a general hospital in the neighboring City of Barberton. While some local employers, like Compass Systems & Sales and Albert Screenprint, are located nearby, many workers commute about 10 miles northeast on Interstate 76 to downtown Akron. Norton Avenue is lined with Akron METRO stops. For domestic flights, Interstate 77 takes residents about 17 miles southeast to Akron-Canton Airport. Cleveland Hopkins International Airport is roughly 40 miles north via I-77.
According to FBI data, violent and property crime rates are below state and national averages. Over the past five years, violent crime has increased, and property crime has decreased.
Meet Kendra: Master Negotiator, Real Estate Connector, and Chaos Manager Extraordinaire
Kendra is a dynamic real estate expert with a passion for turning transactions into seamless experiences. A University of Dayton graduate, she completed her final semester in Athens, Greece—an adventure that shaped her global perspective and adaptability. After returning to Ohio, she attended law school at Capital University, where she developed a deep love for negotiation and communication, skills she now channels into her thriving real estate career.
As a wife to Daniel and mom to two kids—Georgie (8) and Bradley (4)—Kendra juggles the chaos of family life while navigating the complexities of real estate. She often jokes that negotiating deals is easier than negotiating with her kids! Their family is rounded out with three rescue dogs, bringing even more love and energy to their home.
Having lived in Northeastern Ohio, Dayton, and now Columbus, Kendra brings a wealth of regional knowledge to her clients. Whether you’re buying or selling a starter home, investment property, commercial space, or forever home, Kendra’s expertise ensures a smooth and successful journey.
Kendra has sold over $20 million in homes, a testament to her results-driven approach and deep industry knowledge.
Her real superpower? Networking. Kendra served as President and held various leadership roles within the AmSpirit Networking Group, where she cultivated powerful connections and supported others in building thriving businesses. As a proud agent with Keller Williams Consultants Realty, she taps into an extensive web of relationships—locally and nationwide. Her favorite deals involve out-of-state referrals, where she entrusts fellow KW agents to deliver exceptional care to her clients.
Kendra also channels power in peace as a 500-hour certified yoga teacher and holds fitness credentials in pre and postnatal fitness, nutrition, and reformer Pilates. In her free time, she thrives on lifting weights—proving that strength, both mental and physical, is key to success in all areas of life.
At the heart of it all, Kendra is deeply rooted in her faith in Jesus. Her spiritual practices ground her, and she finds joy in volunteering in the nursery and kids' rooms at church on Sundays—a role that fulfills her passion for nurturing and guiding the next generation.
Let Kendra guide you through your real estate goals in 2023 and beyond! Follow her on social media at @kendrasellscolumbus to start the conversation today.
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.
