Is Ellettsville Safe, Pros and cons of living in Ellettsville

Ellettsville, Indiana, offers a blend of small-town charm and suburban convenience, situated just northwest of Bloomington. This growing municipality is known for its accessible lifestyle and proximity to natural attractions like Morgan-Monroe State Forest and Monroe Lake. With a population of approximately 6,698 residents, Ellettsville provides a community feel while benefiting from its location within the Bloomington metropolitan area.

The town’s motto, “Builders Of American History,” hints at its foundational roots, with settlement dating back to the early 19th century. Today, Ellettsville continues to build on its history, balancing a connection to its past with a forward-looking approach to development and community life. This makes it an appealing location for those seeking a balance between a quieter pace of life and access to the amenities of a larger city.

Is it Safe to Live in Ellettsville?

Ellettsville maintains an overall crime rate of 10 per 1,000 residents, which is considered to be around the average for cities and towns of all sizes across America (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). Your likelihood of becoming a victim of crime in Ellettsville stands at approximately 1 in 102, based on an analysis of FBI crime data. This places its crime rate lower than about 28% of other communities within Indiana (as reported by NeighborhoodScout).

Specifically, the violent crime rate in Ellettsville is reported at 1 per 1,000 inhabitants, which is comparable to the national average for communities of all population sizes (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). The chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is about one in 759 (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). For property crime, the rate is approximately 8 per 1,000 population, indicating a slightly higher chance of being a victim of property crime compared to the national average (as reported by NeighborhoodScout).

Housing Costs and Market Trends

The Ellettsville housing market is described as somewhat competitive, with a Redfin Compete Score of 49 out of 100 (as reported by Redfin). The median sale price of a home in Ellettsville was $353,000 in March 2026, showing an increase of 12.3% compared to the previous year (as reported by Redfin). Homes in Ellettsville typically sell after about 55 days on the market, a faster pace than the 121 days recorded last year (as reported by Redfin).

Currently, the median listing price for homes in Ellettsville is around $359,000 (as reported by Redfin). This figure suggests a stable market for both buyers and sellers. The median price per square foot is $193, which has seen a slight decrease of 4.5% over the past year (as reported by Redfin).

For renters, the average rent for all property types and bedrooms in Ellettsville is $2,850 (as reported by Zillow). This represents a significant month-over-month increase of $1,400 and a year-over-year increase of $1,250 (as reported by Zillow). The rental price range for properties in Ellettsville is typically between $1,400 and $3,000 (as reported by Zillow).

Job Market and Major Employers

The employment landscape in Ellettsville has shown growth, with employment increasing by 2.69% from the previous year, reaching approximately 3.66k employees (as reported by Data USA). The most common occupations among Ellettsville residents are in Office & Administrative Support (588 people), Management (413 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (332 people) (as reported by Data USA).

Key employers contributing to the local economy include Ellettsville Bancshares and Smithville (as identified by Zippia). While specific local employer data can fluctuate, the broader region benefits from institutions like Indiana University Bloomington, which is the largest employer in the region, along with significant entities such as the Cook Group and IU Health Bloomington Hospital (as reported by Hoosiers by the Numbers). Recent investments in the area, like KeHE’s distribution facility, also contribute to job creation and economic activity (as reported by Bloomington Economic Development Corporation).

Climate and Weather Patterns

Ellettsville experiences a temperate climate with distinct seasons. The average high temperature throughout the year is around 63°F, with an average low of 42°F (as reported by Livability.com). The area receives an average annual rainfall of 48 inches and an average annual snowfall of 15 inches (as reported by Livability.com).

Weather forecasts indicate a chance of showers and thunderstorms, particularly in the spring and summer months. For example, current forecasts show a chance of showers and thunderstorms, with lows around 45°F and highs near 78°F for a typical week in May (as reported by National Weather Service). Residents can expect varied conditions, with periods of sunshine interspersed with precipitation throughout the year.

Education and School Ratings

The Richland-Bean Blossom Community School Corporation serves Ellettsville and has an overall Niche grade of B (as reported by Niche). This district encompasses PK-12 grades and serves approximately 2,735 students, with a student-teacher ratio of 15 to 1 (as reported by Niche). State test scores indicate that about 43% of students are proficient in math and 49% in reading within this district (as reported by Niche).

Within the district, Edgewood High School holds a B+ overall Niche grade, serving grades 9-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 13 to 1 (as reported by Niche). Edgewood Junior High School also receives a B grade, serving grades 6-8 with a 15 to 1 student-teacher ratio (as reported by Niche). Seven Oaks Classical School, a public K-12 school, also serves the area and has a strong Niche rating of 4.5 out of 5 (as reported by Niche).

Demographics and Population

Ellettsville is home to approximately 6,698 residents as of 2024 (as reported by Data USA). The population is predominantly White, accounting for 92.8% of residents, with smaller percentages of other races and multiracial populations (as reported by World Population Review). The town is part of the Bloomington, Indiana metropolitan area.

The median age in Ellettsville is 34.5 years (as reported by World Population Review). The poverty rate is 5.87%, which is lower than the national average of 12.5% (as reported by World Population Review). In terms of citizenship, 99.2% of Ellettsville residents are U.S. citizens, a figure that is higher than the national average (as reported by Data USA).

Cost of Living

The overall cost of living in Ellettsville, Indiana, is approximately 10% lower than the national average (as reported by Payscale). Housing expenses are a significant contributor to this affordability, being about 35% lower than the national average (as reported by Payscale). Utility prices are also favorable, at 7% lower than the national average (as reported by Payscale).

However, transportation costs, including gas prices and bus fares, are slightly higher, by about 3% compared to the national average (as reported by Payscale). Grocery prices are also marginally higher, by approximately 2% above the national average (as reported by Payscale). Healthcare costs in Ellettsville are notably higher, at 11% above the national average (as reported by Payscale).

Pros and Cons of Living in Ellettsville

Ellettsville offers a compelling mix of affordability and community, making it an attractive place to live. The lower cost of living, particularly in housing, provides financial advantages compared to national averages (as reported by Payscale). Its status as a growing municipality with proximity to natural attractions and a larger city like Bloomington enhances its appeal for those seeking a balanced lifestyle.

The town’s safety profile is generally in line with national averages for crime rates, with violent crime rates being comparable to the national average (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). The school district, Richland-Bean Blossom Community School Corporation, receives a solid B rating from Niche, indicating a good educational environment for families.

On the other hand, Ellettsville’s rental market has seen significant price increases, which could impact affordability for renters (as reported by Zillow). While overall crime is average, property crime rates are slightly above the national average (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). Additionally, healthcare costs are higher than the national average, which is a factor to consider for residents’ budgets (as reported by Payscale).