NEIGHBORHOOD INFORMATION

Welcome to the Area Information page of Century 21 Advantage Realty. When considering Northeast Indiana Real Estate in DeKalb County, Steuben County, or LaGrange County, knowing the area is an important first step. Please feel free to look through the information we have provided for you.

Steuben County

* Photo of Steuben County, Indiana Courthouse in Angola. This courthouse is on the National Register of Historic Places

Located in northeast Indiana, Steuben County was created in 1837 out of LaGrange County. Steuben County was named after Baron Frederick von Steuben, a revolutionary war officer credited with training George Washington's Continental Army at Valley Forge in the winter of 1777. The total area of Steuben County is 322 Square miles, and is strategically located near major highways such as Indiana Interstate 80, Interstate 90, Interstate 69, and U.S. Highway 20.

Communities

Climate

The climate in Steuben County changes with the seasons. In the winter, from November through March, the average temperatures are between 20-30°, and an average monthly snowfall of around 10 inches from December through February. In the spring from mark through May, temperatures steadily rise from the 40° to the 60's, and the summer temperatures peaking at 70° in July. Historically, the tornado activity in the Angola area is slightly below the Indiana average. The average number of days with precipitation is 132.

Population

As of the 2000 census, Steuben County has a population of 33,214 people, 12,738 households, and 8,916 families. The population density is 108 people per square mile. The county seat is located in Angola , with a population 7,344. The estimated 2005 census is 33,773 people.

Parks & Recreation

Steuben County has four County parks operated by the local Public Works Department.

•Kanakadea Park- offers picnic pavilions, overnight camping, basketball & volleyball courts, hiking trails, and a playground.

•Birdseye Hollow Park- offers fishing, picnicking, nature trails, and a picnic pavilion.

•Boyd's Corner Park- offers picnic pavilions, a playground, a basketball court and hiking trails.

•Hornby Park- offers playground equipment, picnic pavilions, and hiking trails.

This area of Northeastern Indiana is known as the Land of 101 Lakes . There are many outdoor activities available all year. In the summer you can enjoy camping, boating, fishing, and hiking. Winter offers cross country skiing and the toboggan slide at Pokagon State Park. You can also enjoy 22 miles of snowmobile trails and ice fishing on the frozen lakes.

Jobs & Commerce

The major employment sectors in Steuben County are trade/transportation/utilities, manufacturing, leisure/hospitality, construction, professional/business services, education, and health services. Located near the intersection of I-69 and the Indiana Toll Road, Steuben County and Angola are the economic hubs of the area, thanks to convenient access to shipping and transportation. Also, Steuben County is serviced by the Tri-State Airport and the Indiana Northeastern Railroad, adding to its economic importance.

Tourism is also a major local industry, as the area is known as the Land of 101 Lakes, and adds $80 million a year to the local economy. Steuben County also has six industrial parks.

The median household income for Steuben County is $44,089 as of the 2000 census, and as of 2002 the per capita personal income for Steuben County was $24,913, an increase of 11.2% from 1997.

Education

Steuben County contains three school districts: Fremont Community Schools, Hamilton Community Schools, and the Metropolitan School District of Steuben County.

The Metropolitan School District of Steuben County has 3,085 students along with 196 certified and 164 classified employees and teachers. Schools in the district include:

• Angola High School
  
  
• Angola Middle School
  
  
• Pleasant Lake Elementary
  
  
• Ryan Park Elementary
  
  
• Carlin Park Elementary
  
  
• Hendry Park Elementary
  
  
• Metropolitan School District of Steuben County

The Fremont Community School District has 1261 students in three schools, along with a 15 student to teacher ratio. The Schools in the Fremont Community School District include:

• Fremont High School
  
  
• Fremont Middle School
  
  
• Fremont Elementary School
  
  
• Fremont Community Schools

Hamilton Community Schools have two public facilities, Hamilton Community Elementary School with 339 students and Hamilton Community High School with 330 students enrolled.

• Hamilton Community Schools

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DeKalb County

*Auburn Courthouse

Located in northeast Indiana, DeKalb County was named after Revolutionary War leader Baron Johann de Kalb, a German soldier that volunteered and served in the Continental Army. DeKalb County was organized in 1837. The county has a total area of 364 square miles, and has the major highways of Interstate 69 and U.S. Highway 6. The County seat is at Auburn, with a 2005 estimated population of 12,687.

Communities

Climate

DeKalb County has a seasonal climate. Average winter temperatures, from November until February, run from 40s to mid 20s. In the Spring, from late March to May, temperatures rise from the mid 30s to 60s. In the summer, the warmest season, temperatures in July average around 70°. Snow falls from November until March, with average snowfall maxing out at around 9 inches in January. The historic tornado activity is slightly below Indiana state average.

Population

As of the 2000 census there are 40,285 people, 15,134 households, and 10,911 families living in DeKalb County. The average household size is 2.63 and the average family size is 3.11. The population density is 111 people per square mile.

Parks & Recreation

DeKalb County has many exciting and cultural locations for you and your family. The Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum is the former headquarters of the Auburn Automotive Company. The Garrett Historical Train Museum displays exhibits on the local railroad history. The National Automotive and Truck Museum features trucks from 1907 until today, and postwar cars. There is also a model and toy museum as well.

DeKalb County and its county seat of Auburn offer many beautiful outdoor parks and other community facilities. A community pool is open during the summer, a pavilion available for rental, offers adult softball programs, youth soccer, and other community leagues.

Jobs & Commerce

The per capita personal income for DeKalb County as of 2003 is $26,226. The median household income as of 2003 is $45,700. The employment by industry in DeKalb County as of 2003 is manufacturing 37.9%, retail 9.4%, wholesale trade 3.3%, professional/technical 2.6%, construction 5.1%, arts/entertainment/recreation 1.2%, accommodation/foodservice 4.2%, government 7.1%, information .6%, farm proprietors 2.9%, and the rest other.

Education

DeKalb County offers three school districts, DeKalb County Central Unified School District, DeKalb County Eastern Community School District, and the Garrett-Keyser-Butler Community School District.

The DeKalb County Central USD educates 4137 students in six schools. The DeKalb County Central USD offers a 20 student to teacher ratio. The schools in the district include:

• DeKalb High School
  
  
• DeKalb Middle School
  
  
• James R. Watson Elementary School
  
  
• McKenney-Harrison Elementary School
  
  
• Waterloo Elementary School
  
  
• Country Meadow Elementary School
  
  
• DeKalb County Central USD

Private schools include Lakewood Park Christian School and St. Joseph's Catholic School.

The DeKalb County Eastern Community School District has 1521 students in four schools. The county has a 12 student to teacher ratio. The schools in the district include:

• Eastside Junior/Senior High School
  
  
• Butler Elementary School
  
  
• Riverdale Elementary School
  
  
• Northeast IN Special Education Coop
  
  
• DeKalb County Eastern Community School District

The Garrett-Keyser-Butler Community School District has 1646 students in four schools. The district offers a 12 to one student to teacher ratio. Schools in the district include:

• Garrett High School
  
  
• Garrett Middle School
  
  
• J.E. Ober Elementary School
  
  
• Four County Area Vocational Coop
  
  
• Garrett-Keyser-Butler Community School District

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Noble County

*Courthouse

Noble County was formed in 1836. Noble County was named after James Noble, the First U.S. Senator representing Indiana in 1816. Noble County has access to U.S. Highways 6 and 33. The county has a total area of 418 square miles. Sand Hill, at 1076 ft is the second largest point in Indiana.

Communities

Climate

Noble County also has seasonal climate changes. The warmest month is July, with an average temperature of 84°, January the coolest with average highs of 30°, with spring and fall temperatures around 47-49° for the high.

Population

As of the 2000 census, there are 46,275 people living in Noble County, including 16,696 households, and 12,288 families. The population density of Noble County is approximately 113 people per square mile. The median county age is 33 years old. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size 3.19. The county seat, Albion, has a population of 2,284 as of the 2000 census.

Parks & Recreation

Noble County is known for its beautiful nature and outdoor recreational fun. The county has over 100 lakes, many with public access. Activities available include fishing, boating, sailing, water-skiing, hiking, trails, and picnic activities.

Noble County offers other fun cultural and enjoyable activities for you and your family. The Albion Community Theatre offers plays and other cultural exhibitions. The Black Pine Animal Park offers guided tours to see lions, tigers, leopards, chimpanzees, cougars, bears, birds, reptiles, and other animals. Camp Lutherhaven is a year round spiritual retreat, offering cabins and educational programs. The Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center has a 1,150 acre area of fields, forests, meadows, bogs and offers hiking, bird watching, plant studies, cross country skiing, ice skating, class visits, and other programs and annual events. The Old Jail Historical Museum was erected in 1875 and is on the National Registrar of Historical Places.

Jobs & Commerce

The Noble County median household income as of the 2000 census is $42,700. The 2004 per capita personal income in Noble County was $25,016. The main employment in industries in Noble County includes: Manufacturing 39.3%, 4.5% Accommodation/food service, arts 1%, construction 4.2%, health care 5.5%, information 1.4%, professional/technical services 2.5%, retail 9.1%, warehousing 1.6%, wholesale trade 1.5%, government 8.1%, and the remainder private.

Education

Noble County has three different school districts: the East Noble School Corporation, West Noble School Corporation, and the Central Noble Community School Corporation.

The East Noble School Corporation is made up of 8 schools, educating 3,833 local Noble County students. The schools in the corporation include:

• East Noble High School
  
  
• Avila Elementary & Middle School
  
  
• Rome City Elementary & Middle School
  
  
• Kendallville Central Middle School
  
  
• North Side Elementary School
  
  
• Wayne Center Elementary School
  
  
• South Side Elementary School
  
  
• Laotto Elementary School
  
  
• East Noble School Corporation

The West Noble School Corporation serves students from K-12 in 4 schools. The number of students in the corporation is 2,504. The schools in the corporation include:

• West Noble High School
  
  
• West Noble Middle School
  
  
• West Noble Elementary School
  
  
• Ligonier Elementary School
  
  
• West Noble School Corporation

The Central Noble Community School Corporation has 1,452 students in 4 schools. The schools in the corporation include:

• Central Noble High School
  
  
• Central Noble Middle School
  
  
• Albion Elementary School
  
  
• Wolf Lake Elementary School
  
  
• Central Noble Community Corporation

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LaGrange County

*LaGrange County courthouse in LaGrange, built in the 1870s and on the National Register of Historic Places.

LaGrange County was formed in 1832 and was named after the estate of Revolutionary War hero Marquis de la Fayette outside of Paris, France. Major highways in LaGrange County include Indiana Toll Road and U.S. Route 20. About 37% of LaGrange County is populated by the Amish. LaGrange County is home to the third largest Amish community in America. The county seat is located in LaGrange .

Communities

Climate

The average annual temperature in LaGrange County is 64°. The average winter temperature is 43°. The average summer temperature is around 70°. LaGrange County experiences snowfall from November to March, with the heaviest snowfall occurring in December and January.

Population

The 2004 estimated population of LaGrange County was 36,515. This is an increase of 4.60% from the 2000 census of 34,909. There are 11,225 households and 8,856 families residing in LaGrange County , with a population density of 92 people per square mile.

Parks & Recreation

LaGrange County offers a multitude of outdoor attractions. Dallas Lake Park is a summer beach and also a wildlife and bird watching observatory. David Rogers Memorial Park is a restored log house village with living history recreations of 1845. Delt Church Park offers 119 acres with pavilions and hiking trails. Maplewood Nature Center has over 100 acres of forest for nature study along with trails and an environmental education facility. Pigeon River Fish & Wildlife Reserve is the largest nature preserve remaining in the Midwest, offering fishing, hunting, camping and other activities on its sprawling 11,500 acre area. Scott Mill Park has a pedestrian bridge that allows access to a 100 acre island nature area, surrounded by a river and old mill.

LaGrange County offers six different golf courses- Cedar Lake Golf Course, Cobblestone Golf Course, Heron Creek Golf Club, Noble Hawk Golf Links, Oak Hills Golf Course, and Spring Meadow Farm Golf Club for links enthusiasts.

The Shipshewana Area Historical Society exhibits pictures and artifacts of the area's past. The Blue Gate Theater offers entertainment, Amish homecooking, Southern Gospel, comedy, and Christian entertainment. Don't forget to check out the Honeyville Quilt Auction, and the Shipshewana Auction & Flea Market.

LaGrange County also has many horse and buggy tours of the Amish area, ranches, and through the beautiful natural environment.

Jobs & Commerce

Farming makes up 9.9% of employment in LaGrange County . As for the private sector, the employment breakdown by industry is: accodation/food 5.5%, construction 5.1%, arts/entertainment .5%, information .4%, manufacturing 34.9%, professional/technology 1.7%, retail 9.8%, wholesale trade 3.6%, government 8.5%, and the rest other due to non-disclosure requirements.

The per capita personal income as of 2004 is $21,811 and the median household income as of 2003 is $44,358. The unemployment rate as of August 2006 us 4.7%, below the state level of 5.2%

Education

There are three school districts in LaGrange County : Lakeland School Corporation, Prairie Heights Community School Corporation, and the Westview School Corporation.

The Lakeland School Corporation has 2,264 students in 5 schools. These schools include:

• Lakeland High School
  
  
• Lakeland Middle School
  
  
• Lima-Brighton Elementary School
  
  
• Parkside Elementary School
  
  
• Wolcott Mills Elementary School
  
  
• Lakeland School Corporation

The Prairie Heights Community School Corporation has 1,783 students in four schools. These schools include:

• Prairie Heights Senior High School
  
  
• Prairie Heights Middle School
  
  
• Milford Elementary School
  
  
• Prairie Heights Elementary School
  
  
• Prairie Heights Community School Corporation

The Westview School Corporation has 2,214 students in 5 schools. The schools in the corporation include:

• Westview Junior-Senior High School
  
  
• Westview Elementary School
  
  
• Meadowview Elementary School
  
  
• Topeka Elementary School
  
  
• Shipshewana-Scott Elementary School
  
  
• Westview School Corporation

Local Links

Government and Commerce

Post Secondary Education

Tri-State University

Purdue University LaGrange Cooperative Extension

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Parks and Recreation

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